Mag-log inXARION'S POVI scrub a hand over my face, frustration building inside me until it feels like I'm going to explode."Maybe I need to give her space," I murmur, the words heavy. "Not from the twins. Never from the twins. But from… me."It hurts to even think about it.But maybe that's what she needs.Maybe if I back off and stop pushing, stop trying so hard, she'll realize what she's missing.Or maybe she won't.And that thought is the one that kills me.Because what if stepping back is the final nail in the coffin?What if she takes my absence as confirmation that I've given up?That I don't care anymore?I don't know.I don't know what the right move is anymore.And now?Now I'm starting to wonder if I'm just fooling myself.Maybe she's never going to forgive me. Maybe the damage I caused is too deep, too permanent, to ever truly heal.And the worst part?The realization that maybe we can't get back together hurts worse than anything else.Because I want her. Goddess, I want her so b
XARION'S POVI'm clenching the steering wheel so hard my knuckles have turned white, my jaw clenched so tight it throbs, and I can't stop replaying what just happened.The way Megan looked at me this morning.Like I was something she regretted. Like I was a mistake she needed to erase as quickly as possible.The memory stings worse than anything I've felt in a long time, and I can't shake it no matter how hard I try.I drive aimlessly through the city without really paying attention to where I'm going, my mind too consumed with the mess I just left behind.Last night was… perfect.I didn't think she'd let me touch her like that. Didn't think she'd let me in, even for a moment.But she did.She let me kiss her. Feel her. Love her the way I've been dying to for four damn years.And for the first time in forever, I actually felt like maybe, just maybe, we had a chance.But this morning?This morning she looked at me like I was the enemy.Like I'd done something unforgivable by being ther
MEGAN'S POVXarion stares at me for a long moment, his jaw clenching, and then he swings his legs over the side of the bed, standing slowly."Did I do something wrong?" he asks quietly, his voice choked. "Because if I did, just tell me, Megan. Don't shut me out like this again.""What happened between us last night wasn't supposed to happen, Xarion," I respond firmly, refusing to meet his eyes."What do you mean it wasn't supposed to happen?" he steps closer. "We both wanted it, Megan. We made love. We…""Don't," I cut him off, my heart squeezing at his words. "Don't call it that.""Then what would you call it?" he challenges, his voice gaining an edge. "Because that's what it was. We both felt it. We both wanted each other. You can't just pretend…""I don't want to have this conversation, Xarion," I shut him down again, my voice trembling now. "I don't want these long talks or explanations or whatever you think this is. I just want you to leave. Before the twins see you here again."
MEGAN'S POVI wake up slowly, my body warm and pleasantly sore in ways I haven't felt in years.For a brief, blissful moment, I just lie there with my eyes still closed, enjoying the sensation.I feel… good.Really good.My muscles are relaxed, my skin feels soft against the sheets, and there's this gentle warmth wrapped around me like a cocoon.But then the memory hits me like a tidal wave.Last night.Xarion.His hands on my body. His mouth on mine. The way he touched me, worshiped me, made me feel things I swore I'd never feel for him again.The way I let him.No.The way I begged him.My eyes snap open, and reality crashes down on me with brutal clarity.Oh goddess.What the hell did I do?My heart starts pounding, panic pressing down on my chest as I turn my head slowly to the side, almost afraid of what I'm going to see.And there he is.Xarion.Sleeping peacefully beside me, his chest rising and falling in slow, steady breaths, his face relaxed and unguarded in a way I haven't
MEGAN'S POVI should say yes.I should push him away and tell him this was a mistake.But the word that comes out of my mouth is completely different."N-no," I whisper, my voice shy and reluctant and so quiet I barely hear it myself.But he hears it.And the smile that crosses his face is devastating."Good," he murmurs, and then his mouth is on mine again, even more intense than before.His hands explore my body now, no longer just massaging but possessing, tracing down my sides, over my hips, pulling me even closer.I feel his fingers at the zipper of my dress, and I should stop him.I really should.But instead, I arch into his touch, silently giving him permission, and he takes it.The zipper slides down slowly, carefully, and the cool air hits my bare skin as the dress falls away.I'm left in just my bra and panties, both of which are probably embarrassingly obvious evidence of how turned on I am, and I should feel vulnerable.But I don't.I feel powerful.Desired.Wanted.My ha
MEGAN'S POVXarion's hands keep moving, slowly and deliberately, working out the tension in my shoulders, and I'm completely falling apart.My panties are absolutely soaked at this point.Not just damp. Soaked.I can feel the wetness pooling between my thighs, and I press them together harder, trying desperately to ignore the throbbing ache building there.This is ridiculous.It's just a massage.Just his hands on my shoulders.There's no reason I should be this turned on from something so innocent.Except it doesn't feel innocent anymore.Not with the way his fingers are pressing into my skin, firm and knowing, like he's memorized every knot, every tense muscle, every place that makes me want to melt.I should tell him to stop.I should thank him politely, tell him I'm fine now, and send him on his way.My mouth opens, the words right there on the tip of my tongue."Xarion, I think that's…"But they don't come out.Instead, I just sit there like an idiot, my lips parted uselessly, my
MEGAN'S POVIf someone had told me a week ago that I'd be standing in Xarion's company, voluntarily bringing the twins to see him, I would've laughed in their face. Or maybe scratched their eyes out, depending on my mood.But here I am.Because as much as I hate being in this position, as much as
MEGAN'S POVThe first thing I notice when I open my eyes is the sterile scent of antiseptic, the soft beep of machines nearby, and a thin blanket spread over me.My lashes flutter, adjusting to the low light above me and my body feels heavier than usual, but not broken, just sore. I blink a few mo
MEGAN'S POVDanielle's gaze moves past me to the building behind, then back to my face. I can practically see the wheels turning in her head, trying to figure out why I'm here.For a second, neither of us moves. We just stand there, locked in some ridiculous standoff like we're characters in a bad
DANIELLE'S POVI'm literally fuming right now. My blood feels like it’s boiling under my skin as I pace the length of my living room, heels striking sharply against the crystal floor. Skye, my best friend, is sitting on the couch with a glass of wine in hand, watching me with wide eyes, but her ca







