Page 256 of Black Reign

Stops.

My lips part without permission.

Xavier’s eyes darken.

I feel the shift in him.

Not Ghost.

Not Blackwell.

Man.

His thumb slides lightly beneath my chin.

He says something under his breath in Italian.

I don't catch all of it.

Then French.

“Putain.”

I almost smile.

“You're swearing in two languages now?”

“Trying not to do something stupid.”

“What?”

His eyes lift to mine.

“You know.”

I do.

Every inch between us seems suddenly unbearable.

I should step back.

He should.

Neither of us moves.

His fingertip is still at my mouth.

My hands hang uselessly at my sides.

The fire cracks behind him.

Rain pounds harder against the windows.

I whisper, “Maybe you should stop touching my lip.”

“That would be wise.”

“You're not stopping.”