Page 277 of Black Reign

He looks down.

“Stay.”

There it is again.

That word.

Years later.

Different room.

Same man.

His expression softens.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

I release him.

Xavier moves to the armchair opposite the sofa.

Not beside me.

Not hovering.

Close enough that I can see him.

The fire burns lower between us.

Rain traces the windows.

He loosens his tie completely and opens another button at his throat.

Then he sits back.

Dark eyes on me.

I shift beneath the blanket.

“You're staring again.”

“Yes.”

“That's unsettling.”

“You'll survive.”

“Are you going to watch me sleep?”

“For a while.”

“Creepy.”

“Probably.”

I smile into the pillow.

My eyes grow heavy.