Bit by bit

[Music recommendation:You right by Doja cat and The Weeknd]

As they pulled apart from the hug, the air between them felt charged, thick with unspoken emotions. The moonlight cast a soft, silvery glow over everything, turning the world into something almost dreamlike, while their breaths remained shallow, each one a reminder of how close they had been. Xavier's hand lingered on her back for just a moment longer than necessary, as though he wasn't quite ready to let go.

An awkward silence followed, pressing down on them both. Kamsi's fingers still tingled from where his arms had held her, and the warmth of his embrace lingered in her skin, a stark contrast to the cool night air. She couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that had crept up on her, and a rush of doubt filled her mind. What does this mean?

Xavier's eyes softened as he finally broke the silence, his voice low, sincere. "How are things between you and your mom?"

The question caught her off guard, like a sudden shift in direction. She blinked, trying to find the words to respond, but they felt caught in her throat. Her chest tightened as she thought about the strained silence between her and her mom, the weight of her unresolved feelings. "Not so good," Kamsi admitted quietly, her voice barely more than a whisper. She tugged at the sleeve of her jacket nervously, avoiding his gaze. "She's still giving me the silent treatment... but I hope things will get better."

Xavier's gaze softened even further, and for a moment, she could see a flicker of empathy in his eyes—something she hadn't expected from him. His lips curled into a small, comforting smile, though it was tinged with something else. "I know they will," he said, his voice filled with quiet conviction.

Kamsi didn't know why, but hearing that from him eased the tightness in her chest, just a little. She nodded slowly, feeling a fragile sense of hope take root inside her.

They stood there for a long moment, the quiet stretching out between them, before the air seemed to shift again. Xavier's gaze had grown intense, his eyes never leaving hers, and the space between them seemed to narrow. Kamsi's heart picked up its pace again, though she couldn't quite understand why. It was just Xavier, after all.

Then, with an almost predatory grace, Xavier took a step closer, his gaze darkening with something unreadable. His voice dropped lower, its tone changing, becoming more intimate. "You look mesmerizing in this light," he murmured, his words soft and almost teasing. "I could almost devour you."

Kamsi's breath hitched, and a shiver ran down her spine. The sudden shift in his tone sent a jolt of heat through her body, her skin prickling with awareness of him. She stood frozen for a heartbeat, torn between the instinct to pull away and the inexplicable pull that seemed to anchor her in place.

She glanced up at him, and for a brief moment, she saw something raw in his expression—something that took her by surprise. But before she could process it, Xavier was already stepping closer, his presence overwhelming, like the weight of the world pressing in around her.

His face was inches from hers now, his breath warm against her skin, and she could feel the heat radiating off of him. He seemed to be studying her, as if trying to gauge her reaction to his words. The air around them was thick with tension, and she felt herself getting lost in it, drowning in the intensity of his gaze.

Xavier reached out, his fingers lightly brushing her chin, guiding her face up so that their eyes met once again. His touch was tender, but there was a possessiveness to it that made Kamsi's heart skip a beat.

"Be mine, Kamsi," he whispered, his lips barely grazing her ear. His voice was low, commanding, but there was an undercurrent of something vulnerable in it that sent a wave of confusion through her.

Her chest tightened, and she felt the weight of his words settle in her heart. Be mine?What did that even mean? She had only just begun to understand the pull she felt toward him, the way her heart seemed to beat faster whenever he was near. But could she really let him in? Could she trust him?

For a moment, everything inside her stilled—her thoughts, her pulse, the air around them. And then, as if the world had been holding its breath, the spell broke.

She took a step back, her hands suddenly feeling clammy, her heart racing in her chest. What the hell was that ? She couldn't make sense of the emotions swirling inside her, couldn't separate the fear from the thrill.

Xavier's lips curled into a small, almost sadistic smile as he studied her. "Hmm?" he asked, his voice quieter now, almost coaxing. It was a challenge, an invitation for her to respond, but she didn't know what to say.

Her chest tightened again, and she forced the words out, though they felt like they came from someone else. "I… I don't know," she muttered, barely able to meet his gaze.

His smile deepened, his eyes still burning with intensity. "Then I'll claim you," he breathed, the words almost a promise as he leaned in, his lips dangerously close to hers. "Bit by bit, until your heart is only mine, and you can't think of anything but me."

Kamsi's heart fluttered violently in her chest at the weight of his words. There was something terrifyingly powerful about the way he said it, like he was already set on making her his, piece by piece. And despite herself, despite the doubt and confusion swirling inside her, part of her *wanted* to give in.

His hand slid to hers, fingers curling around hers with a quiet finality. "We should get going," he said, the intensity in his voice now softened, though his touch remained possessive.

As they walked away, hand in hand, Kamsi's mind was racing. Was he really serious? The question echoed in her head, tangled with doubt and fear. Was she ready to let him claim her, to become a part of whatever this was? Or was she about to get lost in a storm that she didn't know how to survive?

Her chest tightened again, her body buzzing with the intensity of the moment, and she couldn't help but wonder—What had just happened?