Fury in his eyes

[Music recommendation: Save your tears by The Weeknd]

Damon, stationed with his camera, found his focus straying to Zendaya, who flitted between the audience with effortless energy. Her braids swung with each movement, catching the light as her smile lit up the room. His camera lens followed her instinctively, capturing candid shots of her animated gestures and sparkling laughter.

Alexander leaned over, raising a brow as he caught a glimpse of Damon's screen. "You realize we're not here to run a Zendaya fan club, right?" he teased, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Damon flinched, his cheeks flushing as he instinctively tilted the camera away. "Man, shut up!" he shot back, nudging Alexander with his elbow, though his grin gave him away.

Alexander chuckled, his laughter low and easy. "Lover boy," he whispered, shaking his head before returning to his task.

Back at the registration desk, Patricia had all but abandoned her post, her arms crossed tightly as she leaned back in her chair. Her sharp glare alternated between Kamsi and Joe, the corners of her mouth twitching in disdain.

Joe leaned closer to Kamsi, keeping his voice low. "Is she always like this?"

Kamsi glanced at Patricia, suppressing a grin. "Pretty much," she replied, her voice light. "But hey, count yourself lucky. She hasn't caused a scene... yet."

Joe chuckled, the sound warm and easy, and Kamsi couldn't help but laugh along.

But that laugh—soft, radiant, and far too intimate—shattered what little control Xavier had left. His chest tightened, and a flicker of something primal flared in his gut. He couldn't stand it anymore.

Xavier's jaw tightened as he leaned against the far wall, his sharp gaze fixed on the registration desk. His arms were crossed, but the tension in his posture betrayed his calm façade. He narrowed his eyes at the guy—Joe, was it?—who lingered too long with Kamsi. The way Joe's gaze softened and his lips curved into an easy smile whenever he looked at her made Xavier's blood simmer.

Who was this guy, and what gave him the audacity to bask in Kamsi's laughter like that? His fingers tapped impatiently against his bicep as a storm brewed in his chest. As if today wasn't already insufferable—being tethered to his father and his hypocritical charm for the duration of this event—now he had to watch this ridiculous display.

Without a second thought, Xavier pushed off the wall and strode toward her, his steps measured but unrelenting. Kamsi didn't notice him until his shadow fell over her. She blinked up, startled, but before she could say a word, he grabbed her hand firmly, pulling her away from the desk with a quiet but undeniable authority.

"Xavier?" she protested, her voice barely above a whisper as she stumbled to match his pace. Joe and Patricia stared, dumbfounded, but Xavier didn't care.

"What are you doing?" Kamsi demanded, trying to free her hand from his grip, but he didn't let go.

They rounded a corner, and in the next moment, she felt her back press against the cool, unyielding wall. Xavier loomed over her, his hands braced on either side of her head, caging her in.

Her breath hitched as her wide eyes locked onto his. His jaw clenched, the muscle ticking as if he were struggling to rein himself in. "Are you trying to drive me insane, my dear pug?" His voice was low, rough, and dangerously controlled, sending a shiver down her spine. "Because if you are, it's working."

Her brows furrowed, confusion etched across her face. "What are you talking about?" she stammered, the words barely making it past her lips.

He leaned closer, his gaze boring into hers with an intensity that left her breathless. "First, you ditch me. Then, you're standing there laughing with him," he hissed, his voice thick with jealousy and frustration.

"Joe's just a friend," she said quickly, her voice faltering under the weight of his piercing stare. "He's nice—"

"Don't," Xavier cut her off with a sharp growl, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Don't praise another guy in front of me. You have no idea what that does to me." His voice dropped, low and husky, sending a jolt through her. "It makes me crazy, my dear pug. Crazy enough to rid the world of anyone who dares to take your attention away from me."

Kamsi swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest as her mind struggled to process his words. His proximity, the sheer force of his presence, rendered her speechless.

"Now," he murmured, his voice a seductive whisper as his gaze dropped to her lips, lingering there. "How do I punish you for this?"

Her breath caught as his lips hovered just inches from hers, the tension between them crackling like a live wire. But then, he stopped, his gaze snapping back to hers, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze, the air thick with unspoken words and undeniable electricity.

Xavier's eyes lingered on Kamsi, the silence between them heavy with unspoken tension. Her gaze darted nervously to the side, unable to meet his smoldering intensity. The air seemed to hum with anticipation, each passing second stretching like an eternity.

"You've been avoiding me," he said, his voice low, almost accusing, but threaded with a vulnerability that caught her off guard.

"I wasn't—" she started, but the words died on her lips as he stepped closer, the heat of his presence wrapping around her like a cocoon.

"You were," he interrupted, his tone softer now. His hand lifted, hesitating for a brief moment before brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "And it's driving me insane, Kamsi."

Her pulse quickened at his touch, the gesture as gentle as it was unexpected. She glanced up, finally meeting his gaze, and the raw intensity she found there made her breath hitch.

"Xavier…" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"You drive me crazy," he murmured, his fingers trailing down to her cheek, the pad of his thumb brushing against her skin. His touch was light, almost reverent, but it sent a storm of emotions coursing through her.

"I don't…" she began, but the words caught in her throat. Did she want to stop him? Did she even know what she wanted?

"If you want me to stop," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper, "tell me now."

Her heart thundered in her chest, the weight of his words pressing against her like a challenge. She opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Instead, she found herself leaning into his touch, her body betraying the confusion in her mind.

Xavier took her silence as an answer. Slowly, deliberately, he leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a kiss that was both tentative and commanding. It wasn't rushed—it was as if he was savoring the moment, memorizing the way she felt against him.

For a moment, the world seemed to fade away. Kamsi's thoughts grew hazy, her hands instinctively clutching the fabric of his shirt as her knees threatened to give way. The kiss deepened, sending a thrill down her spine she couldn't ignore, even if she wanted to.

When he finally pulled back, she felt the absence of his warmth immediately, her lips tingling from the contact. Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing uneven. She looked up at him, her wide eyes betraying the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her.

Xavier's mood seemed markedly lighter, his lips curling into a charming smile that made her heart flutter all over again. "Are you okay?" she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Never been better," he replied, his tone laced with amusement. But as he saw the concern lingering in her expression, he realized what she truly meant.