CHAPTER 18

The moment our lips met, it was like time stood still. The kiss was slow and tender, a blend of relief and passion. Her lips were soft and addictive, and I felt a wave of euphoria wash over me.

Kissing her was the most blissful thing I had ever experienced. The way she responded, the heat of her body pressed against mine—it was perfect. I lost myself in the kiss, savoring every second of this beautiful connection.

As Xavier's lips captured Ava's, the kiss began with a fierce intensity. He pressed his lips firmly against hers, his mouth moving with a hunger that seemed to speak of everything unsaid between them.

Ava's eyes flew open in shock as she felt the sharp bite of his lips, a gasp escaping her. The unexpected sensation made her body tingle with excitement. Xavier's tongue, warm and demanding, traced the contours of her lips before delving deeper. For a brief, intoxicating moment, all her thoughts scattered. She responded instinctively, her arms wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer.

Their kiss quickly became a desperate dance of tongues and lips. Xavier's hands roamed over her back, pulling her flush against him. The heat of his body, the firmness of his hold, and the raw intensity of his kiss overwhelmed her senses. She felt herself losing control, surrendering completely to the electric connection between them.

His hands tangled in her hair, tilting her head to better taste her, his lips moving with a fierce, almost savage need. Ava's fingers dug into his dark hair, her grip tight as she urged him closer. Their breaths mingled, heavy and ragged, as their mouths worked together in a passionate struggle for dominance.

Xavier's kisses were relentless, exploring every inch of her mouth with an urgency that made Ava shiver with pleasure. He pulled her onto his lap, his body pressing her down, the friction heightening their mutual desire. The intimate contact between them was charged with a dark, primal energy that left both of them breathless.

As they broke apart momentarily, Xavier's gaze locked onto Ava's, his eyes dark with an intense, burning need. Her lips were bruised from their fervent kisses, and her breaths were heavy and uneven. He watched her with a predatory look, a barely restrained desire that made the air between them crackle with tension.

With a low growl of satisfaction, Xavier captured her lips once more. His kiss was deeper, more demanding, as he explored the full extent of their shared passion. Ava's head fell back slightly as she moaned into the kiss, her body arching toward him instinctively. His hands continued their relentless exploration, his fingers tangling in her hair, holding her in place as he devoured her lips with a dark, almost possessive hunger.

They eventually pulled apart, their faces flushed, their breaths mingling in the dim light. The intensity of the kiss had left them both trembling slightly, their eyes locked in a shared, unspoken understanding of the raw, intense connection they had just experienced. The night around them seemed to pulse with their lingering desire, leaving them both yearning for more.

Ava's heart raced as she stumbled away from Xavier, the realization of the intensity of their kiss crashing down on her. The urgency in her movements was palpable, her usual composure shattered by the raw emotion of the moment.

"Could you please drop me at home?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly, betraying her inner turmoil. The desperation in her eyes was unmistakable, a stark contrast to her usual confident demeanor.

Xavier nodded, though his confusion was evident. "S-Sure," he stammered, watching her with a mix of concern and curiosity as he drove. The drive was tense, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words.

When they arrived at her apartment, Xavier reached out and took her hand, his touch both tender and firm. "It's not over yet," he said, his voice low and earnest, filled with a mixture of determination and worry. "I need to talk to you. I understand you need time to process what happened, but don't push me away, Ava."

Ava's eyes met his for a fleeting moment before she nodded and hurried inside her building, her movements swift and anxious. Xavier watched her go, a knot of unease tightening in his chest.

Once inside her apartment, Ava's mind was a storm of confusion and regret. She rushed to her cupboard, her hands shaking as she searched for her sanitary supplies. When she finally found her last sanitary pad, a fleeting sense of relief washed over her, but it was quickly overshadowed by the whirlwind of thoughts about Xavier.

Desperate for clarity, Ava grabbed her skateboard and headed downstairs. The cool night air stung her face, a sharp contrast to the heat of her emotions. She skated through the empty streets, the rhythmic clatter of the skateboard against the pavement offering a temporary distraction from her inner chaos.

She arrived at her car near the pharmacy and quickly stowed the skateboard in the backseat. Once inside the car, she drove home, the hum of the engine a monotonous backdrop to her racing thoughts.

Once home, she collapsed onto her bed, her body exhausted from the emotional and physical turmoil of the night. Despite the fatigue, a small, secretive smile played on her lips as she replayed the kiss in her mind. The memory of Xavier's touch, his lips on hers, was both intoxicating and haunting. She drifted into a restless sleep, the vivid images of the kiss blending with her dreams.

The next morning, Ava woke up feeling drained, the discomfort of her period adding to her exhaustion. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through her apartment, offering a comforting sense of normalcy. She shuffled into the living room, hoping to find some solace in her daily routine.

"I love you, Mia," she said, her voice filled with affection as she approached the kitchen, where the comforting sight of her friend greeted her. Mia was busy preparing coffee, her presence a welcome anchor in Ava's turbulent day.

To Ava's surprise, there were two unfamiliar women in the kitchen. Her eyes widened in recognition as she greeted one of them. "Hi Lia," she said, her voice brightening with genuine pleasure.

"Hi Ava, it's been so long!" Lia exclaimed, her voice warm and filled with joy as she enveloped Ava in a heartfelt hug. The embrace was a balm to Ava's frayed nerves, offering a sense of familiarity and comfort that she desperately needed.

"I missed you terribly," Ava said, returning the hug with equal fervor. The closeness of her old friend provided a welcome distraction from the night's events.

"HUG time, my babies!" Mia announced with exuberant enthusiasm, pulling both Ava and Lia into a group hug that was both comforting and joyous. The trio laughed and squeezed each other tightly, the warmth of their friendship wrapping around Ava like a cozy blanket.

They settled on the couch, the atmosphere filled with animated conversation and laughter. Ava sipped her coffee, savoring the rich, aromatic taste as she tried to push aside the tumultuous thoughts of Xavier. The presence of her friends and the familiar routine offered a momentary escape from the emotional storm she was still navigating.