Xavier's POV
After dinner, we walked out of the restaurant together after I had made the payment. The night air was cool against my skin, carrying the faint scent of rain and expensive perfume—hers.
"So… how was the meal?" I asked as we walked toward my car. "Did you enjoy the restaurant, the setting… everything? Was it to your taste?"
Khloe looked at me, and for the first time that night, her expression looked softer. Less guarded.
"I really enjoyed my time," she said quietly. "The food, the conversations we shared… and the place is actually nice."
"Hm." A small smile formed on my lips. "I'm glad you enjoyed all that."
At that point, we were already close to the car. I reached for the passenger door, about to open it for her, when suddenly she held my hand.
That alone made me pause.
Her fingers wrapped around mine softly, but the effect it had on me wasn't soft at all.
I turned to look at her.
"Let's just take a stroll," she said. "Maybe drive out and park at a different spot."
For a second, I simply stared at her.
Khloe… wanted more time with me?
All I did was nod.
I got into the car and drove a little farther away from the restaurant before parking somewhere quieter, somewhere less crowded. The city lights reflected against the windshield while the engine settled into silence.
Khloe stepped out first and started walking slowly ahead.
I watched her for a second before getting out myself.
When she got closer to where I parked, I gestured with my hand for her to lead the way, which she did.
The silence between us wasn't awkward anymore.
It felt heavy.
Anticipating.
Like both of us knew this night wasn't over yet.
"What do you want to talk about?" I finally asked.
She stopped walking.
Then softly, almost too softly—
"Sorry?."
I frowned slightly. "Oh, we're playing dumb now?"
She looked away immediately.
"You said you loved the conversations earlier," I continued, my voice low and raspy now. "And you even suggested we go on a stroll… Khloe."
At some point, we had stopped walking completely.
Now we were facing each other.
A little too close.
A little too aware.
"You know I can read you," I said quietly.
And I could.
Her face gave everything away.
The way her eyes kept darting from me to the ground… then away again like she couldn't hold my gaze for too long.
Goddamn.
If only she knew how cute she looked doing that.
"I wanted us to finish our conversation from earlier," she started nervously. "The part where you said you didn't regret the kiss and—"
She didn't get to finish.
Because honestly?
I didn't want her to.
Before I could even think properly, my hand moved to her face, covering her mouth gently as I leaned closer to her.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
I could feel her breathing against my palm.
"Do you want me to prove it?" I whispered against her ear.
The moment the words left my mouth, I pulled back just enough to look at her.
And slowly…
She nodded.
Just a little nod.
But it was enough.
More than enough.
Because the second she did, I lost every bit of control I thought I had left.
My lips crashed against hers in the sweetest, craziest unison.
And God—
The way she responded.
It drove me insane instantly.
There was nothing hesitant about it anymore. Nothing unsure. She kissed me back with just as much need, just as much hunger, and it only made me want more.
My hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her closer while the other tangled into her hair carefully.
Deeper.
I kissed her deeper.
Like I had been holding it back all night.
Maybe longer than that.
"You wanted this all night," I whispered in between kisses.
A soft moan escaped her lips.
And that sound?
That sound nearly destroyed whatever control I had left.
Because suddenly my hands were everywhere.
Her waist.
Her back.
Her hips.
Pulling her impossibly closer like I couldn't stand even an inch between us.
The kiss became intense so quickly that we completely forgot where we were.
Outside.
Public.
None of it mattered.
Not when she was kissing me like this.
Not when she was melting into me.
Had it not been Khloe pulling away first, I honestly wouldn't have stopped.
I was breathing hard by the time the kiss broke, my forehead resting lightly against hers.
And then she started nibbling on her swollen lips.
That alone made it difficult to think straight.
Difficult to breathe.
Difficult to act like I wasn't already losing my mind over her.
I stared at her for a long second before finally speaking.
"Would you like to go home with me, Khloe?"
At that point, I definitely wasn't using my head to think.
But then again…
Neither was she.
Because after a few seconds, she whispered—
"Yes."
And that was all I needed to hear.
I nodded slowly, trying to calm the storm raging inside me, then we both turned and walked back toward the car.
The entire ride was quiet.
Too quiet.
Khloe kept staring out the window while I gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary.
Part of me wondered if she was regretting it already.
Regretting kissing me.
Regretting saying yes.
But another part of me knew I wouldn't force her into anything. No matter how badly I wanted her right now.
If she changed her mind, I'd take her home.
Simple.
Still, the silence kept eating at me.
"Khloe," I started carefully.
She turned slightly toward me.
"If you don't want this, we can stop." My voice was calmer now, steadier. "I'm not forcing you to do anything against your will. Besides… we were both caught up in pleasure and lust."
I paused briefly before continuing.
"If you want me to take you home, I'll do just that."
Silence.
She didn't answer.
My grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel.
"Khloe?" I called again. "Just let me know what's on your—"
I stopped when she finally spoke.
Softly.
Slowly turning to face me.
"Maybe you weren't in your right state of mind when you asked," she said quietly. "But I sure was."
I glanced at her.
"Do I want to go home?" she continued. "Yes… but I'd rather go home with you, Xavier."
The way she looked at me after saying it nearly took the breath out of my lungs.
For once in my life…
I was completely speechless.
All I could do was nod and keep driving, knowing fully well that tonight had changed something between us forever.