Frayed Edges

ingers brushed against her lips as if trying to recapture the sensation. "It felt... incredible," she whispered

tion hit her, Zara's face flushed with embarrassment. Her eyes widened in horror. "Oh my God. What was I thinkin

elt good," he thought. "Really good. The way Zara's lips softened beneath mine, the way her b

the couch, just as Mike burst in through the front door, his arms laden with food. "Food's h

olled out of the bedroom, his eyes never leaving Zara's face. B

to Mike and said, "We have work to do

id Xavier's gaze. Xavier finally called her out on it, his voice

se was immedi

, his eyes never leavin

r laughed, the sound low and husky. "What you're doing is o

hoto frame she'd seen before. This time, she saw it more clearl

ter of her. "Who's that?" sh

preading across his face. "Oh, that

small smile playing on

ice a little more insis

rief moment before he regained

er's, her gaze searc

e back. "She's fine," he said, his voice a little too b

in Xavier's eyes and decided

ntil Mike broke it. "So, what's up?

ed. "Grab a

the story. "It's about Zara. He began to tell Mike about her past a

That's messed up. Patri

hing. "Yeah, Mike, she is. I had to find a way to

marriage to Williams as a way to escape Patricia. But... things didn't go as

your husband was killed at y

sadly. "Ye

wonder you showed up here in a stain

miled

to check in with her husband's family, but she's sc

"Of course, you're free, Zara

avier. "So, wh

get Zara to see her husband's family home without drawing t

ay, that shouldn

uter and turned to Zara. "

Brown," Za

own was your husband? Damn, Patri

lau

er a few minutes, he turned to Zara and Xavi

ened in surpris

survey the area around their

and turned to Xavier. "I do

ll rang. Xavier smile

answer the door. It was a delivery. He th

to Zara and handed

ened it. Her eyes widened in shock. Insid

as she hugged Xavier tightly. "Thank you

. "It's okay.

hed off

e, Mike spoke up. "I g

urs!" Patricia shouted, her voice echoing through the

a calming hand raised. "Patricia, calm down. He

the other employee. "Is

tily. "Y-yes, we'r

sive frame filling the doorway. Pat

is head. "Not

hat if Zara planned this all along?

a scaredy-cat. I'm surprised she

Zara's a scared girl. She doesn't

a slammed her fist on the table.

an't we just let her go? Besides, she

fury. "Who told you she's don

oice icy. "Check thoroughly.

r face darkening. "It's Zara's so-called husband's

, poor guy. Wonder w

"Probably had t

lapped her hands together, a wicked glint in her eye. "Zara will de

ia's smirk grew wider. "We'll get her there. S

gleam with anticipation, her voice dri