Kimberly paused in her tracks.

The curtains were moving slightly, morning light spilling across the floor in soft geometric patterns. Xavier stood at the window, one hand braced against the frame, a bottle of water in the other. Backlit by the sun, his broad shoulders were cut in a sharp silhouette.

At the sound of the door, his head turned. Slowly. Deliberately.

His eyes locked onto hers.

Kimberly's breath caught in her throat. Her fingers went numb where they gripped the doorknob. The ...