Later, in the quiet darkness of his bedroom, Xavier pulled back the soft, cool silk sheets. He wrapped a strong arm around my waist, tugging me back against the solid warmth of his chest. His body was a furnace against my back. He kissed the top of my head, a familiar, comforting gesture, before reaching out to turn off the bedside lamp. The room was plunged into a deep, velvety black.

"Alright, baby. Get cozy. I've got you all night long. Sleep tight, I'll be right here when you wake up."