Chapter 13. Insane

“Ah!”

Serena wobbled in her high heels, the sudden loss of balance sending a jolt of panic through her. Her foot slipped, weight pitching forward too fast for her to recover. She squeezed her eyes shut, breath catching as she braced instinctively for the hard impact.

But it never came.

Instead, a warm, steady hand caught her firmly at the small of her back, fingers strong and unyielding as they pulled her upright. The momentum stopped instantly, replaced by the solid heat of a body close behind her.

She blinked her eyes open.

Xavier stood there, far too close, his dark eyes curved with unmistakable amusement.

Her heart thumped painfully against her ribs.

Realizing how near they were, Serena straightened abruptly and shoved him away, more forcefully than necessary. She cleared her throat, heat rushing to her face. “Seriously?” she snapped, masking her embarrassment with irritation. “You live here and still manage to bump into someone?”

Xavier