Page 116 of Even Beneath the Stars

I scoff, leaning towards him. “Great?” I repeat. “Dude, the crowd wouldn’t stop cheering. They requestedthreeencores.”

His lips part slightly, like he’s about to protest, but I steamroll ahead, because someone needs to remind him howinsanelyamazing he was tonight.

“AndHollow Hall?” I press. “That was next level. The room went dead silent for a solid three seconds after you finished. Like, not a single sound.” I pause for effect, widening my eyes. “And then—boom—explosion. The whole place lost their minds.”

Xavier’s brows knit slightly, like he’s searching his memory for proof of this moment. “They did?”

I nod emphatically. “Yeah, they freaking did.” My voice drops, turning more sincere. “Xave. It was so good. Like,sogood.”

A flicker of something vulnerable flashes across his face—just for a second—before he smirks, shifting his weight in the water. “Thanks… I was shitting bricks before we went on. Still can't believe I went through with it.”

“Thank God you did. Everyone loved it.Iloved it. I may have even swooned.”

Xavier’s smirk deepens, eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh yeah?” he murmurs. “What do you look like when you swoon?”

I sit up straighter, lifting a hand to my forehead like a distressed damsel. “Like this—oh, Xavier Rockwell, be still my heart!” I fake-faint, sinking dramatically into the water, only to pop back up and flutter my lashes at him.

Xave laughs, shaking his head.

“Level Ten swoonage," I tell him.

His smirk lingers as he watches me, eyes trailing over my face, down to my shoulders where water rivulets trail down to my collar bone… along the straps of my bikini top… lower… The teasing fades slightly, shifting into something quieter, heavier.

Xavier's arm stretches out toward me, his voice low and warm. "C'mere."

I wade through the water, settling beside him. He pulls me against his side and I twist, draping my legs across his lap. The water laps gently around us, creating tiny waves that catch the light. His skin is warm against mine, and I can feel the solid strength of his muscles beneath me.

Xave's fingers find a strand of my hair, twirling it absently between his fingers. His eyes are focused, intense, like he's workingup to something.

"Thank you," he says finally, his voice deeper and softer than usual. The sincerity in his tone makes my chest tighten. "For pushing me to do this… jamming with the guys, going up on stage." His fingers still play with my hair, but his eyes lock with mine. "Pretty sure I wouldn't have done any of it without you."

I shake my head, fighting the urge to look away from the intensity of his gaze. "You would. Eventually, you would have. It's in your blood. You're a born musician; the real deal."

Xavier's lips curve into that dangerous half-smile of his, the one that makes my stomach flip. His eyes drift to my mouth, lingering there as his hand slides from my hair, then along my neck, his touch sending shivers down my spine despite the hot water. The way he's looking at me makes my heart race—like I'm the only person in the world who matters right now.

His fingers trace along my jawline, feather-light and deliberate, then drift up. He sweeps his thumb across my cheek. "These…" he murmurs. "Kill me."

I let out a confused laugh, pulse quickening. "What? Mycheeks?"

Xavier shakes his head once, his eyes darkening as they follow the path of his thumb. "Your freckles…"

His thumb ghosts across my nose, trailing over to my other cheek. He pulls his lower lip between his teeth, studying my face with an intensity that makes my breath catch.

"They're just…" His words trail off and he lets out a low chuckle. "They're kind of mesmerizing."

I can't help laughing, despite the heat flooding my face at his words—at the raw honesty in his voice. My heart stutters at the way his eyes trace over my face like he's memorizing every freckle, every detail.

"They're soyou," he murmurs, his thumb trailing back along my jaw. His touch is gentle but electric. "They're cute and sexy and unique and… Yeah, they just kill me."

I lean into him, pressing my lips to his. It's a soft kiss; slow and lazy. His tongue traces the seam of my lips. When he pulls back slightly, his eyes are dark, intense.

"Youkill me…" he breathes against my mouth. "You're just—you're so different. You're so fucking authentic, Maggs, it blows my mind sometimes."

He leans in to kiss me but I hold him back with a palm against his bare chest.

"You realize you're all those things too, right?" I tell him. "I mean, minus the freckles. But you're amazing. You show the world one thing when really, you're so much more… And I'm glad you're starting to show more of that side—with the music and stuff. I'm glad you're letting yourself be 'you' beyond the walls of your Observatory fortress."

His lips curl up in a grin. "Observatory fortress, huh?"

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