Chapter 18
Author: Purplescent
last update2025-10-01 23:38:17

“Thank you,” she mouthed, but the word was swallowed by the general din of the elevator.

He shifted slightly, his arm coming up not to steady himself, but to hold the coffee cup just above the heads of the people pressing in.

“No problem,” he murmured, his voice now lower, closer to her ear than was strictly professional, perhaps because of the noise. It sent a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the cool metal wall behind her.

The elevator climbed, stopping and starting, slowly shedding its human cargo floor by floor. The chaotic, tight crush gradually eased, until only two people remained,Ari, Xavier. He moved away from her immediately. He didn't linger in the corner,he took a casual step back, distancing himself by a good three feet. The instant removal of his body shield left Ari feeling exposed and disproportionately cold.

Her cheeks felt hot, a deep, tell-tale red blooming from the neck up. She avoided his gaze, staring intently at the flickering floor numbers. The
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