Sloane’s POV
Xavier remains on his side, running a heavy hand over his face, his chest still rising and falling in deep, measured breaths, in the aftermath. Neither of us says a word. The silence between us is suffocating with everything we aren't saying.
But what do we say?
Gesturing vaguely toward the dense thicket behind us, I bite the inside of my cheek as I try to ignore the dry leaves in his hair, then I mumble, "I... I have to go get my clothes. I left them further up."
Nodding, he reaches over and slowly removes the bits of grass and dried leaves tangled in my hair, then brushes something from my shoulder with his fingertips when we sit up. I gulp because his touch brings the tingles again. He cups my face, and a slow smile spreads across his lips as he looks into my eyes.
“I’
