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Chapter Forty-Four

Maggie

" H ey, funny face. I brought snacks!"

My voice bounces off the glass walls as I step barefoot onto the warm stone Solarium floor. The overhead sconces cast a golden glow across the water, flickering against the ripples of the pool and the glossy curve of the hot tub. Above, the high glass ceiling stretches high, an arched window onto the midnight sky.

Xave's already in the water, arms stretched along the stone ledge, elbows bent, broad shoulders glistening under the low light. His legs extend in front of him, beneath the bubbling water, his damp hair curling slightly at the ends.The scene looks like something out of a dream—or a scene from a movie where the ridiculously rich love interest seduces the protagonist with ambiance alone.

Not that I’d ever let Xavier Rockwell know I’m thinking anything remotely close to that.

We both went up to change into our swimsuits as soon as we got back from the gig, and clearly, the dude is a record fast changer. But then, he didn’t make a detour to the kitchen to load up on a totally excessive amount of candy, chips, and soda like I did.

He lifts a brow as I approach, all lazy smirk and hooded eyes. “There are snacks in here behind the bar,” he says, nodding toward the sleek built-in wet bar just a few feet away. “You didn’t need to—” His words stall as his gaze takes in the sheer volume of junk food I’ve managed to carry. His lips part slightly. “Holy shit,” he mutters, eyes flicking from the overflowing bags in my arms to my face. “Are you planning on us living in here for the next week ? ”

I laugh, dumping my haul onto one of the marble tables near a cluster of lounge chairs. “I didn’t know what you wanted. And I’m hungry.”

“Hungry? It looks like you just robbed a gas station.”

I shrug, popping the tab on a can of soda and taking a long sip.

There’s something about the way Xavier’s looking at me—relaxed, easy—but alsowatchful. Like he’s not just amused buttaking me in, the way he does when I do something that catches him off-guard.

I clear my throat, grabbing a handful of gummy worms. “So, what’s the verdict?” I toss one up, catching it in my mouth. “Do I stay, or do I need to find a different luxury hot tub to crash in?”

Xavier smirks, stretching lazily in the water, muscles shifting beneath the glow of the sconces. “Definitely stay.” Then he adds. "And bring gummy worms over."

I select a red gummy worm from my palm and hold it up between my thumb and forefinger. "Open up."

Xavier's lips part in response, but he doesn't bother moving any more than that. I toss the candy in a gentle arc. He catches it with a slight backwards tilt of his head, making it look effortless—because of course he does.

Grabbing another one, I launch it without warning. This time he lifts slightly out of the water, stretching his neck to snag it mid-air. The water droplets catch the light as he moves, running down his shoulders.

I lower myself into the steaming water, dangling a gummy worm above his face, then yanking it away each time he stretches up to catch it in his mouth. I'm so focused on keeping the candy just out of his reach that it takes me by surprise when he suddenly surges up out of the water. In one fluid motion, he snags the gummy worm between his teeth, his lips grazing my fingertips in a way that sends electricity shooting through my whole body.

I jump back with a yelp, water splashing. Xavier just grins, gummy worm dangling from his clenched teeth like a trophy, his eyes dancing with mischief. He sits back again, lifting his arm straight up like he's sitting in homeroom, palm out, waiting to be called on. Tiny rivulets trace down the defined curves of his bicep. "Question," he says, half serious, half adorable .

"Yes?" I try not to laugh at his sudden formality. "The stud-muffin in the hot tub has a question?"

"Yeah."

His eyes travel over me slowly, lingering. Heat crawls up my neck that has nothing to do with the steaming water.

"My question is, how do you manage to wear the most butt-ugly clothes and still look insanely gorgeous?"

I gasp in mock outrage, looking down at my vintage cat-print bikini. The pastel pink fabric is covered in cats wearing straw hats, carrying flowers and picnic baskets and butterfly catchers. "Excuse you! This is a collector's item . Lisa Frank would be proud."

"No idea who Lisa Frank is, but I can tell you, she would be horrified," Xavier counters.

"You're just jealous you don't have the confidence to rock radical prancing kitten swimwear." I strike a pose, hand on hip. "This is peak style, Rockwell. Peak. Style."

His eyes darken as they trail over me again, slower this time. "Yeah," he says, voice rough. "Something like that."

Suddenly flushed, I settle into the hot tub across from him, letting the warmth melt the lingering intensity and stress and excitement from the night. Leaning back against the ledge, I stretch my arms out, mirroring Xave's pose—except way less smoldering cologne ad and more tired gremlin with a sugar stash .

“Alright,” I say, tilting my head toward him. “Let’s talk again about how freaking awesome the gig was tonight and how much people loved all your original tunes.”

Xavier exhales a quiet laugh, shaking his head like he’s trying to play it cool, but the smile that spreads across his face gives him away. His eyes dip slightly, a flicker of bashfulness threading through the usual Xavier confidence.

“It was great, huh?” he says, voice light, like he still can’t believe it himself.

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

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

“And Hollow 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, so good.”

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. I loved 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 working up 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? My cheeks ?"

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 so you ," 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 .

" You kill 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?"

"I said what I said."

"Want half my gummy?" he grins wider, doing a full one-eighty subject change. Because that's what he does when a conversation shifts its focus to him for too long.

He leans in, his face inches from mine. Half a gummy worm dangles from between his teeth, a ridiculous offering that makes me smile. His eyes dance with mischief, and droplets of water cling to his dark lashes.

"You're such a cornflake," I mutter, but I'm still smiling as I lean forward.

I purse my lips, carefully biting off the exposed half of the gummy. Our lips brush—barely a whisper of contact—as I claim my prize. Drawing back just enough to see his face clearly, I maintain eye contact while I chew, unable to wipe the stupid grin off my face. The sweet-sour sugar dissolves on my tongue as we both finish our halves at the same time.

His eyes are fixed on mine, and I'm hyper-aware of every point where our bodies touch beneath the water. Then his lips find mine again, and this time there's nothing soft about it. His hand slides into my hair, pulling me closer as his mouth moves against mine. He tastes sweet and warm, like candy and steam and happiness. The water laps around us, creating tiny waves that match the rhythm of our kiss. His other arm wraps around my waist, anchoring me to him as our lips part, deepening the kiss.

My fingers trail up his chest, feeling his heart racing beneath my palm. Steam rises around us in wisps, creating a dreamy haze that makes everything feel surreal. Xave's fingers tighten in my hair, tilting my head back slightly as his mouth moves against mine with increasing urgency.

I lose track of time, lost in the sensation of Xavier's lips, his hands, the solid warmth of him against me. The world narrows down to just this—just us—wrapped in steam and starlight, trading kisses that make my head spin and my heart race.

When we finally break apart, I'm dizzy, though whether from the kiss or the heat of the hot tub, I'm not sure. Xavier rests his forehead against mine, his breathing uneven.

We stay like that for a while, eyes locked, breaths synced. Saying things without saying things.

Soon we're both too hot to stay in the hot tub any longer and we decamp to a nearby massive circular daybed. We sprawl side by side with a bag of pretzels between us.

"I'm glad I got to hang out with you after the gig," Xave says softly. "I mean come back here with you. Just the two of us."

"Me too." I snuggle deeper into the crook of his arm, feeling the solid warmth of him against my side. Through the glass dome above us, the moon hangs low and full, casting silvery light across our faces.

My fingers trace idle patterns on Xavier's chest as we lie in comfortable silence. The night feels magical, perfect—which is exactly why I choose this moment to bring it up, when he's most likely to be receptive to my prompting.

"So," I say softly, keeping my voice casual. "We've been kind of… seeing each other for a few weeks now."

Xavier's body tenses slightly beneath my touch. "Yeah…" he says cautiously, like he's trying to figure out where this is going.

I prop myself up on one elbow so I can see his face better. "You still haven't been to my place… You haven't met my mom yet. And l really want you to meet her… She really wants to meet you."

The change is subtle but immediate. Xavier's jaw tightens, and although he tries to hide it, I can feel the way his muscles lock up beneath me. The easy warmth between us evaporates, replaced by a thick tension that makes my stomach clench.

Maybe this was the absolute wrong moment to bring this up. I should have waited. Should have let the night stay perfect, because suddenly, the magical glow from moments ago blurs and evaporates. Even the starlight streaming through the glass dome feels different now—harsh instead of romantic, exposing instead of enchanting.

The stars haven’t moved, but suddenly, they don’t feel like they belong to us anymore.