Fractured Bonds

THE EDGE OF DESIRE

Lena – The Moment She Shouldn't Want

Lena leaned against the desk, arms crossed, while Xander rummaged through files with his usual impenetrable face.

She should be focusing on the Laurents. On Ava. On the danger they were all in.

But all she could do was think about him.

About how his shirt sleeves were pushed up, and she could glimpse strong forearms. About how his jaw tightened when he was focused.

The way he'd made her want things she had no business wanting.

Xander glanced up, catching her staring at him. "Something on your mind?"

Lena swallowed, keeping her voice level. "Just curious to know how long you're planning on keeping me locked up in here like some fragile thing."

His eyes darkened. "You're not fragile."

"Then don't handle me like I am."

Xander exhaled, setting down the file. He moved closer, his nearness suffocating. "I'm trying to treat you like someone I don't want to get hurt."

Lena's breath caught.

Because it was too much and not enough at the same time.

And when his fingers brushed against her arm—just barely—a chill ran through her entire body.

Because Xander was always in control. Always freezing cold.

But now?

He was warm.

And it was a threat.

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Xander – A Line He Shouldn't Cross

Xander knew better than to want her.

Lena was smart, strong, and beautiful.

But she was also a weakness he couldn't afford.

And yet…

Her body was so close to his, her scent intoxicating. And when he touched her—barely—he'd felt her shudder.

A warning. A temptation.

"You should go," he said quietly, forcing himself to step back.

Lena tilted her head, a challenge in her eyes. "What if I don't want to?"

Xander's control snapped.

Before he could stop himself, his fingers curled around her wrist, pulling her into him.

Her breath hitched, her hands landing on his chest.

"Lena," he rasped, his voice low. A warning. A plea.

Her lips parted, her heart pounding under his touch.

And when she whispered, "Then don't stop me," he was done for.

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Lena & Xander – The Kiss That Changed Everything

He shouldn't have done it.

Shouldn't have closed the distance.

Shouldn't have allowed his lips to touch hers, soft at first, then demanding.

But once he had?

There was no turning back.

Lena moaned into him, her hands digging into his shirt, pulling him in, closer, deeper.

Xander's arms tightened around her waist, as if clinging to her was all that was keeping him sane.

But sanity had never been his strong suit.

And Lena was annihilating him.

She broke the kiss first, breathless. "Tell me this is a mistake."

Xander's jaw locked. "It is."

Her expression faltered—pain, frustration, something else. "Then why did you do it?"

Because he couldn't not.

Because she was the one thing that made him feel when he wasn't supposed to.

But instead of answering, he cupped her face, tracing her lips with his thumb. "I'll only hurt you."

Lena exhaled, leaning into him. "Then let me decide if it's worth it."

And God help him, but he just might let her.

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