CHAPTER 35
~Xena's POV~
Xavier and I sprang apart like teenagers caught doing something illegal. Xavier cleared his throat. I covered my face, retemding to rubbing my palm down before turning to face my daughter.
"I'll, um… take her," I muttered. "I'll be right back."
Xavier chuckled as I left with Skai. I could bet he had his signature smirk on his lips.
Putting Skai to bed took all of two minutes. She fell asleep hugging her giant teddy bear, completely unaware of the chaos she'd interrupted twice.
When I returned to the living room, Xavier was already near the door, shirt and jacket on, cap in hand, like nothing we did in the last two minutes mattered.
"You're leaving?" I asked quietly.
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. If I stay longer…" He looked at me, a slow, knowing smile forming. "…I won't want to leave at all."
