Chapter 43 MORNING KISS AND THE KNOCK ON THE DOOR

Chapter 43 MORNING KISS AND THE KNOCK ON THE DOOR
The sunlight that came in through the gap in the window hit her eyes and warmed her back. Athena squirmed a little, still in Xavier's embrace who hadn't moved an inch all night.

She opened her eyes slowly. Her head was still resting on Xavier's chest, his arms were still wrapped warmly around her body. Xavier's breath sounded regular, his face was calm, and full of longing.

Athena smiled, she stroked his cheek slowly, kissed the tip of his nose hesitantly. "Don't pretend to sleep?" she whispered softly.

She squirmed slowly, about to move—but Xavier's hand immediately pulled her again, tighter than before. Athena froze for a moment.

"I'm still sleeping," Xavier muttered, still closing his eyes. His voice was hoarse, but not the voice of someone who had just woken up.

Athena blinked. "Xavier—"

"Don't go yet...." the man said softly, almost like a whisper. "I dreamed that you disappeared again."

Athena pouted, staring at his calm face that pretended to be relaxed. “Xavier Lancester, you said you were dreaming, but you were still asleep. So were you actually pretending to be awake, or pretending to be sleep talking?”

Xavier’s eyes finally opened slowly. There was a small smile there—tired, but sincere.

“Did you find out?” He sighed and touched Athena’s cheek with the back of his hand. “Try kissing my nose again.”

Athena couldn’t answer. Something warm surged in her chest. She looked down, then leaned back into Xavier’s chest, covering her flushed face.

Xavier chuckled. “Good morning, honey...,” he greeted softly. “I love you so much, Athena.”

Athena gulped, her heart beating faster. “What should I answer?” she asked softly.

Xavier lifted his face, looking at Athena adoringly. “Kiss my nose again,” he asked.

“Oh my,” Athena whispered, holding back a soft laugh. She tried to slowly free herself from his embrace, but Xavier's hands held her waist.

"Mmhh... where are you going? Kiss me first." Xavier's voice was hoarse and heavy—it really sounded like a dangerous drum that destroyed Athena's sanity.

His embrace locked the girl, their gazes met in silence, their chests that were pressed together beat with love. Athena hugged Xavier's neck, giving the man space to do what he wanted.

Seconds later, it wasn't just a kiss on the nose, but the meeting of two lips that longed for each other. The melodious sound of smacking deafened the ears, biting each other softly, demanding each other as if unwilling to share with the other.

Xavier's hand lifted the edge of Athena's shirt a little, his fingers tickled the girl's waist affectionately. Athena laughed, but the kiss continued.

Athena knew this was the wrong thing to do, aware that they were controlling each other, giving each other space to pour out their love and longing. Here, Athena felt like a jerk. Giving Xavier hope, even though he didn't know who he wanted to choose. Brian... or Xavier.

“Mmhh... Xavier, stop!”

The man's kiss moved to her neck, leaving a little red trail that made Athena float. “I fell in love with you, Xavier. I miss you more than anything, I want you more than anything in the world.”

Unfortunately, Athena only said that sentence in her heart. She wasn't ready to say it directly even though she knew... Xavier must feel very loved by her.

When Xavier's kiss moved to her chest, Athena immediately pushed him away, their gazes met again, more subdued but burning with passion.

"I'm going to make breakfast," Athena said softly.

Xavier smiled, he kissed both of Athena's cheeks then pulled both of the girl's hands up from the bed. He hugged Athena from behind, walking together to the kitchen.

"What can I cook?" Athena asked.

"There are only eggs and canned meat, and bread that hasn't expired yet," Xavier replied.

"Okay, I'll make a sandwich."

"And I'll pour some wine." Xavier teased.

The girl turned her head, a little surprised. “Wine? Drinking wine in the morning? We have to go to campus—“

“No campus, My Love,” Xavier whispered, then kissed Athena’s entire neck gently. “All day long, you are mine. You have to take responsibility for making me miss you for too long.”

Athena let go of the hug, her body shivering, then jogged to the kitchen table, opened the refrigerator and took the ingredients inside. She started to beat the eggs, while Xavier next to her opened the canned meat ready to cook.

"Be careful not to spill, Xavier."

"On purpose, so you'll be angry," replied Xavier while resting his chin on Athena's shoulder.

A small kiss landed on Athena's cheek again. This time it was longer and warmer, and Athena would not refuse. She wanted to enjoy the moment with Xavier, for a moment to forget about Brian and Auree's meeting last night.

"I like mornings like this," whispered Xavier.

Athena smiled, she really liked it too. "But don't be too spoiled... later I'll forget why I was away from you."

Xavier was silent for a moment. He flipped the eggs on the pan, then turned to look at Athena. "You may remember my mistakes, but don't forget... I was also tortured."

Silence. There was only the sound of the frying pan. The eggs were cooked, the canned meat was also cooked with black pepper, Athena arranged the eggs and meat on the bread, then poured tomato sauce on top. Xavier took a glass and a bottle of wine. He wasn't kidding about it.

"Let's have breakfast!" Athena invited enthusiastically, but before sitting down, Xavier hugged her again, quickly kissing her lips softly.

"Xavier...." Athena reprimanded, but her smile didn't disappear. She really liked that kiss. The kiss of the man she loved. "Let's have breakfast."

"We're not going to campus today, okay? I want to spend time with you," Xavier said.

Honestly, Athena objected, but she also missed him very much. "I have class this afternoon. Only two subjects, because tomorrow there is a general practical exam."

"Then, I will take you, wait for you to finish while doing some of my assignments on the rooftop."

"You're not going to class?"

Xavier shook his head. "I want you. I want you, Athena. Please... my mind is empty for other activities besides being with you. I just want to take you from Brian, even if it's just for one day."

Their lips moved closer again, almost meeting, but....

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Suddenly the front door was knocked loudly.

“XAVIER!” The voice was loud, clear, and very familiar.

Athena tensed, her eyes bulging, and immediately moved away from Xavier. She ran quickly, hiding in the room and locking it. Xavier was confused by the girl's behavior, not having time to ask because Athena's movements were very fast.

He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed heavily, then walked to the main room and opened the door. Asher's funny face appeared to greet him, his smile bright, but his eyes were fixed inside the dormitory.

“The smell of sandwiches. Did you cook?” Asher walked in, passing Xavier just like that, and jogged towards the dining room. There, he found two plates of sandwiches and two empty glasses, as well as an unopened bottle of wine.

“Wow, coincidentally, I haven't had breakfast yet!” Asher took one sandwich without asking, put it in his mouth and chewed it deliciously.

“Asher, why did you come so early and steal a sandwich?” Xavier asked calmly, though his gaze looked annoyed.

Asher was flabbergasted. “Steal? So, this sandwich isn’t for me? I texted you an hour ago, I want to return your guitar,” he said as he lowered his guitar bag onto his back.

Xavier sighed. “Go home. I’m going to bed!”

“Hey, I just got here!” Asher protested, but couldn’t resist when Xavier pushed him hard out of the dorm door.

The door slammed, locked tightly, Asher laughed at his best friend’s behavior even though for some reason… his heart felt bitter. He took his phone, his trembling fingers texting someone.

Asher: Yes, Athena is here, but she’s hiding….