NSFW Warning: This chapter contains nudity and sexual content/screenshots (this one is a little steamier than usual, by A2A standards… fair warning! 😛 )

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Emberlynn never imagined her first trip to Paris would be like this. The beautiful heart of the city was many kilometers away, and rather than throngs of excited tourists, she found herself surrounded instead by a small handful of locals bustling off toward their homes. She’d barely even caught a glimpse of the tip of the Eiffel Tower through the taxi window before they’d disappeared into the outskirts of the city.

Emberlynn wandered the winding streets, glancing up at each street sign she passed and cursing herself for not double-checking where the taxi had dropped her off.

It would have been so much easier if Xander actually knew she was coming… But she hadn’t told him. In fact, he wasn’t expecting her to arrive for another two weeks. What on Earth had possessed her to get on that train? Deep down, Emberlynn knew the answer, but it was still a thought too terrifying to entertain.

“Come on…” She muttered to herself. “It’s gotta be close…”

As soon as these words passed her lips, the sound of a deep, familiar laugh reached her ears. She whipped her head to the left, looking down a side street to find Xander standing on the sidewalk outside a large apartment building.

“Thanks for coming! Hopefully we can finish next time…” She heard him say in English as he leaned forward to hug a woman with long blonde hair. “I’ll see you guys this weekend?”

“Wouldn’t miss it!” The blonde replied sweetly.

Ugh. Taylor. Emberlynn thought bitterly as she watched Taylor and two others head off down the street in the opposite direction. At least they weren’t alone… The thought only comforted her a little bit.

She waited a few moments until the trio were out of earshot. Then, with a deep breath, she made her way down the snow-dusted sidewalk. “Xander!” Emberlynn called out, catching him just as he was about to head back inside.

The moment his eyes fell on her, their expression changed to one of surprise and confusion. “Ember? What the hell?”

“Uh… Surprise?” She replied weakly, trying to smile. “Thought I’d drop by and say hi.”

“It’s like three o’clock on a freaking Monday afternoon, and you decided to come all the way to Paris to ‘drop by’?” Xander shook his head and his brow furrowed slightly in concern. “Is everything okay? Why didn’t you call?”

Emberlynn let out a small sigh. “Everything’s fine. I promise. I just… Wanted to talk to you… In person.” She found herself suddenly feeling extremely foolish. He was right. Why hadn’t she at least called to tell him she was coming? But it was too late to go back now.

He eyed her questioningly for a moment. “Okay… Well let’s at least go talk inside so we don’t freeze our asses off out here.”

She nodded slightly in agreement. “Good plan.”

Xander’s apartment was a lot smaller and shabbier than Emberlynn had been expecting, but she couldn’t help but smile at all the music equipment and geeky posters that surrounded her. It all felt so very “him”, and she loved that.

He seemed to have noticed the way her eyes were taking in the sight of his living space. “I know it’s kind of a shithole… But you get what you pay for, right?”

Emberlynn shook her head. “I love it.”

Xander laughed softly in disbelief. “Even without an adorable, furry roommate like Gucci?”

“Maybe you lose a few points for that” She admitted as she took a seat on the couch. “But it sounds like your mom would’ve killed you if you tried bringing Duke and Princess with you…”

He laughed even harder this time. The sound brought a sudden warmth to Emberlynn’s chest. “I was SO tempted to smuggle them in one of my bags, but you’re right— mom would’ve had a friggin’ fit. She’d miss the cats more than me!” Xander teased.

As soon as their laughter died away, a brief and uncomfortable silence fell over them. The uncertainty and anticipation in the air was almost palpable. Time to suck it up and talk to him. Emberlynn told herself firmly. You didn’t come all this way for nothing!

“So… are you hungry? Or do you want something to drink? I’ve still got a couple beers in the fridge.” Xander offered kindly, finally breaking the silence.

“I’m fine.” She assured him with a smile that she hoped masked just how nervous she was feeling. “And I’m really sorry for showing up like this. I don’t know why I didn’t call first… I just needed to see you.”

“I’m glad you came.” He assured her. “But part of me is still kinda thinking ‘what the fuck’ though…” He admitted. “I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on.”

She took another breath, preparing herself for the conversation she’d been having over and over again in her head for the past few days. “Xander, the way we left things back when you visited me… It didn’t feel right.” Emberlynn explained.

“It didn’t.” Xander agreed almost sadly. “I was hoping we’d talk about it when you came to visit.”

“Me too. But the other night, I realized I couldn’t wait any longer. I guess I had a…” She paused. “Offenbarung? Shit. I don’t know this word in English!” She couldn’t help but laugh, grateful for something to break up the nervous tension she felt.

Xander’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? That like, never happens anymore!”

“Hey, nobody’s perfect!”

“True… Some come pretty close though.” He added softly.

Emberlynn felt her cheeks grow warm under his gaze. “Anyway, I had a… something and I figured out that I really needed to talk to you. I wanted to apologize for what happened.”

“Emberlynn, it’s okay.”

“It’s not okay.” She insisted. “It wasn’t fair to you. I really, really like you, Xander. More than I’ve ever liked anybody… But I got scared and let it ruin everything.” Emberlynn paused for a moment, trying to remember the words she’d so carefully rehearsed. “I don’t know if you realize this about me… But I’ve never had a boyfriend before.”

The look on Xander’s face said it all. “Wait… Never?”

She shook her head. “Never. I mean, I’ve been on dates before, and I’ve slept with a bunch of guys.” Oh my God, did I really just say that?! Wow, nice one, Ember. Thankfully, Xander seemed unfazed by this comment. She winced internally before moving on. “But none of it ever actually meant anything. I don’t really ‘do’ relationships. They freak me out.”

He studied her face for a moment before replying. “This is because of your parents, isn’t it?” He asked. As always, he seemed to know her better than anyone.

“Kind of, yeah.” Emberlynn confessed. “But I’ve seen it in other people too.” She added almost defensively. “Like my poor brother… Do you know how many times he’s had his heart broken? I hate seeing that. And I don’t wanna have to go through it either…”

Xander let out a soft sigh. “Look, I get it. Are you forgetting about the girls who’ve dumped my ass over the years? It sucks. It hurts like hell. And any time you start dating somebody, there’s always gonna be a chance things will go downhill and you’ll end up feeling miserable.”

“Exactly!” Emberlynn was pleasantly surprised by how well he seemed to understand her fears. “It’s terrifying.”

“You’re right, it is. But…” He eyed her almost expectantly.

“But what?”

Xander shrugged. “You already know what I’m gonna say, right? So… you tell me.”

“You aren’t gonna make this easy, are you?” She asked with a small laugh.

He smiled brightly at her. “Nope.”

“Fine.” Emberlynn rolled her eyes, but did not stop smiling. “But… Some people are worth the risk?”

Xander’s smile widened. “Bingo. But it’s okay to be freaked out by it. And it’s okay if… If maybe you really aren’t sure if it’s worth it or not.” His smile faltered a bit as he spoke.

“Oh, I’m sure.” She replied seriously. In that moment, Emberlynn realized that, terrifying as it was to admit, it was true. “I don’t think I was at first… But now I am. Part of my Offenbarung.” She paused. “Now I’m just worried I’m too late.”

Xander furrowed his brow in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Taylor.”

“What?”

“You guys are dating, aren’t you?”

To her surprise, Xander burst into laughter at her response. “Ember, you’ve got it all wrong. All the US students hang out and stuff, sure. But we’re just friends. I promise.”

Emberlynn’s eyes lit up hopefully. “Really?”

“Really. There’s only one girl I’ve been interested in since I got here… Actually, no. I’ve been interested a lot longer than that.”

Her heart fluttered at his words. “I think she has too.” She confessed. “Even if she’s still terrified about this whole thing…”

Xander hesitated before replying. “Wanna know a secret? I’m pretty scared too.”

“You are?”

He nodded. “Part of me still feels like this whole thing is crazy. I mean, I’m only here for like six more months. After that, who knows what’s gonna happen?”

“I’ve been worrying about the same thing.” Emberlynn replied. “But you’re right… It’s worth the risk. You’re worth it.” For a moment, she was brought back to her conversation with her grandmother. “We have to give it a try. Otherwise, we’d always wonder, wouldn’t we?”

Xander nodded, but said nothing. He stared at her for several long moments. Emberlynn would have given anything to know what he was thinking.

Was he changing his mind? Or was this it? The moment she’d been both dreaming of and dreading for so long?

Fortunately she didn’t have to wait much longer for her answer.

Kissing Xander was just as amazing as it had been the first time — soft and slow at first, before giving way to hunger and lust. For the first time, none of their previous fears or worries seemed to matter anymore. All that mattered was the man she held tightly in her arms.

With every movement of his mouth against hers, Emberlynn felt her arousal deepen. In that moment, she wanted him more desperately than she’d ever wanted anything in her life.

“I… I think I just had another Offenbarung.” She whispered between kisses.

“Oh yeah?” He asked as he moved his mouth along the soft skin of her neck. He had already begun unbuttoning her jeans and sliding them down her legs. “What is it?”

“That I need you to fuck me.” Emberlynn gasped as she felt his fingers teasing at the waistband of her underwear.

Xander smiled as he slowly slipped his fingers between the soft fabric and her smooth flesh. “Mm… I think I just had the same one.”

Emberlynn tried to respond, but all that could escape her lips were soft gasps of breath and groans of pleasure as his fingers got to work.

His hands were even more incredible than she’d always imagined, and in just a few minutes, she had come completely undone. Emberlynn’s hands were in a vice grip around his shoulders as the last few shudders of pleasure left her body.

“Whoops… Too much?” Xander smirked playfully at her as he removed his fingers and brought them to his lips. “Sorry.”

“No, you’re not.” Emberlynn returned his smile as she tried to bring her breathing back to normal. “Fuck. That was… Wow.”

“And there’s more where that came from.” He promised her, his voice low and sultry. “That was just the warm-up…”

Emberlynn shook her head. “Not yet.” She whispered, her hands fumbling for the waistband of his jeans. “It’s your turn.”

It was some of the best sex Emberlynn had ever had. It was playful, passionate, and fun… Maybe a little rougher than she was used to, but Emberlynn didn’t mind. She loved every minute of it, and she knew that Xander did too.

They couldn’t get enough of each other, and every time it seemed like they were done, within minutes they somehow found the energy to keep going.

On their third round, they finally made it to his bed.

After the fourth, Emberlynn knew she’d reached her limit. Part of her wondered how she’d ever find the strength to stand or walk ever again. And the other part couldn’t have cared less.

She smiled as she watched the rhythmic rise and fall of Xander’s chest as he came down from his most recent high. This time, he too seemed completely spent. They were both sticky and smelly and in desperate need of a shower… But that could wait. The whole world could wait, if Emberlynn had anything to say about it.

“Holy shit.” Xander gasped between breaths, finally finding his voice. “You’re amazing.”

“Mm… And so are you.” She replied softly.

Then, something happened that had never happened in Emberlynn’s entire life.

Xander reached out, took her in his arms, and pulled her against his chest, holding her. No guy had ever held her like that before, not even Mason. They’d all roll over and fall asleep afterwards, or start messing around on their phones… But not Xander. He was different.

Emberlynn felt so warm and safe in his arms. She wished she could stay there forever.

“It’s ‘epiphany’, by the way.” His deep, soothing voice reached her ears. She could feel the gentle vibration of his chest beneath her as he spoke. “That word you couldn’t think of. Offen-something.”

“Offenbarung?” She muttered, not even bothering to open her eyes.

“Yeah… When you suddenly realize something really important… In English, it’s an ‘epiphany’.”

“Epiphany?” She repeated. This time, she lifted her head to look at him.

Xander nodded. “And I think I just had one…”

“What is it?”

He shook his head slowly. “I can’t tell you yet… Sorry.” As always, his smile made her weak.

“You’re such a tease!” Emberlynn giggled.

“Always.” Xander agreed playfully as he pressed his lips against her forehead.

Somewhere deep inside, Emberlynn had a feeling she could guess what Xander’s epiphany had been.

And if her suspicion was correct, she could feel herself inching closer and closer to the same one.