**Chapter 9: Alone at Last**

The dorm room door closed behind Rachel and Emily, and Ren felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had been dreading this moment, not because she didn't want to spend time with Xander, but because she knew that being alone with him would inevitably lead to... well, to things getting romantic. And by romantic, she meant Xander's charming smile, his sparkling eyes, and his irresistible charm would likely wear her down, and she'd find herself getting lost in his gaze, and, well, you know. As the silence settled in, Xander turned to her, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, what do you want to do tonight?" he asked, his voice low and husky. Ren shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, but her heart was racing. "I don't know. What did you have in mind?" She tried to sound casual, but her voice came out a little breathy. Xander grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I was thinking we could have a movie night," he said, his voice dripping with suggestion. Ren raised an eyebrow, her mind racing. A movie night sounded innocent enough, but she knew better. Xander had a way of turning even the most mundane activities into something intimate and romantic. She felt a flutter in her chest as she met his gaze. As they settled in for the night, Xander picked a rom-com, and they snuggled up on the couch, blankets wrapped around them. Ren tried to focus on the movie, but she couldn't help sneaking glances at Xander, who was engrossed in the film. His eyes sparkled with amusement, and his smile was infectious. She found herself smiling along with him, feeling her guard drop. As the movie played on, Xander began to tease her, making snarky comments about the characters on screen. Ren laughed, feeling her tension ease. This was what she loved about Xander - he knew how to make her laugh, how to make her feel at ease. As the credits rolled, Xander turned to her, his eyes locked on hers. "You know, I think I've had enough movies for one night," he said, his voice low and husky. Ren's heart skipped a beat as Xander leaned in, his face inches from hers. She felt a rush of excitement, her pulse racing. She knew what was coming, and she was powerless to stop it. Their lips met in a gentle kiss, but it quickly escalated into something more passionate. Ren felt herself getting lost in the moment, her body responding to Xander's touch. They kissed for what felt like hours, the world around them melting away. As they broke apart for air, Xander's eyes locked on hers, burning with intensity. "I've missed you, Ren," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. Ren's heart swelled, and she felt a lump form in her throat. "I've missed you too," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Without another word, Xander pulled her into his arms, and they stumbled towards the bed. Ren knew that this was it, that there was no turning back. As they fell onto the bed, she felt a sense of surrender, of giving in to her desires. Their bodies entwined, and they lost themselves in the moment, the world around them fading into insignificance. It was just Xander and Ren, alone in the darkness, their hearts beating as one. As they caught their breath, Xander's eyes met Ren's, and she saw the love and adoration shining back at her. She smiled, feeling her heart swell with emotion. "I'm glad you're here," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Xander's smile mirrored hers. "Me too, bookworm. Me too." He pulled her close, holding her tight, and Ren felt a sense of peace wash over her. She was exactly where she was meant to be - in Xander's arms.