Page 140 of King of Ruin

Outside, the snowfall had grown heavier, swallowing the last traces of daylight until the room was bathed in a dim, bluish haze.

Then—

Thud.

The heavy door slammed shut behind her.

Elise jumped and spun around.

Xavier stood in front of the closed door, his dark eyes fixed on her without blinking.

Just as she'd expected, he was still wearing the same white dress shirt and black slacks from earlier. His coat was nowhere to be seen, the thin fabric doing little to protect him from the bitter cold.

A crease formed between her brows.

"You're going to catch a cold."

Without thinking, she hurried toward him, the shawl still clutched in her hands. She barely took two steps before his hand shot out and wrapped around both of her wrists.

With one sharp tug, he pulled her straight into him.

She stumbled forward until barely an inch separated them.

"What do you care if I get cold?"

His voice was low, rough, and edged with restrained anger.

Elise looked up at him, momentarily caught off guard by the hostility burning in his eyes.

As he stepped closer, she instinctively took a step back, her heart racing in surprise. The back of her legs hit the edge of the desk, pinning her in place. His hands pressed down on either side of her hips, creating an intimate barrier that caged her in. The heat radiating from his body contrasted sharply with the chill in the air, and she shivered under the intensity of his gaze, which burned like embers.

His gaze never left her face.

"Are you worried about me?"

One brow lifted slightly, but there wasn't the slightest trace of amusement in his expression.

"Why?"

His voice dropped even lower.

"What right do you have?"

"You'll get co—"

"I thought you said Astrid is my girlfriend now."

He cut her off before she could finish.

The bitterness in his voice was impossible to ignore.

"So why are you worrying about me?" His jaw tightened as he stared into her eyes, searching for something only she could give him. "Or are you pretending?" A humorless smile flickered across his lips. "I didn't realize you'd become such a good actress."

Elise's fingers tightened around the shawl.

She lowered her eyes for a brief second, drawing in a slow breath before gathering herself. Then she gently pushed against the arm caging her in.

"Sorry." Her voice was quiet. "I'll send Astrid—"