Page 46 of King of Ruin

His throat tightened.

He drew in a slow breath before letting it out through his nose, but the pressure in his chest refused to ease. If anything, it only grew stronger, making it feel almost impossible to breathe.

His gaze slowly wandered over her face.

Her worried eyes.

The slight crease between her brows.

The soft flush beginning to bloom across her cheeks.

Finally, his eyes settled on her lips.

Without thinking, the hand resting against the desk lifted.

His fingertips brushed a loose strand of hair away from her cheek before his palm gently cradled the side of her face, his thumb resting just beneath her cheekbone.

The movement was unexpectedly careful.

Almost tender.

His other hand loosened around her wrist and slid to her waist instead, his fingers settling securely against her side as he drew her a fraction closer. The movement brought them so near that the fabric of her blouse brushed lightly against his suit jacket.

Elise's breath caught.

She instinctively lifted her chin to look at him, her lashes fluttering once before growing still. Color slowly spread across her delicate face, and although embarrassment flickered in her eyes, she didn't move away.

Xavier didn't miss a single reaction.

He watched the way her breathing faltered, the way her fingers tightened around the edge of the desk, and the way those wide, innocent eyes searched his face.

A slow, knowing smile curved his lips.

His hand lifted, his thumb brushing lightly over her cheek before his fingers curled around her jaw, holding her exactly where he wanted her.

"You never learn, do you, Elise?" he murmured.

His voice was quiet.

Dangerously quiet.

"You make the same mistake..." His thumb slowly traced the line of her jaw. "...every single time."

His dark eyes held hers captive, refusing to let her look away.

"And every single time..." he continued, his voice dropping into that deep, rough tone she knew far too well, "...you convince yourself I'll let it slide."

A low, humorless chuckle escaped him.

"When have I ever done that?"

He lowered his head until his lips hovered beside her ear, his warm breath fanning against her skin.

"You've made the same mistake again," he whispered. "So you already know what's coming."

His grip beneath her chin tightened ever so slightly, tilting her face back toward him.

His gaze burned into hers.