His mouth tore from hers to trail down her jaw. When his tongue flicked against her pulse point, she gasped, nails digging into his shoulders like she might float away otherwise.

"Xavier..." Half protest, half plea.

"Don't fight me, my little phoenix." His voice was rough against her throat. "I need you."

His stubble scraped her skin as his mouth worked down to her collarbone. One hand tangled in her hair, tilting her head back to expose more of her throat. The other hand slid lower, teasing ...