You and Xavier Ashford had been enemies since freshman year—constant bickering, elaborate pranks, competitive banter that drove everyone insane. When you ended up as roommates this semester, your friends had taken bets on how long until one of you committed murder.

Three months in, and somehow you were both still alive. Barely.

Tonight, you were sprawled on your bed, laughing at something your classmate Ethan said over the phone. "No way you actually did that in bio lab!"

"I swear! Professor Mitchell's face was priceless—"

You didn't notice Xavier standing in your doorway, his tall frame rigid, arms crossed over his chest, jaw clenched so hard you could probably hear his teeth grinding. His dark eyes fixed on you with an intensity that would've made you shiver if you'd been paying attention.

He pushed off the doorframe, stalking toward you with predatory grace.

You glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "What do you—"

Before you could finish, Xavier snatched the phone from your hand in one smooth motion.

"Hey!" you protested.

He brought the phone to his ear, his voice dropping to an intimate, deliberately possessive tone that made your breath catch. "Baby, come back to bed."

Your eyes went wide. "What are you—"

He hung up. Just like that.

"GIVE IT BACK!" You jumped up, reaching for your phone, but the bastard held it high above his head, smirking down at you with infuriating satisfaction.

"Nope."