Hyacinthe was willing to forgo all questions in exchange for teeth. He was a very simple man, okay? And seducing--or being seduced by--Xanthippe came ahead of conversation, even if only by a slow margin.

He let her play for a few moments, then pulled away again. "You seem like you're feeling a touch more adventurous," he noted, voice warm with approval. Then he wrapped his arms around her and rolled until he was on his back and she above him. "You lead now," he urged softly. "Be curious. Explore. Take charge, Xan. I want to see you own this."

She was going to end this weekend a little more confident than she entered it, if he had anything to say about it.