Bound by Contract, Owned by Hate

Chapter 2(Xander's POV)The Grand Ballroom pulses with life; the constant low hum of conversations, the sharp crystalline clink of champagne flutes, the heavy blend of expensive perfumes, cigar smoke, and polished oak from the open bar. Golden light from the massive chandeliers spills across the marble floors, casting shifting shadows that dance with every movement. But the moment Sophia Laurent steps through the tall arched doorway, the entire world narrows to her alone.The emerald silk gown clings to her like liquid temptation, shimmering under the lights with every step. It molds perfectly to the full swell of her breasts, clinches tight at her narrow waist, and flares over the lush curve of her hips. The back plunges dangerously low, revealing the elegant line of her spine and the smooth, warm expanse of skin I suddenly ache to trace with my fingers. Her dark hair cascades in thick, glossy waves down her back, catching glints of gold light. And her scent, sharp jasmine laced wit

Chapter 4(Xander's POV)She kisses like she wants to kill me.And fuck if I don’t want her to try.Sophia Laurent’s fingers are twisted in my shirt, her mouth hot and furious against mine, like she’s pouring every drop of fifteen years of hatred straight down my throat. I taste champagne and rage on her tongue. My hand stays locked at the back of her neck, holding her exactly where I want her, pressed against me, trapped, 'mine' .For one year, at least.When I finally pull back, her lips are swollen, her eyes wide and furious. That giant diamond on her finger catches the light like a brand. Perfect.“Welcome to hell, Sophia,” I murmur against her mouth. “Try not to enjoy it too much.”Her breath hitches. For a split second I see it, raw, unwanted heat flashing in those hazel eyes before she slams the walls back up. She shoves at my chest, but I don’t let her go far. Not yet.The lawyers are pretending not to watch, gathering their papers like this is just another Tuesday night merge

Chapter 6(Xander's POV)The bedroom door slams so hard the sound reverberates through the entire penthouse like a gunshot.I stand there in the middle of my living room, cock throbbing so painfully against my zipper I have to clench my jaw to keep from growling. My lip is still bleeding where she bit me. I swipe the drop of blood with my thumb and stare at it, tasting her fury on my tongue."Fuck." Sophia Laurent just slapped me, threatened me, and walked away like she still has control.She doesn’t.Not anymore.I loosen the rest of my shirt buttons, chest rising and falling hard. The city lights blur beyond the glass where I had her pinned just minutes ago, her body soft and trembling against mine, nipples hard through that emerald dress, thighs pressing together like she was fighting not to rub herself on me.She wanted it. She hates that she wanted it.Good.I like her angry. I like her vicious. I like her pretending she isn’t dripping for the man she’s spent fifteen years cursi

Chapter 8 (Xander's POV) The offices of Voss Group occupy the top three floors of the tower with views that cost more than most people earn in a lifetime. I've never once stopped to look at them. Today is no different. My desk is already buried. Legal briefs. Merger projections. A neat stack of press clippings Richard had left without comment, Smart man. He knew when silence was the better choice. I drop into my chair and reach for the first document. Focus. Work. The only two things that have never let me down. This morning they're harder to find than usual. I know why. I don't acknowledge it. Richard appears in the doorway. "The board wants a briefing on the Laurent merger optics. And your uncle's office called. Again." "Push the board to Thursday," I say. "Tell Victor's office I'll respond when I'm ready." A pause. "They said it was urgent." "Victor always says it's urgent," I reply. "It never is." He nods and disappears. I turn to the press clipp

chapter 10(Xander's POV)The Met steps are a battlefield of flashing cameras and hungry eyes, but all I see is her.Sophia stands beside me in that backless crimson gown, looking like sin dipped in blood. The fabric clings to her ass like it was poured on and I know from the ride over, she’s wearing nothing underneath. My mark is still on her neck, barely hidden. My cum is probably still leaking down her thighs from when I bent her over the bathroom counter right before we left.Mine.I slide my hand lower on her waist, fingers splaying possessively over the curve of her hip as the cameras go wild.“Mr. Voss! Mrs. Voss! First public appearance as newlyweds!”Sophia tenses under my touch but turns on the smile we practiced. It’s dazzling. Fake as hell. And it makes my cock twitch anyway.I lean down, brushing my lips against her temple like the doting husband I’m pretending to be. “You’re dripping for me already, aren’t you?” I whisper. “I can smell how wet you are.”Her smile doesn’t