Chapter 3: First Night

Sienna’s POV

The music pounded in my ears as I stood frozen in the doorway. Nova lounged on the massive bed like a king, two half-naked women draped over him.

One had her lips on his neck, the other ran her hands down his stomach. But his eyes—those sharp green eyes—were locked on me the entire time.

“Get them out,” I repeated, my voice cutting through the heavy bass. “Right now, Kane.”

Nova smirked. He gently pushed the girls off his lap, surprising me.

No argument. No fight.

He simply stood up, all six-foot-something of tattooed muscle, and handed them their clothes.

“Time to go, ladies,” he said, voice raspy. “Party’s over.”

One of them pouted. “But Nova—”

“Now.” His tone left no room for discussion. He pulled out his wallet, handed them both cash, and guided them toward the door. They shot me dirty looks as they passed, but I didn’t care. My focus stayed on him.

Once the door shut behind them, Nova turned to face me fully. Shirtless. Sweatpants low. That dangerous smirk still playing on his lips.

“You wanted my full attention, Detective?” he said, stepping closer. “Now you have it.”

I crossed my arms. “This is exactly what I told you not to do. First night and you’re already breaking rules.”

He chuckled, low and rough. “You burst into my room at midnight. Maybe you’re the one who can’t stay away.”

We moved downstairs to the living room as I refused to have this conversation in his bedroom.

The city lights sparkled through the massive glass windows, but the tension between us felt heavier than the silence outside.

“Listen to me carefully,” I said, turning to face him. “I’m not one of your groupies. I’m not here to play games. You pull shit like that again and I call my captain. You’ll be in a cell by morning.”

Nova tilted his head, watching me with amusement. “You’re cute when you’re pissed off, Sienna. All strict and bossy. Makes me wonder what else gets you fired up.”

“Stop.” I pointed at him. “No more comments like that. No more women in this house. No more alcohol. You’re on thin ice.”

He took another step forward. I refused to back up.

“Or what?” he challenged. “You gonna cuff me again? Throw me on the hood of your car like last night? I’ve been thinking about that a lot, actually.”

My pulse quickened. “You’re unbelievable. Do you ever take anything seriously?”

“Life’s too short for serious, baby.” He moved even closer, forcing me to tilt my head up to meet his eyes. “Especially when a beautiful detective moves into my house wearing nothing but a silk robe.”

I realized too late how thin my robe was. Heat rushed to my face. “This is my job. I’m here to supervise you, not entertain you.”

Nova’s eyes darkened. In one smooth motion, he backed me up until my shoulders hit the cool glass wall.

He didn’t touch me, but his body hovered inches away.

Close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off his skin.

Close enough to smell his scent—whiskey, smoke, and something dangerously addictive.

“You say that,” he murmured, voice dropping lower, “but your body’s saying something different.”

I swallowed hard. Up close like this, he was overwhelming. The intricate tattoos covering his chest and shoulders.

The way his raspy voice seemed to vibrate through my chest. Those intense green eyes that looked like they could see every dirty thought I’d never admit.

“I’m not playing your game,” I said, trying to sound firm. My voice came out breathier than I wanted.

Nova placed one hand on the glass beside my head, leaning in. His lips hovered near my ear. “I’d fuck you right here against this window, Detective. Slow at first. Make you watch your own reflection while I bury myself deep inside you. Still wearing that uniform you love so much. I’d ruin it. Make it wet. Make you scream my name so loud the whole city hears.”

My breath caught. A rush of unwanted heat flooded through me. My thighs pressed together instinctively.

“You’re disgusting,” I whispered, but it sounded weak even to my own ears.

“Am I?” He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. “Then why are your nipples hard under that robe? Why’s your breathing all messed up? I bet if I slipped my hand between your legs right now, I’d find you soaked.”

I shoved at his chest. Hard. He didn’t budge, but he stepped back with a satisfied grin.

“Stay the hell away from me,” I snapped, heart hammering. “This assignment is professional. Nothing more.”

Nova ran his tongue over his bottom lip. “Keep telling yourself that, Sienna. We’ve got eighty-nine more days. I’m very patient when I want something.”

I turned and stormed upstairs, refusing to let him see how badly my hands were shaking.

Once I reached the guest bedroom, I locked the door and leaned against it, trying to calm my racing heart.

This was bad. Really bad.

I’d dealt with arrogant criminals before. But none of them had ever made my body react like this.

None of them had ever gotten under my skin so fast. Nova Kane was trouble wrapped in raw sex appeal, and I was trapped here with him.

I walked over to my suitcase to change into something more comfortable. That’s when I noticed it.

My spare handcuffs—the extra pair I always kept in the side pocket—were gone.

I froze, digging through the bag again. Nothing. They weren’t there.

To Be Continued…