Chapter 4: The Game Begins

Sienna’s POV

Sunlight poured through the massive kitchen windows the next morning.

I walked in still half-asleep, hoping for coffee and some peace.

Instead, I got Nova Kane standing at the stove wearing nothing but black sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

His back was to me, tattoos shifting across his muscles as he flipped pancakes.

He glanced over his shoulder, that signature smirk already in place. “Morning, Detective. Sleep well? Or were you too busy thinking about me?”

I ignored the bait and headed straight for the coffee machine. “We need to set some ground rules for daily routine. Breakfast at eight. I check in with my captain at nine. You stay where I can see you at all times.”

Nova turned around, holding a spatula like a weapon.

His abs flexed as he leaned against the counter, eyes dragging over my simple tank top and shorts.

“You look good in the morning. All messy hair and attitude. Makes me hungry for something besides pancakes.”

“Rule one for today,” I continued, pouring coffee. “Put on a damn shirt. This isn’t a strip club.”

He laughed, low and raspy. “Why? Distracting you already?” He deliberately stretched, showing off every inch of inked skin. “Come on, Sienna. We’re living together. Might as well enjoy the view.”

I sat at the island, gripping my mug. “This is supervision, not vacation. You have a studio session tomorrow. Until then, you stay inside. No phone calls without me knowing. No surprise visitors.”

Nova slid a plate of pancakes in front of me, then sat down way too close. His knee brushed mine under the table. “You’re really going to play strict teacher every single day? Ninety days is a long time to keep that stick up your ass.”

I shot him a glare. “And you’re really going to fight me on everything?”

“Pretty much.” He took a bite, watching me. “It’s more fun this way.”

We ate in tense silence for a minute before he spoke again, softer this time. “You know… it’s not easy, this life. Everybody wants a piece of you. The label, the fans, the media. They suck you dry until there’s nothing real left. Some nights I’m surrounded by hundreds of people and still feel completely fucking alone.”

I looked up, surprised by the sudden honesty. His green eyes held mine for a moment, something raw flashing there.

Then he blinked and the cocky mask returned. “But hey, at least the money’s good and the pussy’s endless. Right?”

I shook my head. “You almost sounded human for a second there.”

“Don’t get used to it,” he said with a wink. “I’m still the asshole who trashed that hotel suite.”

After breakfast, I tried to establish some order. I set up my laptop at the dining table to write my first report while Nova played guitar in the living room.

The sound was actually beautiful — deep, haunting notes that filled the entire space.

But of course, he couldn’t behave for long.

I caught him cracking open a beer at eleven in the morning.

“Really?” I snatched it from his hand before he could drink. “It’s not even noon.”

Nova grinned. “What? You said no parties. This is just a casual drink.”

“No alcohol. That was clear last night.”

He stepped closer, crowding my space. “You gonna wrestle me for it, Detective? I wouldn’t mind.”

I poured the beer down the sink, ignoring how his eyes burned into me. “Keep pushing and I’ll have you breathalyzed every morning.”

“You’re no fun,” he complained, but his tone was playful. “I bet you were fun once. Before you put on that badge and forgot how to live.”

“I know how to live just fine,” I shot back. “Without destroying hotel rooms or fucking everything that moves.”

Nova laughed. “Ouch. Tell me how you really feel.”

I turned to face him. “I feel like this is going to be the longest ninety days of my life.”

“Good,” he said, voice dropping. “Means you’ll remember every single one of them.”

Later that afternoon, I caught him.

Nova was out on the balcony, talking low on his phone, pacing like he didn’t want to be heard. The moment I stepped outside, he ended the call too quickly.

“Who was that?” I asked, suspicion rising.

“Just my manager.”

“Bullshit. Hand over the phone.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You serious?”

“Dead serious. Give it.”

When he didn’t move, I reached for it. Nova pulled it back, but I grabbed his wrist. What started as a simple tug turned into a full struggle.

He was stronger, but I was trained. We crashed through the balcony door back into the living room, bodies pressed together as we fought for the phone.

“Give it to me, Kane!”

“Make me, baby.”

He suddenly twisted, using my own momentum against me. In one smooth move, he pinned me down on the wide leather couch.

His body covered mine completely — hard muscle, warm skin, that intoxicating scent surrounding me.

My hands were trapped above my head by one of his.

We both froze.

His face hovered inches above mine. Green eyes dark.

Breathing heavy.

For the first time, the teasing disappeared. Real hunger stared back at me.

“Fuck,” he whispered, gaze dropping to my lips. “You feel better than I imagined.”

I should have pushed him off. I should have said something sharp.

But for a few dangerous seconds, I just lay there, feeling every inch of him pressed against me.

The heat. The strength.

The way his hips settled perfectly between my thighs.

Desire — raw and unwanted — flashed hot through my body.

Nova’s voice turned rough. “Careful, Detective. Keep touching me like that and these handcuffs won’t be used on me.”

His grip tightened on my wrists, eyes blazing with challenge and filthy promise.

To Be Continued…