Chapter 2

Following Tanya’s advice, I changed into the outfit she gave me, and after downing a few more drinks at her urging, I found myself once again standing at the door of room 603. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself before knocking.

Pierce opened the door, surprised to see me.

He hadn’t gone to bed yet, and his clothes were still neat.

“What are you doing here?”

Fueled by the alcohol, I didn’t say a word.

Instead, I threw myself into his arms.

He smelled incredible.

As my jacket slipped off, I wrapped my arms around his neck, my exposed skin pressing against the cool fabric of his shirt. Pierce stumbled back a couple of steps, startled, trying to push me away, but in the end, he just closed the door behind us.

“Why are you dressed like this?”

I half-closed my eyes, tilting my head up to lock my gaze with his.

There was a flicker of tension in his eyes, the stern look on his face softening slightly.

He opened his mouth to say something, but I pressed a finger to his lips.

Standing on my toes, I leaned in close, feeling his warm breath. “Pierce, it’s been three years... haven’t you missed me at all?”

As soon as the words left my mouth, the strap of my loose dress slipped down, revealing the delicate curve of my collarbone and a swath of pale skin.

He swallowed hard, looking away.

“I’m fifteen years older than you. How could I ever have feelings for you? Back then, I was only with you for the thrill.”

Pierce said those words while instinctively touching his nose.

He was lying. He was trying to deceive me.

Without hesitation, I reached up to touch his cheek, forcing him to look at me.

A soft laugh escaped me as my eyes fell on the ring on his finger. “If you don’t feel anything for me, then why are you still wearing the ring I gave you—three years after we broke up?”

Before Pierce could answer, I boldly pressed my lips to his.

They were soft and warm.

I heard his breathing grow heavier.

The atmosphere between us thickened with tension, and I could feel the temperature rising in the room. He made a half-hearted attempt to push me away, struggling against his own desire, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Whether from inner conflict or reluctance, he didn’t let go.

Our lips intertwined, the quiet sound of our kiss echoing through the stillness of the room.

Pierce pressed me against the door, his eyes narrowed, casting shadows under his lashes. His gaze, filled with emotion, locked onto mine, captivating and irresistible.

I gently wiped the fine sweat from his forehead.

The strap of my dress slipped to my ankles, and in a panic, I tried to cover myself, but Pierce grabbed my wrists, holding them firmly.

"Don’t cover yourself. I want to have a good look at you."

His voice was low, laced with a loss of control. The grip on my wrist tightened, making me wince in pain.

"Be gentle, Pierce," I whimpered.

He leaned into my neck, the wet warmth of his lips sending a shiver through me.

"Florence, I have a new girlfriend. You’ll regret this."

Tears welled in my eyes as I bit down on my lip. "You’re lying. You promised you’d never leave me. I know you’re deceiving me."

He paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

“Smart.”

What did that mean? Was he admitting that the woman earlier was just a lie to deceive me?

But before I could think further, his cold fingers slipped under the hem of my dress, his rough fingertips grazing my skin.

I leaned closer to his ear, my breath hot and heavy.

Pierce stroked my face, his thumb tracing over my lips before he lowered his head and kissed me.

The veins on his hand stood out, and the sound of his ragged breathing filled my ears. His lips, soft yet firm, gently sucked on mine.

The kiss hit me like a storm, overwhelming my senses, and leaving my mind blank. Without thinking, I clung to him, holding him tighter.

He laid me on the bed, and I heard the sound of a belt being pulled free. He leaned over me again, my face burning with heat.

I turned my head, unable to bear watching his movements or the possessiveness burning in his eyes.

His restless hand gripped my waist, testing his control with a gentle squeeze.

Nervously, I wrapped my arms around his neck, torn between fear and anticipation of what was about to happen.

The cold metal of the ring on his finger grazed against my skin, sending shivers through me.

In that instant, a flood of memories from countless nights with him rushed back, and I trembled, closing my eyes and holding him even tighter.

I didn’t regret dressing up like this tonight to seduce him.

Sensing something was different, Pierce suddenly stopped his movements.

His hesitation made me both anxious and embarrassed, like a fire igniting deep in my belly.

Frustrated, I let out a soft, discontented hum and leaned against his shoulder, whispering in his ear, “Pierce, let’s just do this… consider it payback for the three years I spent looking for you.”