LOGINLucien’s POV“The man is Sean Michael. Top supermodel—”“That was fast.”My tone cut through her sentence.She paused immediately, lowering her head slightly."I will conduct a full report,” she corrected.“Within the hour.”My gaze stayed forward.My hand flexed once, then again.“And tell Jeremy to schedule North. Tomorrow. My office.”“Yes, sir.”By the time the hour passed, I had everything.Sean Micheal.Wealthy background.Established name.Clean records.Too clean.Photos surfaced.Dates.Restaurants.Moments captured just enough to suggest something, but never confirm it.North was in them.Barely.Hidden.But I knew it was him.Then the posts changed.Subtle at first.Then obvious.Captions about heartbreak. Distance. Moving on.And then nothing.No more of that tone.Back to curated perfection.Like whatever happened between them…Ended.My jaw tightened.He had him.Without paying.Without contracts.Without control.And that—That irritated me more than it should.He’s not
North’s POVI arched my neck, offering it to him, then as he leaned in to bite me again, I struck. My teeth sank into the sensitive skin of his neck, just above his collar.He froze, his body tensing in surprise. A low growl rumbled in his chest, but it wasn't anger. It was pure, unadulterated arousal. He pulled back slightly, his eyes burning with a fire that made my blood run hot."You're going to pay for that," he promised, his voice rough with desire."I'm counting on it," I retorted, a smirk playing on my lips.He pulled out of me, flipping me over onto my stomach. I pushed myself up onto my hands and knees, arching my back in invitation.He entered me from behind, his hands gripping my hips, pulling me back against him as he thrust into me, hard and deep.The new position was overwhelming, each thrust hitting me in a way that made me cry out, my body trembling with pleasure.His hands roamed my back, his fingers tracing the lines of my muscles, his touch both possessive and reve
North’s POV"So this is goodbye, right?" I asked, perching on the edge of his massive mahogany desk. The cool wood was a stark contrast to the heat still lingering on my skin.Lucien sat in his high-backed leather chair, the epitome of corporate power, methodically buttoning his crisp shirt. His movements were precise, controlled, as if the frantic, passionate moments from moments before had never happened."If you want it to be," he snapped, not even looking at me. "Fine."The dismissal just made me roll my eyes internally. So damn childish. I slid off the desk, my movements fluid and deliberate. I crossed the space between us in three steps, then swung my leg over his chair, straddling him. His expensive trousers were immediately strained as I settled my weight directly over his groin, grinding down with slow, intentional circles.His breath hitched, just barely. His hands, which had been resting on the armrests, moved instinctively to wrap around my waist, fingers digging into my
North’s POVBut my heart eased when his gaze travelled to my neck down, it was a tank top that clung to my skin so hard it made my abs show.Lucien crossed the distance between us, his hands slamming flat on the table on either side of my hips, caging me in. The polished wood vibrated with the force of it. He leaned forward, his face inches from mine, the scent of his expensive cologne mingling with something uniquely him, something that made my heart hammer against my ribs."Is this how you want to play?" he murmured, his voice a low, dangerous rumble that vibrated through my entire body. His eyes, dark and intense, held a challenge I couldn't ignore. "Stripping down in my office? Trying to distract me with this?"His gaze dropped, slow and deliberate, from my eyes to my neck, down to the thin fabric of the tank top that clung to my skin. The air grew thick with unspoken tension as his eyes lingered on the defined lines of my stomach, the way the fabric stretched taut over my abs.
North’s POVHe was already standing inside a private elevator, checking his watch like I wasn’t just a few steps behind him.The ride up was silent.Fast.Too fast.Before I could even prepare myself properly, the doors opened to the top floor.The CEO’s floor.Jeremy didn’t step out.“Straight ahead,” he said flatly. “I’m sure you won’t miss it.”I stepped out alone.He was right.The layout made it obvious.Conference rooms lined one side, their glass walls darkened for privacy. Another section had restricted access, doors sealed and guarded by systems I didn’t even recognize.But the main office…That was impossible to miss.Large.Intimidating.Waiting.I walked toward it slowly, each step heavier than the last.Behind me, Jeremy’s voice came one last time.“I hope he tears your contract.”Cold sweat broke out instantly across my skin.And just like that…Everything I had been trying to hold together started to crack. Even before I knocked, the door slid open.It was almost unse
North’s POVNot when I was this close.I pulled out my phone and turned off Do Not Disturb.Notifications flooded the screen instantly.Messages.Missed calls.And then—One text.From Jeremy.My stomach dropped.‘The boss wants to see you at his office tomorrow. I’ll pick you up by 11. Usual spot.’For a second…Everything in me just stopped.I stared at the screen like it might change.Like it might disappear.But it didn’t.I was dead.I thought he would ignore it.I hadn’t done anything wrong.I didn’t sleep with anyone.I didn’t break the contract.It was just a date.Just talking.That wasn’t forbidden.Right?But then again…This was Lucien.A man who lost control the moment I kissed someone else, even in a room where that kind of thing was expected. A man who made others watch while he reminded me exactly who I belonged to.Possessive didn’t even begin to cover it.So what was this?What did he see?How much did he see?I leaned back against the seat, my grip tightening around
North’s POVAs I reached our gate, the scent hit me.Garlic sizzling in oil. Fish sauce was blooming in the heat. Fresh basil torn by hand. Jasmine rice was steaming.Pad kra pao.She only made that when she wanted everyone at the table.I slipped inside and dodged Winter’s questions about where I’
North’s POVThat single, unexpected compliment, that quiet observation in the middle of a power play, was the spark that lit the fuse. The fragile control I'd been clinging to, the careful performance, shattered into a million pieces.I crushed my lips against his, taking his mouth with a savagery
North’s POVI obeyed without hesitation, my knees falling apart on the polished wood of the table. The vulnerability was staggering, the cool air of the dining room hitting me everywhere. His gaze was a physical weight, pinning me down as he slicked the lube over his fingers, the sound obscenely lo
NorthMy mother lowered herself onto the bench as if her bones had finally given up resisting.“North,” she said quietly, staring at the pavement. “I do not support what you are doing. But a tortoise does not give birth to a dog. You are my son. You will survive the way I did. I can't stop you.”The







