Chapter 2

I stared at Fennrick in silence.

Seriously… how full of himself was he?

However, I couldn’t deny my racing heartbeat.

At this point I was convinced Fennrick had hit me with some kind of fae glamour spell. Because I was, unfortunately, just a little obsessed with him.

I follow a ridiculous number of hot guy influencers, but none of them—and I mean none of them—looked like this fox fae.

Fennrick’s physique walked that razor‑thin line between sensual and elegant. It was a feast for my eyes.

If I could just touch-

Nope.

No.

Riches first. Physical contact later.

If I became a millionaire, I could find any man I wanted. That was how I comforted myself.

I marched into the bathroom, flinging one last line over my shoulder.

“Relax, sweetheart. I’m definitely not interested in you.”

When I came back out, wearing a tiny slip dress and towel‑drying my hair, my reflection in the hallway mirror was almost intimidating even to me.

I mean, come on. My looks weren’t exactly average. I refused to let a fox fae walk all over me in my own home.

But Fennrick didn’t even blink.

He just frowned slightly. “Miss Lockhart, you’re blocking my view of the television.”

…Wow. Okay. Fine.

The next seven days basically became a full‑on war of attrition.

When he lounged shirtless, I wore one of his oversized dress shirts.

When he went jogging in grey sweatpants, I would go for a swim in a bikini.

At dawn, he did ab workouts on the balcony. So I sat next to him and did core exercises.

Neither of us was willing to give in.

However, all that bravado on my end was an act.

When I saw my bestie’s fox fae, I nearly drooled.

Hers wasn’t “mistrained” like Fennrick. Sure, he was not as handsome, but his looks were still miles above any regular guy.

My bestie, Lila Merrick, was completely hooked. It took me a few days before she agreed to meet me.

While her fox fae prepared lunch, she whispered, “So? How’s yours? Is he good in bed?”

“…I’ve not tried that.”

“What?! Don’t be shy! They’re literally like toys made for our pleasure. You don’t need to feel guilty about anything!”

Right as she said that, her fox fae silently appeared behind us, eyes shimmering, lashes wet.

His lips trembled as he said, “Master… am I only a toy to you?”

The expression. The tone. Straight out of an incubus’ playbook.

Lila froze. She then casually stood up and said, “I was exaggerating. Why would I think that of you? You know how much I care about you.”

He ignored me completely and yanked her into his arms.

“Then show me.”

Lila peeked at me over his shoulder, silently telling me to leave.

Fine. I wouldn't be a third wheel.

⸻

When I got home, Fennrick was still watching the finance channel. His legs was spread out lazily, while his arm was draped over the back of the couch.

As I walked by, the angle of his shorts revealed the sharp line of his thigh disappearing into shadow.

A few days ago, I would’ve gotten myself a pair of black stockings and stretched a leg right in front of him just to mess with his head.

But after seeing Lila’s fox fae?

My mood was dead.

What was this miserable dry, flavorless existence I was living?

At least tomorrow marked day seven.

He said he’d make me rich. But if he couldn’t keep his words, I was absolutely going to devour him alive. One way or another, I was not walking away empty‑handed.

Just one more night. I could do it.

I ignored him, hopped in the shower, slipped into my ugly-but-comfy pajamas, and went straight to bed.

Fennrick came knocking a few times.

Once. “Do you want fruits?”

Twice. “How about milk?”

Thrice. “Autumn? Are you asleep?”

I snapped.

I threw the door open and pointed at him. “Knock again and I swear I’ll kiss you!”

His expression didn’t change. “Go ahead. Try it.”

…Was that a threat? Well, it worked.

I slammed the door shut and spent the next hour tossing and turning, completely unable to sleep.