(Kai’s POV)Steam curled around me as I stood under the hot spray of the shower, my palms braced against the tiles. My muscles ached in the best way—tired from everything we’d just done. Vivian… God, she unraveled me every time. The way she moaned, the way her body reacted to mine like it belonged there, like it remembered me.I let the water run down my back a few more seconds, trying to cool the last traces of possessiveness burning under my skin. But the truth was, even after taking her over and over tonight, I still wanted more.Tying a towel low on my waist, I stepped out, drying myself off before slipping into a pair of sweatpants. The room was quiet except for the soft rustle of the sheets where Viv
(Kai’s POV)The door clicked shut behind us. The silence in the room was thick, charged with tension neither of us wanted to name. I didn’t say anything as I dropped my keys and jacket on the side table. Vivian stood near the doorway, arms crossed, her eyes unreadable—but she hadn’t run. That was enough for me.I walked toward her.She didn’t move.“Turn around,” I said, my voice low.She stared at me, lips trembling, but after a beat, she obeyed—slowly, silently. Her back faced me, her breath catching as I stepped behind her, pressing her against the door."You said yes," I caught my breath, her body shivering, "there's no second chance to stop. Do you understand?"Vivian nodded faintly.Her breathing quickened when I gripped her hips. I pressed my lips to her neck—sucking, kissing, biting—leaving marks of ownership I made sure wouldn’t fade anytime soon. With this, I made it clear she would be mine forever. To hell with any bastard who tried to take Vivian from me. I would reduce th
(Kai’s POV)From across the ballroom, I saw her.Vivian had just entered, her arm linked with Darius like it meant something. She looked stunning in that blood-red dress—so stunning it pissed me off. I clenched my jaw, letting my date, Clarisa, keep talking even though I wasn’t really listening. I had paid her to be here, after all.To smile. To touch. To be seen with me. And most importantly, to make Vivian jealous.And damn it, it was working.Vivian’s eyes found me, just for a moment. I saw the flicker in them. The way her lips tightened. The way her fingers flexed on Darius's arm. Good.When we entered the auction room, I turned up the act. Clarisa lean
(Vivian's POV)I was spinning slowly in front of the full-length mirror when the doorbell rang, abruptly breaking my rhythm. “Coming!” I called, smoothing the skirt one last time before padding across the living room in matching red heels.I swung the door open, and there stood Darius, looking impeccable in a charcoal tuxedo, his hair neatly combed back. He paused and took me in. His eyes widened slightly in delight.“Wow,” he breathed. “You look… breathtaking.” His tone was soft, affectionate. “And a little shy. That’s charming.”The blood-red dress clung to my body, slit high at one leg, hugging my curves tightly while revealing just enough skin to make me feel bold and vulnerable at once.I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, suddenly shy under his gaze.“You think it’s too much?”“Too much?” Darius smiled, stepping closer. “No. It’s perfect. You’re perfect. I just hope I can keep all eyes off you tonight.”I laughed softly, brushing off the sudden rush of warmth on my cheeks.
(Vivian’s POV)The silence inside the car was almost too loud.Darius didn’t say anything at first, just focused on driving, one hand lightly gripping the steering wheel, the other resting on the gearshift between us. I stared out the window, pretending to be fascinated by the passing city lights, when in fact my mind was spinning—fast and chaotic.The memory of Kai’s breath on my skin, his hand pressed to my waist, the way his eyes burned into mine like he still owned a part of me—it all replayed in my head like a broken reel I couldn’t shut off.But Darius… Darius had pulled me away from that chaos. Again.“You okay?” he asked, his voice warm and low, barely above the g
(Kai’s POV)The moment I stepped into her studio, I could smell her.Clean. Subtle. Familiar.Vivian.Martha had let me in hesitantly, clearly unsure whether to stop me or not, but I didn’t give her a choice. I walked straight through the corridors of Vivian’s new office—minimalist, elegant, and full of character. Just like her. I didn’t knock. I opened the glass door.She was bent over her desk, organizing some sample boards. The moment she looked up and saw me standing there, her hand stilled.“Kai,” she said, straightening. Her voice sounded wary, but her lips parted slightly as if she wasn’t sure whether to breathe or speak. “What are you doing here?”“Your assistant said you were in,” I answered coolly. I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me. “You’ve been avoiding me.”“I’ve been busy,” she replied, clearing her throat.I stalked closer, every step measured, slow.“Too busy to answer my messages? Or to meet me for five minutes?” I asked.She took a step back. “I didn’t thi