Morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting golden threads across the bed. Wu Mei stirred first, blinking against the soft warmth. Her body was cocooned in blankets—and him.
Qin Yanzhou's arm was draped tightly around her waist, holding her as if letting go was not an option. His breath tickled her neck, steady and warm. She turned slightly, careful not to wake him.
But he was already awake.
His eyes opened slowly, meeting hers with that familiar, unreadable intensity. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then his hand tightened at her waist. "You're still here," he murmured.
She nodded softly. "Did you think I'd leave?"
"I wouldn't have let you," he said, voice husky from sleep. "Not after last night."
Her breath caught.
The way he was looking at her—it wasn't just desire. It was something darker. Possession.
"I didn't sleep well," he continued, shifting closer so that his lips brushed the shell of her ear. "You kept moving."
She let out a quiet laugh. "You're the one who pulled me in like a pillow."
"Because you're warm," he murmured, kissing her earlobe lightly. "And because I missed holding you. Every single night."
His hand slipped under the hem of her robe, fingers brushing against her bare waist. She gasped, her body reacting to his touch without thought.
"Yanzhou…"
He stopped, his eyes searching hers.
"You don't want this?" he asked, his voice low, controlled—but barely.
Wu Mei hesitated for a second. Then she reached up, her fingers trailing through his hair, gently tugging him down until their lips met again.
"Yes, I do," she whispered into his mouth.
The kiss deepened.
His lips claimed hers, slower this time, more intense. His hand moved to her back, pulling her flush against him. She could feel the heat of him, the tension in his body as he fought to stay gentle.
But he didn't want gentle.
Neither did she.
"Tell me," he whispered as he kissed down her jaw, "tell me you want me like before."
"I do," she breathed, her hands gripping his shoulders. "I want you."
He groaned softly, burying his face in her neck. "I thought I forgot how it felt to hold you. I didn't."
Her heart twisted painfully. He sounded like a man starving for something he swore he'd never need again.
They lay tangled together, heat simmering beneath every touch, every breath. But just when he shifted above her, about to surrender to that fire, Wu Mei cupped his face and stopped him.
"Wait," she said, breathless.
He froze, brows furrowing. "Why?"
"I want this to mean something."
He pulled back slightly, eyes narrowing. "You think it doesn't?"
"No, I just… I don't want you to wake up tomorrow and regret this."
Qin Yanzhou studied her for a long, tense moment. Then he rolled onto his back beside her, silent.
Wu Mei watched him. His jaw was tight, his expression hard to read.
"You're always pulling away just when I get close," he said, voice low.
"I'm scared," she admitted. "But I'm trying."
He turned his head to look at her. "I don't need perfect. I just need you to stop running."
She inched closer again, laying her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
"I won't run," she whispered. "Not this time."
His arms circled around her once more.
They lay in silence, the weight of unspoken feelings pressing down between them.
A knock interrupted their fragile moment.
Qin Yanzhou didn't move.
Another knock. Then the voice of his assistant on the other side. "Sir, there's a visitor asking for Miss Wu."
His body tensed instantly. "Who?"
"He said his name is He Sheng."
Wu Mei froze.
Qin Yanzhou sat up in one swift motion, eyes narrowing with a deadly glint.
"He Sheng?" he repeated, voice sharp. "Why the hell is he here?"
Wu Mei's blood ran cold. Her throat tightened. "I… I don't know."
Qin Yanzhou turned to her slowly, his entire body radiating a storm.
"Did you call him?"
"No. I swear—"
But the look in his eyes had already changed. The softness from moments ago vanished like smoke.
Possessiveness replaced it.
Danger.
He got off the bed and grabbed his shirt.
"Stay here," he said coldly. "I'll deal with him."
Wu Mei clutched the blanket, her heart pounding.
She hadn't seen He Sheng in this life. Not yet.
So why had he come now?