Alexis didn't say anything when Kai left her apartment that morning.
She just stood there, still naked beneath her robe, staring at the door like it might open again.
It didn't.
And that should've been a good thing.
A clear head, a quiet house, and some goddamn distance.
So why did everything feel louder?
She grabbed her phone and called Ivy. "I'm coming with you to the gallery today."
Ivy didn't ask questions. She never did.
The gallery was calm, sterile, full of beautiful things that didn't whisper to her skin or leave bruises on her hips. Alexis pretended to care. She smiled at artists. Sipped wine. Made small talk.
But every time a tall man walked by, her spine snapped straight.
He's not here, she told herself.
Until he was.
She didn't see him walk in. She felt it.
The air changed. It got heavier. Sharper.
She turned, and there he was.
Leaning against a white pillar in his usual black. Eyes on her like no one else existed.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
"What are you doing here?" she hissed when he was close enough to hear her.
"I missed you," he said like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"I said I needed space."
"I gave you four hours. That's generous, don't you think?"
"You can't just show up everywhere."
"I'm not everywhere, Alexis. I'm with you. Always."
Her breath caught. "You're insane."
He smiled. "About you? Probably."
She turned to leave, walked right past him, out into the quiet side alley behind the gallery.
Of course, he followed.
And of course, when she spun to face him, angry and breathless, his mouth was already on hers.
He pushed her against the cool brick wall, hands sliding under her skirt, fingers curling into the softest part of her thigh.
"You're not even trying to stay away," he growled against her neck.
"I was doing fine until you showed up."
"But you didn't ask me to leave."
His fingers slid higher. She gasped.
"No," she whispered. "But I should have."
"Then tell me now," he said, lips grazing hers. "Tell me to stop."
She didn't.
He fucked her there, against the wall, half in shadow, her leg wrapped around his hip.
She came with her teeth in his shoulder, nails clawing his back.
And when it was over, and she slid down the wall, legs too weak to hold her, Kai just crouched beside her, smirking.
"I'll stop when you do," he said softly.
She didn't answer.
Because she didn't want him to.