Ava didn't sleep that night. Not from guilt, not from shame—she felt neither. Her body ached from the force of their collision, but her mind spun faster than it had in years. She had planned to manipulate him. Instead, she had surrendered to the fire he ignited in her, then clawed some of it back before it consumed her whole.
But he'd kissed her like he owned her. And she'd kissed him like she wanted to burn his world down.
She lay in her apartment, staring at the ceiling, wondering how the hell she'd let him in so fast.
"Never again," she whispered to herself.
By 7:00 AM, she was at her desk—composed, buttoned-up, her mouth still tasting like danger. Kai didn't arrive until 8:00, stepping off the private elevator in a tailored black suit, no tie, sleeves rolled up, power oozing from every line of him. His eyes found her immediately.
No greeting. No smirk. Just a slow once-over that reminded her exactly how his hands had gripped her hips the night before.
She didn't flinch.
He entered his office.
Ten minutes later, he buzzed her.
"Inside. Now."
Ava stepped in. He stood at the window, overlooking the city.
"We need to talk," he said without turning.
"Do we?"
"What happened last night—"
"—was a mistake," she cut in.
He turned. Slowly.
"A mistake you came to finish."
She crossed her arms. "That won't happen again."
He stepped forward, each movement deliberate.
"Good. Then you won't mind if I take someone else to the DeLancey event tonight."
Her stomach twisted. She smiled tightly.
"Why would I?"
He studied her.
"Wear red."
"I'm not going."
"You are. I need you there."
"As what? Your assistant, or your amusement?"
His voice dropped. "Both."
She took a step closer, eyes blazing. "If you're trying to play control games—"
"I'm not playing."
He grabbed her chin—firm but not cruel. "I don't need to play games to win."
She pulled away. "Then win alone."
She walked out.
But at exactly 6:47 PM, she stood in the penthouse lobby in a scarlet dress so tight it should've been illegal. She hated herself for showing up. But she hated the thought of another woman on his arm more.
Kai descended the stairs. Black tux. Open collar. Hunger in his eyes.
"Change your mind?"
She shrugged. "I go where the job demands."
"Keep telling yourself that."
They arrived at the event in a sleek black car. The venue was full of men in power and women who chased it. Everyone noticed Ava. Especially when Kai held her waist like he'd claimed her.
She leaned in, smiling at a passing senator. "You're marking territory."
"Maybe."
"You think you own me?"
"Not yet."
The night passed in tension. Light touches. Heavy stares. A thousand unsaid things. Then came Victoria. Blonde. Elegant. Tall. The kind of woman who kissed both cheeks and ignored Ava entirely.
"You brought... help," Victoria said to Kai.
Ava smiled. "The help has claws. Careful."
Kai smirked. Victoria scowled.
An hour later, Ava stood at the bar, sipping wine, when she caught Kai in the corner talking to Victoria. Her hand was on his chest. Her body too close.
Ava didn't look away.
Until she felt a presence beside her.
Tall. Dark. Confident.
"That's quite the death stare."
She turned. The man was stunning. Ice-blue eyes. Sculpted jaw. A dangerous calm in his smile.
"He's your man?" he asked.
"He's my boss."
"But not your owner."
She laughed. "Definitely not."
"Then let me buy you a drink."
"He'll kill you."
"Let him try."
She smirked. "Name?"
"Lucien."
Ava took the drink.
Across the room, Kai watched. His eyes darkened. His jaw set. And for the first time in years, he felt it—
Jealousy. Pure and lethal.
But Ava didn't stop at one drink.
Lucien leaned in, his voice a whisper near her ear.
"Does he make you feel seen, or just used?"
Ava's lips parted. "He doesn't own how I feel."
Lucien's fingers brushed her bare back. Slowly.
Kai snapped a champagne flute in his grip.
Ava laughed at something Lucien whispered. Her body tilted toward him—too naturally, too intimately. She didn't even look at Kai.
That made it worse.
He walked up to them, calm and cold.
"Lucien. Didn't expect to see you crawling out of the dark."
Lucien smiled. "I rise for the right reasons."
"Ava isn't one of them."
Lucien looked at her. "That for her to decide?"
Kai's voice dropped into something low and threatening. "Careful."
Ava stepped in. "You're making a scene."
"Then come with me," Kai said. "Now."
She hesitated just long enough to sting.
Lucien touched her hand. "You don't have to obey him."
Kai's eyes flicked to the touch—and darkened.
He didn't speak.
But Ava felt it in her bones: someone was going to die.
She turned away from Lucien.
"I'll go with you."
Kai said nothing as they walked out. In the car, the silence was molten.
The second they were alone in the penthouse, he pinned her to the wall.
"You were laughing with him."
"You were touching Victoria."
He pressed closer. "He touched your hand."
"And you've had your hand inside me. Let's not be hypocrites."
He growled. Actual growl. His mouth was on hers. Bruising. Possessive. Furious.
"You're mine, Ava."
"Prove it."
He tore her dress down to her waist. Lifted her up. She wrapped her legs around his hips.
It wasn't tender.
It wasn't sweet.
It was war, round two.
They didn't make it to the bed.
He took her right there against the wall, one hand gripping her throat, the other on her waist, thrusting hard enough to make her cry out.
"Say it," he demanded.
"Say what?"
"That you're mine."
"Not until you earn it."
He slammed into her deeper, and she screamed his name.
Later, bruised and breathless, she lay beside him on the floor.
He traced her skin with his fingers.
"Don't let him touch you again."
"Or what?"
"You won't like what I'll do."
She turned her head, met his gaze.
"Then stop pretending you're not already falling."
He stared at her.
And for the first time, didn't deny it.
The next morning, Ava walked into the office like nothing happened.
Lucien's number was already deleted from her phone.
But across the city, a message was delivered to Lucien's assistant.
"Tell your boss: stay away from her."
Signed: K.R.