Chapter 3

　　"Goddammit… ." He growled, which made me shudder and made an unforeseen enunciation.

　　"You are mine now." He snarled, forcing me to stare into his obsessive gaze that intimidated me.

　　"And now that I have claimed this body… " His eyes darkened, commanding strictly, "No one else will… Understood?"

　　His dominance crushed me as he pressed all his weight upon me and gave me a rough thrust, enough to make me scream.

　　When I failed to respond, he grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking me forward, "I said, Do you fucking understand?!"

　　My body reacted on its own, agreeing hastily, "Y-Yes.. I am all yours.."

　　The possessiveness should have scared me. Instead, it was the most intoxicating thing I had ever felt.

　　Why did it feel like it was much more than a one-night stand for him?

　　Humming, he continued and soon could feel twitching around him, letting him know I was at my edge and could no longer last long.

　　"I.. I can't take it anymore, Zayne,"

　　"Then let go, let it all out of your head and focus on me entirely, Sweetheart,"

　　Excited to claim my body as his, he increased the speed, so I wouldn't be able to contemplate my surroundings.

　　Screaming his name, calling out like he was all I needed, to think only about the heavenly sensation as we both reached our climax.

　　"Oh..! Oh God…!"

　　"Fuck!" He growled when he came inside me, stopping gradually as I was shaking under him due to extreme pleasure surging in me.

　　"I bet Edric couldn't make you this satisfied, right?" He smirked proudly.

　　"Yes…" I agreed timidly.

　　Incapable to even breathe or think, I let out a sigh of relief finally to show I had witnessed paradise just as I used to imagine in my dreams only.

　　"Fuck yeah…"

　　Regaining my composure, I noticed his bewitching features from up close, holding his face in my hands.

　　He kissed my palm as his eyes fell on the time and the clock twelve, indicating a new year had started.

　　Oh Lord, THAT'S how I am starting my new year!?

　　He laughed a little seductively before lying beside me, wrapping his strong arm around me, permitting me to lay on his chest and relax.

　　"So… how is the start of your New Year?"

　　I smiled and replied with one word.

　　"Heavens."

　　"Glad to hear it,"

　　Closing our eyes, we both collapsed into each other for a satisfied sleep after a night of ecstasy.

　　Sunlight penetrated through the window, cascading over my face, dragging me back to my senses as I woke up to a room that didn't belong to me.

　　My head throbbed, a reminder of too much tequila and a heartbreak that hadn't quite died.

　　I reached out, expecting to feel Zayne's warm skin, but the sheets beside me were cold. Empty.

　　"Huh..? Zayne?"

　　A note sat on the nightstand next to a tray of gourmet breakfast. 'Had to leave. Sorry.'

　　Professional. Cold. Just like the man himself.

　　I laughed bitterly, the sound echoing in the massive suite.

　　What did I expect? A confession of love? It was a one-night stand, a strategic move in his war against Edric.

　　He must have done this to claim his enemy's woman and I, out of heartache.

　　Smiling to myself feebly, I pushed my wet hair behind and since I was starving, I ate everything, grabbed my things, called a cab and left his place.

　　Rose and I were sharing an apartment after disowning my family — yes, I disowned them.

　　I went home, Rose was absent. Must be enjoying her night too.

　　Smirking coldly, I decided to rest for the time being before the top-class gathering where I had to solidify my steps.

　　By 8:00 PM, I was standing in front of the mirror, Rose watching me with a mix of awe and concern.

　　"You look like you are going to a funeral, Kristine," She smirked, wearing her shoes.

　　"I am," I smirked back, applying a coat of blood-red lipstick. "Edric's."

　　Feeling bold tonight, I had chosen a dress that was practically a weapon, floor-length black lace, backless, with a slit that climbed dangerously high.

　　All eyes must be latched on me. I was the CEO of Scents'n'Secrets, topnotch fragrances after all.

　　I was a woman of perfume and power. I wouldn't let them see me bleed.

　　Tonight, people would consider my attention a privilege.

　　"My, my, aren't you becoming bolder?" Rose teased, scanning me from top to bottom.

　　"One should be when they have to stand alone," I replied derisively, picking my purse, holding my head high and leaving for the party.

　　The second I entered, I could feel the eyes following me, studying me thoroughly, but I had decided to make it MY year.

　　I won't lose to them.

　　But, then, I felt it.

　　Him.

　　The air behind me shifted, growing heavy, powerful.

　　A hand, large and familiar, grazed at my back, tracing a line on my spine. The heat of it burned through my lace dress, sending a traitorous shiver straight to my core.

　　"Avoiding me already, Sweetheart?" Zayne's low, tempting tone reached my ears.

　　"I am not avoiding you, Mr. Nightwood," I didn't turn around. I couldn't, "I am just... sober now."

　　"Sober is boring," he murmured, his hand tightening slightly on my waist, pulling me back until my heels were locked between his.

　　"And you weren't boring last night. You were a masterpiece of screams."

　　I could feel myself getting excited by the thought of him pinning my hands, of making me scream his name, of turning me into a senseless mess—

　　What the fuck am I thinking!?

　　"Stop," Hoping to impede the attraction, I shifted to face him with my steps retreating, "It was one night. You left a note, remember?"

　　"I left breakfast too," he corrected, closing our distance with his gaze darkening, "And a warning, remember?"

　　"By the way, what a masterpiece you have created," He commented, pointing at Edric's bandaged head.

　　I rolled my eyes, folding my arms at my chest, indulging in the sight where he was making up excuses to hide his deed.

　　"I think I should go now,"

　　Before I could snap back, the sound of a fork hitting a crystal glass rang out. The room went silent.