The elevator dinged. She flinched. Just a tick—but I saw it. She glanced back at the doors like she was debating whether to bolt.
“Go ahead,” I said, voice cool, hands in my pockets. “Run back to him. Let him wrap that leash back around your throat.”
Her jaw tightened. She didn’t move.
That’s right. Stay.
“Gutsy move,” I added, eyeing her. “Not many girls would’ve pulled what you did.”
She rolled her eyes again, but there was a flicker of pride tucked in her smirk. “What’s life without some risks?”
I stepped into her space—close enough to feel her breath hitch, close enough that if she wanted to run, she’d have to shove me. She didn’t.
“You got no idea what kind of risk you just walked into.”
Her chin lifted, fire still there. “Then I guess I’ll learn.”
The doors slid open.
She didn’t move.
Neither did I.
Because this? This wasn’t the start of a mistake. It was the start of a war.
And I was already planning how to win.
I smirked as she squirmed, just a little. Not enough for most people to notice, but I saw it. I always saw it.
“That so?” I drawled. “Then why do you look like you’re one step from bolting?”
She didn’t flinch.
Instead, she stepped into my space—challenging. Her perfume hit me like a dare: sweet, defiant, expensive.
“If I was going to run,” she said, voice tight but steady, “I wouldn’t have gotten in this elevator with you.”
Well, shit.
This was gonna be fun.
The elevator opened with a soft ding, spilling golden light into the hallway. My penthouse stretched out beyond it—glass walls, shadows, and sharp edges. Luxury with a pulse.
The kind of place that whispered: once you’re in, there’s no going back.
She hesitated. One step out of the elevator, one foot still in safety.
Her eyes flicked toward the open doors, then back to me.
Good. Let her think about it. Let her feel the weight of what she’s walking into.
I leaned against the doorframe, not saying a word. Just watching.
I could feel it—the static between us. That edge-of-a-knife kind of tension.
“The choice is yours.” My voice came out low, quiet. Deadly.
She looked at me like she wanted to call bullshit. But she didn’t.
