She twisted sideways, trying to slip past me toward the door.
My hand shot out, caught her hip, spun her back.
The wall met her shoulders—not violently, but firmly enough that escape stopped being an option.
I stepped into her space, one hand flat against the wall beside her head, the other still curved around her waist.
Caging her.
The difference hit then.
Height. Reach. Weight.
The way I could cover her entirely if I wanted.
The way she had to tilt her head back just to glare at me properly.
"You don't get to walk away when I'm speaking."
Her breath stuttered, chest rising and falling against mine.
But her chin lifted anyway.
Defiant.
Furious.
Refusing to shrink.
"Fuck. You." Each word came out sharp enough to draw blood.
I smiled.
Slow and dark and meant to unsettle.
"Not yet." I leaned closer, close enough that our mouths almost touched. "But you signed a contract promising exactly that, Belle. So eventually?" I let the pause stretch. "Yeah. I will."
Her hands came up, pressed flat against my chest.
Not pushing.
Just... there.
Feeling the solid reality of what she'd agreed to.
Who she'd agreed to.
"I hate you," she whispered.
The tremor in her voice made it land harder than a shout.
"I know."
I stayed there another heartbeat, letting her feel trapped, letting her understand that every time she tried to run, I'd be faster.
Stronger.
More patient than she could ever prepare for.
