Twisted Fates: A Game of Love and Retribution

"Let go of me..."

He tightened his grip, holding her even closer.

"You..." She glared at him, only to find his dark, determined gaze unyielding and commanding.

She stopped struggling because the more she resisted, the tighter he held her.

He seemed to enjoy seeing her in disarray and embarrassment before him.

Their gazes locked in confrontation, yet neither spoke.

The shop was silent, with only the overhead crystal light casting shadows on the floor. The warm glow fell on her delicate face, tracing from her pretty forehead down her brow, along her upturned nose, and onto her vibrant red lips. Her long lashes cast dense shadows with every blink.

Her appearance was incredibly alluring.

His free hand couldn't resist touching her cheek, his voice low and gentle. "I don't know why, but every time I see you, I feel a sense of déjà vu."

His words caused a tightening in her chest, and she turned her head slightly to escape his breath.

He withdrew his hand, his gaze lingering on her lightly pursed lips. "Leo told me you're afraid of me?" She could feel his gaze sliding slowly from her lips to her tense cheek. "There's no need to fear me. I naturally desire to possess a woman I'm interested in—it's in every man's nature. So I would never hurt you."

She remained silent.

His gaze returned to her slightly parted lips, and he continued softly. "This wedding dress suits you. It's how I imagined my beloved would look in a wedding dress when I was young... Maybe this feeling drew me here and led me to see you."

Her body trembled slightly.

He suddenly smiled. "I doubt you'll invite me to your wedding, but I still want to offer you my blessing as a tribute to my youthful fantasies..."

A sudden pang of inexplicable sadness hit her heart. Her gaze, previously lowered to his chest, lifted, her slightly raised chin making her look fragile and pitiable.

He studied her, seeming to see through her moment of vulnerability, pulling her even closer and saying, "But before I congratulate you, shouldn't you repay the favor I did for you by helping Jasper?"

He leaned down, and before she could react, his lips met hers, driven by instinct. She struggled, but he restrained her rebellious hands. She tried to kick him, but he pinned her against the wall, immobilizing her, his hand threading through her hair to hold her face, forcing her to accept his demand.

His lips crushed hers, sucking on their softness, his nimble tongue harshly probing her tightly shut teeth. When met with resistance, he pinched her chin, making her whimper in pain, and she inadvertently opened her mouth.

His tongue, hot and fervent, entwined with hers, entirely invading. Overwhelmed with shame and fury, she broke free from his embrace and fled.

He didn't stop her, instead raising his thumb to wipe away the drop of blood from his lip where she had bitten him, a faint smile on his lips. "Congratulations on your wedding."