Chapter Five – Mine or No One’s
896 Words
As the plane touched down in Tokyo, Talia’s phone buzzed with a new assignment.
“You’ll be working closely with Ryo Takeda,” the email read.
Her stomach dipped. Ryo — the youngest CEO in the company’s inner circle, notorious for his charm, his billion-yen smile, and a reputation for mixing business with flirtation.
Just what she needed. Another arrogant man with power and pretty lies.
The office was buzzing with energy as usual, but all Talia could hear was the smooth, flirtatious voice of Ryo Nakamura.
“Come on, Navarro,” he said with a grin as he leaned against her desk. “You close this deal with me, and I’ll owe you dinner. And I always pay my debts.”
Talia rolled her eyes, but a smirk tugged at her lips. “Is that how you win your clients over? Flattery and overpriced steak?”
Ryo’s eyes twinkled. “No, that’s how I win the company’s top negotiator over.”
She laughed softly, shaking her head, unaware of the storm brewing behind a pair of glass walls on the top floor.
Shin Akiyama watched them from his office, jaw clenched so tight he could hear his own teeth grinding. The way Ryo leaned in, like he owned the space around her. The way Talia laughed—his laugh. That sound used to belong to him.
He didn’t blink. Didn’t move. Just watched with eyes like blades.
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Later that day, the office had quieted into the lull of mid-afternoon. Most people were at lunch. Talia ducked into the break room for coffee, only to find Ryo already inside.
“Oh,” she said, startled.
“Relax,” Ryo chuckled, pouring her a cup without asking. “I won’t bite… unless you ask nicely.”
Talia narrowed her eyes, but the corners of her lips curved slightly. “You’re insufferable.”
“And yet… you’re still here,” he said, stepping a little too close, his hand brushing hers as he passed her the cup.
She froze. That touch was too intentional.
Before she could respond, the break room door slammed open.
Talia jumped.
Ryo turned, only to get a fist straight to the jaw.
“Shin!” Talia gasped, the coffee cup crashing to the floor.
Ryo staggered back, clutching his face, his eyes wide with shock. “What the hell, Akiyama?!”
Shin didn’t answer. His breathing was ragged, fists still curled like he wasn’t finished. His eyes were on Talia now—dark, blazing, possessive.
“You think this is funny?” he hissed. “Letting him touch you?”
“I didn’t—” she started, voice shaking.
“You let him,” Shin growled. “You laughed with him.”
“It’s my job!” she shouted, stepping in front of Ryo like she had to protect him.
That broke something in Shin. He turned and stormed out of the room without another word.
Talia didn’t hesitate. She followed him, heart pounding. The entire office was already buzzing with whispers.
---
She caught up with him in the emergency stairwell, grabbing his arm before he could escape.
“What the hell is wrong with you?!” she shouted.
Shin whirled around. “What’s wrong with me? What the hell were you doing letting that bastard put his hands on you?”
“He didn’t! And even if he did, it’s none of your business!”
Shin slammed his palm against the wall beside her head, cornering her. “The hell it isn’t.”
Talia’s breath hitched.
His face was inches from hers now, eyes wild, jaw tight, fury rolling off him like heat.
“You think I’m going to stand there and watch another man touch what’s mine?” he growled.
Her mouth opened—then closed. “I’m not yours, Shin.”
“Say that again,” he dared, voice dangerously low.
“I’m not—”
He kissed her.
Hard.
It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t tender. It was punishment and need and everything in between. Talia’s back hit the cold stairwell wall, and her hands fisted in his shirt. She should’ve pushed him away. Should’ve screamed.
But she kissed him back—just as desperately.
His hand gripped her waist, pulled her against him like he was afraid she’d vanish again. She could feel every inch of him, the heat of his fury, the hunger he’d kept buried for three years.
His lips dragged down her jaw, her neck. “No one gets to touch you but me,” he rasped.
“Shin,” she whispered, eyes fluttering closed.
“I dreamt of this,” he said, his voice cracked open. “Of you. Every damn night.”
Her fingers tangled in his hair. Her body arched toward him like it remembered how to belong to him.
But then—he stopped.
Breathing hard, his forehead dropped to hers. “I should stop.”
Talia’s heart was a drum in her chest. “Then stop.”
He didn’t move.
“Shin…” she whispered again, softer now.
He finally stepped back, like it physically hurt to let her go.
She touched her lips, still swollen, still burning.
“I’m not yours anymore,” she said, voice trembling.
He didn’t flinch.
Instead, he looked her dead in the eye and said, “Then make me believe that.”
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