CHAPTER 4: DINNER WITH THE DEVIL
537 Words
CHAPTER 4: DINNER WITH THE DEVIL
The dining table stretched long and cold beneath a chandelier that dripped crystal like icicles. Lian sat at one end, untouched plate before her, arms crossed.
Kai Ren sat across from her, wine glass in hand, watching her like a panther waiting for the right moment to pounce.
“You haven’t eaten,” he said.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Then eat anyway.” His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp. Commanding.
She stabbed her fork into the grilled salmon just to shut him up, chewing like it was poison.
He raised a brow. “You know, for someone who’s supposed to be my bride, you’re awfully ungrateful.”
She dropped the fork. “You want gratitude? For what—kidnapping me? For kissing me like you had a right to?”
“You didn’t complain that much,” he said smoothly, eyes dark with knowing.
She stood abruptly. “You’re disgusting.”
Before she could storm off, he was there—quicker than she expected, blocking her path. His hand landed on the table beside her, trapping her between him and the edge.
“Let’s get one thing straight, Lian,” he said low, his breath brushing her cheek. “You’re here because of your father’s mistakes. But I chose you. I could’ve let your family burn. Instead, I gave you a palace to rot in.”
“Oh, how generous,” she said, voice dripping venom.
He chuckled. “You like pushing me, don’t you?”
She refused to flinch, though his nearness burned through her like wildfire. “And what happens when I push too far? You’ll kiss me again?”
His eyes narrowed. “You think that was a kiss?” His hand slipped to her jaw, tilting her head up. “That was a warning.”
“I don’t want it.”
“Liar.”
Before she could answer, his mouth was on hers again—hot, demanding, brutal.
She struggled, fists pressed to his chest, but he didn’t back off. His kiss was punishment and promise, dominance wrapped in velvet fire. His other hand gripped her hip, dragging her closer until there was no space left between them.
Her body betrayed her again—heat curling low in her belly, breath catching.
When he finally pulled away, her lips were parted, heart slamming against her ribs.
“I could make you want it,” he whispered.
“You won’t,” she shot back, voice hoarse.
He smiled, slow and dark. “You’re right. I’ll wait. And when you do want it…” He leaned in closer, lips ghosting her ear. “You’ll beg.”
She shoved him away with all her strength. He let her, taking a step back with that maddening calm still in his eyes.
“You won’t win,” she spat.
“I already have.”
She left the room, slamming the door behind her so hard it echoed through the penthouse.
In her room, she paced like a storm, her body humming with adrenaline and fury and something far more dangerous—curiosity.
Because for one maddening second, when his mouth was on hers… she’d kissed him back.
- Writer
