CHAPTER 5: FIRE & CHAINS
573 Words
CHAPTER 5: FIRE & CHAINS
Lian didn't sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, she felt Kai’s mouth on hers. His hands. The way his voice coiled around her like silk soaked in gasoline. She hated him, hated what he did—but her body couldn’t seem to forget.
She needed a plan.
She needed control.
At dawn, she pulled on the most modest outfit she could find—a loose cream blouse and black trousers. She braided her hair tightly, like armor. Nothing about her said “bride.” Everything said “defiance.”
The penthouse was silent as she slipped into the study.
She hadn’t explored this room before—too guarded, too obvious. But now, curiosity burned hotter than caution. The shelves were lined with leather-bound books, sleek weapons, and files locked behind glass.
She was scanning titles when his voice sliced through the silence.
“Looking for something?”
Her breath caught.
Kai stood in the doorway, shirtless, a towel around his neck, skin glistening from a workout. Muscles coiled beneath every slow step he took.
“I needed a book,” she lied quickly, turning her back to him.
His smirk was audible in his voice. “Didn’t peg you for the reading type.”
She spun around, bristling. “And I didn’t peg you for the ‘hold women hostage and force them to wear lingerie’ type.”
He laughed softly. “You’ve got a mouth on you.”
“You have no idea.”
He stepped closer. “Oh, I do.”
And just like that, the air between them snapped tight—dangerous, electric.
His hand brushed a strand of hair from her face. She swatted it away.
“Touch me again and—”
“You’ll what?” His voice dropped low. “Scratch me? Bite me? Moan for me?”
She slapped him.
But this time, he didn’t just take it.
He grabbed her wrist mid-swing, spun her around, and pinned her to the bookshelf in one fluid motion. Her back hit the wood. His body pressed into hers. One hand held her wrist above her head. The other gripped her hip.
“Stop pretending,” he growled. “Your body reacts every time I touch you. You want to hate me, but you feel me.”
“Let me go.”
“Say you don’t want me to kiss you again.”
“I don’t.”
“Liar.”
And then he kissed her again—hard, brutal, unforgiving.
She gasped, and he used it, tongue sliding against hers, deep and possessive. Her free hand pushed at his chest, but it was weak, unfocused. Her body betrayed her again—heart racing, heat rising, knees threatening to buckle.
This kiss wasn’t punishment.
It was possession.
He only pulled back when her legs started to shake. His mouth hovered over hers, breathing heavy.
“You’ll remember that,” he murmured.
“I’ll forget it,” she whispered, breathless.
His eyes burned into hers. “No, you won’t.”
He released her and stepped back slowly, gaze still fixed like a wolf who’d tasted blood.
Lian stood there, pulse roaring, lips swollen. Her knees still weak.
She wanted to scream. To cry. To curse him for the way he made her feel.
But instead, she whispered to herself, “I won’t fall for you.”
And somewhere deep inside…
She wasn’t so sure anymore.
- Writer
