Prologue

"Already cheating on me?"

A nervous chuckle escaped my lips as I stared at the small bouquet of jasmines he held.

"W-what?" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled, clearly amused, stepping closer as he raised the umbrella over my head.

"I told you, didn't I?" His voice, low and teasing, cuts through the air.

He steps closer. Before she can react, his hand slips behind her waist-swift, deliberate.

In an instant, their bodies collide, and he pulls her into him.

They move together, feet shuffling, leading them into the dark alley corner-far from prying eyes, the world falling away.

She gasps, breath caught in her throat. His heat radiates through his rough clothes, every inch of him too familiar, too close.

It's been days, maybe more, but the electricity between them hasn't faded. Not at all.

Her chest tightens, the memories of his touch flooding back, sharp and overwhelming.

He's watching her, eyes tracing her face like a map of her thoughts. He sees it all-the hesitation, the desire, the conflict.

"Spend the night with me..." he whispers, lips brushing the fading hickey on her neck, a slow burn against her skin.

Her fingers tremble as they slide up his arm, tracing the hard lines of his biceps, trying to steady the rush of heat spreading through her.

He pulls back slightly, eyes locking with hers, dark and possessive.

"And you're mine."

Her heart pounds in her chest.

"And we did."

Yes, we did...