Trapped in Temptation

The mansion was eerily silent. Not the comforting kind of silence, but the kind that warned of a brewing storm. Y/N stood by the grand window of the master bedroom, her fingers trembling as she traced the cold glass. The city lights twinkled far beyond the estate's iron gates, mocking her captivity. She had made the mistake of thinking she could leave. She had underestimated him.

Her body still ached from their last encounter, from the way Taehyung had taken her as if he had something to prove—as if branding himself onto her soul was the only way to keep her his.

And maybe it was.

The heavy oak doors creaked open, and her heart skipped a beat. She didn't turn around. She didn't need to. His presence filled the room before his voice even touched her ears.

"You're sulking."

Y/N swallowed. "I have a right to."

A slow chuckle. Dark. Amused.

"Do you?"

She finally turned to face him. Kim Taehyung stood near the door, sleeves rolled up, his tie loosened, the top buttons of his shirt undone. He looked like a man who had been in countless meetings, discussing empires and embezzlements—but the only thing darkening his gaze now was her.

Y/N squared her shoulders. "You locked me in."

Taehyung raised a brow. "You ran."

"I needed space."

"I told you before, angel—" He stepped closer, the scent of his cologne intoxicating her senses. "You don't get space. Not from me."

Her breath hitched as he reached out, brushing a knuckle down the side of her neck. The touch was deceptively soft, a contrast to the storm in his eyes.

"You think I'm cruel for keeping you here?" His voice was velvet wrapped around steel. "You think I enjoy seeing you fight me?"

Y/N clenched her fists. "I think you don't know what love is."

His fingers paused. His jaw ticked. Then, before she could react, he had her against the window, her wrists pinned above her head, his body pressing into hers.

"Say that again," he murmured, his lips grazing her ear.

She bit her lip, refusing to show weakness. "You don't know what love is, Taehyung. This… this obsession you have with me? It's not love."

Something dark and dangerous flickered in his gaze. "No?"

"No," she whispered, though her body betrayed her, melting against him, aching for the very thing she was trying to resist.

Taehyung exhaled harshly, his grip tightening. "Then what is it, angel? Tell me."

She knew what he wanted to hear. That she belonged to him. That she loved him. That she would stop fighting.

But she wasn't ready to surrender.

Instead, she met his eyes with quiet defiance. "It's a cage."

Taehyung's lips curled. Not in amusement this time. In something far more dangerous.

"A cage," he repeated, as if tasting the word. "Do you want to know something about cages, sweetheart?" He leaned in, his nose skimming her jaw. "The only ones who hate them are the ones who still think they have somewhere else to go."

Y/N's heart pounded.

"You don't," he whispered.

Her breath shuddered out of her. "I do."

His smirk was razor-sharp. "Then why do you always end up in my arms?"

Damn him.

Damn him for being right.

Taehyung's lips brushed against hers, a featherlight tease, sending a shiver down her spine. "You fight me," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. "But I see the way your body reacts, angel. I hear the way you breathe when I touch you. You don't want to leave me."

Y/N shut her eyes. "You don't know what I want."

He hummed, pressing a kiss just below her ear. "No? Then tell me to stop."

Silence.

Y/N hated herself for it.

Taehyung smiled against her skin. "That's what I thought."

Midnight.

Y/N lay awake in his bed, the silk sheets cool against her skin. Taehyung's arm was draped over her waist, his body wrapped around hers, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

Or his most treasured possession.

His breathing was steady, but she knew better. He wasn't asleep.

"I hate you," she whispered.

A deep chuckle. "No, you don't."

Her throat tightened. "I should."

He kissed her shoulder. "Probably."

She turned her head slightly, just enough to catch the glint of his eyes in the dim light. "This isn't normal, Taehyung."

His grip on her waist tightened. "Good."

Y/N exhaled shakily. "You're impossible."

Taehyung smirked against her skin. "And you're mine."

It wasn't a question. It was a fact.

And for the first time, she didn't argue.

Maybe she was tired of fighting.

Or maybe… just maybe… she had been his all along.

The Next Morning

The sun streamed through the windows, painting the room in a soft golden hue. Y/N stirred, the warmth of Taehyung's body gone from her side. Her fingers curled into the sheets, the faint scent of his cologne lingering.

A sigh escaped her lips as she sat up, her muscles sore from last night's relentless passion. She didn't know what they were anymore—if they had ever been anything but a tangled mess of desire and possession.

She glanced at the bedside clock. 10:00 AM.

Too late for her to make a run for it. Not that she could. The mansion was still a prison, a gilded cage of luxury.

A knock at the door startled her.

Before she could respond, the door creaked open, revealing Jimin, Taehyung's right-hand man. He stood there, perfectly composed, his expression unreadable.

"Boss wants you downstairs," he said smoothly.

Y/N frowned. "For what?"

Jimin's lips curled slightly. "Breakfast."

She hesitated. But refusing Taehyung wasn't an option. Not when he had made it clear that every choice she thought she had was just an illusion.

With a resigned sigh, she threw on one of the silk robes hanging by the closet and padded out of the room.

The dining hall was grand, an extravagant display of wealth that she had never quite gotten used to. Taehyung sat at the head of the long table, a cup of coffee in his hand, his gaze locked on her the moment she entered.

"You're late," he said.

Y/N crossed her arms. "I wasn't aware I had a schedule."

Taehyung smirked. "You do now."

She clenched her jaw. "I'm not your employee, Taehyung. You don't control every second of my life."

His eyes darkened. "Don't I?"

She hated the way his words sent a thrill down her spine. Hated that she was already losing this battle.

"Sit," he ordered.

Y/N hesitated before reluctantly making her way to the seat beside him. The moment she did, he reached over, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture was gentle, almost affectionate—if not for the possessive look in his eyes.

"I have business to handle today," he murmured. "You'll stay inside."

Her nails dug into her palms. "And if I don't?"

Taehyung chuckled, low and dangerous. "Then I'll have to remind you why you don't run from me."

Y/N's breath hitched.

Because she knew exactly how he would remind her.

And worse?

She wasn't sure she would be able to resist.