Adetoye_Eniola

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Dominance & Desire

In the cutthroat world of business, Vincent Graves is known for his ruthless precision. Cold, calculating, and always in control, he’s built an empire through sheer dominance. Zane Harrington, on the other hand, is everything Vincent despises—reckless, unpredictable, and far too tempting for his own good.

When a multi-million-dollar inheritance forces them into an uneasy partnership, their long-standing rivalry ignites into something even more dangerous. Every meeting is a battlefield, every conversation a game of power. But beneath the sharp words and heated stares, desire simmers—dark, undeniable, and impossible to ignore.

As past traumas resurface and buried emotions claw their way to the surface, Vincent and Zane are left with a choice: fight until they destroy each other… or surrender to the fire that threatens to consume them both.

Enemies by fate. Bound by power. Seduced by something neither of them is ready to admit.


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DOMINANCE &DESIRE

Chapter 4: Fractured Past, Unsteady Present

Zane could feel his own heartbeat quicken, but he kept his expression relaxed, his fingers still lightly grasping Vincent's tie. He expected the usual reaction—a scoff, a smirk, maybe even a sharp remark about his lack of professionalism.

Instead, Vincent simply looked at him. Really looked at him.

Zane had spent years perfecting the art of never letting anyone get too close, of never giving them enough to hold on to. But under Vincent's cold, calculating gaze, he felt exposed.

For a second, Zane thought he was about to push him away. Instead, Vincent's fingers wrapped around Zane's wrist—firm, controlled, yet not cruel. His touch was steady, his warmth unexpected.

"Don't play games with me, Harrington," Vincent said, his voice low and measured. "You won't win."

Zane swallowed. Something about the way Vincent said it unsettled him.

He yanked his hand away, stepping back as if the distance would erase the moment that had just passed between them. "Relax, Graves. It was just a joke."

"You're fun, Zane, but you're not someone people stay with."

Zane sat on the edge of the bed, shirt half-buttoned, his date from the night before already at the door. He forced a smirk, pretending the words didn't sting.

"Yeah, yeah. I get it." He waved a hand dismissively. "No strings attached, right?"

The guy hesitated, but in the end, he left without another word.

Zane let out a breath and flopped back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

This wasn't new. It had always been like this. People liked him. They laughed with him. They had fun.

BACK TO PRESENT– Vincent's Perspective

Vincent adjusted his tie, composing himself.

He hadn't expected Zane to get under his skin like this. He was used to dealing with aggressive businessmen, ruthless competitors—people who fought him in ways he understood.

Zane was different. Unpredictable. Emotional. Reckless.

Yet, when Vincent had looked into his eyes just now, he hadn't seen arrogance. He'd seen something else. Something familiar.

Vincent clenched his jaw. He didn't have time for distractions.

But as he turned to leave, he found himself saying, "Tomorrow. 9 AM. Don't be late."

Zane raised an eyebrow. "You actually think I wake up that early?"

Vincent smirked slightly. "I don't think you have a choice."

Then he walked out, leaving Zane alone with thoughts he didn't want to have.

FRACTURED PAST, UNSTEADY PRESENT.