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 17 – Cracks in the Armor

Vincent hated being caught off guard.

And yet, Zane Harrington had done exactly that.

The drive back to his own penthouse was silent, but his mind was loud. Too loud. The faint ghost of warmth lingered in the space between them—where Zane had leaned in, where Vincent had almost…

He clenched his jaw, gripping the steering wheel tighter. This wasn't a game he could afford to play.

And yet, the way Zane had looked at him… The way his voice had dipped into something teasing, something daring—

Vincent exhaled sharply and pushed the thought away.

Zane strode into Vincent's office like he owned the place, tossing himself into the leather chair across from Vincent's desk.

"You look like hell, Graves. Didn't sleep well?"

Vincent didn't even glance up from his laptop. "Unlike you, I have work to do."

Zane smirked. "You wound me. I work very hard."

"On what? Your reputation as the city's most reckless playboy?"

Zane gasped dramatically. "I'll have you know, my reputation is a finely crafted masterpiece."

Vincent finally looked up, pinning him with an unimpressed stare. "If you're done wasting my time—"

"I'm never done," Zane interrupted smoothly. Then he leaned forward, all amusement fading. "Arthur Lancaster. What's our next move?"

Vincent studied him for a beat, then tossed a folder across the desk. "We dig."

Zane picked it up, flipping through the pages. His brows lifted. "Financial records, boardroom disputes… even personal scandals. You work fast."

Vincent leaned back in his chair. "If Lancaster wants a war, he'll get one."

Zane's lips curled. "I love when you talk ruthless."

Vincent ignored him. "We have a meeting with him tomorrow. Until then, I suggest you behave."

Vincent sighed, already regretting everything.

He was at one of the city's exclusive lounges, whiskey in hand, charming his way through a conversation he didn't particularly care about.

Or at least, he had been—until he noticed the man entering the lounge.

Zane's amusement flickered into something sharper. Vincent hadn't mentioned meeting Lancaster tonight.

Without hesitation, Zane abandoned his conversation and made his way toward them.

Vincent saw him approaching, and for a split second, something unreadable flashed in his expression.

Lancaster turned, smiling as he noticed Zane. "Mr. Harrington. A pleasure."

Zane's eyes stayed on Vincent. "What's going on?"

Vincent's jaw tightened slightly. "Business."

"Without me?" Zane placed a hand over his chest mockingly. "I'm hurt."

Lancaster chuckled. "Come now, I'm sure Mr. Graves just didn't want to waste your time. After all, this is high-stakes business. Not exactly your style."

Zane's smile didn't waver, but his eyes darkened.

And before Zane could open his mouth, Vincent did something unexpected.

He reached out and grabbed Zane's wrist.

The touch was brief, firm. A warning.

Zane's breath hitched for half a second before he masked it with another smirk. "Oh, Vincent. You know I love high stakes."

Lancaster chuckled again, but Vincent's grip on Zane's wrist tightened just slightly before he let go.

"We should sit," Vincent said smoothly.

Zane didn't miss the shift in Vincent's tone. A message only he would understand.

And for the first time, Zane wondered if they were in deeper than either of them had realized.

CRACKS IN THE ARMOR