Chapter 49

The night air in Shanghai was crisp, laced with the smell of roasted chestnuts and faint jasmine drifting from somewhere unseen. After dinner, Cassian and Sienna found themselves walking aimlessly through Jing'an, hand in hand, the city glowing gold and red around them.

They weren't talking much. Just strolling, letting the food settle, the wine fade, the moment linger.

Then they saw it.

A narrow alley lit up by a string of swaying red lanterns, like breadcrumbs guiding the curious.

Sienna paused. "That's... romantic."

Cassian tilted his head. "Or ominous. But sure, let's go with romantic."

The lanterns led them to a side street lined with smooth pavement and soft golden lights, and at the very end of it stood a sleek black facade with glowing cursive signage:

The Lover's Den

It didn't look sleazy. Quite the opposite—it looked expensive. Elegant. The kind of hotel that catered to the whims of stylish thrill-seekers.

Cassian smirked. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Sienna raised a brow. "That we already have a perfectly good hotel room?"

"But does it rotate?" he asked, deadpan.

She choked on her laugh. "Excuse me?"

He stepped closer, leaned in like he was whispering state secrets. "I heard some of these places have theme rooms. Like 'Under the Sea.' Or 'Doctor and Patient.' Maybe even a rotating bed. Come on. Let's try a different room. For research."

Sienna stared at him like he'd grown two heads. "You want to check into Shanghai's luxury version of a fantasy motel... for research?"

He nodded, totally straight-faced. "We owe it to science."

She rolled her eyes, fully expecting him to be joking. "Nice try. We're not—"

"Hmmm....Yes," she said suddenly.

Cassian blinked. "Wait. What?"

She looked away, pretending to be interested in a nearby planter. "You said let's try something different."

He stared at her like she'd just handed him a blank check and a bottle of adrenaline.

"Well, damn," he muttered, a slow grin creeping across his face. "You really are full of surprises, Ms. Caldwell."

She tried to keep a straight face, but her smirk betrayed her. "Lead the way, boss."

The lobby of The Lover's Den was sleek and softly lit, all polished stone and velvet shadows. A concierge greeted them with a tablet and an unusually chipper smile.

"Would you like to see the room options?" she asked.

Sienna blinked. "There are... options?"

The concierge handed them the tablet. On screen, rooms scrolled by: The Enchanted Forest, The Space Odyssey, The Ice Castle, The Doctor's Quarters, and—Cassian nearly choked—The Candy Dungeon.

Sienna's cheeks turned the color of the lanterns outside. "Oh my god."

Cassian was grinning, absolutely delighted. "I mean... are we leaning more fantasy or sci-fi tonight?"

She shoved the tablet into his chest. "You pick! I am not choosing between a dungeon and a spaceship."

He leaned in, teasing. "You're blushing so hard right now. I love this."

"I am not!" she hissed, clearly melting in embarrassment.

"Caldwell, you're practically glowing. And not from the lanterns."

Before she could retaliate, the concierge smiled again. "Would you like to try the Penthouse Experience? It includes three themed suites, each with exclusive designs and... wardrobe accompaniments tailored to the fantasy. And I assure you that the clothes are new."

Sienna blinked. "Wait. Three rooms?"

The woman smiled. " It's our signature Lovers' Journey. Very exclusive."

"And very expensive," Sienna muttered under her breath when she saw the staggering amount.

Cassian was already halfway in. "What are the themes?"

The concierge tapped the screen. "Tonight's available set includes Velvet Noir, Celestial Garden, and The Forbidden Chamber."

Sienna turned to him, eyes wide. "Cass. We have a hotel. A perfectly normal, expensive-enough hotel."

"But does it have a Forbidden Chamber?" he asked, practically vibrating.

"This is ridiculous. We're not—"

Cassian had already pulled out his card.

"Sir," the concierge beamed. "The elevator to the Penthouse is yours."

"You're insane," Sienna whispered, her cheeks still on fire.

He leaned in, grinning like a kid at a theme park. "And you said yes. No take-backs now."

When the elevator opened to the penthouse level, soft music welcomed them into a lavish foyer with plush carpet and golden paneling. Another attendant greeted them with a bow and ushered them through a curtained hallway.

"The Lovers' Journey begins," he said with a wink. "Room One: Velvet Noir."

The doors swung open to reveal a deep red suite drenched in crushed velvet, dim golden lighting, and black mirrored walls. In the center? A circular bed with silk sheets—and a chrome stripper pole rising dramatically beside it.

Sienna froze. "Is that...?"

Cassian practically bounced. "Ohhh wow. It is!"

She smacked his chest with the back of her hand. "Calm down!"

"There's a pole. In the middle of the room. This is the best decision we've ever made."

She looked around, spotting a closet half open with neatly folded clothes and costume sets. "Oh my god. They really included... outfits."

Cassian was already walking over. Took one and smell it, "It's new," He winked at her. "I call the leather vest."

"Absolutely not," she laughed, dragging him away.

Room two was the Celestial Garden. The walls were painted like a night sky, glowing with tiny star-like lights. The ceiling projected constellations, and a soft ambient hum filled the space. The bed was round again—this one floating slightly above the ground, gently rotating.

Sienna blinked. "Did the bed just move?"

Cassian's mouth dropped. "Is this zero gravity?!"

She laughed. "No, it's suspension tech. It's just... floating."

He jumped onto it. "This is a spaceship. This is 100% a spaceship. Captain Cassian reporting for duty."

By the time they reached Room Three—The Forbidden Chamber—Sienna was already red-faced from giggling, dread, and horror.

The space was dark and moody, lit only by flickering lanterns. There were chains. Velvet cuffs. A silk-draped canopy bed stood at the center of the room. The walls were covered in plush, deep burgundy panels and there was soft music playing that sounded way too... suggestive.

But the true centerpiece of the room? A second contraption near the far wall—what looked like a full-body restraint bed, complete with cuffs for wrists, ankles, and a padded headrest. It looked straight out of some luxury dungeon catalog.

Sienna took one look and backed up like it might lunge at her.

"Nope. Absolutely not. That bed wants to eat people. I'm out."

Cassian, meanwhile, was glowing. "Ohhh wow. Oh this is—this is insane. This is amazing."

"You look like a kid in a kink store," she hissed.

"I feel like one," he whispered, staring at the headboard like it held secrets.

Cassian whistled low. "Okay... I know I said the pole was peak, but this—this might be art."

Sienna turned slowly to him. "If you say one more word, I swear I will lock you in here."

He grinned wide. "Is that a threat... or part of the theme?"