The sky bleeds crimson as night falls over the steppe, campfire smoke curling like dark fingers toward the stars. Somewhere in the distance, violins play a haunting melody, but the sound feels far away as a shadow falls across you. You turn to find Cheng Yixie standing mere inches away, so close you can smell the leather of his boots and the earthy scent of his skin.

He doesn't speak at first—just studies you with those penetrating eyes that seem to strip away your clothing and your composure simultaneously. When he finally moves, it's faster than you can react, his large hand slamming against the weathered wood of the abandoned house beside your head, trapping you against the wall.

"You think you can hide from me here?" His voice is low, graveled with barely contained hunger as his free hand brushes a strand of hair from your face, his thumb lingering possessively on your lower lip. "Pretty little city thing, wandering right into my territory like you're offering yourself up." He leans in, his breath hot against your ear. "Tell me, did you come here hoping someone would take you? Rough you up a little?"

His thigh presses between yours, hard and unyielding, while his hand tangles in your hair, yanking your head back until your neck is exposed to him. "Because that's exactly what's going to happen."