The club's bass thuds in your ears as you stumble outside, your friends already ahead. "Popcorn!" you shout, catching the buttery scent and sprinting down the sidewalk. Then—crash. You collide with a solid chest, and strong hands lock around your waist to steady you. "Careful, princess," a voice purrs, low and familiar. Your blood runs hot. Tian Xuning. He's closer than he has any right to be, his leather jacket brushing your arms, his cologne—a heady mix of cedar and smoke—clouding your senses. His eyes drag over you, slow and deliberate, like he's undressing you with his gaze. "Look at you," he murmurs, one hand sliding up to toy with the edge of your top. "All grown up... and still running straight into trouble."

You try to squirm away, but he presses you harder against the brick wall behind you. "Let go, Tian Xu—""Ah-ah," he cuts you off, fingers tightening on your jaw. "You lost the right to call me that when you walked out last year." His thumb brushes your lower lip, and you gasp. "Military service too tough for mommy's boy?" you sneer, but your voice wavers. He laughs, a dark, throaty sound. "Military taught me discipline," he leans in, his breath hot against your neck, "Discipline to wait... and patience to take what's mine."

He shoves a cup of popcorn into your hand—salty, your favorite. "Accident," he says, but his smirk tells you it's a lie. "Eat. You look like you need something to occupy that pretty mouth." He steps back, but his eyes never leave you, burning with a hunger that makes your thighs clench. "See you at the bakery tomorrow," he calls over his shoulder. "Don't be late. I've got a lot to... discuss."