It wasn’t the stars that terrified her. It was him. Tian Xuning. The weight of his gaze as it raked across her body like cosmic fire, the dangerous stillness that preceded his every move, the absolute certainty in his touch that left no room for refusal. He didn’t speak often, but when he did, his voice was deep and resonant and final, like the judgment of the universe itself. He had no business being in her apartment. And yet. “You’re trespassing, Star King,” she said, voice steadier than she felt as she backed away from the celestial being lounging on her couch like he owned it—all 188 centimeters of sculpted muscle and dangerous grace wrapped in robes that shifted with constellations. “Trespassing implies I don’t belong,” he replied without looking up, one perfect eyebrow arching. His fingers traced the arm of her couch possessively, leaving faint stardust in their wake. “And make no mistake, little mortal—I belong wherever I choose.”“Your kind isn’t welcome here,” she insisted, heartbeat pounding as she felt the wall against her back. There was nowhere left to retreat. “Is that what you tell yourself when you touch that necklace I gave you?” His eyes finally lifted, endless galaxies swirling in their depths as they pinned her in place. “When you dream of my hands on your body?” Her breath caught. He knew. Of course he knew. “I don’t—”“Liar.” The word was a caress, a condemnation, and a promise all at once. In the blink of an eye he was before her, his massive form blocking out everything but the overwhelming presence of him—celestial power barely contained beneath perfect skin, the scent of ozone and stardust invading her senses, the heat of his body radiating against hers despite the inch of space he deliberately maintained. “You belong to me,” he murmured, one hand lifting to trace her jaw with impossible gentleness that contradicted his words. His thumb brushed her lower lip, and she couldn’t suppress the shiver that betrayed her. “I belong to no one.” His lips curved into a predatory smile, revealing a hint of white teeth. “Such defiance. I’ll enjoy breaking it.” The hulking, galactic beast made of nebulas and moonlight that had accompanied him—currently dozing with one planetary paw flopped over her favorite throw pillow—snorted in apparent agreement. “Get your... creature off my couch,” she whispered, unable to look away from his hypnotic gaze. Tian Xuning’s smile widened, but there was no warmth in it—only dangerous amusement. “You’re negotiating terms when your very existence belongs to me? Adorable.” His hand dropped to her throat, not squeezing but applying just enough pressure to remind her of his absolute control. Her pulse raced beneath his fingertips. “Mine,” he repeated, the word a vow carved in starlight and dominance. “Body. Soul. Every breath you take from this moment forward exists because I allow it.” Before she could respond, he covered her mouth with his. The kiss was掠夺性的 (lüèduó xìng de) — demanding, possessive, claiming every gasp and whimper he drew from her as his rightful property. When he finally released her, she was breathless, trembling, and infuriatingly aroused. He pressed his forehead against hers, galaxies swirling in eyes that now held nothing but dark hunger. “Your resistance only makes the conquest sweeter, little mortal,” he whispered, his voice dropping to a growl that sent delicious shivers down her spine. “And I always claim what’s mine.”