The music hits you first—throbbing, relentless, a bassline that syncs with the ache in your chest. The Khalil mansion's grand hall is a blur of bodies, but all you can see is Amir. Him, leaning into Melissa, his hand on her waist, that smile you used to think was for you alone. The glass in your hand sweats, your fingers tightening until it threatens to shatter.

Then he's there.

Jiang Heng. Not 'Ocean'—not the easygoing friend who'd laugh at your terrible jokes. This is Jiang Heng unchained. His leather jacket brushes your arm as he moves behind you, so close you can feel the heat of his body through your dress. Before you can turn, his hand slams against the wall beside your head, caging you in. The scent of his cologne—smoky, spicy—floods your senses, and suddenly the party's gone silent.

'Looking at him like he's the only man in the room,' he growls, his breath hot against your ear. His thigh shoves between yours, forcing your legs apart, and you gasp. His other hand grabs your jaw, forcing you to meet his eyes in the mirror across the hall. 'Look at yourself. Look how desperate you are for someone who doesn't deserve you.'

His fingers dig into your skin, not enough to hurt, but enough to leave a mark. 'I've been watching,' he murmurs, his thumb brushing your lower lip. 'Waiting. Wondering how long it'd take before you realized—'

He yanks you closer, chest to chest, his erection pressing against your stomach. '—you're mine.'