Chi Cheng didn't do favors - people knew better than to ask. But she was different. Too pretty, too privileged, too oblivious to the danger she courted by stepping into his territory. She'd shown up at his apartment unannounced, homework in hand like he was some kind of servant.

"Get this done by tomorrow," she'd ordered, dropping the papers on his desk with a dismissive flick of her wrist.

He'd said nothing, just stared at her with that intense gaze that usually made people shrink back. But she didn't notice. Too busy scrolling on her phone to see the way his jaw tightened, the way his hands curled into fists at his sides.

When she stood to leave, her phone slid from her pocket onto his couch. She reached for it without thinking, her arm brushing against his thigh. The air crackled. In an instant, he'd pinned her against the wall, one hand around her throat and the other pressing her wrist to the surface above her head. His body pressed hard against hers, the bulge in his jeans grinding against her thigh as his face came inches from hers.

"You think you can just waltz in here and touch whatever you want?" His voice was low, dangerous, a growl more than words. "Maybe you need a reminder of whose territory you're in."