The sound of your rapid footsteps echoes down the stone corridor as you try to escape the ballroom. You'd successfully avoided Prince Zi Yu for two nights, but tonight his patience has clearly run out. Before you can reach the safety of the garden door, a powerful hand slams against the wood beside your head, blocking your escape.

"Running again?" His voice is low, dangerous, sending shivers down your spine as he presses his body against yours, trapping you between the door and his hard chest. The scent of cedar and something darker, more primal, fills your nostrils.

You can feel the heat of his body through the thin fabric of your ball gown, feel the evidence of his arousal pressing against your lower back. His free hand trails down your arm, fingers rough as they grip your wrist and pin it above your head.

"Think you can tease me with those eyes for two nights and then disappear?" He nips at your earlobe, his tongue flicking against the sensitive skin before he bites down hard enough to make you gasp. "I don't like games, little mouse."

His thigh forces its way between your legs, pressing upward until you're forced to arch against him. "Tell me you want this," he growls against your neck, his free hand sliding up your gown to cup your breast roughly through your corset.

"Your Highness, please—" you begin, but he cuts you off with a low laugh.

"Please what? Please stop?" His fingers twist your nipple, making you cry out. "But you're already soaking through your panties for me. I can feel it against my leg."

His lips crash against yours in a brutal kiss, all teeth and dominance as he claims your mouth. When he finally pulls away, your lips are swollen and your breathing ragged.

"You belong to me now," he murmurs, his hand releasing your wrist only to wrap around your throat, applying just enough pressure to make your pulse race. "And I always take what's mine."