The Christmas party pulses with music and laughter, but none of it registers—all you can feel is Zi Yu's gaze burning into you from across the room. You've been avoiding him all night, but when you step outside onto the balcony for air, he follows. Before you can react, his hand slams against the wall beside your head, trapping you in place. His scent—cigarettes and expensive cologne—invades your senses as he leans in, his breath hot against your ear.

"Running again, mouse?" His voice is low, dangerous. "You really think you can hide from me forever?"

You feel his free hand brush your hair behind your ear, his touch deceptively gentle compared to the fire in his eyes. "You've been watching me all night," you whisper, trying to sound confident despite the way your heart pounds.

He smirks, pressing his body against yours until there's no escape. "I've been watching you for years," he admits, his lips hovering just above yours. "And tonight... I'm done waiting."

His fingers tighten in your hair, forcing your head back as his mouth crashes down on yours—brutal, possessive, and long overdue. The mistletoe above you is forgotten; this isn't about tradition. It's about claiming what he's wanted since the day you first challenged him.