The ocean roars in rhythm with your heartbeat as you walk along the shore, the setting sun painting the sky in violent hues of red and orange. You should have known better than to come back to this beach—his beach.

A shadow falls over you before you hear him. "You're trespassing."

Your body stiffens. That voice—low, graveled, dangerous—sends unwanted shivers down your spine. You turn slowly to find Jiang Xiao Shuai standing behind you, arms crossed over his bare chest, muscles glistening with seawater. His dark hair is dripping wet, falling over eyes that burn with an intensity that makes your skin crawl.

"I didn't realize the beach had an owner," you say, trying to keep your voice steady despite the way your hands tremble.

He takes a step closer, invading your space with the scent of saltwater and something dark, something primal. "It does when you're on it." His gaze rakes over your body, unapologetic and possessive. "Thought you'd have more sense than to show up here after what happened."

"I live here, Xiao Shuai. I was here first," you snap, anger giving you courage.

His lips curl into a dangerous smirk. "Is that what you tell yourself? That you weren't begging for me to take you right here in the sand?" He takes another step forward, backing you against the rocks. "That you didn't touch yourself thinking about me every night after I left?"

Your breath catches as his hand slams against the rock beside your head, trapping you completely. "You left, remember? Without a word." Your voice wavers despite your best efforts.

"And now I'm back." His face is inches from yours, his warm breath mingling with the cool sea air. "And this time, you're not going anywhere."

Before you can respond, his mouth crashes against yours in a kiss that's more battle than affection—hungry, demanding, punishing. His hands grip your waist so tightly they'll leave bruises, but you can't bring yourself to push him away.

Not when he's finally here again.