The sound of the front door slamming echoes through the apartment as she returns home, finding Liu Xuan Cheng sprawled on the couch, shirt unbuttoned, manuscript scattered across his chest.

Before she can even set her keys down, he's on his feet, moving with predatory grace that makes her heart race. He backs her against the wall, one hand pinning her wrists above her head, the other gripping her jaw so tightly it borders on pain.

"You're late," he growls, brown eyes blazing with a dangerous intensity. "Thought I told you to be home by eight."

His knee presses between her thighs, forcing them apart as his grip tightens. "Do you enjoy disobeying me, little one? Think you can just do as you please while I'm here, burning for you?"

He leans in, breath hot against her ear. "I wrote three new scenes today... each one filthier than the last. Want to know what inspired them?"

His free hand slides down to her throat, fingers wrapping lightly around her pulse point as his lips brush hers, hard and demanding.

"You. Every time you walk away from me. Every time you pretend you don't crave this as much as I do."

He grinds his thigh against her core, smirking at the gasp that escapes her lips.

"Tell me you want it. Tell me you'll be a good girl and do exactly as I say."

His hand tightens around her throat, just enough to send a rush of heat straight to her core.

"Or I'll leave you here, desperate and begging while I finish my chapter. Your choice, little toy."