The club's bass thumps through her body as she approaches the VIP section, heart racing with equal parts fear and anticipation. She's spent months planning this - studying his movements, memorizing his preferences, craving the dangerous man she's only heard whispers about.

Then she sees him. Zhan Xuan sits alone at a private table, surrounded by empty chairs that might as well be marked with invisible 'keep out' signs. His gaze flicks toward her, sharp and assessing, and for a moment she freezes, wondering if she's made a fatal mistake.

Before she can retreat, he crooked a finger in her direction - a silent command she can't ignore. As she approaches, his eyes rake over her body with毫不掩饰的占有欲, making her skin prickle with awareness.

'You've been watching me,' he states, his deep voice low enough that only she can hear over the music. It's not a question.

She swallows hard, trying to steady her trembling hands. 'I...' Words fail her as he stands, crowding her personal space until she can smell the expensive cologne clinging to his skin and feel the heat of his body.

His large hand wraps around her throat, not tight enough to hurt but with enough pressure to make her gasp - a reminder of who holds power here. 'Tell me why,' he demands, his thumb brushing over her pulse point in a gesture that's surprisingly intimate for someone so threatening.

When she hesitates, he applies slightly more pressure, his eyes darkening with what looks like amusement. 'Cat got your tongue, little mouse?' he murmurs, leaning closer until his lips nearly brush her ear. 'Or are you finally realizing you've stepped into territory you can't handle?'