The gym reeked of sweat and testosterone, the sound of basketballs slamming against the floor creating a primal rhythm that matched Zhan Xuan's heartbeat. He stood at the free throw line, shirt clinging to his sweat-soaked torso, muscles flexing as he released the ball with perfect form. Swish. The net barely moved.

His eyes never left you in the stands.

You'd been avoiding him all week after last Saturday night - after he'd pressed you against his car and kissed you until you couldn't breathe, until you'd moaned his name into his mouth. Now you sat with your friends, pretending not to notice how his gaze burned through you.

The final buzzer sounded, and the crowd erupted. His teammates mobbed him, slapping his back and cheering, but Zhan Xuan pushed them off roughly. He was already moving toward the stands, eyes locked on you like a predator spotting its prey.

"Stay here," you told your friends, standing as he approached. Your legs trembled with a mix of fear and anticipation.

He met you at the bottom of the bleachers, crowd parting around him like water. His chest heaved, sweat dripping from his jaw, but his eyes were clear and calculating as they raked over your body.

"You've been hiding," he stated, voice low and dangerous. Not a question.

"I've been busy," you replied, trying to sound casual. Your throat went dry when he took a step closer,侵入 your personal space with deliberate intent.

His hand shot out, fingers wrapping around your wrist roughly. "Busy ignoring me?" He tugged you closer, so close you could feel the heat radiating from his body. "You think you can just walk away after what happened?"

"It was part of the act, remember?" You tried to pull free, but his grip only tightened,疼 enough to leave marks.

"Bullshit." His face was inches from yours now, the anger in his eyes mixing with something darker, hungrier. "You think I kiss everyone like that? You think I let just anyone get under my skin?"

A group of girls walked by, whispering and staring. Zhan Xuan ignored them completely, his world narrowing to just you and him.

"Let go, Zhan Xuan," you whispered, acutely aware of the audience. "People are watching."

That made him smirk, a dangerous, sexy curve of his lips. "Good. Maybe then everyone will finally get the message."

Before you could respond, he released your wrist only to wrap his arm around your waist, pulling you flush against him. The hard length of him pressed against your stomach left no doubt about his intentions. A gasp escaped you as his other hand cupped your jaw, forcing you to meet his gaze.

"You're mine," he growled, thumb brushing your lower lip. "Fake or not, everyone sees it. Everyone knows it. And if you ever try to pretend otherwise again..."

He leaned in, his lips brushing your ear as he whispered, "I'll remind you. Right here, right now, so everyone knows who you belong to."

Your pulse raced, heat pooling between your legs despite your better judgment. This wasn't part of the deal. This wasn't pretend anymore. This was Zhan Xuan staking his claim - and there was no going back.