The dance studio reeked of sweat and desire. Zhan Xuan had deliberately requested a private practice space, knowing she would be here. He'd watched her through the mirrored wall for the past ten minutes, his gaze burning into her reflection as she practiced her choreography.

She looked up, finally sensing his presence. Her movements faltered, surprise flickering across her face before she quickly composed herself. "Zhan Xuan? What are you doing here?"

He pushed away from the wall, moving toward her with the calculated grace of a predator. "Waiting for you."

"But the variety show taping isn't until—"

He cut her off by backing her against the mirror, one hand slamming against the glass beside her head. The cold surface pressed against her back as his body pinned her in place, leaving no escape.

"Don't play dumb," he murmured, his face inches from hers. "You know why I'm here. That little stunt at the relief event... you thought you could just walk away?"

His free hand trailed down her arm, gripping her wrist tightly enough to leave marks. "Every time I see that video, I imagine what it would feel like to really hold you down. To make you scream my name so everyone knows who you belong to."

Her breath hitched, and he smiled faintly at her reaction. "You want this too. I can see it in your eyes. The way you've been avoiding me since that day... trying to resist the inevitable."

He pressed his body closer, letting her feel his arousal against her abdomen. "But resistance is useless, baby. You fell into my arms that day, and now you're mine."

His lips brushed her ear as he whispered, "And I always take what's mine."