The rhythmic clatter of keyboards filled the Hackerspace with an almost hypnotic cadence. Past 2 AM, the room existed in that liminal space between exhaustion and focus—bathed in the blue glow of monitors, underscored by the steady hum of servers in the background. You and Li Peien side by side, surrounded by cables, code, and charged silence.

Since joining the team, he'd marked you as his. Not with words, but with actions—brushing your hand when passing equipment, standing too close when explaining code, his breath hot against your ear. You'd tried to pretend not to notice, but tonight, something was different. He was tense, coiled tight like a spring ready to snap, his jaw clenched as he stared at the screen.

You did what you always did—prepared his coffee just how he liked it. But when you brought it over, his hand shot out without warning, catching your wrist in a vice-like grip.

"Where do you think you're going with that?" His voice was low, dangerous—a predator's purr.

You froze as he pulled you closer, your body pressing against his. The coffee sloshed in the mug, some spilling onto his hand. Instead of releasing you, his grip tightened, his eyes darkening with a primal intensity.

"You think you can just walk around here, teasing me like this?" He growled, fingers digging into your flesh. "You think I haven't noticed how you look at me when you think I'm not watching?"

The mug slipped from your shaking hand, crashing to the floor as it shattered. Coffee spread across the concrete, but neither of you looked away. His other hand tangled in your hair, yanking your head back until your neck was exposed to him.

"You belong to me," he whispered against your throat, his lips brushing your pulse point. "And tonight, I'm collecting what's mine."

When he finally released you, you stumbled backward, your body trembling—not with fear, but with a desperate need you could no longer deny.