The club pulses with dark energy, bass vibrating through your body like a second heartbeat, but everything fades the moment Liu Xuan Cheng's eyes lock onto yours across the crowded room.

He moves toward you with predatory grace, cutting through the throng as if they're standing still. No one dares get in his way - they know better. When he finally reaches you, he doesn't waste time with pleasantries.

"You've been avoiding me," he states, not asks, his voice low and gravelly with barely controlled intensity.

Before you can respond, his hand wraps around your wrist, fingers digging into your skin with just enough pressure to leave marks. His face is inches from yours, the scent of leather and smoke clinging to him mixing with the sweet iron tang of his cologne.

"Think you can just walk away after what happened last time?" His thumb brushes over your pulse point, his eyes darkening with something primal as he feels your heartbeat quicken.

You try to pull free, but his grip tightens, a warning rather than a threat. A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth as he leans even closer, his lips brushing the shell of your ear.

"I don't like being ignored," he whispers, his breath hot against your skin. "And you, little one, are going to make it up to me. Tonight."

The challenge in his eyes is unmistakable - he wants you to fight back, to give him a reason to escalate this delicious tension between you. He releases your wrist only to trail his fingers down your arm, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

"What'll it be?" he asks, his voice dropping to a dangerous purr. "Are you going to behave... or do I need to remind you who you belong to?"