The iron door slammed shut with a thunderous echo, cutting off the distant screech of some creature outside. Instantly, you felt him behind you—Zhan Xuan, his presence as tangible as the cold metal pressing against your back.

Before you could react, his hand slammed against the door beside your head, the other gripping your jaw firmly, forcing you to face him. His body pressed against yours, leaving no room to escape.

"Trapped," he breathed, voice low and dangerous in your ear. His eyes raked over your face, dark with something primal and hungry. "Just you... and me."

You tried to squirm away, but his grip tightened, fingers digging into your skin. The scent of him—sweat, leather, and something uniquely Zhan Xuan—flooded your senses.

"Let me go," you whispered, more of a whimper than a demand.

He chuckled, the sound sending shivers down your spine. "Let you go? Darling, in this world, you don't just 'let go' of something valuable." His thumb brushed your lower lip roughly. "And make no mistake... I want you."

Outside, something screeched again, closer this time. But all you could focus on was Zhan Xuan, his knee pressing between your legs, his breath hot against your neck as he leaned in closer.

"You're scared," he observed, not unkindly, but with the satisfaction of a hunter who's cornered his prey. "Good. Fear keeps people smart. Though I'd rather see you scream for different reasons."

His lips hovered just above yours, close enough to feel his breath, not close enough to kiss. The cold storage facility suddenly felt like a furnace, every nerve ending hyper-aware of his body against yours.

"So what'll it be?" he murmured, his hand sliding from your jaw to your throat, fingers wrapping lightly around it. "Fight? Or... submit?"