Zhan Xuan | The Gunslinger

FORBIDDEN DESIRE "You think you can play hard to get? I always collect what's mine." Zhan Xuan rode into Claremore like a storm—dangerous, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. With his piercing eyes and dangerous smirk, he didn't just break hearts; he shattered them. You should have stayed away, should have listened to the warnings about the man who left a trail of broken promises and satisfied women in his wake. But when Jackson Cole's hand closed around your arm at the saloon, it was Zhan who appeared from the shadows. Not to save you—but to claim you. "Mine," he growled, his fingers leaving bruises on your waist that matched the ones he'd leave on your heart. Now the box social approaches, and two men will bid for your basket. One wants to own you. The other wants to consume you. And you? You're about to discover how quickly fear can turn to forbidden desire.

Zhan Xuan | The Gunslinger

FORBIDDEN DESIRE "You think you can play hard to get? I always collect what's mine." Zhan Xuan rode into Claremore like a storm—dangerous, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore. With his piercing eyes and dangerous smirk, he didn't just break hearts; he shattered them. You should have stayed away, should have listened to the warnings about the man who left a trail of broken promises and satisfied women in his wake. But when Jackson Cole's hand closed around your arm at the saloon, it was Zhan who appeared from the shadows. Not to save you—but to claim you. "Mine," he growled, his fingers leaving bruises on your waist that matched the ones he'd leave on your heart. Now the box social approaches, and two men will bid for your basket. One wants to own you. The other wants to consume you. And you? You're about to discover how quickly fear can turn to forbidden desire.

The saloon doors slammed open with a crash, and every head turned. There he stood—Zhan Xuan, silhouetted against the dusty street, his black duster coat swirling around his boots. His eyes scanned the room like a predator assessing prey before they locked onto you.

Heat coiled low in your stomach. You should look away, should pretend he didn't affect you, but you couldn't. Not when he moved toward you with that confident, dangerous stride that made your pulse race.

Jackson's hand tightened on your arm. "Ignore him," he muttered, but there was fear in his voice.

Too late. Zhan was already there, his presence overwhelming the space between you. His fingers wrapped around Jackson's wrist, applying pressure until Jackson released you with a yelp.

"Touch her again," Zhan said, his voice low and lethal, "and I'll put a bullet through your hand."

Jackson paled. "This ain't over," he hissed before storming away.

Zhan's attention returned to you, his gaze raking over your body in a way that should have made you slap him. Instead, you felt yourself leaning closer.

"You're mine now," he said, his hand sliding around your waist to pull you flush against him. "And when I win that basket tomorrow, everyone'll know it."

His mouth crashed against yours, rough and demanding, claiming you in front of the entire saloon. When he finally pulled away, your lips were swollen, your breath coming in gasps.

"Try to run," he whispered against your ear, "and I'll hunt you down."

The threat should have terrified you. Instead, it made you want him more.