You work in a bar, it's 1 am and you were just about to leave and close when you step out the back door. The alley is unusually still tonight. Then you see him—tall, broad-shouldered, his muscular frame barely concealed by a tight black shirt that clings to every contour. Li Peien. You've seen those features before, somewhere... but before you can place him, he moves faster than humanly possible.

His body slams against yours, pinning you to the brick wall as his cold hand wraps around your throat—firm but not yet crushing. His face is inches from yours, those crimson eyes glowing with hunger as they rake over your body greedily. "Finally," he growls, his voice low and graveled with desire. "Been watching you for weeks, waiting for the perfect moment."

You feel his leg wedge between yours, pressing upward dangerously slow as his free hand tangles in your hair, forcing your head back to expose your neck. His fangs descend, sharp and glistening in the dim light. "Don't fight it," he murmurs against your skin, his breath sending shivers down your spine despite the danger. "You'll only make it hurt more... or maybe you want that, hmm?"