I flinched away from his touch, clearing my throat as I pushed some loose strands of my hair behind my ear.

"What are you doing here?"

"You didn’t answer my question..." he countered, eyes pinned on me with a vehemence like never before.

Honestly... I don’t think I’m okay.

Regardless, I’m not about to say that to him. I’d rather trip and fall into a hole.

"You’re back so soon..." I switched. "How was your business trip? Slit a few throats?"

There was a long pause... his hollow gaze becoming more dreadful as they burned into mine. It was almost like he expected something that wasn’t there.

As though perfectly timed, a grin spread across his face, and the unexplainable mood that had hung in the air dispelled.

"It’s weird you asked that, kitten."

Heat spread on my cheeks when I recalled the texts we shared last night. Did he come back earlier because I switched off my phone?

Of course not. It couldn’t be.

I folded my arms, feigning ignorance. "I don’t know what you mean, Don Salvero..."

Darkness shrouded his eyes. "Careful there... Unless, of course, you’d like me to find another way to make you say my name... properly."

My pulse quickened. I eyed the door and then him. Even if I tried to leave right now, I wouldn’t get the chance.

Zade took one step forward, and I took one back.

"Do you like them?" he asked casually as if he wasn’t stalking me like a beast latched on its prey.

"You know, calla lilies are special..." He didn’t ease up, and neither did I.

I was determined to put as much space between us as possible, but he kept coming to me like a magnet drawn to an undeniable source.

"What about them?" I questioned because the least I could do was engage.

"They are fascinating flowers. Beautiful. Elegant. Dangerous enough to leave an impression long after they’re gone."

I sucked in breath the moment my back met the barre.

"I-I don’t like them."

"You do..." he enforced like it was a fact no one could argue with.

I scowled. "Flowers aren’t my taste."

His chest expanded with a sharp inhale before he positioned the bouquet behind his back. Using the barre as a support with his other hand, he inclined toward me.

"They are..." he said more softly, eyes tracing my freckles like a routine.

"Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

I clenched my teeth. "The donations."

"This is where my wife’s career takes place... it was the least I could do."

It was my turn to take a step forward, even as clamped as it was, because this bastard doesn’t know a thing about personal space.

I rose to my tiptoes and said. "You know what I mean."

Fascination covered his eyes as he whispered like dark poison. "Enlighten me..."

"Mrs. Valmont said you’ve been to my stage performance. Why?"

"Every dancer has a secret admirer, don’t they?"

"Answer the question!"

I gasped when he snatched my waist and trapped my body to his.

"You forget yourself, naughty kitten."

"L-Let me go..." I squirmed.

This snake held me with one hand, yet I couldn’t seem to break free.

"Where did all that storm go...? Acting scared right now will kill the mood."

"I thought you liked it when people are scared of you, you depraved asshole!"

He chuckled deeply as his hot breath brushed against my ear. "I do... But having you defy me is much more delicious. So I’m starving, baby, feed me."

"You disgusting—"

My nails sank into his coat when I felt his tongue lick from my neck to my chin.

I flinched away just in time for him to release me.

"I knew I left something there..."

Mortified, I turned to the mirror to find out he had smeared away the concealer I’d used to hide the hickey.

My nostrils flared as I whipped back at him on the verge of attack mode.

Zade causally wiped the stain off his lips with his handkerchief.

"Not now, kitten. We have somewhere to be." He tucked the small cloth back in his pocket. "Change out of your shoes first..."

He nudged his head toward my bag at the corner.

"Unless..." he added, if he knew I wasn’t gonna listen. "You wanna defy me right now... I welcome it either way. The real question is whether you can take it."

"Take what?" The moment those words left me, I realized what he meant.

My face turned red, and I quickly walked to my bag.

I sat on the floor, my eyes veering to Zade, now standing at the doorway, eyeing me intensely.

"The shoes look good on you, kitten."

Ignored him as I took off my ballet shoes and shoved them in my bag, put on my flats, and rose to my feet.

"Come here..."

I chewed the inside of my mouth as I forced myself to move. The last thing I wanted was him spanking me and putting me in a very despicable situation.

The moment I got close, Zade switched my bag for the bouquet.

"Hey!"

"I hope you haven’t forgotten the contract..." He pulled me firmly against his side. "The public is meant to believe we’re desperately in love."

Before I could utter a word, he forced me along with him, his hand braced possessively at the small of my back.

Attention travelled to us in speed, and I could feel the murmurs from afar. I clenched the bouquet tightly, mentally cursing this snake to oblivion.

We got to the entrance, straight to the driveway, toward my car.

Zade fucking took my key fob from my bag like he knew his way in there. He walked to the passenger side and opened the door for me.

Doing my best not to react, I walked closer, but before I had the chance to get in, he stopped me by seizing my waist.

"Something for the paparazzi to obsess over..." he murmured before his lips locked against mine.