Stephanie stood with her back to the door, pulse thudding in her ears.
Nathan hadn't left.
He lingered near the window, hands buried in his pockets, as if unsure whether to stay or run.
The silence between them buzzed like electricity.
Stephanie swallowed, her voice quiet. "You didn't answer my question."
Nathan turned, brows drawn. "Which one?"
"Why you came."
He stepped forward slowly. "Because I couldn't stay away."
Stephanie's breath hitched.
He was just inches away now. She could feel the tension rolling off his body in waves. She could see the restraint in his jaw, the fire behind his eyes. That cold mask he always wore—cracked.
"I thought we agreed we were bad for each other," she whispered.
Nathan gave a dry, humorless chuckle. "We did."
She tilted her chin defiantly. "Then why are you still standing here?"
He didn't answer.
She looked up at him. Eyes searching. Challenging. "Nathan…"
"Don't," he warned softly. "Don't say my name like that."
"Why?" she pushed. "Because it makes you feel something?"
He growled under his breath and stepped closer, so close she could feel the heat between them.
"You think I don't feel something, Stephanie?" he snapped, his voice low. "Every time I see you, I feel like I'm losing control. I'm not supposed to care. I'm not supposed to want this."
Stephanie's voice dropped to a whisper. "But you do."
He stared at her, breathing hard.
She reached up, brushing her fingertips against his jaw. "I'm not running, Nathan. I'm standing right here."
A flicker of conflict danced across his face. "You don't know what you're getting into."
"Maybe not," she breathed, stepping into him, closing the last sliver of space. "But if you're going to kiss me… stop overthinking it."
And just like that—he snapped.
Nathan cupped the back of her neck with one hand, the other slipping around her waist as he crashed his lips to hers.
It wasn't gentle.
It was raw. Hungry. The kind of kiss that burned through the soul and branded everything it touched.
Stephanie melted into him, her hands clutching his shirt, gasping as he deepened it. His kiss wasn't hesitant—it was desperate, like he'd been holding back for far too long.
He moved with purpose, one hand tangled in her hair, the other pressing her body flush against his. Their breath mingled, uneven and fast, and every second felt like a fuse burning toward something explosive.
When she finally broke the kiss, gasping for air, his forehead rested against hers, both of them breathless.
"Damn it…" he whispered, voice thick.
Stephanie didn't answer. She was too dazed. Too shaken.
But just as Nathan leaned in again—
"BARK!"
They both froze.
Stephanie blinked. "Oh my god."
"Is that—?"
Her tiny dog, Pickles, barked again from the hallway, scrambling across the floor to wedge between them with comical urgency. The fluffball looked up with narrowed eyes, yipping sharply as if scolding Nathan.
Nathan stared at the dog, then slowly stepped back.
Stephanie bit her lip, laughing breathlessly. "Pickles doesn't approve."
"I can see that," Nathan muttered, eyeing the dog like it was a bodyguard. "You're lucky I'm not easily intimidated."
Pickles barked again, louder.
Nathan sighed. "Alright, alright. I get it."
Stephanie watched as he walked to the door, heart still thudding wildly in her chest.
Before he opened it, he turned back.
"This changes everything," he said quietly.
She nodded, her voice hoarse. "I know."
And then—he was gone.
Nathan slammed his car door shut, gripping the steering wheel like a lifeline.
What the hell was he doing?
He had kissed her. Let himself feel. And now he couldn't get her out of his head.
Every part of him screamed that this was dangerous. But another part—a part he couldn't silence—wanted more.
And yet, his enemies were circling.
He couldn't afford distractions.
Especially not ones that made him weak.
Victor entered the office without knocking, holding a thick manila folder.
Damien looked up. "More files?"
Victor dropped them on the desk. "Stephanie Quinn's father. The one who saved Nathan. We've tracked down someone from his past who knows more."
Damien opened the folder and his brows drew together. "This man… worked for the Voss family?"
Victor smirked. "He knows things. Enough to ruin Nathan if we handle it right."
Damien's eyes gleamed. "And if Stephanie finds out her father was involved…?"
"She'll crumble," Victor said coldly. "And Nathan will lose her."
They shared a look.
Game on.