Vance’s grip on my wrists didn’t loosen. If anything, it tightened.

For weeks, I had been poking the beast, testing his boundaries, and laughing at his golden-retriever morality. I thought I had him completely figured out. I thought he was just a sweet, helpless green-flag guy who would let me walk all over him out of guilt.

I was dead wrong.

"I asked you a question, Ren," Vance growled. His voice wasn't gentle anymore. It was deep, dark, and vibrating with an authority that sent a sudden, unexpected shiver straight down my spine.

I tried to pull my hands back, suddenly feeling a little too exposed on my knees beneath him. "Vance, let go. You're hurting me."

"No, I'm not," he muttered, his gray eyes darkening until they looked like a stormy night sky. He didn't let go. Instead, he used his strength to yank my wrists upward, forcing me to straighten up until my chest was pressed flat against his legs. "You want to play games right under your sister's nose? You want to drop to your knees the second she walks out the door? Fine. But you don't get to dictate the rules anymore."

My breath hitched. The toxic smirk I had been wearing vanished, replaced by a genuine shock.

He wasn't panicking anymore. The pure, sweet boyfriend persona had completely fractured, revealing a raw, overwhelming dominant energy that made my knees go weak. I wanted to be in control, but looking up into his piercing eyes, all I wanted was to submit.

"Vance..." I breathed, my heart hammering against my ribs—this time out of genuine, intoxicating fear.

"Be quiet," he commanded.

He released my wrists, but before I could even celebrate the freedom, his large hand shot forward, his fingers wrapping securely around the back of my neck. He didn't squeeze, but the heavy, unyielding weight of his palm forced my head back, making me look directly at him.

He leaned down, his face just inches from mine. I could smell the sharp contrast of the spilled sweet juice and his masculine woody cologne.

"You've been pushing me because you think I'm safe," Vance whispered, his thumb brushing against the skin of my jawline, sending a wave of electricity through my entire body. "You think because I love your family, I won't do anything about this. But if you keep looking at me like that, Ren... I am going to forget who your sister is."

The warning was dangerous. It was toxic. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard.

I swallowed hard, my submissive instincts completely taking over. I leaned into the heavy palm against my neck, my eyes wide and entirely consumed by him. "Then forget her," I pleaded, my voice barely a whisper. "Forget her, Vance. Just look at me."

Vance’s eyes tracked down to my lips, his chest heaving as he fought a losing battle against his own conscience. His fingers tightened slightly in my hair, pulling me just an fraction of an inch closer until our breaths mingled in the empty living room.

He was right on the edge of breaking his own golden rule. And I had never been happier.