Nathaniel Fu strode forward in long, forceful steps, the sharp lines of his tailored black trousers emphasizing the power in his stride. Celia stumbled more than once trying to keep up.
"Nathaniel, what are you doing? Let go—you're hurting me!"
Kicking open the door to his office lounge, Nathaniel pushed her inside and tossed her onto the bed.
It was Celia's first time in his private lounge—a space done up in cool black-and-white tones. The bed looked untouched by any woman, carrying only the crisp, clean scent that was uniquely his.
Her head spun as she clutched at the silk sheets, trying to rise. But he was already kneeling on one knee, holding her down, leaning in to capture her lips.
The kiss was rough—almost a bite—meant to hurt rather than entice.
Gone was the tenderness he sometimes showed; tonight, he was only venting his temper.
"Nathaniel!" Celia shoved him back with force. "Don't do this! Our relationship is supposed to be equal. If you're just going to treat me like a toy and take your anger out on me, we can end this right now."
End it?They'd only been together a few days.
Nathaniel's jaw flexed, his tongue pressing against his cheek as his lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "Found yourself a new client already?"
"What new client?"
"You're awfully confident now—guess you must have."
"Nathaniel, could you not be so accusatory?"
His handsome face was dark enough to freeze the air, the veins in his hands standing out. "Isn't Zhou Jin the new man you've lined up? I wonder if he knows he's inheriting my deal—playing with what I left behind?"
Celia's clear eyes grew cold. "You told me from the start—you don't like sharing a bed with anyone."
"What a coincidence," Nathaniel sneered. "Neither do I. You and Rosalie—"
His eyes suddenly burned crimson. "Don't you dare finish that sentence. I've never touched Rosalie, yet you're cozying up to Zhou Jin right in front of me. That's cheating, Celia."
She frowned, unwilling to argue further. Their arrangement had been straightforward from the start—no love, no promises. He had set the rules, and she had learned to follow them. There was no need for him to cloud things with jealousy now.
"Zhou Jin and I haven't done anything. Believe it or don't." She tried to push him away.
But Nathaniel's tall, unyielding frame didn't budge. "Are you angry, Nathaniel? Because I don't understand why. When there were rumors about you and Rosalie, any question I asked was 'rude' and 'out of bounds.' What right do you have to treat me like this now? Tonight, you're the one crossing the line."
Nathaniel froze, something flickering in those narrow, deep eyes. He'd lost control—forgotten the boundaries he'd drawn himself.
They weren't supposed to talk about love; they were just supposed to enjoy each other. But tonight, the sight of her with another man had set him off.
His voice was low, controlled. "Stay here tonight. I want you."
He leaned in to kiss her again, but Celia turned her face away. "I'm not in the mood tonight."
His gaze sharpened. "Celia, are you really going to spoil my fun?"
"Fine," she said flatly. "I'll give you what you want. You give me money, a house, gifts—I can't exactly refuse when you demand something, can I? Go ahead." She reached up to unbutton her blouse.