Chapter 7

That meal, at least for me, was tasteless.

In fact, every day I spent with Julian was tasteless.

I longed to put those silver handcuffs on this man’s wrists. I thought about it every single day, to the point of madness.

Until a light, lazy voice broke my thoughts.

“Anya, a shipment will be docking at East Harbor tomorrow. I need you to handle it personally.”

I looked up, meeting the man’s eyes across the dinner table.

“The buyer is very cautious. Go alone; don’t bring anyone.”

“…”

I paused, subconsciously asking him.

“What kind of shipment?”

He stared at me, smiling mysteriously.

I knew then that I shouldn’t ask. Julian was always like this, even keeping things from me. Otherwise, collecting evidence these past few years wouldn’t have been so slow.

I nodded, picked up my bag, and headed for the door.

“Okay, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head out. I…”

But as I passed him, he caught my wrist.

“Why are you so distracted today?”

His fingers casually brushed my pulse point, showing no intention of letting me go.

I managed a bitter smile.

“I just finished dealing with a subordinate this afternoon. I’m probably… a little tired.”

He didn’t speak, but he also didn’t release me.

The room fell completely silent. I could only feel his thumb stroking my wrist, again and again.

Until his voice softened.

“Stay tonight, hmm?”

In that instant, my first thought was to refuse.

“No, I have things to do tomorrow… Mmph.”

Then I was abruptly pulled into his arms, pressed against the dining table, his kisses raining down on my neck.

The dim, yellow light flickered, and in my panic, I met his eyes.

He was always like this when he was aroused.

Controlled, yet his eyes were red.

Frenzied, yet… restrained.