The morning sun filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting golden shadows across the manor's marble foyer. Outside, a line of servants stood silently along the drive, awaiting to bid their goodbyes. Their eyes remained trained on the ground, disciplined and unreadable.
Selene stood at the front door in a simple cream blouse and slacks, her long black hair loosely tied back. Her father, Gideon Vale, stood beside her, finishing a call on his phone.
"I'll have my secretary send you a list of suitable apartments today," he said, turning to her.
Selene arched a brow. "So sudden."
"You didn't want to stay here," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "I'm respecting your decision."
Her eyes narrowed. "And the catch?"
"Kade will live with you."
Selene blinked. "Excuse me?"
Just then, the matte-black car pulled up, sleek and humming. Kade rounded the vehicle and opened the back passenger door without a word.
Her father offered a nod. "He's your protection now. And yes—he's staying with you. Non-negotiable."
Face furrowed, Selene stepped into the car, slipping past Kade without meeting his eyes. She settled into the seat with a huff, crossing her arms.
Kade followed, shutting the door behind him. He leaned over to buckle her seatbelt—close, efficient.
His face was inches from hers.
Selene forgot to breathe.
His cologne was clean and dark, not overpowering but grounding. His green eyes were sharp and unreadable up close.
She blinked hard. "You know, we might get into a car crash."
Kade's mouth twitched. "Not in my watch."
She stared for a second too long before scoffing lightly and looking out the window. "Can we stop by a boutique? I need clothes."
He nodded and started the engine.
—
The drive was silent, but not uncomfortable. When they pulled up to an upscale clothing boutique downtown, Kade parked the car and opened her door.
Selene stepped out, brushing invisible lint from her blouse. He followed her into the store, never more than a few feet away.
She flitted between racks, selecting dresses, casual wear, sleepwear, and undergarments. The staff discreetly kept their distance under Kade's piercing gaze.
Eventually, Selene disappeared into the fitting room.
A wicked idea struck.
A minute later, she screamed.
It wasn't bloodcurdling—but it was urgent enough.
The curtain whipped open. Kade stood there, calm but alert. "Are you alright?"
She stood in only a matching lace bra and panties, holding a dress halfway over her head. She grinned.
"Seriously? Gonna stand there and watch me strip?"
Kade's gaze traveled from her toes to her face—clinical, indifferent. "Nothing to see."
Selene's jaw dropped.
Before she could retort, he stepped inside the fitting room, scanned the walls and corners, even lifted the mirror panel.
"No hidden cameras. No unusual fixtures."
"What the hell—"
He stepped out and drew the curtain closed behind him. "You're clear."
She stood there for a moment, stunned. "He doesn't even see me as a woman?" she muttered.
She stormed out of the room ten minutes later, fully dressed and fuming. Her arms were crossed, her lips a hard line. Kade took all the bags without comment and followed her to the register.
After paying, he checked the car before holding the door open for her again.
Selene slid inside and pulled out her phone. A message from her father listed three apartment links. She clicked one at random.
"Let's check this one."
Kade started the car. "Alright."
Selene turned to him with a crooked smile. "So... since we're going to live together... do you plan on sleeping in the same room as me?"
Kade didn't look away from the road. "If you want me to. If not, leave your room unlocked."
She blinked. "Why?"
"In case there's a threat, I need to get in quickly."
Selene laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're all business."
"I'm not afraid of dying, you know," she said quietly. "Feels like I already have."
She leaned her head against the window. "Sleep with me, then."
Still, he said nothing.
The silence stretched.
Kade drove with no change in expression.
She sighed. "Whatever."
—
The apartment was in a quiet part of the city—modern, minimalist, tucked behind tall trees and a secure gate. Kade got out first, scanning the area before retrieving their bags from the trunk.
Selene wandered inside, her steps echoing on the polished floors.
The place was bright and airy, washed in white and pale gray tones. Two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. An open-plan kitchen and living space. The balcony looked out over a quiet park.
Selene stood by the glass doors, arms folded.
Kade entered behind her, setting the bags down and checking all locks, corners, and blinds.
Selene looked around and murmured, "Well, at least it doesn't feel like a prison."
After organizing their things in the apartment, Selene flopped on the couch and sighed. "I'm hungry."
Kade was standing near the hallway, checking something on his phone. He raised his eyes slightly. "Do you want to eat out?"
Selene smirked, tilting her head. "No, I want to taste your—"
Kade paused, looking up, eyes unreadable.
She burst into laughter. "Your cooking! I meant your cooking, jeez."
Expression blank, he didn't dignify her tease with a response. Instead, he walked to the couch, dropped into it with a heavy sigh, and turned the TV on. He wore a plain black t-shirt and gray cotton shorts, casual and comfortable.
Selene narrowed her eyes at his nonchalance. She walked over and stood directly in front of the TV, arms crossed.
"Excuse me, sir. Aren't you going to feed the girl under your ward?"
Kade tilted his head back slightly. "Young lady, I'm not your chef."
Selene remained rooted to the spot, silent and stubborn.
With a grumble under his breath, Kade stood up and pulled out his phone. He made a call.
"What was that?" Selene asked, leaning to peek.
"I'm cooking," he muttered. "But just this time."
Selene's face lit up. She practically skipped to the kitchen and plopped down on the high stool at the counter.
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Kade returned carrying 4 large paper bags of groceries, his muscles flexing slightly with the weight.
"Sort these" he said, placing them in front of her.
She grumbled, but did as told.
"What do you want to eat?"
She gave him a bright grin. "Beef Wellington."
Kade didn't even flinch. "Fine."
Kade moved like he belonged in a high-end kitchen. Every motion was calculated. He cleaned and trimmed the beef, seasoned it evenly, tied it with string, and seared it to a golden crust. Then came the mushrooms, finely chopped and sautéed to perfection, followed by a thin crepe layer to wrap it all neatly with puff pastry.
Selene couldn't take her eyes off him. His control, his focus, the veins on his hands as he sliced—it was mesmerizing. Even the way his jaw flexed slightly as he concentrated, the apron hanging around his neck, the sharp edge of masculinity softened only by the scent of herbs and searing meat—it made her stomach flutter.
"You look really good doing that," she said, resting her cheek in her palm. "So, Mr. Kade Whatever. Do you want to sleep with me"
Kade didn't look up nor pause.
Selene sighed dramatically. "You're impossible. I could be naked and dancing on this counter and you'd still ignore me."
He didn't reply. He finished prepping and slid the dish into the oven. After washing up, he began setting the table for two.
Dinner was heavenly. Selene moaned with the first bite. "This is incredible. Seriously. In return, you can have me for dessert."
Still, no reaction.
"You're really no fun"
She poured herself a glass of wine and one for Kade. Then, she downed the rest of the bottle.
Kade took the bottle from her calmly. "You're still recovering."
Selene leaned back in her chair and waved a hand. "I'm not dying. Come on."
After dinner, Kade returned to the sink to wash the dishes.
Selene stood slowly. The wine buzzed in her head. She reached up and removed her shirt, letting it fall to the floor. Her hair tie followed, her dark waves falling around her shoulders. Barefoot, topless, she approached Kade and wrapped her arms around him from behind.
"I'm telling you a secret," she whispered. "I'm still a virgin. And I'll probably be dead soon, so why don't you do the honor of taking me first?"
Kade dried the last dish and turned to face her. Something in his eyes shifted.
Without a word, he scooped her up over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and grabbed her shirt. He carried her to the bedroom and tossed her on the bed.
"I'm not playing games, kid. Wear your shirt and sleep."
Selene narrowed her eyes and pulled him down by the collar, crashing her lips into his. Her body pressed into his, and she could feel him—hard, undeniable. "Kid, huh?" she whispered against his lips with a defiant smirk, her breath hot and teasing.
Kade cursed under his breath and pulled away. "Fuck."
She smirked, eyes glinting. "Why don't you just enjoy the perks of protecting me? I mean, I'm clearly attracted to you. How's that such a terrible thing?"
Kade stared at her for a long, heavy second, the tension crackling in the air. Then, with a sigh that seemed torn from his chest, he yanked the shirt over her head and tucked her into the blankets a bit too roughly. "You're being hunted, Selene," he muttered, his voice dark. "And all you can think about is getting fucked?"
"I told you. I'm not afraid of dying."
She sat up again and pulled her shirt off once more. She reached behind and unclasped her bra, revealing her chest.
"Come he—"
Kade was on her before she could finish. His hand wrapped around her throat. Selene trembled. He kissed her deeply, grabbing one of her breasts and kneading it hard. She moaned against his lips, the sound needy, desperate. He trailed kisses down her neck, then her chest. He bit down on one of her peaks, hard enough to sting, and she gasped.
He grabbed the other, sucked with intensity, drawing more moans from her mouth.
Kade slid down and yanked her shorts and underwear off in one motion.
"Wait—" she muttered, uncertain.
But he didn't stop.
He buried his face between her thighs. His tongue was rough, unrelenting, and he didn't give her time to catch her breath. She cried out, back arching, hands tugging his hair.
When her orgasm hit, it was violent. Her entire body clenched, shuddered, then collapsed into the sheets.
She was asleep before the aftershocks faded.
Kade pulled back, staring at her limp, glowing figure. Then he pulled the blanket up to her chin.
He left the room, went to his, and sat at the edge of the bed.
His pants were already tight. He undid them, wrapped a hand around himself, and gave in to the mental image of Selene bare and moaning.
When he came, he clenched his jaw, chest heaving.
"Fuck," he growled, covering his face with one hand.