Zion's footsteps echoed softly as he approached, his cologne hitting me before his voice did.
"Hey," he said gently, standing at the door, eyes searching mine. "You weren't picking up my calls. I… I wanted to surprise you."
I blinked, still clutching the edge of the door like it was the only thing holding me up. My mind was a mess... Aec was inside and I could still feel the ghost of his cold stare lingering on my skin.
"Oh, Zion," I managed to say, forcing a weak smile. "I wasn't expecting you."
His brow creased slightly. "Yeah, I can see that." His eyes trailed over me, my hair slightly messy, my nightdress far too thin. His jaw tightened. "Can I come in?"
"Uh..." I swallowed. "It's not… a good time."
Zion's lips parted like he wanted to laugh but couldn't. "A good time? Sharon, it's just me."
"Yeah, I know. It's just..." I fumbled for words, my fingers tightening around the doorknob. "Maxie's home. And… she's resting."
He tilted his head slightly, his tone soft but suspicious. "You're acting weird. What's going on?"
"Nothing." I forced another laugh that didn't sound like me. "Nothing's going on."
"Then why are you standing at the door like you're hiding something?" His voice was calm but probing. "You've been avoiding talking with me too recently or should I say since after our last date. What's really happening, Sharon?"
I still smiled awkwardly, and the question I was trying to avoid came up.... "Who walked into your apartment just now, I'm sure I saw someone"
I racked my brain quickly to give a good answer and the only thing that came up was to use Maxie as an excuse "ohhhh, that person he came for Maxie...actually"
He didn't seem to believe me, even I knew I wasn't good at lying
"But you said Maxie was resting just now Shar!"
My throat felt dry. I was about to speak when a low, cold voice cut through the air behind me.
"Are you done talking?"
My heart stopped.... Aec, why on Earth was he coming towards the door
Zion's expression changed instantly, confusion melting into realization, and realization into anger. He looked past me and caught sight of Aec standing a few feet away inside the house, his sleeves rolled, his gaze like frost.
"Who's that?" Zion asked, voice steady but sharp.
I turned halfway, my heartbeat thudding painfully in my chest. "He's… he's just someone asking after Maxie."
"Really?" Zion took a slow step closer. "He doesn't look like someone asking for your friend."
Aec's eyes lifted to meet his. Calm, emotionless and dangerous. "We should leave."
Zion's jaw clenched. "Excuse me?"
"You are excused" Aec replied, voice cool and commanding. Then facing me he repeated the same thing "we should get going "
Zion's hand moved, gently gripping my wrist. "Sharon, who is he?"
Before I could answer, Aec stepped forward and grabbed my other hand, firm, unyielding, his touch like fire. The sudden tug between them froze me in place.
"Let go of her," Zion snapped, his grip tightening.
"Why do you care?" Aec's tone barely shifted, but the edge in his words could cut steel.
Zion took a step closer, his voice low. "Because she's with me. And whoever you are, you don't get to drag her around like that."
Aec's lips curved into something that wasn't a smile. "With you?" His gaze flicked to me, cold amusement glinting in his eyes. "She doesn't look like someone who belongs to anyone."
"Aec," I whispered, panic rising. "Stop."
"Sharon, tell me what's going on," Zion demanded, his voice breaking slightly. "Who is this man?"
I couldn't look at either of them. The air was charged, the silence pulsing between three uneven heartbeats.
"Answer him," Aec said quietly, his fingers still holding me in place.
"I..." My voice cracked. "You don't own me," I suddenly burst out, turning to Aec. "You don't get to drag me around like that!"
He didn't move, but his eyes darkened unreadable, calculating.
I turned sharply to Zion. "And you, stop complicating things. I thought you were mature enough to respect boundaries!"
Zion froze, pain flashing across his face before he finally released my hand. "Sharon…"
"Please," I said softly, "just go home."
Zion hesitated, then slowly stepped back, breathing uneven. His eyes darted once more to Aec, then to me, and finally he turned away.
But before I could breathe, Aec's hand tightened again. Without another word, he pulled me firmly toward his car.
"Wait, AEC!" I struggled, but he didn't stop.
From behind, I heard Maxie's voice break the silence. "She's been dragged away in your presence for the second time," she muttered under her breath, loud enough for Zion to hear.
Zion stopped mid-step. "Excuse me?"
Maxie glanced at him briefly, then turned toward the door. "If you want something," she said, voice quiet but sharp, "you go for it."
Then she shut the door.
---
The drive was painfully silent. I didn't even fight him this time. I just sat there, staring out the window, the sound of the engine drowning out the chaos in my head.
When he pulled into his driveway, he stepped out first without saying a word. I followed slowly, unsure if it was anger or exhaustion keeping me quiet.
Before he could reach for the door, I walked ahead of him, my fingers typing in the code to his house door. It beeped open.
He paused. "How do you know my code?"
I didn't reply. I walked in and stopped in the middle of the living room. My heart was racing. My head was spinning. And then I turned.
He stood there by the doorway, the dim light outlining his frame, his expression unreadable.
Something inside me snapped.
Maybe it was the confusion, maybe the attraction, maybe the damn contract that had me tangled in every possible emotion at once. But I didn't care anymore.
I started unbuttoning my nightdress slowly.
Aec didn't move. His eyes stayed locked on mine, though I could feel the weight of his gaze lowering briefly, the tension between us thick enough to choke on.
When I finished, I took a step forward, then another, until I was right in front of him. My voice trembled but carried fire.
"Well," I said softly, tilting my head. "I've been celibate and frustrated for too long, horny even... Let's get down to it."
His jaw tightened, but he didn't say a word.
I reached out, touching the collar of his shirt, my fingers brushing against his chest, feeling the faint heat beneath his skin. "You wanted control, didn't you?" I whispered.
Before I could pull another button loose, his hand caught mine firm and steady.
"Stop."
The word hit harder than a shout.
In one swift motion, he turned me around, switching our positions until my back hit the wall. His breath was close, his body a fraction away from mine.
His eyes flickered down briefly to my open breast, then back up. "Even if I want anyone," he said quietly, his voice low and sharp as ice, "I'll be in charge. You don't get to take control."
Then he reached out and pulled the edge of my nightdress up, covering me again, the gesture rough but deliberate.
The silence that followed was deafening.
I could barely breathe as he stepped back, expression unreadable, and turned away like he hadn't just turned my body into chaos.
I stood there, trembling not from fear, but from something far deeper.
"What do you want from me?" I finally asked, my voice breaking the silence.
He didn't answer.
I took a shaky step forward. "Aec, what do you want?"
Still no response from him
"AEC!" I shouted this time, frustration and confusion bursting at once. "What do you want from me!"
This time he stopped. Slowly, he turned back. His eyes locked on mine then trailed downward...
He walked up to me, close enough that I could feel his breath against my cheek. His hand came up, lifting my chin with cold precision until I had no choice but to look at him.
His gaze burned, tracing the outline of my lips, lingering possessive, unspoken, and dangerous.
I inhaled sharply.
He leaned closer, just enough that the world tilted...his voice barely a whisper.
"Don't ask for what you're not ready to give."
The air froze.
And before I could even blink, he stepped back, leaving me breathless in the silence he created.