From the very first time he met her, she had been nothing but trouble.
Somehow, this infuriatingly stubborn woman had wormed her way into his carefully ordered life—and worse, into his emotions.
And Ethan Yu hated losing control.
Especially over her.
So if she wanted a fight? Fine.
He'd make damn sure she didn't walk away unscathed.
"Go change your clothes," he said again, voice sharp and icy. "I don't care what you're thinking—just do it."
Hailey Tang's eyes snapped with fury. "What the hell is wrong with you? I already said no!"
"I said go. Now."
"I said no!" she shot back, folding her arms like a rebellious teenager standing her ground. "Are you deaf or just deranged?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. His eyes darkened like storm clouds, and his voice dropped into a dangerous register.
"What if I make you?"
Hailey laughed in disbelief. "Make me? What gives you the right?"
"I'm warning you," she said through gritted teeth. "Let. Me. Go. Or you'll regret it."
Ethan actually chuckled.
It was a low, mocking sound that made her want to throw something at his head.
This little spitfire, barely reaching his shoulder, clearly had no idea what kind of man she was picking a fight with.
He leaned in, hand gripping her arm as he pulled her closer. His breath brushed her ear as he said, with dark amusement,
"Go on then. Show me. Let's see what you've got."
She stared him down, eyes wide with righteous rage. "You said it. Don't blame me for what happens next."
"I won't," he smirked. "I'm actually looking forward to it."
In that moment, Hailey decided she'd had enough of his smug face and domineering attitude. Enough of his twisted sense of superiority. Enough of him.
She suddenly stepped up on her toes, closed the distance between them—and planted a kiss on his neck.
Ethan froze.
For half a second, all he registered was the soft warmth of her lips against his skin. His breath hitched, his mind blanked. The world tilted for just a heartbeat.
Then—pain.
"Ah—!" he grunted, jerking back.
Hailey bit him. Hard.
A sharp, merciless bite, right on the curve of his neck.
"Son of a—" he growled, clutching the spot, now burning with pain.
Before he could react, Hailey had already shoved him backward and taken three swift steps away.
"That's what you get for messing with me," she snapped. "Next time you pull this crap, I'll bite harder. Maybe I'll draw blood."
She spun around and made a break for the door.
But she only got two steps in before a strong hand caught her by the collar like a cat being yanked mid-pounce.
"Let me go!" she shouted, kicking and squirming like a wild animal.
Ethan's grip was iron. He hauled her off the floor like she weighed nothing, then turned her around and gave a cold, dangerous smile.
"You bit me. Now tell me—how should I punish you for that?"
Hailey glared at him, trying to sound braver than she felt. "You said I could be rude. What, now you can't take it? Didn't think I'd actually do it?"
He could feel her heart racing against his chest. She was bluffing. But God, she was good at it.
His other hand slid up, fingers brushing against her neck—not to hurt, just to scare.
"Now you're scared?" he murmured, voice low and predatory. "You should've thought of that before you sank your teeth into me."
"I'm not scared," Hailey snapped, though her voice trembled. "You told me to be rude—I just followed instructions."
"Oh really?" His eyes glinted. "Then tell me, why didn't you follow the other instruction? The one about changing your clothes?"
"I'm not discussing this with you," she said, struggling again. "Let me go, now!"
But Ethan didn't let go.
Instead, he turned her roughly around and backed her against the wall.
"Alright, here's how this is going to work," he said, eyes burning into hers. "You get two choices. One—you apologize. Two—you go change. Pick one."
Hailey let out a humorless laugh. "Sorry. Not doing either."
His smile turned sharp. "Then I'll choose for you."
"You wouldn't dare—!"
"I will," he said, his fingers ghosting near the hem of her top.
"Ethan Yu, you touch me, and I swear I'll claw your damn face off!"
"Then apologize."
"I'm not wrong. Why should I apologize?"
He stepped even closer, the air around them crackling with heat.
"So you're saying no matter what, you're not going to listen?"
"Damn right."
He paused, then smiled slowly. "Good. Then don't blame me for what happens next."
His hand moved—swift, deliberate.
Hailey's eyes went wide.
"You touch me, and I'll scream," she warned, voice rising. "I'll scream so loud the whole neighborhood hears!"
"Do it," he said, expression unreadable. "See if I care."
Her chest heaved with anger, frustration, and just the tiniest flicker of fear. She'd underestimated him. She thought he was all talk and cold glares.
But this version of Ethan Yu? This man with dark fire in his eyes and madness in his voice?
He wasn't bluffing anymore.
And for once, Hailey didn't know how to win.