The company car purred quietly as it cruised down the highway.
Jiho sat stiffly in the passenger seat, clutching his laptop bag like a lifeline. Zoey drove with one hand lazily on the wheel, sunglasses hiding her sharp eyes — but Jiho could feel her gaze flicking to him every few seconds.
The air inside the car was suffocating.
Not because of the heat — but because of her.
Zoey's Alpha scent filled the enclosed space, thick and addictive, making Jiho's head swim.
It was impossible to focus, impossible to breathe properly.
"Relax," Zoey drawled, amused.
"You look like you're on death row, not a simple work trip."
Jiho mumbled something incoherent, cheeks flaming.
Zoey chuckled and reached over — without warning — to fix the seatbelt strap digging into his chest, her fingers brushing too close to sensitive places.
Jiho nearly jumped out of the seat.
"Careful," Zoey teased, voice low and dangerous. "You'll make me think you're afraid of me."
"I-I'm not!" Jiho blurted out, face burning.
Zoey only smirked, satisfied.
They arrived at the hotel late in the afternoon — a sleek, expensive tower of glass and gold.
Jiho gawked at the luxurious lobby, feeling completely out of place among the polished marble floors and velvet curtains.
Zoey checked them in smoothly — and handed Jiho a single room key.
He blinked. "U-um... is this...?"
Zoey grinned, tossing her bag over her shoulder.
"Problem?" she asked sweetly.
Jiho swallowed hard.
"No, CEO Park."
Zoey leaned closer, whispering directly against his ear.
"Good boy."
The suite was gorgeous — huge bed, soft lighting, a view of the glittering city skyline.
Jiho tried to busy himself setting up his laptop on the desk, pretending he didn't notice the massive bed dominating the room.
Zoey lounged on the sofa, watching him with lazy amusement.
"You're working too hard," she said eventually, stretching like a satisfied cat.
"Come here."
Jiho hesitated, confused.
Zoey patted the spot next to her — a clear order.
Heart hammering, Jiho obeyed, sitting stiffly on the very edge of the sofa.
Zoey chuckled.
"Closer."
He scooted half an inch.
Zoey rolled her eyes and grabbed him by the wrist, yanking him against her side.
Jiho yelped softly, crashing into her firm body.
"There," she said, satisfied, looping an arm casually around his shoulders.
"Much better."
Jiho sat frozen, overwhelmed by the scent, the heat of her body, the feeling of her fingers idly stroking his arm.
"Tell me," Zoey murmured, lips brushing his hair.
"Did Yura touch you more than she should have?"
Jiho shook his head frantically.
"N-no! She just... kissed... a little—"
Zoey's hand tightened slightly on his arm, her smile turning sharp.
"A little?" she echoed dangerously.
Jiho whimpered.
Zoey tipped his chin up with two fingers, forcing him to meet her eyes.
"You belong to me, Jiho," she said softly. "Don't forget that."
And then, without warning, she kissed him again — deep, slow, claiming — stealing all the air from his lungs.
Jiho melted against her helplessly, his laptop forgotten, the city lights blurring behind the window.
When she finally pulled back, he was dazed and trembling.
Zoey smirked and whispered against his lips:
"Tonight, you sleep beside me. Understand?"
Jiho nodded shakily, completely defeated.
Zoey laughed softly, victorious, as she pulled him tighter against her side —
and Jiho knew that tonight would be the start of something he could never undo.
{End of Chapter 12}