Chapter Seven:
Liza barely had time to process her thoughts when she felt a firm hand on her wrist, pulling her back toward the door. She turned, surprised to see Theo standing close, his dark eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her heart skip.
Without a word, he wrapped an arm around her, drawing her in before she could pull away. Liza's breath caught as his lips brushed her cheek, the touch both gentle and possessive. She felt a rush of heat as he moved lower, pressing a kiss just below her jaw, then lingering at her neck.
Her instincts screamed to push him away, but she was frozen, a mix of fear and defiance swirling inside her. She clenched her fists, her resolve steeling as she finally pulled back, putting distance between them.
"Theo," she managed, her voice steady despite her racing heart. "Whatever game you're playing, I'm not a part of it."
He smirked, seemingly unfazed by her resistance. "Believe what you want, Phoenixia," he murmured, his voice soft but laced with a warning. "But you're here now, and there's no going back."