Seeing that the ointment hadn't been fully applied, John suppressed the thoughts swirling in his mind and focused on the bruised area of Grace's knee. His fingers moved in slow, deliberate circles, the cool ointment gradually warming under his touch.
As the pain subsided, a different kind of heat spread across her skin.
Before the moment could shift into something more, Grace cut in, her voice cold and detached. "I feel much better. Just leave the ointment here. I can apply it myself."
She attempted to pull her leg back, but his grip on her ankle remained firm.
John's gaze flicked to the unfinished bottle of red wine on the coffee table. His eyes darkened. "Why are you drinking alone?"
Grace stiffened. "Mr. Amster, it's my life. It's none of your business."
Their eyes locked. In his deep, unreadable pupils, she saw something unsettling—something she couldn't quite decipher.
Slowly, John rose to his feet, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. He leaned in, his movements unhurried, exuding the quiet dominance of a predator closing in on its prey.
Instinctively, Grace pressed herself into the corner of the sofa, but he was already there—one hand bracing against the armrest, the other closing around her wrist. His presence confined her, leaving her with nowhere to retreat.
His voice was low, measured. "Is it Alex Hoffman's engagement that makes you unhappy?"
Grace inhaled sharply.
The world assumed she was heartbroken over Alex. That she had been madly in love with him.
But that wasn't the truth.
She had understood her mother's game from the start. Without a long list of suitors, she would have been pushed into an arranged marriage with any wealthy man before graduation. Alex had pursued her persistently, and his stable background had made him the safest option.
It wasn't love. It was convenience.
Even when their relationship had faded into nothing over the years, marrying him had seemed like the easiest solution.
And then he cheated.
Six years of carefully placed trust shattered in an instant, leaving her with the quiet, numbing realization—perhaps someone like her was never meant for a happy marriage.
But she owed John no explanations.
She didn't deny it. Instead, she admitted, "Yes, I was with him for three years. I love—"
Before she could finish, John silenced her with his lips.
Grace froze.
Over their three months together, they had shared countless nights of intimacy, but not once had he kissed her like this.
Not on the lips.
The taste of red wine lingered between them, deepening the kiss, and making it intoxicating.
For a fleeting moment, she forgot to resist.
Then, just as abruptly as he had claimed her lips, he pulled back.
His hand slid to her waist, fingers tightening just enough to make her shiver. His voice dropped to a husky whisper against her ear.
"Miss Quinn, who else will satisfy you except me?"
A rush of heat spread across her cheeks, humiliation and confusion warring inside her.
She struggled, pressing her palms against his chest. "John, let me go."
In the past, he had always been controlled—wild and dominant, yes, but never forceful. He had respected boundaries, no matter how reckless their relationship had been.
But tonight felt different.
John tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. His fingers lingered against her jaw, his touch cold, yet the fire in his eyes betrayed something far more dangerous.
"Since we met again at school, the most you've ever said to me is let go." His lips curled slightly, though there was no amusement in his eyes.
"But Grace…" His voice was deep, solemn, edged with an undercurrent of something raw, something untamed.
"I'm not someone you can just call and dismiss."
Her breath hitched.
"Mr. Amster," she forced out, "what exactly do you want?"
John leaned in, his breath brushing against her ear.
"Keep things as they are. I won't interfere in your life or work." His fingers trailed down her wrist, lingering just long enough to send a shiver through her.
"But since you started this… I'll decide when it ends."
His voice dipped lower, dark with promise.
"Understand?" His lips brushed the edge of her jaw. "I can satisfy all your needs, just like this…"