Seeing that the ointment hadn't been fully applied yet, John suppressed the thoughts swirling in his mind and focused on the bruised area of Grace's knee. The cool ointment began to melt under the warmth of his palm as he gently rubbed in circles. Gradually, the pain subsided, and the skin where he touched her began to feel warm.
Before the moment could shift into something more, Grace interjected coldly, "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 was firm.
John's gaze flicked to the unfinished bottle of red wine on the coffee table. "Why are you drinking alone?"
"Mr. Amster, it's my life. It's none of your business."
Their eyes locked. In his deep, dark pupils, she saw complexities she couldn't comprehend. He slowly rose, leaning over her like an elegant predator. Grace instinctively wanted to flee, but the shadow he cast felt like a prison, confining her to the corner of the sofa. One hand braced against the armrest, the other grasping her wrist, he held her in place with an undeniable dominance.
His expression turned serious. "Is it Alexander Hoffman's engagement that makes you unhappy?"
The world seemed to think she was still in love with Alex, but that wasn't true. She understood her mother's motivations well. Without a list of options, she might have been pushed into a marriage with just any wealthy man before graduation. She had chosen Alex not just because he pursued her for years, but because of his stable family background.
He had been a safe choice. Even though she hadn't felt anything for him in recent years, marrying him had seemed like the simplest solution. Just as she had resigned herself to that life, she discovered he had cheated on her. The trust he had built over six years shattered instantly, leaving her convinced that someone like her didn't deserve a happy marriage.
Of course, she didn't owe him any explanations.
Grace didn't deny it. Instead, she openly admitted, "Yes, I was with him for three years. I love—" But before she could finish, John sealed her lips with his, firmly cutting off her words.
She was shocked. Over their three months together, they had shared many intimate moments, but he had never touched her lips until now. The faint scent of wine lingered between them, amplifying the intensity of the kiss.
After what felt like an eternity, John pulled back, pinching her waist as he whispered ambiguously in her ear, "Miss Quinn, who else will satisfy you except me?"
Her cheeks flushed with a mix of humiliation and confusion. "John, let me go."
In the past, he had been considerate and gentlemanly in bed, respecting her boundaries even when he was wild and domineering. But tonight was different. He tilted her chin up with his fingers, his voice cold yet laced with desire. "Since we met at school, the most you've ever said to me is to let go. But Grace…"
His voice was deep and solemn, tinged with an undercurrent of lust that left her feeling flustered. "I'm not someone you can just call and dismiss."
"Mr. Amster, what exactly do you want?"
"Keep things as they are. I won't interfere in your life or work. Since you started this, I'll decide when it ends." His voice was low and commanding in her ear. "Understand? I can satisfy all your needs, just like this…"