"Ouch, let go, you're hurting me!" I hissed, attempting to loosen Tristan's grip on my wrist but his hold was unyielding as he dragged me through the throng and into a shadowy corridor where he pinned me against the wall and snapped in my face.

"What the hell were you thinking dancing with that man?!"

The hell? "Don't talk to me in that tone." I retorted, beyond confused by his sudden outburst. "He asked me for a dance."

"And you couldn't say no?" He scowled, nostrils flaring. "You couldn't tell him off?"

"Why would I?" I rolled my eyes. "If anything he's given me more attention than you have since I arrived here."

The face he made looked like he wanted to vomit. "So that's it? You bask and fall in the arms of the first man who shows a little ounce of interest in you?"

"Oh, don't even try to spin this. I didn't ask for it, this happened because you were nowhere to be found!"

He growled again and ran his hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. That made two of us. "Tonight was going to be a busy night, Sienna. You were already well informed about it."

I huffed. "Sure, yeah. You've been so busy with those women. They must really appreciate your hospitality."

His hand crawled into a fist. "Stay away from Alaric."

"Why should I?" Why was he getting so defensive? I mean despite Alaric's invasive questions and that wicked gleam in his eyes, he didn't look dangerous. Or was it that I sucked bad at reading people? Why did it feel like there was more to this than they were both letting on? "Why are you making a big deal out of this?"

"He's trouble."

"That's not a reason."

"Sienna, just do as I say."

I frowned. "You think you're in any position to order me around?"

His jaw tightened. "Yes, I am. Stay away from him."

The nerves of this man. I jutted my chin, meeting his glower head-on. "No, I'll do whatever I want. You're not the boss of me."

"Sienna, you—" he started but stopped when a timid voice suddenly interrupted him.

"Sir..."

We both turned simultaneously to see one of the servers from the party standing there, staring at us.

The glare Tristan shot at her when he pushed away from me could've turned her to stone. "What?" he snapped, his tone sharp and impatient.

The server flinched at his response, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-I'm sorry to interrupt, but your attention is needed inside," she stammered.

Tristan rolled his eyes, annoyance flickering across his features. "Fine, go ahead. I'll be there in a minute," he dismissed brusquely.

As the server hurried away, I exhaled a shaky breath, grateful for the reprieve. But Tristan's gaze snapped back to me, his expression cold and unforgiving.

"We're not finished," he growled, grabbing my hand again. "Right now I have to go back in and you young lady are not leaving my sight for anything, and don't even think of making a scene."

Without even waiting for my response, he started to pull me out harshly again. I wailed and protested. "Stop! I swear if you don't let me go, I'll scream!"

Why was he being so mean to me?

Ignoring me, he reentered the swirling chaos of the party and I immediately had no choice but to compose myself by his side because Tristan or no Tristan, I was doing this for Mr. Bernard.

True to his words, he kept me engaged by his side as he delved into a seemingly endless cycle of networking.

Who knew he had such a big family? He never talked about them. Although, with the way they conversed, I could tell they were nothing but distant. Every handshake felt like a formality rather than a genuine connection. Every smile felt strained, every laugh hollow.

After the cutting of the huge 6-stepper cake, it was time to dine. I drank my champagne and ate quietly while watching Tristan converse with our table mates. Amidst the lively chatter and clinking glasses, conversations danced around subjects like exclusive academies, lavish holidays, and extravagant projects—realms that felt out of reach. Thankfully, Tristan made no attempt to draw me into their conversations. I was grateful. I didn't think I had anything meaningful to contribute.

Along the line, he excused himself, leaving me for an emergency. "Stay put." He whispered as he gave me a little kiss on the cheek before disappearing.

For once tonight I agreed with his order. I stayed put and drank more champagne. It wasn't like I had anywhere else to be anyway. The table continued to buzz with laughter and conversations while I fisted greedily on the tray of blueberry muffins presented by the server. When the live band took back their position on the stage, people began to step away from their tables, taking to the dance floor.

What a buzzkill.

Huffing out a deep breath, I finished my drink and got up as well, desperate for a moment of respite. That was when a man somewhere around the age of forty approached me with a small smile on his face.

"Megumi Larsen." He introduced himself, extending his hand.

Great. More Larsen men.

"I saw you earlier dining with my young cousin and it piqued my interest."

I returned the greeting, taking his offered hand and putting forth a bashful smile. "Sienna Larsen."

When he took my hand, his eyes dropped and they lingered on my supposed wedding ring. "You must be a special one." He laughed softly. "The Larsen junior I knew growing up would have rather drank milk straight from the breast of an infected mountain goat than put a ring on a lady."

I rolled my eyes internally but chuckled out. "Was he that bad?"

He nodded, releasing my hand. "So bad that I thought just maybe that boy was into fellas."

I laughed. "I assure you, he likes women way too much for that."

"I see."

"My love."

My shoulders bunched in annoyance at the sound of Tristan's voice behind me.

Reaching us, he set his hand on the small of my back. "I've been searching for you."

Over my shoulder, I threw him a glance that spelled out exactly what I thought of him in my head. ASSHOLE.

"Meg, have you met my wife, Sienna?" Tristan continued, ignoring me.

Megumi smiled delightfully at us. "Yes, of course. She's quite the charm."

Tristan pulled me closer to his side. "Sienna, this is Megumi Larsen, England's top billionaire and art collector; the only man who has the original painting of Salvator Mundi sitting on his living room wall."

My eyes widened.

Woah.

Megumi laughed. "Surprised?"

"Stunned."

I shouldn't have expected anything less. Those chunky diamond rings sitting on his fingers said it all.

"I'm afraid the love for art runs deep in the Larsen blood."

Tristan hummed in agreement, his hand flexing on the small of my back. "I'm afraid it does."

"Speaking of art, I'd like to extend an invitation of my own," Megumi added with a gracious smile. "I'm hosting an exclusive art exhibition of my personal collection next January. It would be a pleasure to have both of you as my guests."

Tristan smiled. "It's an honor I wouldn't think of passing up. Thank you for the invitation, Megumi. I'll keep in touch for that." He looked at me. "Darling, dance with me."

It wasn't a request. Securing his arm tight around my waist, he nodded to Megumi and led me away toward the direction of the busy dance floor.

"I see you're enjoying yourself." He started when we settled at a spot.

"Excuse me?" Enjoying myself? Was he trying to be funny or was he just that clueless?

"You just can't help it, can you? I leave you for one second and you're already cracking up jokes with another man."

Oh no, he didn't. "Let me go, you asshole, I don't want to dance with you," I seethed, trying to break free but he roped his arms tight around my waist.

"Don't try to make a scene."

Anger surged through my blood at his ability to constantly make me feel like shit. I clenched my fists. "You know, these days you've been awfully mean and a domineering dick and I hate it." My voice was a lot louder than I had intended but I didn't bother to stop. "I hate this unyielding version of you. It's unmanageable and irritating to put up with."

I felt his body go rigid against mine. He pulled back and looked at me, clearly not amused by my choice of words. "Sienna, listen—"

"No, you listen." I hissed, pushing away from him. "Just because I love you doesn't mean I'm going to sit back and watch you treat me like shit. In case you haven't realized it, I can just as easily walk out of your life the same way I entered."

That must have felt like a slap across the face because for a moment, he looked disoriented, like he had lost his act, but then his face turned rigid and his hands tightened to fists by his side.

I'd waited, expecting him to reprimand me, but then I realized I didn't really care if he did. I was tired. "You know what, I'm leaving. Enjoy the rest of your night."

I didn't want to be here anymore. The atmosphere made me sick to the bones. But just as I made a move to walk away, Tristan grabbed my hand. "Christ, Sienna."

"Let me go."

He did the opposite. He started to pull me away.

I didn't protest, didn't ask where he was taking me, I followed as he silently led us through a labyrinth of halls, one turn after the other, and after what felt like a never-ending death match, we arrived at a secluded moonlit garden.

The air was cool against my skin, the scent of blooming flowers mingling with the soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to marvel at its Starline beauty, but Tristan cornered me into the nearest tree, halting that thought.

I looked away, not wanting to stare at him. My emotions were conflicting enough.

"Look at me."

I ignored him.

"Look at me, Sienna." He commanded, his voice growing cold and rough. I played deaf.

"For Christ's sake, fucking look at me, Sienna."

I balled my fist against the tree and kept my eyes away from his.

"Goddammit." He cupped my cheeks and harshly twisted my head. Our eyes locked. His gaze was scorching hot. He scowled. "Don't ignore me, I hate it."

"I hate you."

"Bullshit." He let me go. "You don't."

"I'll leave."

"I won't let you. Never. Not after you've consumed me with wanting you."

"You'll find someone else."

"You know I don't want anyone else, Sienna."

"Then why do you treat me this way?" I countered, frustrated. "Why do you find it so easy to be hot and cold? One moment you're all over me, the next you're treating me like I barely matter to you. This is torment for me Tristan, it's me wondering every second if you even truly love me or you've just somehow brainwashed your mind into believing you do."

His expression softened. "Don't say that, of course, I love you."

"Yet you lose your temper at the slightest inconvenience, you lash out at me, you walk out on me, you treat me like I'm nothing."

"Sienna..." He exhaled harshly. "Stop saying that."

"It's the truth, isn't it? You act like it's so easy for you to not give a fuck about me and you don't realize it but it hurts so darn much."

Hurt etched in his features. "I'm trying to get better."

"I know you are. Better than anyone else, I know how much effort you've put into changing yourself and I'll forever be proud of you for that but..." I sighed in exasperation. "I just want us to be happy, Tristan. I know every relationship has its bad days but these days, it just seems like all we have are bad days."

"Sienna..." Exhaling deeply, he pulled me against his chest. I didn't fight it. Holding me tightly, he murmured. "I fucked up again, didn't I?"

"I'm starting to lose count of how many times you have."

"I don't want to fight with you..."

I buried my face in his chest and closed my eyes, breathing him in. "Neither do I."

"Concerning my nightmares..." He squeezed me closer. "There are still some triggers I haven't gotten past yet. That is why even when I know I'm safe with you, I can't help but branch out."

"We can work on them together." I looked up, searching his face. "You don't have to do it alone. We can see someone; go to therapy together."

He groaned.

"Tristan." I cupped his face. "Think about it. Please, just promise you'll at least take it into consideration."

He was defiant. "You are my therapy, Sienna. You're all I want, all I'll possibly ever need."

I sighed. "It's not enough."

"It is for me."

"Promise me you'll think about it."

"Sienna..."

I frowned. "Promise."

"Fuck, fine. I promise."

"I want you to mean it."

He released a little grumble under his breath but he conceded. "I promise I'll think about it."

I smiled. "Better."

"Are you happy now?"

"Not quite but it's a good start." I lifted my hand to brush his hair out of his face. "You're doing good."

He captured my hand and pressed my knuckles to his lips. "I'm sorry for hurting you, I'm an asshole."

"Yes you are, but it's fine. I forgive you."

"I love you so much, Sienna. I do sincerely love you."

The rush of butterflies from my stomach to my toes was undeniable. I smiled. "I know you do and I love you more."

"Don't ever stop and don't ever think of leaving me." A shudder ran through his body when he said those words. It was easy to tell my threat had deeply affected him.

My poor baby. I framed his face in my hands and brushed a tender kiss over his lips. "I'd never dream of it."

His lips curved up into a smile. Tugging me close, he claimed my mouth completely, kissing me so deeply, my body turned weak and mush.

"I've been meaning to kiss you like this since you walked through those doors." He confessed when he pulled away for air.

My stomach warmed. "I didn't know you noticed." I replied breathlessly.

The backs of his hand touched my lips, caressing it as softly as possible. "Of course I'd notice when the most beautiful woman walks into the room."

My cheeks heated. I sniggered. "That is so lame."

"I know."

He laughed. We both laughed. And then his lips were on mine again. This wasn't anything like the first kiss. It was hard and demanding, stealing my breath. He slid his tongue between my lips, drinking me deep— so desperate and feral —like he needed to consume me.

Desire flared through my body, causing the ache in my core to grow. I sank my fingers into his hair and tugged, wanting to connect desperately to him as he wanted to me. I didnt know how to describe it but there was this virgin sweet feeling that came along with being claimed by the man you loved. It left you burning and breathless, left you wanting more. At this point, there was nothing that could separate us again, not even his damn suit. I tugged roughly at the buttons, forcing myself to not just rend the damn thing off him.

He was not so gentle either as he lifted me off the ground and deposited me onto the concrete bench. "Sienna." He growled softly into my mouth, grinding his aching boner against my thighs, a clear warning of his intention. "I have to be inside you."

My pussy ached and wept in response. "How long do you think we have before they come looking?" I rasped, all in for it.

"Ten minutes, give or take," he replied, his fingers deftly popping open the buttons on his pants. "But I'll only need five." His swollen cock sprang free, making my mouth instantly water.

"Are you ever not horny?" I teased, unable to stare away from the thick trail of precum coating his shaft.

He yanked my dress over my stomach and gave my clothed pussy a slap. "Say that to me when you're not soaking wet yourself."

I gasped in both shock and pleasure. Couldn't argue with that. The evidence was almost running down my thighs.

"Show me what's mine. Hold your panties to the side."

His throaty sex voice command sent a new rush of arousal to my core. The fact that he could easily take it off himself but wanted me to show it to him spoke a lot about his dominance.

Eagerly, I complied, shifting my panties and baring my glistening pussy to him. His eyes settled there and I watched as they turned a shade darker. I licked my lips. "Like what you see?"

His response was a grunt of satisfaction as he crashed his lips down on mine again and in one hard single thrust, buried himself balls deep inside me.

I gasped and threw my head back. "Oh my God!"

"He has nothing to do with this." He slurred, withdrawing fully only to plunge in deeper.

"Holy—" I clamped my hand over my mouth and screamed into it. Fucking hell.

Holding my hips down at his mercy, he began to fuck me hard. His thrusts were rapid and deep, making my eyes nearly roll to the back of my head. I clamped them shut and bit my lip to suppress my moans. If primal ecstasy was an organ it would be Tristan's cock.

"So beautiful." He rasped appreciatively, his hand drifting to the front of my dress and tugging down harshly. "I could fuck you like this for hours."

My breasts slipped free, bouncing wildly to the rhythm of his moving cock. I could take him like for hours. I could let him fuck me like this, right up against this concrete, over and over, because I was insane. We were both insane. God, we had to be the most screwed-up people in the world; fucking in a deserted garden, oblivious to the party going on at the other end. My drowsy eyes shifted to the huge arched windows facing directly at us. Someone could be in there, watching, but my brain was too fogged with lust to give a rat's ass.

Triatan leaned forward and moved his hand to my breast, squeezing it. He was pounding even deeper into me now, his finger digging into my hip so possessively hard that I was certain there was going to be a lingering bruise the next morning but I didn't care. He could rip my skin to shreds, make me bleed, make me cry and I would still beg for his cock. I couldn't fight the toxicity of it even if I wanted to. I was so lost in the control of Tristan Larsen that I wasn't sure there was any redemption for me.

"Such a good girl; always taking this cock like you were made for it."

My pussy convulsed.

I was.

I was made for it; for him.

I was helpless against it. He'd ruined me for other men. I sought his lips and kissed him, filling his mouth with my tongue the way he filled my pussy with his cock. I couldn't get enough, his strokes were driving me crazy. I arched my back to take him deeper. "More." I sobbed. "Please."

The lines of his face grew tight. Throwing a leg over his shoulder, he leaned into me and ducked his hips, pounding deep. I cried out. His new pace and position had me gagging for air. It was erratic and messy, pushing me towards the edge, and I could feel the tension gathering inside about to release. "Yes." I panted against his lips, unashamed about the loud wet noises our bodies made. "Yes yes yes."

He grunted. "I'm going to come."

"Me too."

"Fuck." His head fell into the crook of my neck, and with a final brutal stab of his hips, he came, drenching my walls.

I followed suit, tumbling over the edge with a strangled cry.

Bliss. Pure bliss.

"Hell." Tristan exhaled. His cock was still inside me, twitching and his face remained buried in my neck.

I lay there, my heart walloping from the aftershocks of pleasure. After a moment of silently catching our breaths, he groaned and rolled off me, taking his cock with him.

"Can't believe we just did that," I hissed, pulling my dress over my chest. Hopefully, there wasn't too much damage done to my appearance. Not that I would care. This was undoubtedly the highlight of my night.

"That pussy of yours is going to be the death of me," He groaned, tucking his semi-hard erection back into his pants.

I managed a tired chuckle, feeling a sense of drowsy satisfaction. Was this what it felt to be fuck drunk? Smiling, I pushed myself into a sitting position, just about to yank my dress down my thighs when I suddenly heard a flicker of movement amidst the verdant bushes.

The instant realization made my breath hitch. I fell back in shock, gasping. "Oh my God!"

Tristan shot up beside me. "What is it?" He asked, tensed.

My heart hammered in my chest as pointed tremulously towards the bushes.

His brow furrowed in concern, his gaze following my trembling finger. "What's wrong?"

Oh God. "Th-there's someone there."

We were not alone.

Someone had watched us.