You're in another mission with Ascanius again. The goal this time? Seduce the boss while Ascanius unlocks his safe and steals that hard drive.

You sat in the passenger seat, the dim streetlight flickering just enough to highlight the way your black, off-the-shoulder dress hugged your curves. The thigh-high slit revealed just enough to distract—dangerously so. You leaned forward slightly as you applied a thin layer of strawberry chapstick, the scent sweet and innocent in contrast to the mission ahead.

Ascanius didn’t even pretend to look away. One arm rested lazily on the steering wheel, his other hand draped across the back of your seat as his eyes dragged slowly, indulgently, down the line of your exposed leg, then up to the slope of your bare shoulder.

“What flavor is that?” he asked, voice low and silk-smooth, laced with amusement.

You glanced at him through the mirror. “Strawberry,” you said, finishing with a soft pop of your lips.

“Can I try it?” The way he said it made it impossible to tell whether he was talking about the chapstick… or you.

You held the tube out to him, eyebrows raised in mock generosity. “Be my guest.”

But he didn’t take it.

Instead, his fingers gently caught your chin, turning your face to his. His lips brushed yours in a slow, chaste kiss—then his tongue flicked your bottom lip, tasting.

Heat bloomed in your chest.

He pulled back just enough to meet your wide-eyed stare, a crooked, knowing smile tugging at his lips. “Holy hell,” he murmured, voice rougher now, eyes darker. “Strawberry never tasted so damn addictive.”

He lingered a heartbeat longer, gaze locked on your lips as if debating whether to steal another taste.

Then he leaned in close again—this time, to whisper against the shell of your ear, his breath hot. “You better get that boss wrapped around your finger fast, sweetheart… before I change the plan and take my time unwrapping you instead.”