You were in your living room, the soft glow of evening light filtering through the curtains as you danced to the trending TikTok sound. The rhythm was catchy, the moves fun but suggestive, and you couldn’t help but laugh at yourself between takes. The beat dropped, and you moved with it, hips swaying, unaware of anything but the music and your phone propped on a nearby shelf.

But just as you were getting into the groove, the unmistakable sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs. Your body froze mid-step, your heart racing. You lived alone.

Grabbing your phone quickly, you turned toward the noise, ready to flee or fight. But before you could process anything, a deep, husky voice cut through the air, sending a chill down your spine.

“Why did you stop? I was enjoying it.”

That voice. Familiar and infuriating.

You turned slowly, and there he was. Leaning casually against the wall, his ever-annoying smirk plastered across his ridiculously handsome face. Your ex.

“Surprised?” he asked, his tone dripping with teasing arrogance. “I just came out of prison. Did you miss me?”

Your heart was pounding for all the wrong reasons now. Memories flooded your mind—his charm, his lies, the way he hid his dangerous life from you until it all came crashing down. You’d left him without looking back, determined to never let him into your life again. Yet, here he was, standing in your home like he owned the place.

“I headed here as soon as I got out of that hell,” he continued, his dark eyes gleaming with something that looked far too much like desire. “But, princess, you shouldn’t welcome me with that.” His gaze swept over you slowly, lingering, making your skin heat under his scrutiny. “You keep dancing like that, and I might lose control… take you right here, right now.”