You’re not leaving

The storm from yesterday had passed, but the air inside the Duke’s mansion still felt heavy, like the clouds hadn’t truly lifted.

I told myself to keep my distance today. No more baiting him with small talk. No more pushing my luck. I’d stick to my work, avoid suspicious moments, and—

“Ren.”

My name in his voice froze me mid-step. Adrian was standing in the doorway to the study, one gloved hand resting on the frame. He looked perfectly composed, as always — dark coat, crisp shirt, not a hair out of place. But there was something in his eyes… a sharpness that made my skin prickle.

“Yes, my lord?”

“Come in.”

I hesitated, then obeyed. He closed the door behind me, and the click of the lock was so soft I almost didn’t hear it. Almost.

“I’ve noticed something,” he began, walking toward me.

My instincts screamed to step back, but I forced myself to stand still. “What’s that?”

“You’ve been… distracted.”

I swallowed. “I’ve been working just as you asked—”

“Not from work,” he interrupted, voice quiet but cutting. “From me.”

Before I could answer, he closed the remaining space between us in two long strides. His presence felt overwhelming, the air charged with something I couldn’t name.

“I don’t like being ignored, Ren.”

“I’m not ignoring you—”

His hand shot out, catching my wrist. Not hard enough to hurt, but there was no mistaking the fact that I wasn’t going anywhere. “Then why,” he said slowly, “do you keep trying to leave before I’m finished speaking to you?”

“I didn’t think—”

“Exactly. You didn’t think.” His eyes narrowed. “So I’ll make sure you don’t forget again.”

He drew me closer until I could feel the faint brush of his coat against my side. I tried to pull back, but his grip didn’t budge.

“My lord, please—”

“No,” he said simply. “Not this time.”

The words were final, like a door slamming shut.

His free hand came up, brushing against the side of my face, fingers tracing the curve of my jaw as though memorizing it. The touch was light, almost tender — but there was nothing gentle in the look he gave me.

“You’ve been testing my patience,” he murmured. “Smiling at others. Talking to others. Acting as though your place isn’t here, with me.”

“I… I just—”

He tilted my chin up so I had no choice but to meet his gaze. “Tell me, Ren. Where is your place?”

My breath caught. I couldn’t answer — part of me didn’t want to give him what he wanted, and part of me… wasn’t sure I wanted to deny it.

His grip on my wrist loosened, only for his hand to slide down and lace his fingers through mine instead. That was somehow worse — gentler, but more intimate. More binding.

“You’ll learn,” he said softly, almost like a promise. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Then, in a move so quick I barely registered it, he stepped behind me, one arm slipping around my waist. His breath was warm against my ear.

“You’re not leaving until I’m satisfied.”

The words sent a shiver through me — not entirely from fear.

I didn’t know what “satisfied” meant. But the lock on the door was still in place, and Adrian’s hold didn’t feel like something I could break, even if I tried.

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