Victor Steele's pupils flickered.
The hands he had been deliberately keeping at bay finally betrayed him. He pulled her down and captured her lips in a fierce, uncompromising kiss. Only when she let out a soft, pained whimper did he loosen his grip.
The last chance was gone.
From that moment on, restraint shattered.
Isabella struggled instinctively, but his presence overwhelmed her senses. Her breath grew uneven, her fingers clutching at the sheets—
And then, just as the final line between reason and instinct was about to be crossed—
The sound of the door opening rang out sharply in the room.
Victor Steele froze.
A heartbeat later, Steven Han's voice floated in from the living room, painfully clear.
"Mr. Steele, I've brought the doctor. Mr. Steele… which room are you in?"
The air turned ice-cold.
Victor Steele reacted instantly. He grabbed the duvet and wrapped Isabella tightly in it, pulling her into his arms as if shielding her from the entire world.
