Chapter Five: Temptation's Edge
Feifei was half asleep when she felt it.
Not a sound.
Not a voice.
A presence.
Her eyes opened slowly.
Royalty stood near the window, jacket off, sleeves rolled, watching the city like he owned it. Moonlight traced the sharp lines of his face. He didn't look surprised that she was awake.
"You always know when I'm near," he said quietly.
Her heart jumped. "You shouldn't be in here."
"And yet," he replied, turning slowly, eyes locking onto hers, "you didn't tell me to leave."
She sat up, sheets slipping just enough to make her suddenly aware of herself. His gaze dipped—only for a second—but it was enough. Her pulse betrayed her.
"You're doing this on purpose," she said.
"Yes," he answered calmly.
He crossed the room unhurriedly, every step deliberate. When he stopped in front of her, he didn't touch her. That was the worst part.
"I've been watching you," he said softly. "The way you hold yourself when you think I'm not looking. The way your breathing changes when I step closer."
Her lips parted. "You're in my head."
"I've been there for a while," he replied.
He lifted his hand—not to her face, not to her lips—but to her wrist. His fingers wrapped around it slowly, firmly, grounding her.
"Sensitive," he murmured, thumb brushing lightly over her pulse. "You feel everything."
Her breath hitched.
Then his hand moved—down her arm, slow, unhurried, like he was learning her. Not claiming. Studying.
She whispered his name without meaning to.
That did something to him.
His jaw tightened. His breathing shifted.
He stepped closer, close enough that her knees brushed his thighs. His fingers traced just above her knee, lingering, teasing—never crossing the line, always threatening to.
"Look at you," he said quietly. "Trying to stay still. Trying to stay in control."
She shook her head. "You're not fair."
A faint smile curved his lips. "Neither is wanting someone this badly."
His fingers moved again—light, slow, deliberate—mapping tension, leaving heat behind. Her body responded before her mind could stop it. She leaned forward without realizing.
Royalty froze.
For a moment, it looked like he might lose control.
Then—suddenly—he stood up.
Stepped back.
The space between them felt colder instantly.
"This is where I stop," he said, voice rougher than before. "Because if I don't… I won't."
Feifei stared at him, breath uneven, heart racing. "You can't do that and just walk away."
He met her gaze, dark and intense. "Watch me."
And then he turned and left.
The door closed softly behind him.
Feifei sank back against the pillows, shaking, frustrated, breathless—completely undone.
He hadn't taken anything.
And somehow, that made it worse.
⸻
Somewhere in the city, unseen eyes watched the mansion lights glow late into the night.
Pressure was building.
And everyone was close to their breaking point.
ughhhhhh she screamed raising her pillows over her head, hoping this would end soon
and worst thing is that she missed her parents so much….