Daddy's Rival: 4. Dominance and Desire

The city lights spilled across the darkened room, glinting off the sleek surfaces of Lucian’s penthouse. Shadows stretched long and angular, matching the tension in Alina’s chest. She should have been angry, terrified even. Instead, she felt an electric thrill, like a live wire running through her veins.

Lucian leaned casually against the bar, arms crossed, eyes glittering with a predatory gleam. His presence filled the room like a storm, impossible to ignore, impossible to escape.

“You didn’t leave,” he said, his voice low, deliberate, teasing. “I thought for sure you’d run back to your safe little world.”

Alina’s pulse skipped. She crossed her arms, trying to appear calm. “I didn’t come here to play your games.”

“Ah,” he said, pushing off the bar, “but you already are playing. And you’re terrible at hiding it.”

She swallowed, unable to meet his gaze. The way he looked at her made her feel like she was both prey and prize, vulnerable yet dangerously al