Sophia

I was still trying to catch my breath when Vince stood up, his hands resting on my waist, his eyes scanning my face as if searching for something deeper than what we just shared. I could feel the heat still lingering between us, but something had shifted—he wasn't just looking at me with hunger anymore. There was something more, something I wasn't sure I wanted to confront.

Vince's thumb grazed my jawline, pulling my face gently to meet his gaze. "We're not done," he said, his voice softer than before.

His words sent a flicker of nervous energy through me. I wanted to ask him what that meant, but instead, I found myself nodding. I couldn't seem to find my voice, not with the intensity of everything we'd just shared clouding my thoughts.

He didn't say anything else, just turned and walked back toward the house. I followed in silence, the sound of our footsteps against the gravel filling the heavy air between us. My mind raced. What exactly had just happened out there? And why did I feel like there was still so much more unsaid?

As we entered the mansion, I saw two of Vince's guards standing near the door, waiting. He waved them off without a word, but then turned to face me.

"Wait here." His tone was commanding, leaving no room for argument.

I watched him walk through the hallway, his shoulders tense, his hands flexing and relaxing at his sides as if he was trying to steady himself. I didn't know if he was angry, frustrated, or something else entirely. I felt a sudden urge to leave—to just turn and walk away before whatever was about to happen could unfold. But my feet stayed glued to the floor.

Moments later, Vince came back, his steps slow, deliberate, as if he were calculating every move. Behind him, the two maids followed in silence, their eyes lowered, and trailing behind them was a guard, his expression unreadable.

Without a word, Vince reached for my wrist, his touch gentle but firm, sending a shiver up my spine. The room seemed to grow smaller as he tugged me forward with a quiet authority that left no room for hesitation. I glanced at him, searching for an explanation in his face, but all I found was a calm determination.

"Follow me," he ordered, his voice steady yet carrying an undercurrent of something darker.

I swallowed hard, my mind spinning with questions, but I couldn't seem to form the words. Where was he taking me? Why the maids? Why the guard? The silence stretched between us as we began to walk through the mansion, our footsteps echoing against the marble floors.

The halls felt longer than they had ever been, the opulence of Vince's mansion fading into the background as a heaviness settled over me. I had never been this deep into his world before. My heart pounded, and for a moment, I considered pulling away, asking him what he was doing. But the firm grip on my wrist held me in place, as if he knew I was on the verge of running.

It wasn't until we passed the grand staircase and turned down a corridor I rarely ventured that the realization hit me. This was the wing where my suite was located. He was taking us there.

"Vince...?" I finally managed, my voice barely more than a whisper.

He didn't respond, just kept walking, his grip loosening slightly but still guiding me forward. The maids followed closely, their faces expressionless, though I could feel their tension in the air. The guard stayed a few steps behind, silent but present, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if expecting something to happen.

When we reached my suite, Vince stopped, his eyes locking onto mine for a moment before pushing the door open. My breath caught in my throat. This wasn't just a visit to my room—this was something else entirely.

"Inside," he said quietly, though there was no mistaking the command in his voice.

I hesitated for only a second before stepping inside, the maids and the guard close behind. The room felt colder than usual, the soft lighting casting shadows in the corners that made the space feel more intimate... and more dangerous.

"Take all her things and move them to my room," Vince said quietly, but with the same authority he always carried. The maids didn't hesitate, nodding quickly before rushing to gather my belongings.

I stood there, watching in stunned silence. It wasn't just the order itself—it was the finality of it. As if I didn't have a say.

"Vince, wait!" I finally found my voice, strong despite the tremor in my chest. "What are you doing? This isn't how it works. You can't just decide for me."

He paused, his back to me, the tension radiating off him palpable. "I'm doing what's necessary for us now that we're together."

"Together?" I echoed, my confusion mingling with a spark of frustration. "You mean moving into your suite? Just like that?"

He turned slowly, a smirk playing on his lips, that cheeky glint in his eye. "Well, I thought it was a reasonable next step for a couple."

"A couple?" I repeated, crossing my arms. "You think just saying that makes it okay to uproot my life?"

"Uproot? Come on, Sophia. It's a spacious suite, and I promise the view is better. Plus, who wouldn't want to be closer to me?" He leaned in slightly, his expression teasing yet serious.

I fought back a smile, despite my annoyance. "That's not the point. It's about having a say in my own life. I'm not some trophy to be moved around."

Vince's playful demeanor faltered slightly, and he stepped closer, his gaze softening. "You're not a trophy. You're... well, you're everything to me. But you have to understand—I want you near me. It's not about control; it's about wanting to share my space with you."

I took a breath, letting his words settle. "And I want to share my life with you, but I need to feel like I'm choosing it, not just following orders."

He regarded me for a moment, the teasing glint returning to his eyes. "How about this? You help me decorate the suite. That way, it'll feel like it's yours too."

I raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of relief and lingering frustration. "You really think that will convince me?"

He shrugged, that signature smirk back on his face. "I have my ways. Besides, you know I'm not above bribery. We can have ice cream while we discuss color schemes."

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension easing between us. "Ice cream, huh? Well, that's tempting."

Vince's expression turned serious again. "So, will you move in with me?"

I hesitated, a thought popping into my head. "Actually, I can't. Mr. Barksalot is already used to my suite and he likes it a lot. Transitioning to yours will make him feel bad."

Vince narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying it. "Sophia, I know you're lying."

"No I'm not!"

Vince glanced around the suite, scanning the room as if trying to assess something.

"So, where is Mr. Barksalot? If he really likes your suite so much, why isn't he here?"

His question caught me off guard, and I felt a flare of frustration. I wanted to defend my answer, to make him see that I wasn't just making excuses. But the truth was, I knew he wouldn't let this go easily.

"He's probably hanging around the kitchen with the maids," I admitted, my voice slightly defensive. "They give him treats, and he loves the food there."

Vince raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile creeping across his face. "So, your dog prefers the kitchen over your suite? Sounds like he's not as attached to it as you think."

I couldn't help but feel a little exasperated. "He's a dog, Vince! He's easily distracted by food and attention. That doesn't mean he doesn't love his space."

Vince chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "I think Mr. Barksalot will be just fine with the move. He seems like a pretty adaptive dog."

I sighed, crossing my arms again. "You don't know my dog like I do. He's set in his ways!"

"Sure, but dogs are surprisingly adaptable," he countered. "He'll adjust to a new environment, especially if it means being closer to you."

I bit my lip, feeling the corners of my mouth twitching despite my frustration. "But it's still a big change!"

With a sudden amused glint in his eye, he said, "Then how about this? I move my stuff to your suite instead."

My heart skipped a beat, and I stared at him, shocked. "What? You can't be serious!"

"Why not? It'll make it easier for both of us," he said, a casual tone in his voice, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"You want to move into my suite?" I asked incredulously. "That's... insane!"

He stepped closer, a playful challenge in his eyes. "Insane, or just a bold move? Think about it, Sophia. It could be fun."

I shook my head, struggling to wrap my mind around the idea. "You can't just decide that."

"Neither can you," he replied, a teasing smile on his lips. "But I'm willing to compromise."

For a moment, I was speechless, a whirlwind of emotions surging within me. Maybe this wasn't just about moving in together. Maybe it was about something much deeper, something we were both still figuring out.

"Are you really serious about this?" I asked, needing to know he wasn't joking.

"Absolutely," he replied, his expression unwavering. "I mean it. I like the idea of being close to you now that we are a couple, and Mr. Barksalot will adapt just fine. Besides, your suite has that lovely view of the horses, which I don't get to see them quite often."

I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by his enthusiasm. "You're really thinking about the horses now?"

He shrugged, a playful grin spreading across his face. "What can I say? I'm a fan of the view—and of spending time with you. It's a win-win."

"You know, it's kind of wild how you can switch like that. One moment, you're this intense, commanding figure, and the next, you're just... I don't know, charming."

He raised an eyebrow, a grin still on his face. "Is that a compliment or an observation?"

"Maybe both?" I replied, crossing my arms playfully. "It's just surprising. You can be so intimidating, and then you suddenly turn around and joke about ice cream and colors."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "It's all part of the package. I've learned to adapt, just like Mr. Barksalot will. Plus, life's too short to be serious all the time."

"True, but it can be a little jarring, you know? I'm still getting used to this"

"I get that. I guess I just want to show you that there's more to me than the tough exterior. I can be playful too, especially around you."

"Just make sure the playful side sticks around, okay?" I said, feeling a warmth spread through me.

"Count on it," he replied, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Just wait until you see my favorite movie choices. You'll see the full spectrum of Vince."

I laughed, the earlier tension forgotten. "I can't wait. Just promise me it won't be all action films and thrillers."

"Deal. I'll throw in a romantic comedy or two, just to keep things balanced," he said, winking.

As we shared a smile, Vince suddenly closed the distance between us, his gaze intense. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me close. I felt my breath hitch as he leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a soft yet electrifying kiss.