Riven wasn't used to waking up in satin sheets. Not ones that carried the scent of power and sex and Cassian Velthorne.
Sunlight crept across his skin, warming the marks Cassian had left on his body the night before. Bruises bloomed like petals on his neck and thighs, each one a whispered reminder of how thoroughly he'd been possessed.
He stirred, his muscles sore, his lips swollen, and his mind foggy with satisfaction. Cassian lay beside him, still, awake, watching.
"Do you always stare at people like they're your property?" Riven asked without opening his eyes.
Cassian's voice was velvet and steel. "Only when they are."
Riven's eyes opened now—dark, challenging. "You think loyalty is about chains?"
"No," Cassian said, brushing a knuckle down his cheek. "But desire? That is a chain. One neither of us can break."
Riven tried to sit up. Cassian pushed him back down—gently, but firmly. "Where are you going?"
"I have a life outside your bed, Cassian."
Cassian's smirk didn't reach his eyes. "You mean the one that involves stolen art, forged signatures, and knives hidden in boots?"
"Don't pretend you're clean."
"I'm not. But you are mine now."
Riven's heart thundered at those words. Not from fear—but from something far more dangerous. Longing. The idea that he could belong somewhere. To someone.
Even if that someone burned like fire.
Cassian leaned over, mouth grazing his. "Let me remind you what loyalty tastes like."
And just like that, the man was on him—pressing him into the sheets with a kiss that consumed. His hand slid beneath the sheets, fingers teasing the inside of Riven's thigh before cupping his half-hard cock, stroking it awake.
Riven gasped, hips lifting. "You're insatiable."
"I've had a taste," Cassian murmured into his mouth. "Now I'm addicted."
The sheets tangled. Cassian flipped him effortlessly, pulling Riven onto his lap. The slide of skin on skin, hard and hot, made Riven tremble. Their bodies were already memorized maps—Cassian's hands knew where to touch, Riven's mouth knew where to bite.
"Ride me," Cassian ordered, voice low and thick. "I want to see how deep you burn for me."
Riven didn't speak.
He moved.
He sank onto Cassian slowly, groaning, eyes fluttering. His hands pressed to Cassian's chest, bracing as he began to roll his hips—slow at first, then faster, harder, chasing every thrust with fire.
Cassian's hands gripped his waist, guiding, grounding. "Fuck, Riven. Look at you…"
Their rhythm turned frantic—sweat-slick, breathless. Riven threw his head back, riding the edge of pain and pleasure, and Cassian watched him like a man obsessed.
"You're mine," Cassian growled.
Riven moaned, shuddered, and came hard—his body clenching around Cassian with a cry.
Cassian followed with a growl, thrusting up deep, spilling into him with a possessive grip and a groan that echoed off the walls.
They collapsed together.
Breathing. Burning.
Cassian's fingers traced circles on Riven's back. "Loyalty is earned, Riven. But desire? That… you've already given me."
Riven buried his face in Cassian's neck.
He didn't say the words. But in that moment, silence was louder than truth.
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