The clock struck midnight as rain whispered against the window panes, rhythmic and relentless, like the need building between them.
Riven stood at the edge of Cassian's bed, shirt undone, skin catching the silver-blue of lightning outside. His expression was unreadable—equal parts fear, fury, and want.
Cassian sat on the edge of the bed, watching him like a starving man. "Come here," he said, voice husky, hoarse, yet reverent.
Riven didn't move.
"You still don't trust me."
Riven's laugh was soft. Bitter. "I don't even trust myself around you."
Cassian stood, slowly, like approaching something wild. "Then don't think. Just feel."
The storm outside surged, as if echoing the hunger crackling between them. Riven didn't resist when Cassian closed the distance, but his breath caught when Cassian's fingers traced his collarbone. Deliberate. Possessive.
"You're burning," Cassian whispered.
"You lit the match," Riven breathed.
Their mouths crashed together—brutal, messy, desperate. Cassian shoved the shirt off Riven's shoulders, dragging nails down his spine. Riven gasped, then growled, hands threading through Cassian's hair, tugging hard.
It was a battle. A surrender. A war waged on sheets twisted and soaked in sweat.
Cassian pushed Riven to the bed, chained his wrists above his head with silk he'd left for this very moment. His mouth traveled down Riven's chest, biting, licking, tasting until Riven was arching, straining, whispering his name like a spell.
"You like the chains?" Cassian asked, breath hot against his stomach.
"Only when it's you locking me up," Riven hissed, trembling.
Cassian moved lower. Worshipped him with tongue and lips, pulling gasps and curses from Riven until the man beneath him was boneless, helpless, beautiful in his rawness.
Then Cassian took him—slow, deep, relentless.
The chains were silk, but the pull between them was iron. Every thrust was a claim. Every moan a vow. Riven's eyes glistened with unshed tears as Cassian wrapped a hand around his throat—not tight, just enough to say mine.
When Riven shattered, it was a cry torn from somewhere buried. Cassian followed, collapsing onto him, their breath tangled.
"I hate how much I love you," Riven whispered.
Cassian kissed his throat, lips trembling. "Then let me be your prison. Because I'm never letting go."