Chapter 495

Hannah tried to ease the tension with a kiss.

The sudden trill of Vincent's phone shattered the fragile quiet inside the car. Derek's name flashed across the screen.

Vincent answered without hesitation. "Speak."

On the other end, Derek's voice rushed out, tight with urgency."Mr. Jones, we've searched everywhere Ms. Scott might have gone-her office, her apartment, even the clubs she usually visits-but she's nowhere! Her phone's been off this whole time.Do you want me to involve the police?"

Hannah caught every word. For a heartbeat, she sat frozen,breath caught in her throat. In that moment, everything clicked into place. Vincent's earlier fury hadn't just come from pride or suspicion-it had been the panic from the assumpotion that she was in danger. He had mobilized everyone, desperately scouring the city for her.

Her gaze lifted to Vincent, eyes wide with astonishment, a faint tremor of emotion rippling across her face.

Vincent held the phone in a tense grip, his voice low and worn."Don't bother. She's with me now, and she's not in any danger."

Relief rushed through Derek's reply. "Understood, Mr. Jones!"

The line went dead, and the car sank back into silence.

Warm,tangled emotions welled up in Hannah's chest."50you were worried about me," she remarked, her eyes glinting with quiet satisfaction.

Vincent kept his gaze fixed ahead, his tone flat and restrained

Vincent kept his gaze fixed ahead, his tone flat and restrained."I'll drive you back."

He was about to turn the key when Hannah's hand slid over and caught his, halting him.

Her eyes lingered on the sharp lines of his face,a reckless spark igniting inside her. "Don't take me back yet," she insisted.

With a flicker of confusion in his eyes, he glanced her way.

Hannah met his eyes and then leaned forward, pressing her lips to his with sudden heat. She pressed her palm against his chest,tugging wildly at the buttons as if every layer between them was unbearable.

"Let's do it here," she murmured, her voice husky, carrying a raw and deliberate invitation.

Vincent's shoulders went rigid, his whole frame tense. He didn't return the kiss, nor did he stop her wandering hand as it worked at his shirt buttons.

But by the time she reached the second one, he caught her wrist, his grip steady but unyielding, and pushed her gently aside.

Bewilderment flashed across Hannah's gaze as she studied him.

Without meeting her gaze, Vincent turned the key in the ignition and the engine hummed to life. "Let's head back," he said flatly.

Hannah's breath caught, her shock edged with rage. Had he just rejected her?

The car rolled away in smooth silence, carrying them back toward Sterling Heights.

Neither of them spoke for the entire drive.

They stepped out into the hallway together and made their

They stepped out into the hallway together and made their way to the elevator, walking shoulder to shoulder.

The elevator climbed smoothly, numbers flickering upward one after another.

He strode out first, pressed his finger to the lock, and pushed the door open without so much as a glance back.

"Not planning to head home?" His voice carried a sharp edge as he leaned against the frame, blocking her way.

"Just came to hang out at your place. Am I not welcome?" She tilted her chin, slipped neatly beneath his arm, and crossed the doorway.

"You're not worried I might keep you here?" he remarked, the door clicking shut behind them.

"Worried? Not a bit." She turned toward him, lips curved in a teasing smile, her gaze lingering boldly on him. "What are you gonna do,tear me apart?"

His gaze broke away from hers, and he strode to the island in the open kitchen, filled a glass with ice water, and drained most of it in one breath as if the chill could smother the blaze pounding in his chest.

The liquid slid past his parched lips and down the sharp line of his throat, his Adam's apple shifting with every swallow.

"Tour's done. Go home." He set the glass down with a flat clink,his voice still cutting.

She didn't back away. Instead, she stepped closer, her gaze lingering on the damp corner of his mouth. "Did it taste good?"

His lips pressed into a thin line, silence his only answer.

"Then maybe I'll try it for myself." Before he could move, she rose on tiptoe, her tongue flicking across the droplets clinging

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rose on tiptoe, her tongue flicking across the droplets clinging to his lips.

A surge of heat ripped through him, crackling down his spine like raw voltage.

He recoiled a step, chest tight with conflict and then strode to the sofa and dropped onto it, putting as much space between them as the room allowed. "What are you playing at?"

"I'm trying to soothe you. Didn't you feel it?" She closed the distance between them, stopping just before him.

"No need." He angled his head away, refusing to meet her burning stare. "Weren't you the one who told me to calm down?Then leave."

"I wasn't thinking straight earlier," she murmured, her voice dropping low.

A sharp, icy chuckle slipped from him as he shot back.′′nsuddenly you've regained clarity?"

She faltered for a moment and then the unexpected question spilled out. "Did you send Derek to locate me because you thought something had happened to me?"

He jerked his head up, eyes blazing like a tempest of shadows."What do you think? Erica strolled into your suite with your keycard-how the hell was I supposed to stay calm?"

Even recalling it made the bones in his fists creak from the pressure.

Bracing her palms against the back of the sofa, she bent closer,their breaths tangling in the narrow space."So you really were that worried?"

His throat bobbed hard, but he kept his silence, jaw locked in place, carrying a rigid edge, as he turned away again.

Without hesitation, she shifted into his lap, settling over him with deliberate intent.

Her body pressed against his, every inchof him locking up as blood pounded to his head. "Get off!" he hissed through clenched teeth.