Chapter 625

Vincent halted at the threshold of the bathroom, his pulse hammering so fiercely that the veins on his forehead stood out like cords.

Just when Hannah thought he had finally left, the door swung open, cutting through the quiet with a sudden thud.

Vincent reentered, his stride swift and purposeful as he crossed the tiles toward the bathtub.

Before Hannah could even gather her scattered thoughts, he leaned down abruptly, one hand rising to cradle her face with firm gentleness before his mouth captured hers in a fierce, consuming kiss.

There was punishment in that kiss-a wild, demanding heat that bordered on cruelty, stealing the breath from her lungs.

"Mmm-" The sound slipped from Hannah's lips as her head swam. When she finally tore herself free,her voice trembled with both confusion and disbelief."What are you trying to do?"

Vincent's eyes were shadowed, dark, and unwavering."To sleep with you."

He uttered the words lowly, and before Hannah could process them, his lips captured hers again, cutting off any thought, any protest, any escape.

But this time, the cold restraint that had once defined him was gone-replaced by raw, unfiltered longing.

As Hannah comprehended what was unfolding, a storm of feelings churned within her-confusion, anger,and a dizzying ache she couldn't name. Her fingers found the edge of his drenched shirt, clutching it with sudden resolve before tugging him downward into the bathtub.

In the narrow space, their bodies collided, tangled, and fused together, each breath feeding the flame that consumed them.

As their movements deepened, flashes of fractured memory jolted through Vincent's mind-familiar, vivid,

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and alarmingly similar to another confined place where desire had stripped away reason and left nothing untouched.

Those images came in shards-heat, touch, hunger-and each fragment carried that same merciless pull.And in every echo of recollection, he was the one who was never satisfied, always craving more.

This realization drove him even more wild.

When they stumbled out of the bathroom, their fervor didn't fade-it spread, trailing across the living room,the dining table, and at last, the wide expanse of the bed, leaving a path of reckless intimacy behind them.

Vincent's need seemed endless; he marked every inch of Hannah's skin, branding her with the proof of his presence.

Blurred memories assaulted him again-it felt as though he had done this countless times before, taking her in various places, losing control the same way.

For the first time, Vincent had woken later than usual. The sunlight was already bright when he opened his eyes, and the space beside him was empty-Hannah was gone.

He pushed himself upright, pressing his hand against his temple, an ache of regret settling deep within him.How had he been the one to cross that line first? HHe, who always avoided attachments and detested emotional entanglement, had surrendered to impulse like a man possessed.

Last night, he hadn't just given in-he had devoured every restraint, burning until wee hours like someone half his age. It was entirely unlike him.

Maybe it was because she had provoked him, claiming to want another man with such careless defiance that something primal in him had snapped. He tried to rationalize it-to name it anger, not longing for her.

Frustrated, Vincent dragged a hand through his hair and reached for his phone. "Derek. What's on the agenda today?"

Derek's voice came crisp as he relayed the agenda. Then, he added, "Mr. Jones, nothing pressing at the company today. You could afford a few hours of rest and maybe even spend them with someone deservng of your attention?"

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There was a knowing lilt beneath his polite tone.

Vincent's expression darkened. "Since when do mny private affairs require your suggestion?"

Derek instantly backtracked. "Of course not. I meant nothing of the sort."

A silence stretched between them before Vincent asked with feigned casualness, "And her?"Derek caught on immediately. "Ms. Scott? She's gone to see Rodney."

Vincent's brow furrowed at once, irritation flickering in his voice. "Rodney? What business does she have with that scum?"

"Mr. Jones, no need to be concerned," Derek rushed to assure him. "Rodney's under close watch by our men. Ms. Scott likely just wants a few answers. There's no danger."

"Who said I'm worried about her?" Vincent's tone snapped cold, yet his next words betrayed him. "Send me the address."

Derek was confused. "Huh? What address?"

"The place where Rodney's being held!" Vincent's voice sharpened, leaving no room for delay.

"Sending it right away!" Derek replied quickly, his lips curving in secret amusement.

Vincent could insist all he wanted, but Derek knew better-Vincent was anything but indifferent.Beneath the ice,he was terrified Hannah would get hurt.

Meanwhile, Hannah had already stepped into a soundproof conference room within one of the Jones Group's hotels.

Inside, Rodney sat bound tightly to a chair, his mouth gagged with a rough cloth, his muffled grunts the only sound in the room.

Nate stood by with several guards, and upon spotting Hannah, he immediately inclined his head respectfully."Ms. Scott."

Hannah's nod was slight, her gaze cutting to the disheveled figure of Rodney with icy composure.

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At her signal, Nate motioned for one of the men to remove the gag.

The moment Rodney could speak, a crooked grin twisted across his face. "Ah, Ms. Scott. How nice of you to visit. How was the special treat I prepared for you last night? Wasn't it exhilarating? Tell me-was Vincent the lucky guy?"

Before another vile word could escape him, Hannah's hand struck sharply across his cheek.The sound cracked through the room as his head snapped to the side.