Chapter 5 Temptations of eve

The rain outside dropped softly against the tall windows, sending faint trails along the glass. The soft light inside the study shifted from a single brass lamp on the desk, its glow warm and golden, clinging to the shadows.

Santiago sat in his leather chair, elbows resting on the carved mahogany arms, a half-empty glass of scotch balanced between his fingers. His jacket lay draped over the backrest, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the top buttons of his black shirt undone. He looked tired, but not weak. A still predator conserving energy.

Smoke curled from the cigarette between his lips. He hadn't spoken to anyone in the last hour. Not since Dominico made him stormed out of the shore in a fury, slamming the door so hard the whiskey rippled.

The silence suited him. It gave him space to think.

Until the door creaked, very calm, slow and almost shy.

He didn't move.

A rhythm followed-sharp, delicate sounds cracking against the floor.

Heels.

Santiago's eyes lifted just slightly. The cigarette stick dropped from his fingers into the tray.

She walked in like she owned the air he breathed.

Kataliya.

Her dress was midnight black, silk that clung to her like a second skin. One strap fell lazily from her shoulder, the slit rising dangerously high, revealing smooth skin with every step. Her hair was pulled back tight, exposing her collarbones, her neck, her slow-burning expression. Her lips were painted the same red as danger. She'd shopped in a boutique immediately they landed in Rome in company of the guards. She got expensive clothes, shoes and hand bags using Santiago's card. He seemed softer than he looked.

He said nothing, just stare confusedly what's

She didn't stop until she was directly in front of him, standing between his knees, close enough for him to catch the vanilla and smoke from her perfume.

Her eyes searched his, there was no fear or flinching.

Only fire.

"If this....." she said, voice smooth as silk, "is what you wanted all along..."

She bent slowly, lips just inches from his, her hand resting gently on his chest.

"If this is what I was taken for... then take it and let me go."

Santiago's jaw tightened.

"You kidnapped me from my life. From school. From my dreams," she whispered. "So here. Have the one thing left to ruin."

His hand came up, gripped her wrist-not hard, but firm.

"You don't want this," he said, voice low.

"You don't know what I want," she snapped.

"I know you're angry. Hurt."

"I'm more than that," she hissed. "I'm finished. So if this is the game and plans then let's finish it."

Their eyes locked.

It happened in a flash-a collision of wills.

Her gaze hit him like nothing ever had. No bullets or knives, not even betrayal. Just her eyes.

And for a moment, just one breathless heartbeat, he almost fell into them.

That defiance.

That sadness buried under so much rage.

That burning beauty she didn't even realize she wielded.

He swallowed hard and hesitated.

"Stop it," he said, voice unsteady for the first time.

"Why?" she whispered, stepping even closer.

Santiago's control snapped.

He stood abruptly, towering over her, eyes wild.

In one swift motion, he grabbed her waist and spun her, pushing her gently but forcefully against the wall.

Her back hit the cool stone, but she didn't resist.

He leaned in, one arm braced beside her head, the other gripping her hip. His face hovered above hers, breathing shallow, heat between them rising like fire through dry leaves.

"You don't play with fire if you can't survive the burn," he whispered against her lips.

"I already burned," she whispered back. "The night you stole me."

His mouth crashed into hers-rough, urgent, full of frustration and something dangerously close to longing.

She kissed him back for half a second. Just enough to feel the chaos between them, the pain and hate.

But then he pulled away.

Fast like the kiss had been a mistake.

His hand still held her chin.

"Don't ever do that again," he growled. "Don't walk in here like a weapon."

She stared at him, eyes fierce.

"Or what?" she asked.

He didn't answer, didn't know the words to put in. He'd never felt this way or found himself in a situation like that before. It'd always been violent. Force, war.

His chest was rising and falling too quickly, his pupils still locked on her lips.

He took a step back.

Kataliya straightened her dress slowly, her hands calm, but her face burning.

"i want to see my father, I want to leave this place" she said, voice trembling. "i don't belong here."

She turned her back and walked toward the door.

Halfway there, she paused.

"You act like you don't care," she said without turning around. "But you just kissed me like you have been kiss starved."

Santiago stood motionless.

His fists clenched, his expressions darkened, harder.

Her heels cracked again as she walked away.

The door clicked shut behind her.

And Santiago stayed in the dark, alone with the scent of her perfume and the heaviness of his own heart brewing where it never used to feel.

He dropped back into the chair.

Rubbed his face hard with both hands.

What the hell did she just do to me?

But no matter how hard he tried to shake it, one thing was clear:

He had stared into her eyes and almost lost himself.

And that was more dangerous than anything Carter could ever done to him. He needed to stay put and must not do anything more than revenge.