And still, he held her close, his breath hot against her neck.

Then he switched positions—lifting her like she weighed nothing and turning her around, pressing her chest against the hard material of the car while he took her from behind. The leather squeaked under her grip, her body trembling as he filled her again, deeper this time. His hand tangled in her hair, yanking her head back as he thrust into her hard, the sound of skin meeting skin echoing through the dark car.

“Still breathing?” he growled in her ear, voice thick with lust and a dangerous edge of amusement. “Not for long.”

She couldn’t answer. Could barely think.

He didn’t let up—held her hips firm and pounded into her with a raw desperation that made her legs shake. One hand slid around to rub her until she was sobbing into the dashboard, coming again and again until her knees buckled. But he didn’t stop. He pulled her back into his lap and forced her to ride him once more, his hands guiding her rhythm, his mouth glued to her skin, biting her shoulder, sucking the curve of her collarbone like he was drunk on her taste.

More rounds followed—fast, rough, almost reckless.

By the end of it, her body collapsed against him, chest heaving, skin burning.

She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. Could barely form a thought.

And still, Dante held her—his arms wrapped around her back, one hand gently brushing along the curve of her thigh as if she wasn’t already shaking from exhaustion.

Chapter 13 A Gift

The car pulled up in front of Kingsley Manor. Hesitating, she opened the car door and tried to get Dante out, but he was barely awake, swaying with every step.

There was no one around to help. No guards in sight. No house staff waiting at the door. She had no choice.

She stepped out and moved to his side, opening the door. With a deep breath, she wrapped his arm around her shoulder again and quietly led him inside. Step by step, they made their way up the grand staircase. She pushed open his bedroom door and helped lower him onto the bed.

She reached for the blanket to cover him.

And froze.

A shadow stretched across the floor.

Anya looked up.

Janet stood in the doorway, arms crossed, lips thin, her eyes blazing with fury.

“Come out. Now.”

Her voice was low but sharp as a knife.

Anya swallowed and nodded, following Janet out the door.

They descended the stairs in silence. Janet’s heels clicked sharply on each step, like gunshots in the quiet.

Once they reached the marble-floored hallway, Janet spun around. Her eyes flashed with fury, voice dropping to a hiss.

“I told you,” she seethed. “Never set foot in this house again. And don’t eventhinkabout seducing him. Did I not make myself clear?”

Anya met her glare, back straight, voice calm despite the tremble in her stomach. “I’m his employee, Miss Kingsley. He drank too much tonight. I only came to drop my boss home. That’s it.”

“As if!” Janet snapped, her face twisted with fury. “I warned you not to go near him! But you still did! And now you’re back in my house like nothing happened? Didn’t I teach you a good enough lesson last time?” Her voice rose, trembling with rage. “What the hell do you want from my son?”

Her eyes blazed as she stepped closer, every word like venom. “I told you—there’s never going to be anything between you and Dante. Don’t you get it? He’s already engaged to Annie Carter! How could you possibly compare to her?”

Anya’s pulse roared in her ears, but she kept her expression calm. “I don’t need to compare myself to anyone, Mrs. Kingsley,” she said evenly. “I’ve already said—I’m not here for money or to seduce anyone. If anything, maybe instead of forcing a girl onto your son, you should respecthischoice about who he wants to marry.”

That struck a nerve.

Janet’s face contorted with rage. “You’re lecturing me now?” she spat. “I know girls like you. Manipulative. Calculating. Neversatisfied. Should I teach you a real lesson this time so you finally understand your place?”