Page 18 of Stranded with the Resort Owner

No—real domination. No mercy. No pause.

No holding back.

He did things to me I've never let anyone do.

Because no one's ever been able to take it that far without making it feel fake.

Until him.

Last night was the closest I've ever come to being completely undone… and feeling safe in the ruin.

But I can't say that. Not to him. Not when I know this means something very different to him than it does to me. Or maybe that's just what I want to believe.

He doesn't flinch. Doesn't blink.

"Last night was… nice."

"Nice?" His voice drops. "You jump into bed with strangers all the time, then? Let them tie you up, fuck you until you sob, fall asleep wearing their shirt?"

My breath catches. My lips part.

I can't speak.

He steps closer—not threatening. Just there. Solid. Unshakable. Heat radiating off him like the fire we never finished last night.

"There's scratching an itch," he says, softer now. "And then there's what happened last night. What you let me do to you… It was more than…nice."

"I'm sorry. I'm just focused on my to-do list."

His eyes lock on mine. "Are you really going to stand there and tell me last night meant nothing?"

I shove my arms into the parka, fingers fumbling at the sleeves, the guilt hitting sharp under my ribs.

"It was chemistry, Lucas. Intense, overwhelming, and insanely hot chemistry. But that's all."

His smile is tight. Clipped. "Casual as mind-blowing sex can be between two very… compatible people."

"Exactly."

He studies me for a beat, then shakes his head like he sees through every carefully rehearsed line.

"I think the only thing we can agree on here," he mutters, "is that's a lie."

Chapter 5

Ruined by the Truth

Lucas opens the door,letting in a blast of frigid air, and walks out without another word.

I follow him out into the snow, boots crunching behind his. The covered path to the main lodge is half-buried, the world around us gleaming and silent.

But it's not just the cold that has me shivering.

Because I keep thinking about the way he touched me. The way he looked at me. Like he saw more than a body to ruin—like he wanted to know the shape of my surrender and maybe even the why behind it.

And I can't stop hearing his voice from last night.

You wanted to be claimed. Made to obey. Made to please.

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