The gala was a blur of golden lights and loud laughter. Julius stood in the center of the ballroom, his hand resting on Helen’s waist. He was smiling for the cameras, nodding at investors, and playing the part of the happy boyfriend perfectly.

But inside, his skin was crawling.

He could feel it. Every time he turned his head, he caught sight of Harrison. The man was across the room, but his presence was like a heavy weight pressing down on Julius’s chest.

Harrison wasn’t talking to anyone anymore. He was just standing there, a glass of champagne in his hand, watching Julius with eyes that looked like black pits.

"Julius, are you listening?" Helen asked, leaning her head against his shoulder. "My father is talking about the merger. He says the Vane shares are looking better already."

"I heard him," Julius said. His voice sounded tight, even to his own ears.

"You look a little pale," Helen said, her hand reaching up to touch his face. "Are you okay? Is it too hot in here?"

"I just need some air," Julius said, gently moving her hand away. "I’m going to wash my face. I’ll be back in a minute."

"Don’t be long," she pouted. "The toast is in ten minutes."

Julius nodded and turned away. He walked through the crowd, keeping his head down. He didn’t look back at Harrison.

He didn’t want to see that expression again.

He pushed through the heavy doors and headed for the quiet hallway that led to the luxury restrooms.

The air out here was cooler. He pushed open the heavy door to the men’s room and stepped inside. It was empty.

The walls were covered in white tile, and the lights were soft.

Julius walked over to the sink and turned on the cold water. He splashed his face, gasping as the chill hit his skin.

He gripped the edge of the sink, looking at himself in the mirror. His eyes were wide, and his chest was heaving.

"Get it together," he whispered. "It’s just a party. You’re winning."

The door behind him swung open and shut with a loud click.

Julius didn’t even have time to turn around before a hand grabbed the back of his neck and shoved him forward.

He hit the wall hard. The cool tile pressed against his cheek. He tried to spin around, his fist swinging out, but Harrison was faster.

He caught Julius’s arm and twisted it behind his back, pinning him against the wall.

"What the hell are you doing?" Julius choked out, struggling to move.

Harrison didn’t say a word. He looked like a man possessed. His scent was everywhere—dark, spicy, and thick with jealousy that made Julius’s head swim.

He wasn’t the calm businessman anymore.

He was an Enigma who had reached his breaking point.

"Let go of me!" Julius yelled, trying to buck his hips and throw Harrison off.

Harrison slammed his body into Julius, pinning him flat. He grabbed Julius’s other wrist and shoved both of his hands above his head, holding them there with one powerful grip.

Julius kicked out, hitting Harrison’s shin, but the man didn’t even flinch.

"You think this is funny?" Harrison growled, his voice low and vibrating against Julius’s ear. "You think you can just parade her around in front of me?"

"You think I’m going to let you walk back into that room and pretend you don’t belong to me?"

"I don’t belong to you!" Julius spat, his face red with rage. "I’m an Alpha. I don’t belong to anyone!"

Harrison leaned in, his nose brushing against Julius’s neck. He breathed in deep, making Julius shiver.

"You smell like her," Harrison hissed. "Get it off. Get her scent off you."

"No," Julius said, even as his heart started to race.

Harrison didn’t wait.

He crashed his mouth down onto Julius’s.

​It wasn’t a soft kiss. It was a brawl. It was a fight for air and dominance. Harrison’s teeth grazed Julius’s lip, drawing a tiny drop of blood. Julius tried to turn his head away, but Harrison gripped his jaw, forcing him to stay.

Julius tried to turn his head away, but Harrison gripped his jaw, forcing him to stay.

Julius fought him. He bit back, his hands straining against Harrison’s hold. But then Harrison’s tongue slid against his, and the fight drained out of Julius’s legs.

His knees buckled, and if Harrison hadn’t been holding him up, he would have hit the floor.

A heat he couldn’t control flooded his body.

He stopped pushing and started pulling.

He wanted more. He wanted the weight of Harrison’s body to crush him.

Harrison let go of his wrists, and Julius immediately wrapped his arms around Harrison’s neck, pulling him closer.

Harrison’s hands moved to Julius’s shirt. He wasn’t being careful. He was pulling at the buttons, his fingers fumbling in his haste.

Julius did the same, his hands sliding under Harrison’s jacket to find the skin underneath.

The air in the small room was getting hot and heavy.

Suddenly, a knock hit the door.

"Baby? Are you in there?"

It was Helen. Her voice sounded thin through the thick door.

Julius froze.

He was standing there with his shirt half-open, his hair a mess, and the most powerful man in the city pinned against his body.

He looked at Harrison.

The man’s eyes were still dark, his chest heaving as he stared at Julius’s mouth.

"Julius?" Helen called again. "We’re supposed to meet my father for the toast. Everyone is waiting."

Julius felt a wave of pure terror. If she walked in, it was over. His name, his career, his family—everything would be destroyed in a second.

He looked at Harrison, who didn’t seem to care if the whole world saw them.

"Answer her," Harrison whispered, his lips grazing Julius’s ear.

Julius swallowed hard, trying to get his voice to work. "Yes... I’m in here, Helen. I’ll be out in a second."

"Are you okay?" she asked. "You sound funny."

"Just... a bit of an upset stomach," Julius lied, his voice shaking. "Go ahead. I’ll meet you at the table."

"Okay," she said. "Don’t be long. I love you!"

Julius listened to the sound of her heels clicking away down the hall. He closed his eyes and let out a long, shaky breath.

He felt like he had just dodged a bullet.

He pushed Harrison away, his hands trembling as he started to do up his buttons. He was lucky she was a Beta.

If she had been an Alpha or an Omega, she would have smelled the thick cloud of Harrison’s scent from the hallway.

She would have known exactly what was happening behind that door.

Harrison stood there, watching him fix his clothes. He didn’t look ashamed.

He looked like he was waiting for the next round.

Julius tucked his shirt in and straightened his jacket. He smoothed his hair back, trying to make himself look human again.

He looked at Harrison, stepped forward, and pointed a finger directly at Harrison’s chest.

"Don’t you ever fucking touch me again," Julius whispered. His voice was full of cold, sharp anger. "Do you understand? Stay away from me."

Harrison didn’t answer.

He just watched Julius with that same dark look.

Julius didn’t wait for a response. He turned and walked out of the room, his heart hammering against his ribs so hard it hurt.

He walked back into the ballroom, found Helen, and took her hand.

He smiled for the guests, but his mind was still back in that room, trapped in a scent he couldn’t escape.