"Hiss..."

Underneath the covers, Violet Brooks sucked in a sharp breath. She tried to sit up but quickly realized her whole body had gone limp. A sharp pain shot through her, making her wince.

She struggled to move but it was useless.

"What, still want more?" A teasing, low voice whispered against her ear. Before she could even protest, a strong hand with defined knuckles pulled her back into a solid chest.

His lips crashed down on hers—

That same hand slid effortlessly down her spine, while the towel around his waist dropped to the floor with a swish.

Out of the corner of her eye, Violet caught a glimpse of his abs, beads of water still trailing down between the cuts of muscle. Her gaze traveled up to his face, where a faint, unreadable smirk played on his lips.

His eyes sent a chill down her spine.

That look—like a predator finally getting his prey.

Violet's eyes darted away; she couldn't hold his gaze.

More...? Her brain nearly short-circuited.

Everything about last night replayed in her head—the moment she walked in, the one-seater couch, then the bed, and even... the shower.

There was no way she could handle round two. She nearly didn’t survive round one!

The sky outside had already lightened—the sun just about to rise.

She pushed him away gently, quickly gathered her clothes and dressed as discreetly as she could. Raising her gaze, she peeked at the man now lazily reclining against the bed.

"Mister, you... still owe me the money."

Her voice was small and trembling, with a bit of hesitation in it.

Kayden Stone raised an eyebrow, his tone casual. "Money?"

Her eyes lit up slightly, lips pressed together anxiously. "We agreed on it yesterday, didn't we?"

He stubbed out his cigarette and gave her a slow once-over. "How much?"

How much?

Violet blinked, completely at a loss.

This was her first time doing something like this.

“Uh... market price,” she barely murmured, her voice small as a mouse, her head practically sinking into her chest.

Kayden stared at her blushing face, his curiosity barely hidden. He smirked, "Market price? For someone built like a teenager with average at best experience—"

He cut himself off mid-sentence and leaned in suddenly.

Startled, Violet froze like a deer in headlights, eyes wide staring at him.

Their eyes locked, and he added with an offhand tone, "Since you’re still in college, I’ll generously give you five hundred for the night."

Five. Hundred?

Violet’s expression dropped instantly.

That flicker of hope in her pupils faded fast, tears welling up until they were on the verge of spilling over.

She wasn’t good with words, and being her first time, she didn’t even know how to argue.

Kayden let out a low chuckle seeing her face scrunch up, clearly distressed. He decided it was enough teasing.

"Give me your info. I’ll send it over later," he said.

Finally, she breathed a sigh of relief.

But the moment her phone buzzed with a ping, her brows scrunched tight.

His profile picture? Just a blank white square. His username? Nothing. All contact info? Empty.

Not even a single post in his feed.

A heavy feeling crept up her chest—no way this was his burner account, right?

Or worse, maybe he never planned on paying her that five hundred from the start?

She stared at the broad back of the man in front of her. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, ready to step out—

Violet clenched her fists and bit down on her lip, forcing herself to speak.

"Last night... it was my first time. I want twenty thousand."