She gasp against his mouth as his hands grip her waist, pressing yuna into the cold mahogany. His kiss is punishing—hungry, possessive, like he's trying to brand her. When he finally pulls back, her lipstick is smeared across both of them, his eyes dark.
"There,"he breathes, thumb wiping his thumb across his lower lip slowly.
"Ethan my lipstick will get spoild."
"Good," he murmurs, leaning in to capture her bottom lip between his teeth. His hands slide up yuna's thighs, pushing her dress higher. "Now they'll all see exactly what your perfect husband does to you before a press conference."
The intercom buzzes. His assistant's voice cuts through: "Mr.Devereaux, the panel is waiting."
Ethan wishperd something on yuna's ear.
"Let's fuck,"he growls in her ear, pushing yun hair aside to trail open-mouthed kisses down her neck. His hands roam her body possessively. "Quick and dirty on this desk before we have to act like we actually don't like each other in front of those cameras."
"No ethan, this is office and my makeup will get off my face...."
"Exactly," he says, his voice low and commanding. "No one will see you like this but me." He kisses yuna again, deeper this time, silencing any protests. "And I'll fix your makeup afterwards. Now spread your legs before I rip that dress off."
"No."
He pulls back sharply, eyes blazing with frustration and something else—amusement? He runs a hand through his hair, stepping away. "Fine. But you're going to sit through that press conference with my taste still on your tongue and your thighs trembling. That's the punishment for saying no to me yuna, my sweetheart."
He turns his back on her, adjusting his suit jacket. "Two minutes," he calls out to his assistant over the intercom. "Then we're coming out." His voice is completely professional, controlled and calm, hiding every trace of the heat that had filled the room seconds earlier.
"Understood, sir," the assistant answered immediately through the speaker.
The line disconnected.
Silence settled again.
Ethan stood near the desk with one hand adjusting the cuff of his sleeve while the giant city skyline stretched behind him through the glass windows. From the outside, he looked perfectly composed again—the terrifying CEO everyone feared.
But Yuna could still see it.
The tension in his shoulders.
The restraint in the way he avoided looking directly at her.
The quiet conflict beneath his calm expression.
"And for the record," he added softly without turning toward her fully yet, "you started this."
Yuna blinked once before a small smile slowly appeared on her lips.
"I started this?"
Ethan finally looked at her over his shoulder. "You walked into my office looking like that."
She laughed softly while hopping down carefully from the desk. "Looking like what?"
"Dangerous."
"That's dramatic."
"It's accurate."
Yuna walked toward him slowly, the heels of her shoes clicking softly against the polished floor. The silver fabric of her dress shimmered under the office lights while Ethan watched her approach with a gaze that was becoming harder and harder to keep professional.
"You know," she murmured teasingly, "most boyfriends would simply say their girlfriend looks pretty."
"I did."
"You said I'd destroy people."
"You will."
Yuna smiled faintly before stopping directly in front of him. She lifted her hands and slowly fixed the slightly crooked collar of his suit where she had grabbed him earlier.
"You're nervous," she whispered softly.
Ethan immediately answered, "I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You adjusted your tie three times in one minute."
His silence confirmed everything.
Yuna's expression softened instantly.
The Ethan standing before reporters, politicians, businessmen, and entire corporations without fear was nervous today.
For her.
Because he knew what this press conference meant.
This wasn't only about business.
This was Yuna stepping back into the world after everything.
After her father's death.
After the scandals.
After the disappearance from the industry.
People would judge her.
Question her.
Watch every expression carefully.
And Ethan hated situations where he couldn't fully protect her.
Yuna slowly placed one hand against his chest gently.
"Hey."
His grey eyes lowered toward her immediately.
"I'll be okay."
Something unreadable flickered briefly in his expression.
"You don't know how cruel the media can get."
Yuna smiled faintly. "I grew up in that world."
"That doesn't mean I like it."
Her heart softened hearing the quiet possessiveness in his voice.
Yuna leaned slightly closer now. "Then stay beside me."
Ethan stared at her silently for a second before answering quietly—
"Always."
The single word settled heavily between them.
Yuna's chest warmed immediately.
Sometimes Ethan said the most dangerous things in the calmest voice possible.
She smiled softly before smoothing the front of his suit again. "See? Now you look less terrifying."
"I'm supposed to look terrifying."
"No. Today you're supposed to look supportive."
"I can do both."
"That honestly sounds believable."
A tiny smirk touched his lips briefly again.
Yuna loved seeing that expression now.
Because years ago Ethan almost never smiled.
Now those tiny moments appeared more and more around her.
Like pieces of someone hidden finally learning how to breathe.
Suddenly the intercom buzzed again.
"Sir," the assistant spoke carefully, "the reporters are ready."
Ethan's expression immediately shifted back into calm professionalism again. "We're coming."
The line disconnected once more.
Yuna felt her stomach tighten instantly.
This was it.
The press conference.
She suddenly looked toward the massive office windows, watching reporters and camera flashes visible outside far below.
Her confidence wavered slightly.
"What if they hate me?" she whispered quietly.
Ethan looked at her immediately.
"Why would they?"
"My father…" Her voice softened painfully. "People will connect me to what he did."
Ethan stepped closer without hesitation.
Then gently lifted her chin again until she looked at him properly.
"You are not responsible for his sins."
"But the public won't think like that."
"Then let them talk."
Yuna looked uncertain.
Ethan's voice lowered quietly, firmly.
"Listen to me carefully."
His eyes stayed fixed on hers completely now.
"You survived everything they never could."
The seriousness in his tone made her heartbeat slow.
"You lost your family," he continued quietly. "Your career. Your child. Your peace." His jaw tightened slightly. "And you still got back up."
Yuna's eyes stung softly.
Ethan rarely spoke emotionally like this.
But when he did—
Every word carried unbearable weight.
"So no," he murmured softly, "I don't care what reporters say about you."
Yuna stared at him silently.
"Because I know exactly who you are."
Something inside her chest broke softly hearing that.
Without thinking, Yuna stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him tightly again.
This time Ethan immediately held her back.
One hand rested against her waist while the other moved gently through her hair.
For a few quiet seconds neither of them spoke.
Then Yuna whispered softly against his chest—
"You always make me feel safe."
Ethan's arms tightened slightly around her.
"That's the point."
She smiled faintly against him.
Then after another quiet moment, Ethan slowly pulled back just enough to look at her again.
His expression softened almost imperceptibly.
"You ready now?"
Yuna took a deep breath.
Then nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Ethan reached for her hand immediately afterward, intertwining their fingers naturally.
And together—
They walked toward the office doors.
Toward the cameras.
Toward the waiting world outside.
But this time—
Yuna no longer felt like she was walking into it alone.