Guàn Jǐngchén didn't return to the bedroom for nearly two hours.
Lin Yuè stayed curled on the edge of the massive bed, borrowed shirt still half-buttoned, knees drawn up to his chest. The city lights painted shifting patterns across the sheets while he listened to the faint clicks and low murmurs coming from the study down the hall. Every so often the CEO's voice would rise — sharp, commanding — as he issued orders to the night security team.
When the study door finally opened, Guàn Jǐngchén appeared in the doorway, silhouette tall and imposing against the hallway light. He had changed into black lounge pants and a simple gray t-shirt that stretched across his chest. His hair was slightly tousled, as if he'd run his hands through it too many times.
"You're still awake," he observed, voice quieter than expected.
Lin Yuè looked up with wide, sleepy eyes, the picture of innocent worry. "I was waiting for you… Is everything okay? You looked troubled earlier."
Guàn Jǐngchén crossed the room slowly and sat on the edge of the bed, close enough that his thigh pressed against Lin Yuè's knee. He reached out, brushing a strand of messy black hair from the younger man's forehead with surprising gentleness.
"Nothing you need to worry about," he said, but his dark eyes studied Lin Yuè's face with new intensity — tracing the curve of his lips, the flutter of his lashes, the soft flush still lingering on his cheeks from their earlier kisses.
Lin Yuè shifted closer, letting his head rest lightly against the CEO's shoulder. "If it's about the anomaly… I can help. I'm good with code, remember?"
A faint, almost pained smile touched Guàn Jǐngchén's mouth. "I remember." His arm slid around Lin Yuè's waist, pulling him fully against his side. "But this is old business. Something I've been chasing for years."
Lin Yuè's heart gave a quiet, dangerous thud. He kept his voice small and hesitant. "An old enemy?"
"Something like that." Guàn Jǐngchén's fingers traced idle patterns on Lin Yuè's hip through the thin shirt. "A ghost who slipped through my defenses once. Left a message instead of destroying everything. I've been hunting the signature ever since."
He paused, then added softly, almost to himself, "The style today felt… familiar."
Lin Yuè swallowed, forcing a tiny, nervous laugh. "Ghosts are scary. But you're the strongest person I know. You'll catch them."
Guàn Jǐngchén turned his head, pressing a slow kiss to the top of Lin Yuè's head. "I always catch what I want."
The words carried double weight. Lin Yuè felt them settle heavy in his chest — fear, thrill, something warmer he refused to name.
They stayed like that for a long moment, the CEO's hand warm and steady on his waist. Then Guàn Jǐngchén gently tipped Lin Yuè's chin up, searching his eyes in the dim light.
"You're trembling again," he murmured. "Even though I'm right here."
"I'm just… not used to someone caring this much," Lin Yuè whispered, letting his lashes lower. "It makes me nervous. In a good way."
Guàn Jǐngchén's gaze softened, but the hunter's edge remained. He leaned in and kissed him — slow, deep, and thorough. Lin Yuè melted into it, hands clutching the front of the gray t-shirt, a soft sound escaping when the CEO's tongue traced his lower lip.
When they parted, Guàn Jǐngchén rested his forehead against Lin Yuè's. "Stay with me tonight. Not just in the penthouse. In my bed. Let me hold you."
Lin Yuè nodded, cheeks burning. "Okay… Jǐngchén."
The name slipped out naturally this time. Guàn Jǐngchén's eyes flashed with dark satisfaction. He pulled Lin Yuè down onto the pillows, wrapping strong arms around the smaller frame and tucking him against his chest.
In the quiet darkness, Guàn Jǐngchén's heartbeat was steady and strong beneath Lin Yuè's ear. One large hand stroked slow, soothing lines up and down his back.
"Sleep," the CEO whispered against his hair. "I've got you."
Lin Yuè closed his eyes, letting his breathing even out into the rhythm of sleep.
But inside, his mind raced.
The CEO had started digging. The old Eclipse signature was no longer just a ghost — it was a thread that could unravel everything if pulled too hard.
Yet lying here, wrapped in Guàn Jǐngchén's arms, feeling the possessive warmth and unexpected tenderness, Lin Yuè felt something dangerous shift inside him.
He turned his face slightly, pressing a feather-light kiss to the skin above the CEO's collarbone.
*Chase me all you want, Jǐngchén.*
*Just don't stop wanting me when you finally see the truth.*
End of Chapter 10