Sensing Yasmin had stopped struggling, Caleb released his hand from her mouth. His fingers trailed from her chin to her cheek, a lover's intimate caress.

"What are you doing, Caleb?" she whispered angrily.

The stairwell's motion-sensor lights flicked on at her words. The sudden brightness made Yasmin squint.

Caleb was still in the tailored suit from the auction. His face remained strikingly handsome, arresting, impossible to ignore. He didn't flush, and except for the strong smell of alcohol, one wouldn't guess he'd been drinking at all.

His gaze locked onto hers, burning with liquor-induced intensity, as if he wanted to scorch her with his eyes alone.

"Minnie, you're terrible at avoiding danger." He leaned closer, pressing nearly half his body against her. Their clothes were too thin; she felt his warmth seeping through, dangerously close.

Yasmin tried to push him away, but his grip was firm. "You're pressing on my wound!"

Caleb froze, momentarily sobering. Concern furrowed his brows. "Let me see." His emotions, usually restrained, were more visible with the alcohol loosening its grip.

Yasmin instinctively tried to pull away, but he was faster. He gently cupped her fingers, scrutinizing them as if he could see through the bandages. He shook his head and pressed a light kiss to her gaze.

Yasmin's eyes reddened as she turned away. "Apologies are useless. You know I hold grudges."

"Good. You should remember this for life." He held her eyes in the warm stairwell light, revealing a rare vulnerability.

Yasmin stared, shocked. His words held an unmistakable ambiguity; an absurd thought briefly crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. Before she could think further, Caleb kissed her fingers again. Then, his gaze locked onto hers as he asked dangerously, "Who was...?"

"Who?" Yasmin was caught off guard.

"Who gave it to you?" Though disjointed, Yasmin understood. He was asking about the mysterious buyer of Annie's emerald bead necklace.

"I don't know." She pushed against him, but he didn't budge.

"Yasmin, that person..." Caleb's thumb brushed her lips. Even without makeup, they were soft and flushed, dangerously tempting. "...is he your new lover?"

"Caleb, are you out of your mind?" Yasmin's eyes widened in fury. She didn't even know who the buyer was.

He ignored her outburst, kissing her briefly and muttering, "What a pity." That person could only ever be a third party.

He grabbed her left hand. Before she could react, he slipped something from his pocket onto her wrist—a cool sensation spreading across her skin. Under the warm light, an exquisite emerald bracelet gleamed with flawless, translucent sheen. It rested above her bandages, perfectly avoiding her wound—the very bracelet he'd won at the auction.

"I bought it for you," he said simply. He kissed her again, murmuring, "There are more." He referred to the other jewelry he'd bid on.

Yasmin furiously tried to remove the bracelet, but it wouldn't budge; the pressure only made her wrist ache. Her defiance seemed to ignite something in Caleb. The earlier patience and tenderness vanished instantly. He gripped her chin and crashed his lips onto hers.

This kiss was nothing like before—fierce, possessive, almost punishing, as if venting his frustration. The summer air was scorching; in the stairwell, the temperature climbed. Yasmin felt his burning touch like a brand. His kisses trailed from her lips to her ear, then lower, tracing her collarbone. "Caleb!" Yasmin yelled.

He stilled. For a moment, he seemed sobered. He pulled back slightly, his dark eyes locking onto hers. Yasmin pointed at the security camera above them.

"Here? Are you an animal?" she demanded.

Caleb exhaled, tightening his grip around her waist. "Let's go home," he murmured, pulling her toward the exit.

"Caleb Grand!" Yasmin used every ounce of her strength, striking him when he was distracted.