The stars glittered over the Maldivian sky like scattered diamonds, but nothing — nothing — outshined the glow in Zoya’s eyes.

She stood by the open window, the silk of her wine-red nightgown clinging to her curves like it was made just for this night. The ocean whispered softly outside, but the storm inside Akif had already begun.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, lips curled into a sinful smirk.

"You’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you?"

Zoya turned slowly, her hair wild, her eyes darker than desire itself.

“Doing what?” she teased, walking toward him slowly.

He pulled her against him in one swift move, gripping her waist.

“Looking like that. Breathing like that. Existing like this.”

She shivered as his breath ghosted over her neck.

“Then stop looking.”

“No,” he whispered, his voice deep and delicious. “Not tonight.”

---

The Fire Starts...

He picked her up and carried her straight to the bed — no hesitation, no mercy.

This time, there was no slow burn.

He tore the nightgown off her like paper, pressing his mouth to every inch of her skin. She was gasping, writhing, clutching him like he was her air.

"Say it," he demanded, his fingers sliding over the heat between her thighs.

"Say who you belong to."

"You," she moaned, arching. "Only you."

"No one else will ever touch you, Zoya. Not in this life. Not in the next."

Then he was inside her — deep, hard, filling her completely, like his soul was claiming hers.

And she cried out his name. Again. And again.

His hand wrapped around her throat lightly, his forehead pressed to hers, their eyes locked as their bodies moved like waves crashing in rhythm.

She bit his lip. He growled.

She begged. He delivered.

Again.

And again.

---

The Aftershock...

They collapsed in each other’s arms, bodies trembling, skin sweaty and flushed.

“You ruined me,” she whispered, voice broken and soft.

He smiled, brushing her hair off her face.

“Good,” he murmured, kissing her lips, “Because you ruined me first.”

They didn’t sleep. Not for a second.

That night, they made love like it was a promise. A vow. A lifetime.

---