Chapter 2: I'm Expensive

Between adults, the subtext was already clear. Su Yu had made the invitation directly.

This man was gorgeous. She liked him.

And for some reason, she wanted to sleep with him.

Shen Yan studied her—taking in the slight glassy edge of her buzz—and slowly narrowed his peach-blossom eyes. "You're drunk."

Su Yu tilted her head, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear in one fluid motion, smiling with a devastating kind of allure. "A little. But my head's still clear."

Her voice had a husky, commanding edge to it.

Their eyes locked. Something invisible and charged crackled between them.

Su Yu dragged her tongue across her lower lip and stepped directly into Shen Yan's space, backing him against the cold wall.

At one-seventy-two, plus six-centimeter heels, she was almost exactly level with Shen Yan's one-ninety-two.

Her lips hovered a breath from his. Her eyes glinted with teasing, with provocation. "What? Didn't you say you liked it?"

The faint scent of alcohol and her perfume hit Shen Yan all at once.

Her perfume was remarkable. Not heavy. Distinct. A cold, refined elegance.

Shen Yan's deep-set eyes narrowed another fraction. He looked down at the woman practically pressed against him and frowned slightly.

This woman had nerve.

"Do you know what you're saying right now?"

Amusement swam in Su Yu's eyes. The curve of her lips was insolent, carefree. "I do. Isn't it obvious?"

With every word, her warm breath fanned across his face.

Shen Yan's eyes darkened.

"You want to sleep with me?" His tone was casual, almost mocking.

Su Yu leaned back a fraction, her smile deepening. She didn't answer directly—she turned the question back on him.

"Scared now?"

He'd just called her wild. Now he was hesitating. What was his deal?

Shen Yan raised an eyebrow. "What number am I on your list?"

The alcohol was catching up, making Su Yu's thoughts swim. But she caught his meaning.

"If I said you were the first, would you believe me?" she countered, laughing softly.

Shen Yan's lips curved. "What do you think?"

He threw the question right back.

People drifted past the restroom corridor, catching sight of Su Yu and Shen Yan in their provocative stance. Curious looks flicked their way—then quickly looked away.

Shen Yan registered the attention. His cold gaze swept the corridor once.

Then he reversed their positions—pinning Su Yu against the wall. One hand braced beside her, the other tipped her chin up.

Su Yu's face flushed hot. Her pulse kicked into a sprint.

She was actually looking forward to what came next.

"You still haven't answered my question." Shen Yan's thumb traced the edge of her lower lip.

Su Yu's fox eyes were going hazy. "I don't think I can give you the real answer with just words."

She brushed his hand away. "Why don't we prove it instead?"

Shen Yan said nothing. Just curved his lips.

Everything Su Yu said dripped with provocation.

Too bad. She wanted this man tonight, and that was that.

The Jägermeister was hitting harder now, making her head heavier.

Those fox eyes were swimming—drunk and seductive, devastating in combination.

The alcohol had dried her out. She licked her lips again, then pushed gently against Shen Yan's chest to create some space.

Su Yu looked up, meeting his gaze, and threw down the gauntlet.

"What's the matter? Too scared? How about I pay you by the hour?"

This man was so good-looking. Spending a little money to have him for a night wasn't a bad deal.

Back at the booth, her coworkers had been swapping one-night-stand stories, bragging about how wild it could get. She'd been curious to try it.

And now she'd run into a man who triggered every impulse she had in that direction. First time a man had ever stoked that particular hunger.

Shen Yan's eyes narrowed—dangerous now. He stared at her, each word deliberate.

"What did you just say?"

Pay by the hour?

What did this woman think he was?

Su Yu leaned lazily against the wall, voice low. "I said—I'll pay you by the hour. For the night."

Her tone was casual, like she was discussing the weather.

But to Shen Yan, it landed like a slap.

He reached up and gripped her chin. "I'm expensive."

His fingers pressed hard enough to hurt.

Su Yu frowned, slapped his hand away, losing patience. "You talk too much. Can't perform? You get what you pay for—I won't know until I try."

Her head was pounding now, and she felt hot all over.

Shen Yan stared into those fox eyes—currently blazing with impatience—and a cold smile cut across his lips.

"Then let's try."

He bent down, hoisted her over his shoulder, and strode toward the exit.

A man's pride was a fragile thing—especially on that particular subject.

Su Yu was caught completely off guard. She found herself dangling over his shoulder, the world upside down.

The motion hit her stomach wrong. She was going to be sick.

She thrashed, grabbing a fistful of his shirt. "Hey! Put me down, gigolo!"

Asshole. No chivalry at all.

The word "gigolo" made Shen Yan's stride stutter. His expression went thunderous.

The two of them cut through the bar crowd, drawing stares from every direction.

Upstairs, in the bar's VIP loft.

Jiang Chuan was in high spirits, until his gaze landed on the empty seat across from him. He couldn't help himself.

"How long does it take that bastard Shen Yan to take a piss? Did he fall in?"

Gu Bei, seated diagonally across, glanced at the vacant seat beside him. He swirled his glass and laughed softly. "Maybe Shen Yan ran into a beauty downstairs. This bar's famous for its pretty women."

"Pfft. Since when has he ever been interested in any woman? All those years abroad, beautiful women throwing themselves at him—he never gave any of them the time of day." Jiang Chuan was indignant.

Gu Bei's smile deepened. "Why? Why do I sense you're jealous?"

"..." Jiang Chuan glared at him, speechless. "Are you sick? Shen Yan's a grown man. What would I be jealous about?"

"Oh." Gu Bei's response was airy. "I forgot—you have a girlfriend."

"God damn it—" Jiang Chuan lunged to his feet and swung at Gu Bei's chest. "Gu Bei, you asking for a beating?"

Gu Bei dodged cleanly.

"Jiang Chuan, can you handle your liquor? If not, next time you're sitting at the dog table."

"..."

Jiang Chuan swayed back into his seat. His tolerance was, admittedly, terrible.

Shen Yan carried Su Yu out of the bar and dumped her into the back of a taxi.