Vivianne felt as if her whole body had been scalded by that look, but she quickly dismissed it from her mind.
“You know why.” Vivianne sat on the couch and crossed her legs. “You’re not usually like this. Your clients are often celebrities, but our top client isn’t. You have plenty of clients with your connections, so why did you have to take mine?”
“It’s because business is business, Vivianne,” Beckett replied, tapping the table with his fingers. “Isn’t that what you said? It’s just work, nothing personal.”
Vivianne didn’t answer, making Beckett’s smirk widen.
“Anyway, I didn’t expect you to know that it was me who stole your client that fast. But I was more shocked, seeing that you know about my illegal business. You’re stalking me. You’re still into me,” added Beckett.
He suddenly grinned as if he was amused by the realization, while Vivianne just shook her head in exasperation. Beckett hadn’t changed in that aspect. He was still difficult to read, and his mood could switch quickly.
“You’ve got some nerve, huh? Is it my fault if new information about you suddenly comes out that I couldn’t find before?” The woman raised an eyebrow.
Vivianne leaned back in her chair and smirked. Her gaze remained fixed on Beckett. “You worked hard to hide things about yourself before, but now it seems like you’re tempting fate to challenge you. Is it because you’re a member of the Foedus Corporation now? Because you have someone to back you up when things get tough-”
Vivianne didn’t finish her sentence as in an instant, Beckett was in front of her. He leaned down and placed both hands on either side of the woman’s head. He cornered her in an instant, and she had nowhere to retreat.
“Did you think I wanted to become a member of Foedus just to have a backer?” Beckett asked. His expression was dark, and his voice was cold. “You don’t know the things I had to sacrifice for this, Vivianne. I did this for you, but somehow, I needed to sacrifice you.”
Those words sent shivers down Vivianne’s spine. She already knew about that, but hearing from Beckett’s own mouth that he still wanted to save her brought a strange feeling to her heart.
Beckett remembered his first day in Agrianthropos City and what he did during initiation. He had reached this point, but he had lowered his dignity. Everything that happened back then… were things he didn’t want to remember anymore.
“You’re being a naughty girl again, Vivianne. Didn’t I tell you there are better uses for those lips of yours than saying hurtful words?” Beckett said in a seductive voice.
He stroked Vivianne’s lower lip with his thumb, his gaze still focused on hers. He was losing control. He wanted to take her right here, right now.
But it was too early for that.
Beckett stepped away and adjusted the necktie of his suit. It suddenly felt hot even though the office air conditioning was on full blast. “Tell me, why did you request to meet me? Is it to take back that client?”
“Yes.” Vivianne raised an eyebrow. “He’s one of Alfred’s top clients, and if you don’t return him to us now, we’ll all be screwed. So, give him back to me. I’m not leaving here until you give him back to me.”
And she couldn’t return to the mansion until she got that client. Alfred might get even more upset with her, and she wouldn’t let that happen.
However, despite everything Vivianne said, Beckett’s only response was a stare. The man furrowed his brow, which puzzled her. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s because I’m starting to get jealous, Vivianne Kaye,” Beckett replied, his fist clenched. “You are doing your best to take that motherfucker back.”
“W-What?”
“That asshole turned his back away from you, yet you are here, trying to negotiate with me to win him back. But you did the opposite to me. You are running away from me…”
Beckett approached her seat again. Vivianne braced herself, thinking he might corner her again like earlier, but Beckett didn’t do that. He just sat beside her on the couch, rested both elbows on his knees, and ran his palm over his face.
“I’m mad, damn it,” Beckett gritted his teeth. “Should I just kill him?”
“Beckett!”
“I would prefer it if you are calling my name while I’m pounding you real hard, but not because I want to kill some other guy.” Beckett seemed even more enraged by Vivianne’s sudden shout.
“Goodness.” Vivianne massaged her temples and sighed. Their conversation had gone completely off track, and it seemed like Beckett was out of his mind.
It looked like he forgot they were no longer together. Not for a long time.
“Your mouth has always been filthy,” Vivianne said before looking at Beckett, but the man’s emotions remained unchanged. His eyes were still dark as if he wanted to devour her alive. “I don’t understand you. You took my client, and now you’re thinking about killing him?”
“You know I’m damn possessive? You’re mine,” Beckett told her.
“I was yours,” Vivianne retorted, refusing to back down.
Beckett’s expression soured at that. He faced Vivianne, his brow furrowed. “You’re still mine. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“We’re not together anymore-”
She didn’t finish her sentence as Beckett suddenly kissed her. She reclined on the couch, lips parting in surprise, which Beckett eagerly took advantage of to deepen their kiss.
Vivianne closed her eyes and allowed Beckett’s kisses, even the occasional brush of his right hand against her waist. His left hand was tangled in her hair, angling Vivianne’s head for a more passionate kiss.
And then, Vivianne couldn’t resist anymore. She kissed him back. She had missed this for so long. She couldn’t imagine herself doing this with anyone else but Beckett.
She was the one who pushed him away… yet she’s the one pulling him back again.
“You kissed me back…” Beckett said as they paused briefly to catch their breath. “You wanted this, Vivianne. You can tell yourself that you don’t want me anymore, but your body says otherwise…” He moved his lips to Vivianne’s neck, kissing her softly.
“No… I don’t like this,” Vivianne whispered, seeming to struggle.
“No?” Beckett suddenly squeezed Vivianne’s chest, causing her to gasp. “Even if you don’t like the guy, is this your reaction?” he added, squeezing again.
But he immediately bit his lower lip as he realized something. “Fuck it, I asked the wrong question. If someone dares to mess with what’s mine, I’ll kill them.” With frustration, he began sucking on Vivianne’s neck.
“Beckett… W-What are you…”
She tried to protest, but the opposite came out of her mouth. She liked what the man was doing so much, and if he continued, she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop him anymore.
No. She couldn’t let Beckett be involved with her mess again.