Sienna woke to the soft glow of the Shanghai skyline filtering through the penthouse windows. The warmth and strength of Li Wei's arm draped over her waist, the scent of cedarwood wafting through her senses, and his soft breathing on the back of her neck sent a shiver up her spine again—not from cold, but from the undeniable intimacy that had unfolded between them.

For a brief moment, she allowed herself to soak in the quiet vulnerability of the early morning. She had to be honest with herself. She was attracted to Li. It was something about his presence that commanded her attention. He was attractive—yes. But he was also smart, protective, and strong. Although he had built up this tough exterior that the world saw, behind that, Sienna found him to be one of the kindest souls she had ever met.

She reminisced on their night of passion, the way he had touched every part of her body with a mix of reverence and pure desire, how he had whispered her name within those four walls like it was something sacred, and how his kisses made her feel like an erupting volcano. Ever the gentleman, he had been patient, ensuring she was comfortable with every step they took together.

But reality tugged at her. The project. Her work. She hadn't intended to cross these lines, yet here she was, tangled in something she wasn't sure she had the strength to untangle.

As she gently moved his arm and tried to slip from beneath the sheets, Li Wei stirred, his eyes slowly opening to meet hers. A slow, lazy smile played on his lips as he reached for her hand.

"Sneaking away already?" His voice was low and husky from sleep.

"Li, I have work to do," she whispered, though even she could hear the hesitation in her tone.

Li Wei sat up, watching as she wrapped the sheet around herself and reached for her clothes. "So do I," he murmured, standing and pulling her back into his embrace, pressing slow, languid kisses along the back of her neck and her ears. "But I think we can spare a few more minutes."

His lips trailed a path down her shoulder, sending warmth pooling low in her belly. For a moment, she melted into him, allowing herself to indulge just a little longer. But with great effort, she turned in his arms, pressing a hand to his chest.

"You're dangerous," she murmured, shaking her head, though her lips curled into a reluctant smile.

Li Wei smirked. "To your schedule or your heart?"

Sienna rolled her eyes but didn't answer. Instead, she disentangled herself and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Li Wei chuckling softly as he stretched, the early morning light casting shadows over his toned frame.

The next few weeks passed in a whirlwind of stolen moments and whispered secrets. Mornings started with the familiar weight of his arms around her before they both pretended nothing had happened, slipping into their respective roles for the day.

Afternoons at the penthouse were filled with glances charged with unspoken words. Sienna worked on the space with newfound intimacy, her fingers brushing over fabric swatches and paint samples with careful thought. Every choice she made felt personal now, infused with the warmth of their private connection.

Li Wei, for his part, found new ways to test her resolve. He lingered in doorways when she tried to work, watching her with an unreadable expression. He brushed against her when passing by, his touch deliberate yet fleeting. And sometimes, when no one else was around, he caught her wrist, pulled her close, and kissed her as if he was making up for the hours they had to spend apart.

Evenings were their sanctuary. Takeout boxes and wine bottles cluttered the kitchen island as they talked about everything and nothing. Li Wei shared stories of his career, of moments when he felt suffocated by the expectations placed upon him. Sienna, in turn, spoke about her journey as a designer, about the struggles of being taken seriously in a competitive industry.

"You don't talk about yourself much," Li Wei noted one night, twirling a strand of her hair between his fingers as she leaned against him on the couch.

Sienna exhaled a quiet laugh. "That's because I spend most of my time listening to demanding clients who think they know better."

"And what about me? Am I a demanding client?"

She tilted her head, pretending to consider. "Hmm... you do have a habit of distracting me when I'm trying to work."

He smirked, brushing his lips against her temple. "I consider that a service, not a distraction."

Their nights were filled with heat and tenderness, passion and quiet laughter. Sometimes, they barely made it to the bedroom. Other times, they lay tangled in bed, whispering into the early hours of the morning, as if afraid to let sleep steal their time together.

But as the days passed, secrecy became an unspoken game.

Xiao-Ming remained blissfully unaware, scheduling deliveries and check-ins without noticing the undercurrent of tension between them. Sienna had mastered the art of acting indifferent whenever he was around, but sometimes, she swore she caught Xiao-Ming glancing between them, her brow furrowed as if sensing something just out of reach.

Chen, on the other hand, was too focused on Li Wei's career to suspect anything. His days were consumed with managing schedules, public appearances, and keeping the press at bay. If he noticed Li Wei slipping away more often, he didn't comment on it.

Still, the weight of their secrecy pressed heavier with each passing day.

One afternoon, as Sienna adjusted a set of decorative pillows in the living room, Li Wei approached her, his hands slipping into his pockets.

"We need to talk," he said, his voice softer than usual.

Sienna stilled, her heart skipping a beat. Those four words rarely meant anything good.

She turned, forcing a neutral expression. "About what?"

Li Wei hesitated, his jaw tightening slightly. "This. Us."

Her fingers curled against the fabric of the pillow.

"I like being with you," he continued. "More than I should. More than I planned."

Sienna swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "Li, we agreed—"

"I know," he cut in. "We said this wouldn't complicate things. But tell me honestly... do you really believe that?"

She wanted to say yes. Wanted to convince herself that this was temporary, that she could walk away when the time came. But the truth was, she had never been good at lying to herself.

Li Wei exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I'm not saying we have to figure everything out right now. I just... I don't want to pretend when we're around other people."

Sienna bit her lip. The logical part of her knew he was right—secrecy had an expiration date. But another part of her feared what would happen when that date arrived.

"We can talk about it later," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Li Wei studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Later, then."

But as she turned back to her work, she couldn't shake the feeling that later was coming faster than either of them had anticipated.