The rooftop of the Kingston Tower shimmered like a dream. Lanterns floated above the pool, the city lights below twinkling in celebration. Jazz music played softly in the background, and glasses clinked in the hands of exclusive guests—Shane Kingston's inner circle. But all of it blurred in her vision. There was only one person she saw clearly: May Anderson.
She stood at the edge of the glass railing, her back turned, the soft wind playing with her loose curls. She looked like art in motion—draped in a backless emerald dress that kissed every curve of her body. Shane had seen many beautiful things in her life—paintings, cities, fortunes—but nothing compared to the woman before her.
Shane approached her quietly, fingers brushing against the small of May's back. The contact made May inhale sharply, turning to look at her.
"I thought I'd find you up here," Shane said with a half-smile.
"I needed a moment," May whispered. "It's been... magic."
"You haven't seen anything yet."
Before May could respond, Shane dropped to one knee.
The world went still.
Gasps rose from the guests below who noticed, but May's focus was only on Shane—kneeling in a sleek, jet-black velvet suit, the city behind her, holding out a glowing diamond that caught the moonlight like a captured star.
"I never believed in love," Shane said, voice unshaking. "I thought it was a weakness. A distraction. Then you walked into my life and broke every one of my rules. You made me feel things I swore I'd never need. You made me… human."
May's eyes filled with tears, hand trembling at her mouth.
"I want every morning with you. Every storm. Every stubborn fight. Every kiss. Marry me, May Anderson. Be mine. Forever."
May dropped to her knees too, eyes locked with Shane's, the answer written all over her glowing face. "Yes. A million times, yes."
The rooftop erupted in cheers, but they didn't hear any of it.
Their lips met in a kiss that wasn't sweet—it was possessive, hungry, electric.
Midnight – Kingston Penthouse Suite
The door slammed shut, and May's back hit the nearest wall.
Shane's mouth was on hers before she could speak, her hands already sliding the dress from May's shoulders. She whispered against May's lips, "You're mine now. No more games."
"Then show me," May breathed, tugging Shane's tie loose.
Shane didn't need to be told twice.
She lifted May into her arms effortlessly and carried her to the bed, her black suit jacket hitting the floor behind her. The room was dim, shadows dancing as their bodies moved.
Shane undressed her slowly, deliberately, kissing every inch of skin she revealed. When May reached to undress her, Shane grabbed her wrists gently and said, "Not yet. Tonight, I give. You take."
She blindfolded May with her own silk tie, making her shiver. Then came the teasing—the brush of her fingertips, her lips, the cool touch of a toy she pulled from the bedside drawer. Shane kissed her until May was gasping, writhing, begging.
And when Shane finally made her fall apart—twice—she pulled her close and whispered, "Now we're even."
Early Morning – Balcony Shadows
Sunlight crept over the skyline. Shane stood in her lose shirt and boxers in rooftop sipping black coffee, her mind still wrapped around the memory of May's moans in the dark.
She didn't hear the footsteps until a voice cut through the silence.
"Still taste her on your lips?"
Shane turned sharply.
A man leaned casually against the balcony railing,
dressed in a leather jacket, dark jeans, and a knowing smirk.
"Who the hell are you?" Shane asked, ice in her tone.
"Name's Adam," he said, unfazed. "May's ex. The one who knew her first. Touched her first. Loved her first."
Shane didn't move. But her jaw tightened.
"I know who you are, Kingston. I've watched your rise. Your empire. Your fame. But you're not immune to one thing—doubt."
Adam stepped closer.
"You think May's never whispered someone else's name in her sleep?" His voice lowered. "She used to beg me not to leave her. I did. But not because I stopped loving her. I just wasn't ready. Now I am."
Shane's eyes flashed. "You think you can waltz in and take her from me?"
Adam smirked. "I think you're not as secure as you pretend to be. And I think she's still got a part of her heart buried where I left it."
He turned to walk away, leaving Shane frozen.
Back Inside – Bedroom
Shane returned to find May still sleeping, her body tangled in the sheets, the sunlight warming her skin. She looked like heaven.
But all Shane could hear were Adam's words.
You think she's never whispered someone else's name in her sleep?
Shane sat on the edge of the bed, watching her. Torn. Jealous. Scared.
And more in love than ever.
The morning air was crisp, the kind that stung your lungs just enough to remind you you're alive. Shane Kingston didn't run to stay fit—she ran to clear her head. And today, she was drowning in thoughts.
Her running shoes pounded against the pavement along the private trail near her estate, hoodie up, music blasting, but nothing drowned out Adam's voice from the day before.
"You think she's never whispered someone else's name in her sleep?"
It played on loop. Each step was a silent battle between trust and jealousy.
She picked up her pace, arms pumping harder, trying to outrun the memory. But the moment she rounded the corner of the quiet wooded path—
He was there.
Leaning against the rail like he'd been waiting for her.
Adam.
Same smug expression. Same confident body language. This time, holding a bottle of water like it was some friendly reunion.
"You really don't take a day off, huh?" he said, pushing off the railing.
Shane yanked out her earbuds, jaw flexing. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Running," he replied casually. "Same trail May used to bring me to. Guess we have similar tastes."
Her fists clenched.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Did she tell you this is where she first said she loved me? It was snowing. She cried. I held her."
Shane's stare didn't break. "You had your chance. You threw it away."
Adam leaned in, voice a razor's edge. "You ever wonder if she said yes to you just to forget me? Or to punish me?"
Shane took a step forward. They were nearly chest to chest.
"You're playing a dangerous game," she said coldly. "And I don't lose."
Adam smiled. "We'll see."
With that, he turned and walked off the trail, disappearing into the trees.
Shane stood there, chest heaving—not from the run anymore, but from the chaos he was unraveling inside her.
Later That Morning – Kingston Estate
When Shane got home, May was in the kitchen wearing Shane's oversized shirt, dancing to some slow R&B track, making pancakes. Her bare legs peeked from under the hem, and her face lit up the second she saw Shane.
"There's my girl. Jogging or brooding?"
Shane tried to smile. "Bit of both."
May walked up to her, arms wrapping around Shane's waist, pressing a kiss to her chin. "Well, I made pancakes to ease your storm."
Shane stared at her—soft, loving, open. It killed her not to say anything.
But instead of speaking, she crushed May into a kiss, arms tightening like she feared someone might steal her.
May pulled back, breathless. "Shane…"
Shane whispered, "I love you. Only you."
May smiled. "Then we're fine."
But Shane's eyes drifted, just for a second.
And May saw it.
That flicker of something… wrong.