Ewan gently tugged at the collar of her shirt, his lips hovering near her skin.

"Ewan…" Inayat whispered, her voice trembling.

"Hmm?" Ewan responded, his lips lightly brushing her skin.

Inayat's fingers gripped Ewan's shirt tightly. Her breaths were shaky, her heart pounding.

"You know, Inayat," Ewan murmured, "ever since I first saw you… I knew you wouldn't be able to resist coming to me."

Inayat remained silent, listening to Ewan's words.

Ewan's fingers slid down to her waist. "But you tried so hard to resist, didn't you?" There was a hint of mischief in his voice.

Inayat shivered. She tried to pull away, but Ewan tightened his grip.

"Ewan… this isn't right…" Inayat said, but her voice sounded weak even to her.

Ewan chuckled softly. "Right or wrong… Inayat, you're still trying to convince yourself?"

He gently lifted her face, making her look into his intense eyes. "Inayat, you're mine… and there's no escape!" "The shirt is mine, and now, so are you!" Ewan suddenly pulled her closer by the collar.

"First you steal my shirt, and now you're trying to run?" His voice held a possessive edge.

Inayat's heart raced, her breaths coming in quick gasps.

"I… I just wanted to wear something comfortable…" Inayat stammered.

A smile played on Ewan's lips. "Comfortable? Or an excuse to be close to me?" His lips trailed down her jawline to her ear. "Because the truth is, Inayat… you want me to hold you in my arms."

Inayat parted her lips to speak, but Ewan cupped her cheeks in his hands. "Enough… no more," he whispered. "I won't wait for your permission anymore!"

Ewan gently pushed her hair aside, his fingers lightly tracing her bare back. He placed a soft kiss on her neck.

Inayat's breath hitched, her eyes fluttering closed.

Ewan's grip tightened, and Inayat felt herself being pulled closer.

"Your little shivers, Inayat… they tell me you want this too," Ewan murmured.

His eyes burned with desire, his fingers digging into her back. One hand held her waist, while the other moved towards the buttons of her shirt.

Inayat lowered her gaze, a blush creeping up her neck.

Ewan whispered in her ear, "I told you from the start, you're mine, Inayat!"

Ewan was drawing Inayat into his embrace, but she still tried to resist. Suddenly, a strange silence filled the room. Ewan's words had shaken her to the core.

Seeing Inayat pull away, Ewan said, "If you don't want this, fine…" He loosened his grip and stepped back, moving to the balcony.

Inayat was stunned, her heart pounding in her ears. She hadn't expected him to let her go so easily.

"He… he let me go?" she whispered to herself, a strange emptiness filling her. She couldn't understand herself. Just moments ago, she was trying to resist, but now… now that he had let her go, she felt like something had been taken away.

"This is what I wanted, right?" she thought. "Then why this restlessness? I wanted to stay away from Ewan… why do I feel so strange?" Tears welled up in her eyes.

Ewan stood on the balcony, drinking. His broad frame, strong shoulders, and signature black shirt, slightly unbuttoned… he looked as dominant and dangerous as ever. But now, his eyes were dull. He stared into the distance, sipping his scotch.

Inayat had never seen him like this. There was a deep pain in his eyes, his body tense as if he were holding himself back.

"Ewan…" Inayat whispered, her heart pounding. "I have to talk to him… I have to stop him!" She took a step towards him, her tears falling, her heart aching. "I can't leave him like this… he can't leave me like this!" She gripped her shirt tightly and rushed to the balcony. "I can't stay away from you!"

As soon as she reached the balcony, she wrapped her arms around Ewan from behind, her head resting against his back.

Ewan froze, the glass halting mid-air.

"Inayat…" he breathed, his voice husky.

Inayat clung to him tighter. "Don't go, Ewan… don't leave me!" Her voice broke, as if she were surrendering completely.

Ewan was surprised by her words. He stood still for a few seconds, feeling her embrace, the warmth of her tears on his shirt. A strange stirring went through him. He had never felt so vulnerable.

But today… Inayat's embrace, the dampness of her tears… he slowly set the glass down and took a deep breath. Then, he gently turned her around and pulled her into his arms.

Inayat gasped, but then she was enveloped in his strong embrace. After a moment, Ewan loosened his hold, cupped her face in his hands, and looked into her eyes. "You're mine, Inayat… and stop running from it!" "I won't let you go now!"

Inayat's lips trembled, tears still flowing. "Yes… I'm yours!" she whispered.

Ewan's eyes burned with desire. "I won't let you go now," he repeated, wiping her tears with his thumb.

Inayat lowered her head, and Ewan gently lifted her chin, his lips touching her forehead.

Now…

Inayat has surrendered to Ewan… but will he fully claim her?

Will this emotional moment transform into a passionate one?