CHAPTER 354: CHAPTER -354.

For Kaya, it didn’t matter.

In her life, she’d done far more for far less. Her body had been a currency, a tool, a means to an end more times than she could count. This was just another transaction on the path to her goal. She didn’t care about the act itself.

She just wanted her work to be done. Fast. That’s it.

Cutie froze. His face went completely blank for a moment before he blinked, forcing himself to calm down. He looked at Kaya with an expression so helpless it was painful to witness.

"Are you sure?" His voice was quiet, careful. "If you want, we can find another way."

Kaya shook her head without hesitation. "Nah, it’s okay. Anyway, it’s not a big deal."

With that, she turned around and left the room, her back straight, her steps measured and disciplined.

The silence she left behind was suffocating.

Cutie stared at the door she’d closed, his jaw working. Sparrow looked down at his hands. Even Veer, for once, wasn’t grinning.

They all wanted to say it—to tell her that this wasn’t *nothing*. That this was a big deal. A huge deal. For all of them. But looking at the way she’d walked out, that rigid posture, that unwavering determination, they knew they couldn’t talk her out of it.

So they just stayed silent.

***

When night fell, Kaya entered her room and stopped short.

Veer was already there, sprawled lazily on her bed like he owned the place, one arm behind his head, looking entirely too comfortable.

Kaya sighed helplessly and closed the door behind her. She reached for the hem of her shirt, pulling it slowly over her head, and looked at him.

"You were already here, huh?"

Veer’s eyes tracked the movement of her hands, watching as she revealed smooth skin inch by inch. His usual playful grin was there, but there was something else underneath it—something darker, hungrier.

"Figured I’d save us both the awkward waiting," he said, sitting up.

Kaya tossed her shirt aside and started on her pants. Veer’s gaze darkened as she stepped out of them, standing before him in just her underwear. He swung his legs off the bed, closing the distance between them in two strides.

His hands found her waist, pulling her flush against him. Kaya’s breath hitched at the contact, feeling the heat of his skin, the hardness already pressing against her stomach.

Veer’s mouth crashed against hers, hungry and demanding. His hands were everywhere—sliding up her sides, unhooking her bra with practiced ease, cupping her breasts as the fabric fell away. Kaya gasped against his lips, her hands fisting in his hair.

He walked her backward until her legs hit the bed, then pushed her down onto the mattress. Veer made quick work of his own clothes, his eyes never leaving hers, dark with want.

When he climbed over her, his weight pressing her into the bed, Kaya’s heart was pounding. His mouth found her neck, biting and sucking hard enough to leave marks, claiming her.

"Veer," she gasped.

He hooked his fingers into her panties, dragging them down her legs roughly. His hand slid between her thighs immediately, finding her wet and ready. He groaned against her skin.

Two fingers pushed inside her without warning, curling deep, and Kaya’s back arched off the bed. Veer’s thumb found her clit, circling with relentless pressure as his fingers worked her open.

The pleasure built fast and sharp. Kaya’s nails raked down his back, her hips rolling against his hand desperately. When he added a third finger, stretching her, the burn mixed with pleasure and she cried out.

Veer’s mouth swallowed the sound, kissing her breathless. His fingers moved faster, harder, his thumb pressing tight circles that had her teetering on the edge.

Kaya came apart, her body clenching around his fingers, pleasure ripping through her so intensely she couldn’t breathe.

Before she’d even come down, Veer pulled his fingers free and positioned himself at her entrance. He thrust inside in one hard stroke, burying himself to the hilt.

"Fuck," Veer groaned, his forehead dropping to hers.

Kaya gasped, her body stretched tight around him. He didn’t give her time to adjust—just pulled out and slammed back in, setting a brutal pace that had her seeing stars.

His hands gripped her hips hard enough to bruise, angling her just right. Each thrust hit deep, so deep it bordered on too much. The bed frame creaked and slammed against the wall with every movement.

Kaya’s nails dug into his shoulders, breaking skin. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper, needing more.

Veer’s hand slid between them, his fingers finding her swollen clit. The added sensation made Kaya cry out, her body already oversensitive.

The pleasure built again, faster this time, tighter. Veer’s hips snapped against hers relentlessly, his breathing ragged, his control completely gone.

"Come," he growled against her ear.

Kaya shattered. Her body clenched around him like a vice, wave after wave of pleasure crashing through her until she was shaking, gasping, unable to form words.

Veer cursed, his rhythm breaking. He thrust deep one last time and came with a guttural groan, spilling inside her.

They collapsed together, both breathing hard, sweat slicking their skin. Veer’s weight pressed her into the mattress, grounding her as aftershocks rolled through her body.

For a long moment, neither of them moved. Then Veer slowly pulled out, rolling to the side. He draped an arm over his eyes, his chest still heaving.

Kaya stared at the ceiling, her body humming, her mind blissfully empty.

***

Outside, in the hallway, Cutie stood with his back pressed against the wall. His fists were clenched so tight his nails cut into his palms. His eyes were closed, his jaw locked, his entire body rigid with the effort of staying still.

He didn’t move. Didn’t make a sound. Just stood there in the dark, listening to the silence that followed, his heart breaking so quietly no one would ever know.