Chapter 3

Seraphina's POV

Miami's sun was brutal, practically roasting me alive. I stood outside the tennis club, adjusting my white athletic skirt—short enough to show off my thighs, with a deep V-neck top that teased just enough cleavage. Paired with white sneakers and a baseball cap, I looked sporty yet irresistible.

A "sports agent" had to nail the balance—professional but impossible to ignore.

Inside, the club's AC was a relief. The receptionist pointed me toward the training courts with a smile.

The rhythmic thwack of a tennis ball echoed, fierce and furious. Following the sound, I saw him.

Holy SHIT.

Even braced for it, seeing Phoenix froze me for a second. His face was identical to Caspian's, but his vibe was night and day. If Caspian was ice, Phoenix was wildfire.

He was serving, each swing a burst of rage. Sweat glistened down his chiseled chest, his muscles gleaming under the sun. Black athletic shorts hugged his thighs, outlining every perfect curve.

Damn it, why was my heart racing again?

"FUCK!" Phoenix smashed a ball, sending it flying out of bounds. He raked a hand through his hair, growling, "Screwed it up again!"

Perfect opening. I took a deep breath, bent to pick up a stray tennis ball, and strolled toward the court's edge.

"You're Phoenix Ashford, right?" I said with a smile. "I hear you're in need of a new sponsor…"

Phoenix turned, his gray eyes—identical to Caspian's—locking onto me.

His gaze lingered on my curves, especially my chest, for a few seconds. I played innocent, but inside, I was smirking.

"Who're you?" He lowered his racket, wiping sweat with a towel.

"Seraphina Cross, RisingStars Sports Agency." I handed him a forged business card, letting my fingers brush his. "We represent athletes with real potential."

He took the card with a bitter chuckle. "Another agent trying to sign me? You know my ranking, right?"

"Forty-seventh," I said without missing a beat, stepping closer. "Down twenty-two spots in three months."

We were close now, close enough for me to catch the scent of his sweat mixed with raw masculinity.

His face darkened. "Then why bother with me?"

"Because I see potential, not just a number." I lightly touched his arm, feeling his bicep flex. "A genius without a team isn't the same as a failure."

He froze, then laughed—a bright, sunny grin that showed why Madison was obsessed with him.

"Interesting. Everyone else tells me to ‘reset' or ‘start over.' You say I just lost my support."

"Because it's true." I shrugged. "Madison Vale poached your team and trashed you in the press. That's not on you."

His eyes hardened at Madison's name.

"You know that nutcase?"

"Enough." I paused for effect. "I've been through something similar."

"What do you mean?"

I took a deep breath, ready to perform.

"I loved someone once, gave him everything," I said, letting my voice quiver. "But he saw my love as a burden, a cage. When he rejected me, I almost lost it."

Phoenix's gaze softened.

"But I learned love should lift you up, not demand. Madison clearly didn't get that."

"So you think I should forgive her?" he asked.

"No." I locked eyes with him. "I think you should succeed—succeed so hard she regrets her stupidity."

He stared at me for a long moment, then grinned.

"You're different, Seraphina Cross."

"Because I tell it like it is?"

"Because you look tough, but there's pain in your eyes." He stepped closer. "That guy you mentioned—he hurt you bad, didn't he?"

Damn, this guy was sharper than I expected.

"Sometimes strength is just armor…" I looked down, voice soft. "But life goes on, and so does work."

"So you help others chase their dreams?"

"Something like that." I met his gaze. "It makes me feel like I'm worth something."

A flicker of shared pain crossed his eyes. Perfect. He was hooked.

"Wanna see what I'm really made of?" he asked suddenly.

"Absolutely."

For the next hour, I watched Phoenix's true talent shine. Without the anger and pressure, his game was pure art—powerful, graceful, every return precise.

"Amazing," I said sincerely, handing him a towel as I stepped closer. "Madison's an IDIOT for ditching a talent like you."

Phoenix stopped, face flushed but eyes alive with a spark I hadn't seen before.

"It's been a while since anyone said that."

"They're all blind."

We walked to the club's restaurant, an open terrace overlooking the beach. I picked a spot with a perfect sunset view.

"You really think I can bounce back?" Phoenix asked, ordering a bottle of red wine.

"I don't just think it—I'm gonna help you make it happen." I raised my glass, brushing my arm against his. "To prove every doubter wrong."

"To new beginnings." He clinked my glass.

We talked for hours—tennis, pressure, family expectations. I let my hand rest on his thigh now and then, emphasizing a point, feeling him tense under my touch.

Phoenix was sharper and more sensitive than I'd expected, but also more susceptible to my moves. Each touch made his breathing hitch slightly.

"Does your brother play tennis?" I asked casually, tracing circles on his thigh.

"Caspian?" His voice tightened. "He's more into boardroom battles. We've always been different—he craves control, I want freedom."

"Sounds like you guys are tight."

"Most of the time." His expression grew complicated. "But sometimes he's… overprotective? Like he thinks I need him to save me."

Perfect opening.

"That's just big brothers, I guess," I said. "He got a girlfriend?"

"Seems like he's got someone new." Phoenix sipped his wine. "We're both too busy to catch up, though. He doesn't talk about that stuff with me."

I hid my relief.

"What about you? Got a girlfriend?"

His face darkened. "I did. But she…" He paused. "She didn't see a future with a ‘loser.'"

"Her loss." I softened my voice. "Any woman who really knows you wouldn't care about that superficial crap."

He glanced at my hand, then up at me. In the sunset's glow, his eyes turned deep and warm.

"Seraphina, you…"

"Hm?" I leaned forward, giving him a clear view of my cleavage.

His face flushed, and he quickly looked away. "I've got a big match tomorrow… my chance to prove myself."

He hesitated, then met my eyes. "I'd love for you to be there, cheering me on. You… you make me feel like I can do this."

I smirked inside. Too easy, like a kid.

But I gave him a touched smile. "Of course, I'll be there."

Night fell, stars twinkling above. Phoenix insisted on walking me back to my hotel.

At the entrance, he stopped. "Seraphina, thank you," he said earnestly. "It's been a long time since anyone believed in me like this."

"No need to thank me." I stood on my toes, brushing against him, and kissed his cheek. "Rest up. Kill it tomorrow."

His face went red. "Goodnight," he mumbled, voice hoarse, before hurrying off.

I watched his retreating figure, a cold smile curling my lips.

Tomorrow's match would be my chance to pull him in closer.

And you, my sweet prey, are walking right into my trap.