#surface downlight

[yingying0322]

The Illuminating Power of a Commercial Lighting Service Contractor

In the hustle and bustle of business environments, from office spaces to retail stores, lighting plays a pivotal role in shaping the experience of both customers and employees. A well-lit space can transform an ordinary setting into an extraordinary one, enhance productivity, and create an inviting atmosphere that beckons visitors to stay longer. However, achieving the perfect lighting is no small feat. This is where the expertise of a commercial lighting service contractor comes into play.

The Role of a Commercial Lighting Service Contractor

A commercial lighting service contractor is a professional or company specializing in the design, installation, and maintenance of lighting systems for commercial properties. These experts are the unsung heroes behind the bright, welcoming, and efficient spaces we encounter daily. They ensure that businesses not only meet their lighting needs but also do so in a way that is energy-efficient, cost-effective, and compliant with local regulations.

Why Lighting Matters in Commercial Spaces

Lighting is much more than just a practical necessity; it’s a tool that can be strategically used to influence behavior, mood, and even spending habits. For instance, in retail environments, the right lighting can highlight products, create focal points, and guide customers through the store. Warm, soft lighting might encourage shoppers to linger, while bright, focused lighting can draw attention to specific items.

In office settings, proper lighting is essential for productivity and employee well-being. Poor lighting can lead to eye strain, headaches, and fatigue, which in turn can reduce efficiency. On the other hand, well-designed lighting that mimics natural light can improve mood, energy levels, and focus.

What Does a Commercial Lighting Service Contractor Do?

Assessment and Design: The first step a commercial lighting service contractor takes is to assess the space and understand the client’s needs. This involves analyzing the existing lighting setup, understanding the purpose of the space, and considering factors such as natural light sources, the size of the area, and the specific activities that will take place there. Based on this assessment, the contractor designs a lighting plan that optimizes the space, enhances its functionality, and aligns with the client’s aesthetic vision.

Installation: Once the lighting plan is approved, the contractor takes on the installation process. This includes sourcing the necessary materials, coordinating with other contractors if needed (such as electricians or interior designers), and ensuring that the installation is completed on time and within budget. Safety is a top priority during this phase, as improper installation can lead to accidents or long-term issues with the lighting system.

The Benefits of Hiring a Commercial Lighting Service Contractor

Expertise and Knowledge: Commercial lighting is a specialized field that requires a deep understanding of both technical aspects and design principles. A commercial lighting service contractor brings this expertise to the table, ensuring that the lighting system is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient.

Cost Savings: While hiring a professional might seem like an additional expense, it can actually save money in the long run. Contractors know how to design systems that use energy more efficiently, reducing utility bills. They also have access to the latest technology, such as LED lighting, which consumes less power and lasts longer than traditional lighting solutions.

Compliance with Regulations: Commercial spaces are subject to a variety of regulations, including those related to lighting. A commercial lighting service contractor ensures that the lighting system complies with all relevant codes and standards, avoiding potential fines or legal issues.

Customized Solutions: Every commercial space is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach to lighting rarely works. A contractor will tailor the lighting design to the specific needs and goals of the business, whether it’s creating a welcoming atmosphere for a retail store, enhancing productivity in an office, or setting the right mood in a restaurant.

Sustainability: With the growing emphasis on sustainability, many businesses are looking to reduce their carbon footprint. A commercial lighting service contractor can provide solutions that not only meet the business’s immediate needs but also contribute to long-term environmental goals. This might include incorporating energy-efficient lighting, using sustainable materials, or designing systems that take advantage of natural light.

Case Study: The Impact of Professional Lighting Design

Consider a retail store that was struggling with low sales despite having a prime location and high-quality products. The store’s lighting was dim and uneven, making it difficult for customers to see the merchandise clearly. After hiring a commercial lighting service contractor, the store underwent a complete lighting overhaul. The contractor installed bright, focused lighting that highlighted key products, created a more welcoming atmosphere, and made the store look more modern and appealing.

The results were immediate. Customers began spending more time in the store, and sales increased significantly. The store owner also noticed a reduction in energy costs due to the use of energy-efficient LED lighting. This case highlights the transformative power of professional lighting design and the value a commercial lighting service contractor can bring to a business.

The Future of Commercial Lighting

As technology continues to evolve, the role of the commercial lighting service contractor will become even more critical. Innovations such as smart lighting systems, which can be controlled remotely and adjusted automatically based on time of day or occupancy, are becoming increasingly popular. These systems not only improve efficiency but also enhance the user experience.

In addition, the trend toward sustainability will drive demand for lighting solutions that reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. Contractors who stay ahead of these trends and continue to innovate will be in high demand.

Conclusion

In the competitive world of business, every detail counts, and lighting is no exception. A well-designed lighting system can make a significant difference in how a space is perceived and how effectively it serves its purpose. By partnering with a skilled commercial lighting service contractor, businesses can ensure that their lighting not only meets their immediate needs but also supports their long-term goals. Whether it’s enhancing the customer experience, boosting employee productivity, or reducing energy costs, the right lighting solution can have a profound impact on a business’s success.

[nuordiclightingcompany]

What to Know Before Installing Recessed Round LED Downlights 

When considering the installation of Recessed Round LED Downlight, it's essential to understand its design and functionality. These fixtures are embedded into the ceiling, providing a sleek, streamlined finish that suits modern interiors. They are ideal for general ambient lighting and can subtly enhance the room's aesthetics while remaining discreet.

For those seeking a modern and flexible lighting solution, Surface Mounted Magnetic Track Light systems are an excellent option. They offer adjustable lighting with a magnetic mechanism that allows fixtures to be moved or replaced effortlessly along the mounted track. This makes them ideal for dynamic environments like showrooms, galleries, or contemporary living spaces.

Flush spotlights are perfect for targeted illumination, especially when you want to highlight artwork, décor, or architectural details. Their compact and low-profile design allows them to blend seamlessly with the ceiling, offering a minimalist yet functional lighting effect.

Each of these lighting types offers unique benefits. Recessed lights are subtle and clean, track lights are adaptable and modern, and flush spotlights are precise and sleek. Choosing the right one depends on the layout, purpose of the space, and desired visual impact. Looking for quality lighting solutions that are smart, stylish, and built to last? Nuordic has a curated collection and to know more read the full blog here, https://sites.google.com/view/nuordic/What-to-Know-Before-Installing-Recessed-Round-LED-Downlights- 

[illuminee32]

Illuminee redefines your interiors with luxury indoor lighting solutions that blend sophisticated design with cutting-edge technology. Enjoy customizable lighting, ambient elegance, and seamless control through your mobile device or voice commands—offering unmatched comfort, convenience, and style for every living space.

[glitzlighting]

Brighten up your space with the sleek and compact Mini Surface Downlight – powerful illumination in a minimalist design.

[qliteglobal]

LED Lights - Innovative lighting solution that combines energy efficiency with sleek design! For more details, visit us at www.qliteglobal.com

[edisonlighting01]

Surface-Mounted Downlights: The Perfect Lighting Solution for Modern Offices and Commercial Spaces"

In modern commercial spaces and offices, lighting plays a pivotal role in enhancing functionality and aesthetics. Among the many lighting options available, surface-mounted downlights have emerged as a versatile and practical choice. With sleek designs and advanced features, these fixtures are ideal for creating well-lit, productive, and visually appealing environments.

What Are Surface-Mounted Downlights?

Surface-mounted downlights are lighting fixtures installed directly on the ceiling surface without requiring recessing. They are perfect for spaces with limited ceiling depth or where recessed lighting is not feasible. These fixtures provide focused and even illumination, making them ideal for a variety of applications in offices and commercial spaces.

Key Technical Specifications of Surface-Mounted Downlights

When selecting surface-mounted downlights, understanding their technical features is crucial to achieving optimal lighting performance:

Lumen Output Surface-mounted downlights are available in a range of lumen outputs, typically between 500 and 2000 lumens, to suit different lighting requirements. Higher lumen fixtures are ideal for spaces needing brighter illumination, such as conference rooms or retail showrooms.

Wattage These fixtures typically consume 10W to 50W, depending on the brightness and design, offering energy efficiency while providing powerful illumination.

Color Temperature Common options include:

3000K (Warm White): Creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere, often used in lounges or hospitality spaces within commercial buildings.

4000K (Neutral White): Ideal for offices, offering clarity and focus for work tasks.

5000K (Cool White): Perfect for retail stores and environments requiring high visibility.

Beam Angle Surface-mounted downlights typically feature beam angles between 30° and 120°, allowing users to choose narrow or wide coverage based on the space's requirements.

CRI (Color Rendering Index) High-quality downlights offer a CRI of 80 or higher, ensuring accurate color representation, crucial for showrooms, design studios, and offices.

Dimming Capabilities Many surface-mounted downlights support dimming, either through 0-10V or DALI systems, enabling customizable lighting levels to suit different tasks and moods.

Lifespan Premium surface-mounted downlights feature an extended lifespan of 30,000 to 50,000 hours, ensuring long-term performance and reducing maintenance costs.

Materials and Finishes Most fixtures are made from durable materials like aluminum, with finishes in white, black, or metallic tones to complement modern interiors.

Applications of Surface-Mounted Downlights in Offices and Commercial Spaces

Office Workstations Surface-mounted downlights provide consistent, glare-free lighting, fostering a comfortable and productive workspace. Adjustable beam angles can be used to highlight desks and collaborative areas.

Meeting and Conference Rooms These fixtures deliver focused lighting for presentations, discussions, and brainstorming sessions. Dimmer options allow for versatile lighting scenarios, from formal meetings to creative collaborations.

Retail Stores In retail environments, surface-mounted downlights highlight products and create an inviting atmosphere, enhancing the shopping experience for customers.

Corridors and Hallways The sleek design of surface-mounted downlights ensures a modern look while delivering even illumination for pathways and hallways in commercial buildings.

Reception Areas These fixtures add a touch of elegance to reception spaces, ensuring visitors feel welcomed while maintaining a professional aesthetic.

Hospitality Venues Restaurants, cafes, and hotels use surface-mounted downlights to create ambiance while delivering functional lighting for dining areas, bars, and lounges.

Why Choose Surface-Mounted Downlights for Commercial Spaces?

Easy Installation: Unlike recessed fixtures, surface-mounted downlights are quick to install and require minimal structural modifications.

Energy Efficiency: LED technology ensures reduced electricity consumption, supporting sustainability goals in commercial settings.

Design Flexibility: Available in various shapes, sizes, and finishes, they complement diverse interior styles.

Durability: High-quality materials and components ensure these fixtures withstand the demands of busy commercial environments.

Final Thoughts

Surface-mounted downlights are an excellent choice for modern offices and commercial spaces, offering a blend of performance, style, and energy efficiency. Their adaptability to different design needs and technical specifications makes them a go-to solution for architects and lighting designers.

[adityacleanenergy]

Introducing our premium LED Surface Mount Downlight at LEDUncle.com. Illuminate your space with style and efficiency using our high-quality surface mount downlights. With sleek design and superior LED technology, these downlights provide optimal brightness while saving energy. Upgrade your lighting solution today with LEDUncle's LED Surface Mount Downlight. Visit the link for more details: LED Surface Mount Downlight - LEDUncle.com

[pearlesscentt]

kitchen floor picnic

it was finals week, or hell week as you’d affectionately call it, and due to the onslaught of deadlines, everything was in shambles. good thing, you have your boyfriend to weather that cyclone with you.

mingyu x reader, college!au, established relationship, fluff, 1.2k words

in contrast to science, sound traveled faster than light—literally at that very moment.

when MINGYU opened the door to your studio apartment, it was pitch black, and all he could hear were your soft snores and the whirring of the dinky air conditioner. he started walking in blindly, worried about waking you up if he dared to turn on the lights, so he just clutched the paper bag full of groceries and hoped for the best.

his luck seemed to run out within a few seconds, as it wasn't long before he tripped over something hard, making him yelp in pain.

“shit,” he cursed under his breath. when the noise registered, his head immediately snapped in your direction, and he sighed in relief when you remained fast asleep. he kneeled down to clutch the toe he had stubbed and reached for his phone. he fumbled with it before eventually clicking on the torch, realizing he tripped over your bicycle helmet lying haphazardly in the hallway.

she must've tossed it on the floor from exhaustion, he thought, picking it up to hang it on one of the hooks on the wall.

it was finals week, or hell week as you’d affectionately call it. “i might not survive,” you told him at the beginning of the week during an afternoon at the library. “in our next life, remind me never to study architecture. this is torture, i will never put myself through this again,” you groaned dramatically.

he reassured you of everything you were capable of because he knew by now that the theatrics were just a part of your process for acing your classes. if there was one thing he was sure of, it was that you were an exceptional student. that was why he could only chuckle as you spent the next fifteen minutes complaining about your program while also perfectly tracing the pencil marks with ease on the plan you were working on.

which brings MINGYU to his current predicament: he was standing in the middle of your apartment, unsure of what to do next. he turned on the downlights from the kitchen. it was still dark enough to not disturb your sleep, while being bright enough for him to see the current state of your place.

it was a mess—even the word felt like an understatement. it was a category 5 tropical cyclone. there were different drawing and drafting materials scattered everywhere, papers of different sizes covering every flat surface he could see, an unfinished scale model perched on top of your desk, a pile of clothes on your unmade bed (indistinguishable whether clean or dirty), and a bunch of empty energy drink cans and instant ramen cups. lastly, there you were on your loveseat sofa, sleeping soundly in a fetal position because of the drawing tube and t-square at the far end of it.

beep, beep, beep.

he flinched at the sound, his gaze shifting to the phone on the coffee table as it lit up due to the alarm. power nap alarm, he knew immediately. you moved in your sleep, reaching to turn it off.

after a few moments, you sat up, stretching your arms out. MINGYU watched, he couldn’t help but smile at how adorable you looked with your messy hair. soon enough, your eyes darted in his direction.

“hi,” he whispered with a little wave.

you furrowed your brows and blinked at him. it felt like an eternity before you spoke up, “shit, i’m hallucinating.”

“uh, i’m really here, babe.”

“gyu?”

“mhm.”

“gyu!” your face lit up in recognition. standing up to make your way to him, you were quick but careful not to step on any of the clutter on the floor. “you’re really here.”

he opened his arms for you and gave you a warm hug. he rested his cheek on the top of your head as you melted into the embrace.

“why are you here?” you asked against his chest.

“for an intervention,” he joked before kissing your forehead. “i’m here to make you real food.”

judging by the state of your place, you had been living off instant ramen, any caffeinated drink you could find, and whatever was on sale in the nearby convenience store. your stomach growled for some real food.

“go do your thing while i cook,” he said with a laugh.

nodding, you settled on the floor by the coffee table and grabbed a technical pen nearby. you drew some finishing touches on the plan, continuing where you left off earlier before your nap.

it took about 30 minutes, using the shuffling sounds from the kitchen as your white noise while you were laser-focused on your task at hand.

“babe, time for dinner,” he called out softly.

when you looked over, he was holding two plates of what looked like katsu curry and rice with a proud smile on his face. suddenly, you wondered: where are we gonna eat?

noticing the change in your expression, he said, “hey, it’s fine, we could just eat here.”

“eat where?” you asked, walking over to him. even the small island in the kitchen was full of papers, you didn't even know which ones were important anymore; while the counter space between the single burner stove and the sink was not enough for both of you to eat comfortably.

“here.”

you raised your eyebrows at him while he placed both plates on the counter. then, he went toward the round dining table and retrieved two placemats from underneath a different set of papers.

“let’s eat here,” he said, placing the placemats on the floor, “like a picnic.”

frozen in place, you stood in front of him, still confused.

“don’t worry, i mopped earlier while i was waiting for this to simmer.” he took the plates again and motioned for you to sit. “we have picnics on the grass at the park and on the sand at the beach all the time, what difference does your kitchen floor make?”

with nothing to counter his argument, you obliged. you sat down cross-legged and used the counter behind you as a backrest. MINGYU followed suit, placing your respective plates on the placemats in front of you.

“are you sure you have time for this?”

“for sharing a meal with you? always.” he wrapped his arm around your shoulder to place a kiss on your temple. “besides, i've already finished all my exams earlier.”

you raised your eyebrows, thinking about the days; it was just last week when you shared schedules with each other to stay informed in case the workload made it hard to give updates.

“i’m sorry, i forgot your schedule,” you sighed in defeat. your eyes misty as you turned to face him, a pang of guilt starting to consume you. “you had mine memorized, but i couldn’t even recall yours.”

“hey, it's okay, i understand.”

“but still…”

“but still—nothing.” he shook his head to assure you, “we’re not here to keep score, baby. we're here to take care of each other. now, let’s eat, hm?”

as you took the first bite, warmth radiated through your body. sure, the food was good, but it was MINGYU’s steadfast presence that calmed your storms. the onslaught of deadlines and exams was eased by his unwavering love and care.

in the dim light of the kitchen, amidst the scattered papers and unfinished projects, you felt a profound sense of peace. not because he made the cyclone disappear, but because he was there to weather it with you.

author's note: just a little something bc i'm so soft for mingyu's acts of service and bc i missed writing here :(

svt masterlist | navigation ── reblogs and feedbacks are highly appreciated !

© 2024 PEARLESSCENTT. please do not steal my works.

[hellfiresky]

The Wolf Den

This fic was heavily inspired by @carbon-corrie's beautiful Crime Lord! Wolffe art! Go check it out and gawk!

Enjoy The Wolf Den’s playlist here!

Summary: Months after defecting from the Empire and building a criminal empire in Level 1313, Wolffe finally gives in - to ambition, to violence, and to you. You always knew how to handle him. Even when he thought he had the upper hand.

Word count: 7,616 words Pairing: Crime Lord!Wolffe x Pit Fighter F!Reader (Reader's nickname is “Butcher”, and is described as jacked and queer.) Warnings: Smut. 18+ only. Violence (pre-smut). Blood and light gore. Mutual (discreet) obsession. Reader is unhinged and so is Wolffe. Explicit sexual content. Power play. Rough sex. Dom/sub dynamics. Post-sex aftercare. Mentions of past f/f hookups. Fighting pits. Dirty apartments. Brat taming if you squint. Traumatic past. Minor corruption kink. And eventually: tenderness. Do not proceed if you're under 18. Seriously. Shoo. Taglist: @orangez3st @msmeredithrose and @cloneflo99 because this is Wolffe lol.

The crowd had been roaring for the past twenty minutes. Yes, only twenty. You’d stepped into the pit twenty minutes ago under downlights harsher than usual - probably a tech error, or maybe just your own exhaustion playing tricks again. Another sleepless night. Crunching your core, you ducked under the jab just in time. The Trandoshan’s claws sliced the air where your throat had been a breath ago. He was twice your size. Well, maybe more. Scales slick with the blood of his last opponent. Mouth reeking of lizard stench and bloodlust.

You blacked out for a split second and slammed your fist into the soft meat under his jaw, cracking something cushiony and solid. Could be his bones, could be your own knuckles.

Next thing you knew was that nasty feeling of your skin scraping against the rough ground. Ears ringing. Your eyes were momentarily blinded by the sweat around them and tasted blood when you licked your lips. Could’ve been from the previous fight. Could’ve been yours. Could’ve been reptilian. 

You rolled to your side and saw your opponent rubbing his jaw. Thick digits probing at the spot you’d hit. Wide mouth full of fangs twisted in something that could have only been arrogance. Rolling your head to the ground, your forehead felt the grit of the surface, palm feeling the stabbing of tiny particles as you pushed yourself upright with your good hand to get back into the stance, ignoring the way your ribs screamed. 

Your leg shot out to catch the bastard clean. He hadn’t expected you to recover that fast, and failed his footing. You pulled his head down as you drove your knee into his chest, shoved him back, and finished it - one elbow to the temple. Then another. And finally, a hammer strike straight to the base of his skull - successfully incapacitating him. 

Even with your ears still ringing, you felt the crowd gradually fall into silence. It started from the front rows, then the middle, spreading like smoke through the rest. 

They knew what they saw. The infamous Trandoshan fighter, undefeated across half the Outer Rim, killed with your bare hands.

Blood dripped from your brow as you raised one arm, something between mockery and victory. The lights buzzed overhead, flickering sickly green-gold, casting your shadow across the corpse. Third win today. Hundreds, maybe thousands, in Wolffe’s pocket.

And that’s why they called you Wolffe’s Butcher.

Silence in the locker room was worse than the arena noise. No crowd, no shouting, only the intermittent hiss from the busted coolant pipe overhead and the sound of you wrapping your shoulder in a bacta-gel bandage. The cold bit into the torn skin left by Trando's claws. You clenched your teeth and kept wrapping.

You didn’t even bother looking up when the metal door whirred open, and exposed those familiar heavy steps. You also ignored the obnoxious sound of a sidearm clattered against the transparisteel table, followed by the weighted drag of a robe tossed over the back of a chair.

“Two more fights,” Wolffe said with his gravelly voice. “Then your debt’s paid.”

You let out a dry snort, and spat a clot of blood onto the floor before wiping your mouth with the back of your hand.

“Two more fights, huh?” You rolled your shoulder, testing the wrap. “And after that, how long do I keep playing your bodyguard?” Pressing a palm into a bruise on your tricep, you cussed to yourself. Fighting a trandoshan bare-handed was never your favourite pastime activity. “Thought a former Republic and Imperial commander could handle himself.”

With your hair glued to your scalp from sweat, you finally looked up. Wolffe stood a few paces away, still in his battered Phase II armor. No rerebrace, no elbow plates, no vambraces - only the chestplate, leg armour, and spaulders. The whites on his armour had long since faded into dust-grey, scratched and dulled from wear. He’d swapped the full body glove for a short-sleeved variant, both arms exposed. Ink ran from shoulder to wrist, black and bold.

“You’d be dead if I hadn’t pulled you out of that wreck on Nar Shaddaa,” he deadpanned. “You still owe me.”

Rolling your eyes, you stood up with a grunt, overtrained joints cracking as you stretched your arms overhead. Muscles flexed, you had the type of build people trained decades for. Shoulders almost as broad as his, biceps big enough to crush a jogan fruit, back sculpted as if you were hiding a pair of wings, stomach tight under bronzed, scarred skin. Walking towards your locker, you let the fight drip off you. You didn’t bother putting your shirt back on. The gunmetal grey compression top clung to your chest was soaked with Trandoshan blood. And as you packed your gears inside your locker, you felt his eyes.

Of course you did. Wolffe was never subtle.

The ex-commander’s stare was always piercing. He tracked every line of your spine, the roll of muscle through your traps, the ink peeking along your ribs. Blood had crusted across your shoulder. A split along your left bicep still wet. A fresh bruise was blooming in your lower back, dark and ugly.

He watched anyway.

Throwing a towel on one shoulder, you turned to him, “I beat that one Wookiee bounty hunter next week and I’m done fighting. Deal?”

“I said two more.”

“One Wookiee is basically two… any other beings, really.”

You turned your back again to grab the bottle from your locker and chugged it. Shit, you hated how the room-temperature water tasted like steel. 

“You’re lucky you’re not my type,” Wolffe said, after a pause. “Otherwise I’d make you pay another way.”

You let out a mocking laugh before turning back to face him again, cocking your hips as you tossed the empty bottle into the rubbish bin behind him without looking. “Oh. I’m everyone’s type,” you bit back. “I fucked one of your girlfriends last week.” You stepped forward, close enough to see Wolffe’s cybernetic eye twitch. “She called me daddy.”

You reached for the leather gloves hanging on the communal cloak hanger behind him. 

“Careful, Butcher,” he smirked.

“Or what? Bet I could make you fold like your girls under you,” you grinned before slinging your duffle bag. “At least double my payment if ya want to fuck,”

Only after you left the locker room did Wolffe let out the longest sigh of his day. Maybe his week. Maybe since he left the Empire.

He pushed himself to sit on top of a metal crate where the rest of his pit fighters put their gears in. Every muscle in his body ached - some from the occasional underworld fight that he had to handle without your intervention, some from hiding from the Empire. And all of it his own fault.

Ever since defecting, he hadn’t slowed down once. No quiet retirement. No peace. Just more war in a different font. He started out with odd jobs in the galactic underworld. Bounty hunting, debt collection, merc gigs under the alias Direwolf. He’d earned a reputation quickly - former clone commander turned freelance executioner. 

Eventually, the credits piled up. So did the enemies. He stopped working for gangs and started competing with them. Built an operation from the wreckage of the Empire’s rot. Ran a weapons smuggling network right under Imperial noses, thanks to loyal brothers still inside, quietly feeding him surplus and military weapons from abandoned outposts and ghost shipyards. The credits got laundered through pit fights. And that was how The Wolf Den was born.

He picked Level 1313 for a reason. It was lawless enough to hide from the Imps, brutal enough to keep the weak out, and profitable enough to buy loyalty. He’d tested other systems. Even tried a run on Nar Shaddaa.

Your home moon.

That was where he found you, or maybe lost you. It depended on how you looked at it. Half-alive in an inhumane fighting ring, chained at the ankle, fighting for scraps. Full audience to entertain everyday, no rules, no medics. Only pain for you and profit for your captors. He hadn’t meant to intervene, but something about the way you kept getting up… the way you looked at your captors like they were already dead sparked something in him.

And he eventually pulled you out. Though, Wolffe didn’t do it to be noble. You were valuable. You had the build, the mindset, the rage. So he gave you a better life. Better pay. A bunk that locked. A contract with clauses. Extra credits for guarding his ass between matches. He made you a pit fighter again. Only this time, you had a choice. Or so he kept telling himself.

Wolffe never asked for much. He only wanted you to pay back the credits he shelled out after dragging your body out of that Nar Shaddaa slaughterhouse. The clinic was two levels below the nearest decent hospital, run by a Rodian surgeon with real medical degree but zero licence. You were opened up, cleaned out, patched together with bacta and a secondhand metal spine implant. It wasn’t charity. It was investment.

Not only did he cover the full skyrocketing bill - he also paid extra credits as hazard pay for the doctor, bribe money for the gang who ran the block, and the cost of your forged chain code so you could live in the Den without worry. And although he paid you, your debt didn’t shrink easy. It took time. Pit earnings weren’t much, as generous as Wolffe was compared to other handlers, it was still nothing stacked against the amount owed.

You had a little extra from guarding him - your official “secondary function,” and that went straight to personal entertainment. Vice, mostly. Vices were cheaper than therapy. So yeah. You were still in debt.

Sometimes, it felt like he wanted it that way. For you to be forever indebted.

You liked to blame that on his girlfriends. Yes, plural. He didn't actually need you to pay back those credits he spent on you to keep the Den running. But there was always someone on his arm. Pretty. Soft. Not built like you. They came and went like weather - dancers, slicers, the occasional smooth-talking smuggler with silky dresses and expensive shoes.

All of them temporary. All of them replaceable. But you weren’t. And he knew it.

Which was probably why you were still stuck here - shoulder bandaged, ribs bruised, guarding the man who bought you a second chance and kept you close like he still hadn’t decided whether to thank you or own you.

“Did you check your account?” He asked without looking back. The weekly rounds across the level had become almost religious. A show of presence. Territory marking. Wolffe took it seriously - polite visits to those he tolerated, thirty minutes staring contest at ones he didn’t. And like always, you trailed a step behind, slugthrower slung loose in your grip, hands still raw from the last fight.

“I did,” you muttered, eyes locked on a passing Falleen.

Black Sun. Their people were crawling all over 1313 lately. You didn’t like it.

The other bodyguard, a Lasat built like a security droid with pale lavender complexion and massive scars across his eyes and mouth, shot you a glance and huffed through his nose. A laugh? A warning? Hard to tell with him.

You let out a muffled chuckle at his reaction. Everyone knew you weren’t the strongest. Not by a long shot, but you were the smartest, and definitely the most reckless. That’s how you won all those fights. So Wolffe doubling your pay wasn’t a surprise. It was a simple math. Keep the wildest one happy, or deal with the fallout when she flips the table during a negotiation.

“No more complaints then,” Wolffe muttered as he adjusted the clasp on his cloak, pulling it tighter across his shoulders.

The three of you stepped inside an establishment crawling with people scraping for credits and a second chance at survival. A rival pit ring Wolffe planned to buy out. Or ruin.

“Eh,” you said, brushing past him to clear his path. “Could be better.”

You walked straight toward the Abyssin in the navy blue blazer, Kor Gresh. The one-eyed man sat dead center of a half-moon plush booth, surrounded by at least six visible guards and probably a couple more blended in with the crowd. You held back a laugh somewhere between amusement and pride for your own boss.

Kor Gresh was a known gangster, blackmarket financier, and a typical crime lord who would fold in an alley fight before he even bled. That’s why he always moved in a pack. His reputation lived in the men he paid to keep him upright. Wolffe didn’t need that. The ex-commander was a threat on his own. You and the Lasat were enough backups.

The armoured guards stood straighter, hands steady on the triggers as you approached.

“Kor Gresh,” you said coolly, before stepping aside to let Wolffe take the front. “Wolffe,” you added, catching the eyes of your Lasat colleague, making sure he was ready if anything broke.

Kor Gresh stood still, of course he did. He raised his expensive-looking glass of liquor. “Direwolf himself,” Kor drawled with his unmistakable posh Upper Coruscanti accent, voice gurgling as if it had something caught in it. “Didn’t think you’d show in person. Thought your Butcher did the talking these days.”

You didn’t react. You did, however, rest your finger near your trigger.

“I only send her when I need someone dead,” Wolffe answered. “Today’s a talk.”

Kor stretched his arms across the booth. “So, talk.”

Wolffe’s cloak brushed the grimy floor as he stepped forward. “You’ve been siphoning fighters off my circuit. Not paying them. Two of them ended up dead in your ring last week, no payout to the families. That’s a problem.”

Kor shrugged with one massive shoulder.

“It’s the pit. Everyone dies eventually. You should know.”

Wolffe tilted his head. “They died badly. Not even a good crowd. Only disposal. That’s not sport. That’s waste.”

Kor grinned. “You here to lecture me on honour now, Commander?”

“No,” Wolffe said. “I’m here to buy your ring. Before I take it.”

A laugh rumbled from the Abyssin’s throat. “Bold. New in the game, and cocky as hell.”

Like good little minions, his bodyguards chuckled along. Forced, performative, fingers locked tighter on their blasters.

“Your fighters came to me because of your piss-poor pay,” Kor went on, lighting a thick cigar with a torch the size of your fist. “You’re not even a good employer, Direwolf.” He blew out a column of smoke with practiced arrogance. “No need to talk like you run Galactic Wrestling Entertainment where nobody dies and it’s all a choreographed performance with decent pay.”

You watched the smoke curl around his massive watery eye and considered whether it’d be more satisfying to break his jaw or his kneecap first.

It wasn’t a lie, though. Pay was shit. But at least Wolffe paid you. Oh, the joy of bare minimum. You really should start looking into outside sponsorships. Something to scrape together to finish off your debt, maybe even catch a patron. If you could land that, maybe Wolffe would finally move you up like he did with the other not-you top fighters he backed. Those he actually hired, not picked up like a sad tortured tooka. 

Maybe one day, you could be like Wyrmen Lictor. That top-ranking warrior on Nar Kanji. The Arachne was well-sponsored, well-armed, and loved by her syndicate. She was a walking billboard of protection. No one touched her without permission. And her fights gathered spectacles from across the Outer Rim, expensive, surrounded by medics and cameras. She wasn’t just a fighter. She was basically a celebrity, and you weren’t there yet.

But if Wolffe was picking fights with people like Kor Gresh, maybe you weren’t as far off as you thought. Maybe one day he’d get enough credit and senses to actually sponsor you. 

“Return my fighters, or I’ll take over your arena.” Wolffe hissed. Now was the time for a quick headcount. You scanned the guards. Memorised blaster placement, knives, every miniscule of hand movements, the guy in the corner pretending to be drunk. You didn’t have to look at the Lasat to know he was doing the same.

“As a longtime businessman,” Kor chuckled, “let me tell you - your clone mentality will always set you back.” He swirled his drink, the liquid sloshing in slow circles. “You know, the whole brotherhood thing. Loyalty. Camaraderie. Even when these lot aren’t your brothers. They’re just your fighting dogs.”

He took another sip. Then pointed his cigarra at you. “Yes, including you, love.” Then at the Lasat. “And you.”

“You know we c—” you started in a low voice, but Wolffe’s hand came up fast, holding you back.

“It doesn’t have to be violent,” Wolffe said calmly, voice taut. “Just hand them over, and we can do the site handover like good, civilised men.”

Kor set his glass back down on the shiny table, chuckling like he already knew the ending to this conversation. “I’ve been having fever dreams of taking over your little Wolf Den too, you know.”

Tapping the ash of his cigarra, he crossed his leg over the other.  “I own at least half the fighting arenas on 1313. You think you can buy them all out? The shitty little ones, sure, they fold because they’re worthless. But mine?” He showed his teeth through cracked lips. “My fighters stay because I make them visible. I give them stage lights, sell them as brands. They get front-row sponsors, personal logos, their names printed on cheap t-shirts down in The Wharf. Do I pay them fairly? No. Sometimes not at all. Do I let them keep their full cut? Hell no.” He shrugged. “But they get seen. They get talked about. They get followers. They think it’s exposure, and that’s worth more to them than your clean-cut credit transfer at the end of the week.”

You felt something twist in your gut. Because he wasn’t wrong. “I give them the illusion of fame,” Kor said, spreading his arms wide. “And it works. Because that’s all most of them want. Right, darling?” He looked at you again. 

You glared at the void behind him, engaging your old, tested method to tune everything out. Cold air. Strobing lights. Distance. Let the noise drain out until it was just you and the shape of what needed doing. Because you knew how this ended. With Wolffe and his little ambition, his dream of owning every fighting ring on 1313, turning his gang into a syndicate - you knew a fight was inevitable. You just hadn’t expected it to break out in velvet booths and overpriced liquor. Still, you had to admit: Kor Gresh was no idiot. Arrogant, yes. Flashy. A fossil with his one-eye and coiffed hair and suits. But he’d earned his rep. And he didn’t build and buy the arenas on this level by being slow.

“Don’t make me ask twice,” Wolffe grunted.

In a blink, blasters pointed straight at him. At least eight. All aimed at his overgrown curls-covered head - surprisingly, including the Lasat. 

Fucking hell. You stiffened. Of course it was X. That bastard had only been around three months, and somehow wormed his way into Wolffe’s favour fast enough to stand beside you as co-bodyguard. You never liked his name, refused to say it out loud. And now here he was, a plant all along. Wolffe glanced at him in the flattest stare you’ve ever seen, and a single word.

“Really?”

Then he looked at you. And you knew that the best survival tactic in a room like this was to act like the majority. Let the dumb ones think you're part of the tide. You quickly drew your slugthrower and aimed it at Wolffe’s temple. “I want my face on a t-shirt too,” you deadpanned.

Wolffe turned his head slightly to meet your eyes. “Butcher,” he muttered. 

You’d done this before, pretending to turn on him only to flip back the next minute and tear the whole fucking room apart. This wasn’t new. But it never got old. His eyes dragged down to your lips for a breath then he gave the tiniest nod you’d ever seen.

You pulled the trigger.

The slug caught the Lasat in the side of the head, just above the temple, and dropped him before he fired. You quickly dove behind the booth as Wolffe flipped the table, sending bottles and plates crashing. Wolffe was on his feet, twin DCs drawn, firing fast bursts. He dropped two guards in the first volley. You rolled out from behind cover and caught one trying to flank, choking him in the neck before emptying your clip into his gut.

The velvet lounge that once contrasted the rest of the grimy arena reeked of smoke, blood, and glass. One of Kor’s men tried to run, and Wolffe got him through his leg. You kicked another in the knee, grabbed his blaster, and used it to cave in the skull of the one trying to crawl for the exit. By the time the last scream died, you were both standing. Wolffe breathing hard, ignoring a steaming scorch mark at the bottom of his cloak.

You, spattered in blood again, hands still tight around the warm grip of the stolen blaster.

Kor Gresh slumped cold in his seat, a line of red dripping from his throat, still holding that fucking cigar like he might get one last puff.

“I hate these meetings,” you muttered.

Wolffe cracked his neck. Holstered his blasters.

“Then stop talking so much.” He turned to you without a smile or a thank you, of course. Just that steady post-firefight tension in his shoulders because he hadn’t quite come down yet. You hadn’t either. Your pulse was still somewhere in your throat and in your ears. 

The rest of the arena had cleared out when you fired the first shot - scrambling to avoid being caught in the crossfire. What remained now was just the scent of scorched leather, burnt hair, and death, and that obnoxious Huttese techno over the sound system.

And there was you and him.

“We’ve got a lot of cleaning up to do first thing tomorrow,” he muttered, looking around. “I’ll contact… what’s his name—”

Of course. Fucking man forgot the name of his own secretary again.

“Kala.”

“Yes, him. He’ll handle the old fighters, transfer the new ones, and we’ll rebrand this place. Make it the new Den.”

You weren’t listening to the logistics thanks to your rebellious eyes who decided to slip for a second right to his lips. It made you feel stupid, mostly because you’d seen him covered in blood. Seen him bark orders, take down men much scarier than him, walk into rooms and ambush everyone. His lips shouldn’t be the thing you noticed. But it was. Lush. Too plush for someone like him. A little chapped. Smudged with soot in one corner. And you wondered - not for the first time, not even the tenth, but this time it hit you harder, how he might taste.

It was true you’d slept with one of his girlfriends. Okay. Two. But you’d started wondering lately was it because you actually wanted them? Or because you wanted residues of him? Whatever part of him they carried in their mouths. On their silky smooth skin. The way they said his name behind closed doors. The shape of his voice echoing through someone else. You shook it off, swallowed hard, and looked away. But you could feel his stare grazing the side of your face, again. 

The two of you left the venue, your boss himself had ping whoever cleaners available in the block to clean the bodies up, and whatever business that usually went down after a successful acquisition. You pulled open the speeder door with a grunt, knuckles still aching from a punch you landed on one of Kor’s men - yet you admired the flaking blood painted the tips of your nails as you curled your fingers around the wheel. Wolffe slid into the passenger seat without a word.

You were halfway to the Den when Wolffe broke the silence. “Drive to your apartment.”

“Why?”

“Just drive.” 

You glanced at the rearview. He was head-down in his datapad, scrolling through whatever schedule or cleanup list he was already organising. Not a minute later, he let out a long exhale, raised one eyebrow at you, then tilted his head back to stare through the grimy sunroof - watching nothing but tangled structures and dull support beams lining the notorious level.

“Alright,” you muttered to yourself.

A few minutes later, you pulled up in front of your building - a rundown, three-story slab of concrete with dying hallway lights and a busted lift that always smelled like bleach. You killed the engine and got out, holding the door open so your boss wouldn’t have to touch the grime-caked handle. Stupid little courtesy you never gave anyone else but him.

Wolffe rounded the speeder without a word. Cloakless. Probably left it crumpled in the passenger seat. He had a habit of ditching it the moment he sat down, said it restricted movement, but you knew it was more than that. He wore it for image, not comfort. Part of whatever social code he’d picked up on his slow rise through the underworld.

He reached for the driver’s seat, then stopped before turning to you, and really looked at you. And for the first time in two years, he said, “Thank you.”

You didn’t realise your face had cracked into an eyeroll and a frown until you looked away and let go of the door. But before you could take a step, he grabbed your wrist, pulled you back, and crashed his lips against yours. It wasn’t soft, nor was it curious. It was pure lust, and it was full of teeth, and tongue, and possibly two years of unsaid shit dragged between your bodies. His rough hand cupped the back of your neck, and when he broke away he rasped. “Stars, what more do you want, Butcher?”

You simply stared at him for a second, tasting the kiss, breathing through the ache in your ribs and the split in your lip. Then you grabbed him by the front of his sweaty undershirt, yanked it like a collar, kicked the speeder door shut behind him, and started walking backwards towards your building. He obeyed like a good boy. And judging from the way he stared at you? The bastard was enjoying it.

You dragged him along without letting go, twisting your arm to keep moving properly up the emergency staircase that still reeked of deathsticks. Of course the lift was broken again. You passed the second floor’s stuttering hallway light, burning dim and useless, before finally reaching your Wolffe-paid apartment. Keying the lock with your free hand, you shoved it open with your boot, pulling him in.

Inside, Wolffe caught a breath of unwashed laundry, old leather, and the metallic tang of weapon cleaning solutions. He’d known what kind of place this was when he let you crash here. It was barely livable with concrete walls, one grimy window, no decor - but clearly, he didn’t care. Not then. Not now. Not when you were about to fuck him into oblivion.

You let go of his shirt and reached for his chest plate, clumsy from exhaustion. He caught your hand just to look. Eye scanning your face like he was seeing something for the first time.

“You sure?”

You rolled your shoulders, didn’t bother with words. Instead, you dragged him into the wall and kissed him again - harder, hungrier. “Shut the fuck up,” you muttered against his mouth.

“Yes ma’am,” He chuckled against your mouth, letting you claim him. 

After accidentally scratching an open wound on your own hand, you finally got the first clasp of his chest plate open, yanked the metal off his body, and threw it across the room. Wolffe didn’t stop you. Didn’t help either. He only dragged you closer, hands palming your ass, grabbing for whatever part of you he could get, trying to undress you through sheer willpower while you tore him apart one brutal piece at a time.

His spaulders went next. Then the leg plates. Then the vambraces. Each release echoed through the shitty little apartment. He got impatient by the time you reached the codpiece. No surprise. His fingers were fast, unhooking the leather buckles at your side with one hand, yanking your blood-slick gear down with the other, dragging you back into another kiss that tasted like sweat, rage, and iron. By the time you both collapsed into the barely-held-together excuse of a bed, tangled in the hole-riddled duvet, you were half-naked and grinning like a fucking maniac. 

Wolffe shoved you down hard, but you flipped him on his back, and climbed on top. He growled beneath you, rough palms dragging down your sides to grab the meat of your thighs as if trying to remember what control tasted like - but you didn’t give him the chance.

You peeled your compression top off with zero ceremony, and tossed it somewhere behind you. The last of your armour hit the ground. Your body was a map of bruises, scars, half-healed fractures. It was a battlefield that perfectly matched his own. 

Wolffe sat up to meet you there - one hand curling into your hair, the other braced against your waist. You expected him to bite, to snarl, to pin you and make a mess of it all. But instead, he stilled for a breath or two. Then he tucked your hair behind your ear gently. “Fuck, you’re beautiful when you’re not beating the shit out of those poor souls.”

Warmth climbed your neck and bloomed across your cheeks - unwelcome, too visible, too human. You knew your face was red, and it pissed you off more than it should. “Fuck you,” you growled, but the man under you only laughed - smug as fuck. You didn’t give him time to gloat. You caught his mouth again in another hungry, furious kiss, biting at his bottom lip.

You were soaked, flooded, wrecked. His hands all over you, the tent of his blacks stiff as it dragged against the soaked seam of your underwear. You ground your hips down harder just to hear that heavy breath he always tried to swallow. His hand came up, rough palm cupping your bare breast, calloused thumb circling your nipple before giving it a sharp pinch that made your spine jolt and your teeth scrape his lip. “Gods, you could’ve just told me you wanted me,” he rasped against your mouth, tone infuriatingly casual for a man about to get ruined. “No need to be bratty about it. Could’ve skipped the whole pay raise stunt.”

You pushed him down harder, flattening him against the mattress. “Shut the fuck up,” you hissed, but the crack in your voice betrayed the forced nonchalance - it only told him how badly you wanted this. How badly you wanted him. He chuckled, and a hand smacked down on your thigh, then your ass. 

“Ohhh, I see,” his breath hitched as you pressed your palm down again. “This is about you being on top tonight.”

You licked your lips, chest heaving, eyes locked on his flushed face and parted mouth. “Damn right it is.”

“Mmh. You kinda have to fight for it, Butcher,” His hand dragged up from your ass to your thigh and finally your throat. Giving it just enough pressure to make your pulse flutter under his palm. The toothy grin that split your face was enough to break him. “Stars,” his thumb stroked the hollow of your neck. “Did I just find my match?”

You leaned in into his grip, letting him feel the way your pulse kicked beneath his thumb. Your grin grew wider. “Took you long enough to figure it out.”

Wolffe’s cybernetic eye burned grey in the low light, that molten kind of focus reserved only for the ring, or this. You could feel his erection straining against his blacks under you, and gods, the way he looked at you like he could snap your spine or beg you for mercy? Either one would’ve made you feral. “You’re cocky tonight,” he rasped.

“You started it,” you whispered, rolling your hips to make him hiss. “You think I’m gonna let you manhandle me like your other girls?”

His palm on your throat wraps tighter, possessive and reverent all at once. “No,” he muttered, almost to himself. “You’re not the kind to get handled.”

“Exactly,” you leaned down, lips brushing his stubbles, nipping it. “I’m the kind who does the handling.”

That earned a low, half-laugh, half-moan from deep inside his chest, one of those sounds that made you even wetter. His hands were on your thighs again, holding you like he was bracing for impact - or maybe surrender. You preferred the latter. You reached down and wrapped your fingers around the hem of his blacks, yanked them down to free him, and gods. There he was. Thick, heavy, and already slick at the tip. You couldn’t help the curse that slipped out of you. “Go on then,” he said, voice rough as rust. “Handle me.”

And you did. You sank down slowly, savouring every inch like a victory you fought tooth and nail for. The stretch was brutal in the best way, making your breath catch, your body tremble, your bruises scream and beg for more. Wolffe’s hands gripped you tighter, eyes darkened with a glimpse that almost looked like awe.

“Fuck—” he gasped. “You feel—stars—Butcher—”

You bounced on him once, to watch his face twist. Then again. And again. 

“You liked this, huh?” he grunted, voice sending shiver down your spine. “Like seeing me under you like this?”

The crime lord peeled his back off the mattress, catching your mouth in a toothy kiss, only to drag his lips lower - biting a mark into your neck, claiming a territory. “Is everything a fight for you?” he growled into your pulse. Then his hips surged up, driving deeper, harder, dragging a cry straight out of your throat. You clutched his shoulders, nails scoring the meat there as your head dropped forward, gasping, moaning his name like it was the only thing you remembered. “Yes,” you answered.

“Of course it is,” he rasped, bucking up again, letting you feel the full weight of him. “Fucking starved thing, always clawing your way to the top. Even here.”

You growled back, pulling his face up to yours, teeth clicking as your noses touched. “You think I work this hard just to get fucked? No. I fuck you.”

He bared his teeth. WIth his wild eyes now, and equally wild hands, he bruised your hips as he slammed up into you again and again meeting every drop of your hips with equal fury, and smacked you again. “Come on, then. Take it. Take all you want,”

That drove you to roll your hips harder until the air left his lungs in a sound that sounded more like a complete surrender in the form of your name. Sweat stung your cuts. Your thighs burned. His hands slipped and found new bruises to make on your thighs. And still you didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.

“Fuck, you’re good at this,” he rasped. “No wonder they’re all scared of you.”

“I don’t want them scared,” you gritted, grabbing a fistful of his greying curls and tugging his face to yours again, “I want you ruined.”

“Too late,” he laughed, breathless, slamming up into you again and dragging another helpless moan out of your mouth. “You already ruined me, Butcher.” And stars, if that didn’t make spiders swarm the insides of your stomach.

You wrapped your arms around his shoulder as you slowed down your pace, grinding in tight, torturous circles instead of bouncing like he wanted. Dragging your lips against the shell of his ear just as his hips tried to buck again, and you slipped your palm down on his abdomen and stopped him. “No,” you whispered. “You don’t get to fuck me unless you ask.”

Wolffe let out a frustrated groan as if something primal was clawing its way out of his throat. His hands gripped your thighs, but he didn’t move. “I swear to fuck—” he growled through clenched teeth. 

That gave way to a wicked smile on your face before you started rocking your hips down again, taking him in deep, but not all the way. Your lips brushed his again, taunting. “Say it.”

His brow furrowed, frustration leaking from every corner of his face. The man who commanded an entire battalion - from the Republic to the Empire and now to a growing underground syndicate. The man who fought wars. Who ruled the Den. Who never begged. Never bent. But here, pinned under you, shiny with sweat and breathing like a beast, he was shaking.

“Please,” he finally muttered, cracking his voice.

You tsked and rolled your hips again, cruel and perfect. “Louder.”

“Fuck,” he hissed, almost punching the mattress. “Please. I need you to fuck me. Ride me like I’m yours.”

You leaned down, kissed the corner of his lips.

“Good boy.”

That broke him. With a grunt, he flipped you, pinning you down with his weight, one hand braced by your head and the other gripping your jaw as he rammed back into you like a man possessed. You cried out as the whole bed rattled beneath you. “Happy?”

But you couldn’t speak. Not with him buried in you so deep it hurt so deliciously, not with the pace he set - brutal, unrelenting, devastating. You could only moan his name, again and again like it was holy. Like it was a prayer. “Fuck. Wolffe. Pl—”

You choked it back. No. No fucking way were you going to beg.

“Say it,” he growled, eyes locked on yours. “Come on. I said it.”

His grip on your throat tightened just a little—enough to make you aware. His other hand dragged down your body, anchoring your hip so you couldn’t squirm away. He rammed into you again. “What do you want, Butcher? Huh?” he hissed through his teeth. “You want to be like those fuckin’ fighters in the Outer Rim? Get your face plastered all over 1313? Credits poured into your account? Sponsors fighting to buy your contract?”

You rolled your eyes back as pleasure tore through you in waves, your back arching, mouth open in a silent scream. He smirked.

“Oh yeah, that’s it. Taking me like a good girl now, huh? Not so mouthy when you’re this full,” he sneered against your throat, biting down to leave a mark. “Not much of a fighter now, are you?”

You hissed between clenched teeth, nails raking down his back. “Fuck you, I’m still winning.”

“Keep tellin’ yourself that, baby,” he snapped, “but right now? I own you.”

And then he pounded, and you finally let go. Fully. Completely. Every wall, every smartass quip, every scrap of carefully curated control - you let it burn. It all dissolved under the weight of him, the way he filled you, claimed you, broke you in the most devastating, delicious way. You rode that heat with no shame, let your back arch and your mouth drop open, fingers scrambling for something - anything - to hold on to.

He didn’t let up. Didn’t give you space to think. And gods, it was so good to stop thinking. “Did my girls behave like this when you fucked them?” he bit again. “Did you act like me? Say it.”

“Fuck,” you moaned. His thrusts started to stutter, his rhythm slipping, trying to chase the high now, same as you. He dropped his forehead against yours, hand still firm around your throat, the other fisting the sheets beside your head. You felt him shake.

“Come on, Butcher,” he breathed, eyes wild. “Be a good girl. Tell me what you want now.”

You met his gaze. Sweat beading down your temple. And you smiled. “More,” you whispered. “I want more. Until I forget my name. Until I forget yours. Until the whole level collapses and the only thing I remember is you.” And with a desperate groan, he kissed you again.

“Come for me,” he growled against your lips, his bedroom voice fraying at the edges of control. “Now.”

You could only nod. Could only cling to him, breath breaking into gasps as your entire body tensed, spiraled, then shattered. You cried out, nails digging into his shoulders, dragging red crescents into sweat covered skin as wave after wave ripped through you. And he didn’t stop until he felt you quake and tremble and fall apart beneath him. 

That was when he let go. 

With a strangled curse and a stuttering thrust, he followed you over the edge, his release crashing through him as his hips jerked and finally slowed, grinding deep as he buried himself to the hilt. He held you there, locked tight together, panting against your neck, every muscle in his body taut with the aftershock.

And then, he chuckled through the haze, lips brushing your cheek. “Good,” he murmured. “Always so pretty when you win something.” Wolffe planted a kiss against a scar on your jaw. “Apparently still pretty when you lose.”

He stayed there. Letting himself stay buried inside you. Breathing you in. The room stank of sweat, and sex, and neither of you moved. His weight grounded you. His presence muted the outside world.

You both stayed like that for a good five minutes, the only sounds in the room being your breaths and the slowing thud of two hearts calming down. Then finally, Wolffe pulled out with a grunt, very slowly as if he wasn’t quite ready to let go yet. You winced at the sudden emptiness, but then his hand slid up your body to push back the damp strands of hair clinging to your forehead. “Still with me?” he rasped.

You nodded, eyes half-lidded, lips curved into dazed and blissful smile.

“Good. Stay here.”

He rolled off the bed, groaning as he stretched, every muscle from his shoulders to his calves protesting the motion. You heard him muttering something under his breath about "concrete hellholes" and "buying a new mattress, for fuck’s sake," before the sound of the sink running filled the apartment. A few minutes later, he returned with a glass of water in one hand and a damp rag in the other. He handed you the glass first. “Drink up.”

You took it, gulped, and let your head fall back into the pillow. “Why do you sound like you’re about to give a military debriefing.”

“Because I know you’ll pass out without rehydrating, and I’d rather not scrape your body off the floor tomorrow.”

You snorted into your water. Wolffe sat back down beside you, dragging the rag gently across your stomach, wiping away sweat, his cum, and smudged blood from the earlier fight. 

“Did you just clean me?”

“Stop talking,” he muttered, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward. “I’m always thorough.”

You caught his hand, fingers curling around his wrist. “Yeah? Is that what your girlfriends said?”

“Yeah,” He raised an eyebrow. “They didn’t say the same about you after you slept with them? Did you wham-bam-thank you ma’am my girls?”

“I had to hurry cause you were at the door. So…”

Wolffe rolled his eyes, then leaned down, kissing the side of your knee. “Maybe I should stop letting you win.”

“You won’t.”

“You keep pushing, Butcher, and I’m going to make you really lose next time.”

You smiled lazily, letting the empty glass rest on your belly. “Promises, promises.”

Months later, the new Wolf Den was alive with bigger suspended ring, better lights, louder crowd. It had taken weeks to convert Kor Gresh’s sad excuse for an arena into something worth bleeding in, but Wolffe had done it. Or rather, you both had.

And now, the crowd roared around you, every scream bouncing off the walls like thunder. You stood dead center in the pit, shoulders rolled loose, knuckles already bloodied and swelling under your wraps. Across from you, that mountain of a Wookiee covered in black and grey fur snarled deeply. He was notorious, one of the most feared gladiators in the Outer Rim, flew to the core of the Galaxy and deep in its most infamous level. Black Krrsantan. A worthy opponent. 

The announcer’s voice echoed across the massive sound system filling the entire arena, “Three… two…”

You bounced once on the balls of your feet, rolling your neck. Unlike before, you weren’t stitched together by alcohol, stubbornness, and painkillers. Your cuts were fresh, but your body was prepped. Strong. You had proper gear now, a real training schedule, and gods help you - a fucking medical team. And it was all thanks to him.

“One…”

You scanned the crowd. Past the lights, past the noise, past the ring of fighters and guards and sponsors and drunk bastards. And there he was. On the upper level, seated like a fucking king. Tattooed arms and elbows on the table. Maroon cloak draped elegantly behind him. At least eight armoured bodyguards around him. That familiar scowl carved into his face.

And yet, his eyes softened when they landed on you.

Wolffe raised his glass and tipped it towards you. A private gesture no one else noticed. No smile, no words. Just that.

You grinned.

“Fight!”

And then you charged.

[argumate]

has anyone seen one of these downlights with lots of tiny surface mount leds before? I was baffled when I opened it up and thought it was missing a bulb! no obvious model number I can google for 🤔

[connectedelectricians]

Brightening Homes Safely: Why Professional Residential Electrician Services Matter

From the charging ports that juice up our apple pies whilst we are asleep, to the lights turned on when you wake in morning. We all use electricity every day, but those systems behind our walls require good electricians to install them and maintain/repair for continuity in performance. Thats where residential electrician services come in.

In Australia, Connected Electricians becomes a beneficial service for homeowners that need the licensed and insured residential electricians with long-term performance along with safety & dependability. This is why it's important to have the pros in your home and how choosing the right team can really set you apart from others.

What Are Residential Electrician Services?

The services that are categorized as Residential electrician can be said to be any work done in homes, residential buildings or apartments. While commercial electricians specialize in big systems, a residential electrical professional focuses on to smaller systems and offers services that are more specific to an individual household. These services include:

Electrician -lighting ,power point,fans,electrical appliances

Safety inspections

Switchboard upgrades

Rewiring and repairs

Outdoor lighting and garden power

Smoke alarm installation

Emergency electrical work

Professional electricians ensure every job is performed to Australian safety standards, whether they're installing a ceiling fan or working on your new home.

Why You Should Never DIY Electrical Work

Perhaps you are tempted to replace a flickering light or add another outlet yourself. Unfortunately, electrical work is a restricted and dangerous field in Australia. DIY is NEVER worth it, here's why: In certain cases, an informal trade can be considered as illegal.

Safety: Poor wiring techniques puts the home at risk for an electrical fire, with can be a potentially fatal danger.

Insurance Problems: Botched DIY jobs that could void your home insurance .

Hidden Issues: Experts can identify issues lurking beneath the visible surface. Peace of mind that all their electricians are fully licensed, insured and guaranteed with Connected Electricians. Connected Electricians: Trusted Residential Electricians in Australia

Safety and functioning electrical systems in the home are of significant importance which Connected Electricians know very well. Regardless of the issue, our skilled electricians have up-to-date licenses and insurance; you are guaranteed experience when booking with Trident Electric. We pride ourselves on:

Prompt service

Transparent pricing

Friendly and professional technicians

Workmanship warranties

Free safety inspections with every job

Our team provides high quality service ranging from small fixes to whole home rewiring, focusing on safety, effectiveness and overall satisfaction with all that we do.

Our Core Residential Electrician Services

Let's examine the main services that homeowners can get from Connected Electricians: 1. General Maintenance and Repairs for Electrical Systems Burned PowerPoints, malfunctioning switches, or inexplicable outages are examples of electrical issues that can occur at any time. Our staff promptly diagnoses problems and offers long-lasting fixes. No task is too simple or too difficult. 2. Design and Installation of Lighting A home is transformed into a home by good lighting. We set up:

Lighting indoors (LEDs, pendant lights, downlights).

Garden lights and outdoor security.

Energy-saving solutions to lower your electricity costs. Do you need assistance designing lighting? We'll assist you in creating the ideal ambiance. 3. Installation of Powerpoint and Switches More power access is needed in modern homes than ever before. We install them neatly and securely, whether you need more PowerPoints or want to switch to smart switches. 4. Improvements to the Switchboard Overloaded or outdated switchboards pose a safety hazard. To safeguard your family and appliances, we replace antiquated systems with contemporary switchboards equipped with safety switches and circuit breakers. 5. Installation of Smoke Alarms Lives are saved by functional smoke alarms. In accordance with the most recent Australian regulations, we guarantee that your smoke detectors are installed correctly. 6. Exams for Electrical Safety Uncertain whether the wiring in your house is up to code? We offer thorough electrical safety inspections that spot hazards before they become issues, making us perfect for homebuyers, landlords, and homeowners. 7. Extensions & Remodeling of Homes Adding a room or renovating? Our staff collaborates with architects and builders to guarantee that your electrical systems precisely match your designs. Emergency Electrician Services: 24/7 Help When You Need It Most Electrical emergencies can strike without warning—sparks from outlets, total blackouts, or tripping breakers. That’s why Connected Electricians offer 24/7 emergency callouts to quickly handle dangerous situations.

We prioritise:

Quick response times

Fault detection and resolution

Ensuring safety before we leave

When the unexpected hits, we’re just a phone call away.

Why Homeowners Choose Connected Electricians

Wondering what sets us apart from other electricians?

Local Knowledge

We understand the electrical needs of Australian homes, including local council requirements and energy efficiency guidelines.

Clean & Respectful

Our electricians treat your home like their own—wearing protective coverings, cleaning up afterward, and respecting your time.

Upfront Pricing

No hidden costs or surprise bills. We provide honest, upfront quotes before any work begins.

Fully Licensed & Insured

We meet all Australian standards and regulations. Our insurance gives you extra peace of mind.

Signs You Need a Residential Electrician

Not sure whether to call an electrician? Here are common signs it’s time:

Flickering or dimming lights

Frequently tripping circuit breakers

Hot or discoloured powerpoints

Buzzing noises from switches or walls

Outdated fuse boxes

No RCD (safety switch) installed

Burning smell near outlets

Appliances shutting off randomly

If you notice any of these warning signs, don’t delay. Faulty wiring can escalate quickly. A professional inspection could prevent a serious hazard.

The Cost of Hiring a Residential Electrician

Many homeowners hesitate to call electricians due to perceived costs. However, electrical repairs are an investment in safety and comfort. At Connected Electricians, we offer:

Free quotes

Clear breakdowns of costs

Competitive pricing for quality work

Plus, with our energy-efficient upgrades, you could actually save money on your electricity bills over time.

Choosing the Right Residential Electrician: What to Look For

Before hiring any electrician, consider these factors:

Licensing – Always ask for their electrical license.

Insurance – Verify they have public liability and worker’s compensation.

Experience – Look for electricians with strong reviews and long-standing experience.

Warranties – Reputable electricians back their work.

Availability – Choose a team that offers emergency and same-day service if needed.

With Connected Electricians, you don’t need to worry—we meet and exceed all of the above.

Power Up Your Home the Right Way

Your home deserves electrical systems that are safe, reliable, and built to last. Don’t settle for shortcuts or quick fixes. With Connected Electricians, you’re not just hiring a tradie—you’re choosing a long-term partner in your home's safety and functionality.

Whether it’s installing new lighting, upgrading your switchboard, or responding to an emergency, we’re ready to help. Trust us to get the job done right—every time.

Contact Connected Electricians Today

Ready to book a residential electrician? Visit Connected Electrician or call us today for a fast, free quote.

Stay safe. Stay connected—with Connected Electricians.

[ricetechnology]

Affordable and Stylish LED Lighting Solutions for Any Space

LED lighting has transformed the way we design and experience spaces. Whether it’s a cozy living room, a modern office, or a commercial showroom, the right lighting enhances not just visibility but also the mood and style of a place. Today, even premium options like architectural linear LED lighting and other high-end architectural lighting products are available at affordable price points—making it easier than ever to combine functionality with aesthetics. As lighting design becomes more accessible, both homeowners and businesses can enjoy elegant solutions without breaking the budget.

1. Why LED Lighting Is the Smart Choice

LED lights are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and low-maintenance. Compared to traditional incandescent or fluorescent lights, LEDs consume up to 80% less electricity and can last for over 25,000 hours. This means you save on power bills while reducing the need for frequent replacements.

2. Versatility for Every Type of Space

Whether you're lighting a compact apartment or a sprawling commercial space, LED lighting offers unmatched versatility. There are a variety of designs and formats to suit every space:

Recessed ceiling lights for clean modern interiors

Surface-mounted LEDs for easy installation

Pendant lights and chandeliers for focal points

Strip and cove lights for ambient settings

3. Architectural Linear LED Lighting: Style Meets Function

One of the fastest-growing trends in interior design is architectural linear LED lighting. These sleek, minimalist light strips are used in ceilings, along walls, or even embedded into floors for a seamless lighting effect. They add a high-end look to residential and commercial spaces, and when thoughtfully placed, they can highlight architectural features, guide movement, or define functional zones in open layouts.

4. Architectural Lighting Products for Every Budget

While once reserved for luxury spaces, many architectural lighting products are now available in cost-effective ranges. Options include linear profiles, adjustable downlights, and track lighting systems that offer professional-grade aesthetics without high costs. These products are ideal for:

Living rooms and bedrooms

Office cabins and lobbies

Galleries and retail spaces

Hotel corridors and lounges

5. Customization for Personalized Spaces

LED lighting systems can be customized to match your space’s layout, mood, and function. With tunable white lights, RGB options, dimmers, and smart controls, you can adjust lighting intensity and color as per time of day, task, or atmosphere. This makes LED lighting ideal for people who want both style and control.

6. Easy Integration with Smart Home Systems

Most modern LED fixtures now support automation through apps, voice control, and sensors. This makes it easy to set up schedules, moods, or energy-saving modes—all of which help maximize comfort and reduce electricity consumption.

7. Outdoor and Landscape Applications

LED lighting isn’t just for interiors. It’s now a preferred choice for outdoor areas like patios, gardens, walkways, and building facades. Architectural linear lights and weatherproof architectural lighting products help highlight design elements while ensuring safety and ambience.

Conclusion

Modern LED lighting brings together beauty, efficiency, and affordability like never before. With access to advanced options such as architectural linear LED lighting and thoughtfully designed architectural lighting products, any space—residential or commercial—can enjoy a high-end look without the premium price tag. As design trends evolve, LED lighting continues to lead the way with style and sustainability, making it the go-to solution for modern spaces across all budgets.

[nuordiclightingcompany]

Surface Mounted Magnetic Track Light vs. Recessed Downlights: Which Is Best for Modern Interiors?

When updating your home or office lighting, it helps to understand the options. A Surface Mounted Magnetic Track Light offers flexibility and style. These lighting systems let you easily adjust and move the lights along the track to focus on specific areas like artwork, kitchen counters, or workspaces. They add a modern, dynamic touch to any room and are simple to install. You can explore a wide range of these magnetic track lights at Nuordic Magnetic LED Track Lighting System.

For those who prefer a more subtle look, a Recessed Round Downlight fits flush with the ceiling for clean, unobtrusive illumination. These downlights are perfect for creating even, ambient lighting in living rooms, hallways, or offices. The Recessed Round LED Downlight variety is especially popular because LEDs use less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs, making them a smart choice for modern interiors. Whether you want adjustable, eye-catching track lighting or sleek, hidden downlights, Nuordic have solutions that combine style, efficiency, and durability and to know more read the full blog here, https://nuordic01.blogspot.com/2025/06/surface-mounted-magnetic-track-light-vs.html

[processingplant1]

Affordable and Stylish LED Lighting Solutions for Any Space

LED lighting has transformed the way we design and experience spaces. Whether it’s a cozy living room, a modern office, or a commercial showroom, the right lighting enhances not just visibility but also the mood and style of a place. Today, even premium options like architectural linear LED lighting and other high-end architectural lighting products are available at affordable price points—making it easier than ever to combine functionality with aesthetics. As lighting design becomes more accessible, both homeowners and businesses can enjoy elegant solutions without breaking the budget.

1. Why LED Lighting Is the Smart Choice

LED lights are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and low-maintenance. Compared to traditional incandescent or fluorescent lights, LEDs consume up to 80% less electricity and can last for over 25,000 hours. This means you save on power bills while reducing the need for frequent replacements.

2. Versatility for Every Type of Space

Whether you're lighting a compact apartment or a sprawling commercial space, LED lighting offers unmatched versatility. There are a variety of designs and formats to suit every space:

Recessed ceiling lights for clean modern interiors

Surface-mounted LEDs for easy installation

Pendant lights and chandeliers for focal points

Strip and cove lights for ambient settings

3. Architectural Linear LED Lighting: Style Meets Function

One of the fastest-growing trends in interior design is architectural linear LED lighting. These sleek, minimalist light strips are used in ceilings, along walls, or even embedded into floors for a seamless lighting effect. They add a high-end look to residential and commercial spaces, and when thoughtfully placed, they can highlight architectural features, guide movement, or define functional zones in open layouts.

4. Architectural Lighting Products for Every Budget

While once reserved for luxury spaces, many architectural lighting products are now available in cost-effective ranges. Options include linear profiles, adjustable downlights, and track lighting systems that offer professional-grade aesthetics without high costs. These products are ideal for:

Living rooms and bedrooms

Office cabins and lobbies

Galleries and retail spaces

Hotel corridors and lounges

5. Customization for Personalized Spaces

LED lighting systems can be customized to match your space’s layout, mood, and function. With tunable white lights, RGB options, dimmers, and smart controls, you can adjust lighting intensity and color as per time of day, task, or atmosphere. This makes LED lighting ideal for people who want both style and control.

6. Easy Integration with Smart Home Systems

Most modern LED fixtures now support automation through apps, voice control, and sensors. This makes it easy to set up schedules, moods, or energy-saving modes—all of which help maximize comfort and reduce electricity consumption.

7. Outdoor and Landscape Applications

LED lighting isn’t just for interiors. It’s now a preferred choice for outdoor areas like patios, gardens, walkways, and building facades. Architectural linear lights and weatherproof architectural lighting products help highlight design elements while ensuring safety and ambience.

Conclusion

Modern LED lighting brings together beauty, efficiency, and affordability like never before. With access to advanced options such as architectural linear LED lighting and thoughtfully designed architectural lighting products, any space—residential or commercial—can enjoy a high-end look without the premium price tag. As design trends evolve, LED lighting continues to lead the way with style and sustainability, making it the go-to solution for modern spaces across all budgets.

[crossnichechronicles]

Modern Kitchen Renovation Ideas to Refresh Your Space

Renovating your kitchen is one of the most rewarding home improvement projects. Whether you're looking to improve functionality, increase your home's value, or simply create a more stylish and enjoyable space, a modern kitchen renovation can make a big impact. Here are some of the most effective and inspiring ideas to help you refresh your kitchen.

1. Open Plan Layouts for Better Flow

Open-plan kitchens remain one of the most popular renovation choices. By removing unnecessary walls and combining the kitchen with the dining or living area, you create a space that feels larger and more connected. This layout is ideal for entertaining, keeping an eye on kids, or simply enjoying more natural light and ventilation.

When working with Luxury Bathrooms Melbourne, we help design layouts that maximize space while improving the flow between key zones.

2. Smart Storage That Makes a Difference

Modern kitchens prioritise clean lines and clutter-free surfaces, and this starts with clever storage. Consider installing:

Deep drawers instead of lower cabinets

Pull-out pantry units

Overhead cabinets that reach the ceiling

Hidden compartments for small appliances

These additions not only improve function but also keep your kitchen organised and visually appealing.

3. Sleek Cabinetry and Premium Finishes

Flat-panel cabinetry in matte or high-gloss finishes continues to define modern kitchens. Handle-less designs, soft-close drawers, and minimalist details contribute to a refined and contemporary look.

For a truly luxurious finish, incorporate natural stone benchtops, high-quality engineered surfaces, or waterfall-edge islands. A two-tone palette—such as timber and white or navy and brass—can also add sophistication.

4. Statement Lighting for Style and Function

Lighting can transform the mood and usability of a kitchen. Modern renovations often include:

Pendant lights above the island

LED strip lighting under cabinets

Recessed downlights for ambient light

Lighting not only enhances safety and function but also becomes a design feature in its own right.

5. Energy-Efficient and Integrated Appliances

Modern kitchen design embraces appliances that are stylish, quiet, and built for efficiency. Integrated dishwashers, ovens, and fridges offer a seamless look, blending into your cabinetry. Consider energy-efficient models to reduce your environmental footprint and long-term costs.

6. Functional Islands and Breakfast Bars

A well-designed island can become the heart of your kitchen. It serves as extra bench space, a casual dining area, or even additional storage. If space allows, consider adding a breakfast bar to create a more versatile, family-friendly layout.

7. Touches of Personality

Even in a sleek modern kitchen, personal touches make all the difference. Incorporate open shelving for decorative pieces, use textured splashbacks, or bring in pops of colour with stools, artwork, or feature walls.

Bringing It All Together

Modern kitchen renovations are all about clean design, smart use of space, and enhancing everyday functionality. Whether you're going for a minimalist style or something more expressive, the right planning and professional execution will make your kitchen both beautiful and practical.

Ready to give your kitchen the upgrade it deserves? Let a professional renovation team guide you from design to delivery, ensuring every detail works in harmony with your home and lifestyle.

[edisonlighting01]

Why Surface Mounted Downlights are Best for Small Spaces

These ceiling-mounted treasures add modernity to any room. Downlights improve ambient light and highlight specific objects or areas by directing light downwards. Modern homes use downlights more. Their understated but effective lighting attracts architects, interior designers, and homeowners. Downlights often softly illuminate a living room or highlight an artwork, demonstrating their versatility and elegance. Here, we will talk about the surface mounted downlights.