Elena's POV:
Morning comes too quickly.
I bring a hand to my face, shielding my eyes from the blinding light that spills in from the curtains.
I sit up, and look around the room. There's no sign of Adrian. The duvet I gave him last night is folded neatly on the couch.
Memories of last night play in my head, and I feel blood rush to my face.
Last night, he suddenly appeared behind me. I was startled and I stumbled back into him. He was... hard. So hard. And he felt so huge.
I was so shocked, I didn't even know how to react. But if I'm being completely honest with myself, a part of me wanted to feel him again. Just a little.
His eyes were so dazed, and with a glint of darkness. He breathed so heavily, and his chest heaved up and down unevenly.
The sight of him like that, so full of desire, made heat shoot to my core.
I don't know what or who turned him on so much, but I know that I was definitely turned on myself.
And when he leaned down, and his lips grazed my ear, my legs almost gave out. It was such a small touch, but it made me shudder so intensely.
But then he told me to go to bed. And I couldn't help but wonder if the sight of me irritated him, or was it the other way round, and he was actually turned on by me? When he looked at me, he seemed to be holding back. Restraining himself from doing something he shouldn't.
I fall back on the bed, and press a pillow over my face, groaning loudly into it.
What am I thinking?!
The door suddenly opens, and I jump up, straightening.
Adrian enters and closes the door behind him. He's dressed in a dark grey suit. He looks so handsome today. He always does.
"You're up," he says, making his way to the dresser. "You need to get dressed. We'll head downstairs in an hour."
He then turns to me, while putting on another watch that he picked up from the dresser replacing the former one he wore. "We'll have breakfast with the rest of the guests, so hurry up."
I nod, standing up. But instead of moving, I stand there and stare at him. And he stares back. A minute passes. It's now a competition of who's going to look away first.
"I'll wait outside for you," he finally says through clamped teeth, then walks out without another word.
I sink into the bed again. It's going to be a long day.
****
The ground floor feels different this morning. It's busy. Alive. The entire left wing of the hotel has been transformed into a corporate world of its own. Banners with "RICCI GLOBAL SUMMIT" in bold letters, rows of glass tables holding branded folders and bottled water, elegantly dressed professionals moving around with badges clipped to their suit pockets.
As we enter, Adrian's hand comes to the small of my back, and he keeps it there, leading me inside. I try not to overreact, so I just swallow and continue walking ahead like it's nothing.
I'm putting on the black dress I chose. This one is a bit on the shorter side. It stops above my knees. It's a halter neck too, and there are no sleeves, but it hugs my body perfectly. I paired it with silver heels and accessories, along with a silver purse.
Then I put my hair into a neat bun, and did some makeup, but not too heavy. Though it's more than the usual. After all, it's a formal event. I have to look my best, beside Adrian.
A woman in an emerald dress approaches us with a bright smile.
"Mr. Moretti, welcome. Your table is prepared near the front. And Miss—?"
"Elena," I answer.
She gives me a polite nod, then turns to lead us.
We walk deeper into the hall, and I take everything in. The large crystal chandeliers, the polished marble floors, the low hum of conversations in different accents. This isn't a conference. This is a kingdom for people with power and money.
Adrian pulls me closer to him and whispers, "Stay beside me at all times. Don't wander off on your own to anywhere."
"I'm not a child," I mutter back.
"I didn't say you were," he replies, voice low, "but this room is full of men who overestimate themselves."
Before I can respond, someone calls out...
"Mr. Moretti."
We turn to see a tall man in a charcoal suit walking toward us. Striking. Blond hair that's slicked back nicely, Sharp jaw. He looks to be in his forties, if I'm not mistaken. And he's good looking too even though he has some gray beard peeking out.
He extends a hand to Adrian. "You showed up."
"Ricci." Adrian shakes his hand, firm but emotionless. "Your setup is efficient."
Ricci. I saw that name somewhere.
Right! He's the one hosting the summit.
Good for him.
Ricci laughs softly. "We try." Then his gaze shifts to me briefly.
"I see you brought company, yes?" he grins widely. "Who's the beautiful lady?"
Adrian's hand twitches on my back.
"My wife," he says more harshly than needed.
Mr. Ricci's eyebrows shoot up. "The popular Mrs. Elena." His eyes shift to me, and he reaches a hand out to shake me.
I look to Adrian briefly. He doesn't look so happy. His jaw is tight, but he nods his head slightly anyway, giving me approval.
I give my hand out, and the man takes my hand in his, bringing it up to his lips and placing a soft lingering kiss on the skin.
Shivers run down my spine. And it's not the good kind. It takes me back to the first night I met Adrian, and he kissed me softly. Except this one doesn't feel the same. Instead, I'm irritated.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Moretti," he says, holding eye contact.
I draw my hand out of his hold before responding.
"And you too, Mr. Ricci," I say with a wry smile on my face.
He backs up, looking between me and Adrian.
"I'm glad you guys could make it. Have fun, eat, and gist away while you're here."
"Today is only to welcome all of our guests. I look forward to seeing you both tomorrow at the formal dinner." he smiles widely.
"Sure," Adrian answers dryly. While I give the man a small nod.
"Okay then. I'll move along and let you two be. Let me go see how the other guests are settling."
"Mmm. You should," Adrian mutters.
I wonder what it is with his tone. He seems so agitated all of a sudden. The day hasn't even begun.
The moment he's gone, I turn to Adrian.
His jaw is set in a hard line, and he stares ahead like a lion planning his next meal.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
"Why do you ask?"
"You just seem… angry?"
He finally looks at me. "I'm not angry."
"You seem like you are though," I push.
"I'm not," he bites.
"And I hope you know that you don't have to take every hand that's offered to you, right?"
I frown. "Wait... you mean Ricci? That was..." I pause to find the right words. "I was just being polite. You shook him too, didn't you?"
"Yeah, but he didn't place a kiss on my hand, did he?"
I stifle a laugh. Is this what I think it is?
"Adrian… are you jealous?"
His eyes snap to me at once. "That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," he grunts.
"Well, it doesn't really sound all that ridiculous to me. In fact, it explains this whole," I gesture my finger in a circle, "thing."
"I don't know what thing you're talking about, but I definitely am not jealous. Never have been, and never will be. But I can only say that if I see any man look at you funny, or touch you inappropriately, I will take out my gun, and I will shoot them in the fucking head."
My smile drops instantly.
"Do you understand that, Elena?" His voice lowers.
I nod slowly, taken aback.
"Good," he starts moving again, leading me behind him.
What is wrong with this man and putting fucking bullets in people's heads. I mean, put a bullet through their guts too or something. Well, not exactly, but, I mean, he's always saying that shit.
It's not even that deep. It was just a peck on the hand. One that I was uncomfortable with, but still, it doesn't warrant anyone getting shot. Especially in a place like this.
I need to avoid more people kissing my hands from now on. I don't want to be the reason for any inconvenience that may happen.
And I know he's not doing it because he's jealous or anything. I was only messing with him. He won't be jealous because of me. He said it himself. Never have been, never will be.
He just said that because he doesn't want other men touching or coming close to what's his. His property. That's why.
I exhale deeply, ignoring the way my skin burns where his hand is, as I follow beside him to our seat.