Emily
The day passed in a haze of polite conversation, carefully curated activities, and subtle tension. I had spent the hours after breakfast wandering the Carter estate under Nathan's mother's guidance, helping in the garden, attending to small family errands, and sharing tea with Nathan's parents.
I tried to stay composed, engaging only when necessary, smiling politely, nodding in agreement, and responding in measured tones. Yet, every laugh or gesture felt dampened by a lingering awareness of what had happened the night before.
Lunch was quiet, a meal filled with carefully selected topics: minor family events, distant relatives, and the occasional gentle tease about my engagement. Nathan was easy enough, keeping his tone distant yet polite. He seemed relieved to let the morning pass without the weight of pretense, giving me room to navigate my own thoughts.
The afternoon dragged, slow but intentionally pleasant. Nathan's mother insisted we spend some time in the drawing room, and I complied, hiding my tension beneath polite smiles as she recounted old family anecdotes and history. The jade bracelet I had refused earlier lay untouched in her hand, a silent reminder of yesterday's events and the small victories I had claimed in maintaining control.
By early evening, shadows had begun to stretch across the manicured lawns, and I felt the first stirrings of anticipation. The day had been long, and as much as I had enjoyed—or tolerated—the polite distractions, I longed for a moment of solitude.
It was at that moment Adrian returned.
The sound of the front doors opening caught my attention before I could fully process it. Nathan, sitting near the window, perked up instinctively, his polite demeanor stiffening.
I turned just in time to see Adrian enter, immaculate in his tailored suit, hair perfectly in place, and that impossible air of control radiating around him. My stomach constricted in a mixture of anticipation and nerves. I had spent hours managing myself, keeping my mind occupied, and yet just seeing him made everything else fade into the background.
Adrian's gaze swept the room, pausing for a moment on me, and I felt my pulse accelerate. There was a faint curve of a smirk on his lips, just enough to suggest he knew exactly what he did to me, and the effect it had.
"Emily," he greeted, his voice calm but deliberate, smooth like silk sliding across steel.
"Do you plan to stay the night again?" There was a glint in his eyes, he was teasing me.
"No..no... Uhm... I should get going." I stammered.
God
Breathe, Emily.
Breathe.
A maid came down with my bags a moment later and I almost snatched it from her.
"I'll drop you off," Nathan offered.
"Don't worry," Adrian replied, taking my bags from me, " It's on my way, I'll take her home"
Nathan's expression shifted from polite concern to eager relief. "I… I suppose I'll let you escort her, uncle," he said quickly, attempting casual nonchalance. "Thanks."
Adrian inclined his head, a subtle acknowledgment, but his dark gaze didn't leave me. Nathan stood, bowed slightly, and muttered his thanks again before leaving the room without another word.
I watched him go, feeling a pang of something I couldn't quite identify—relief, maybe, or frustration that Nathan didn't have the same intensity Adrian did. I quickly focused back on Adrian.
"I'll walk you to the car," he said, turning with effortless authority.
I followed him, keeping pace, careful not to reveal the tumultuous mix of nerves and anticipation coiling in my stomach. Every movement he made, every step, was precise, measured, like a predator moving through familiar territory.
When we reached his car, I hesitated briefly, aware of the intensity that always seemed to radiate from him. He opened the door for me, his presence lingering close, almost magnetic, as I stepped inside.
The car started smoothly, the subtle hum of the engine filling the quiet space. For a long moment, neither of us spoke. I kept my hands folded neatly in my lap, trying to maintain composure while my mind buzzed with awareness of Adrian's presence beside me.
Finally, he spoke, low and deliberate, almost teasing in tone. "I missed you."
I froze, surprised. "Missed me?" My voice came out quieter than intended, tinged with confusion. "It hasn't even been—what—twenty-four hours?"
He turned to glance at me, dark eyes intent, unwavering. "I don't care about the hours. I missed you." His words were firm, precise, leaving no room for doubt.
I swallowed hard, internally conflicted. Why does he act like this? I wondered. Why is he so attached already?
"Make up for it," he said, leaning slightly toward me. The heat radiating from him was immediate, tangible.
I blinked. "How…?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
Before I could process, his lips met mine, slow and deliberate, pressing against mine with a confidence that left me breathless. My mind tried to resist, tried to rationalize, but the pull was immediate, irresistible.
The kiss deepened, and I felt the heat of his presence, his fingers brushing subtly against mine, holding, teasing, demanding at once. My pulse raced, heart pounding in my ears. The subtle weight of the seat beneath me, the closeness, the smell of him, all collided in a rush of tension I couldn't ignore.
"Are you ok?" He asked.
I looked back at him in confusion.
"Down there" he muttered, his eyes darting downwards, "Are you still sore?"
I flushed, his assistant was still in the car, what was he thinking?
"We can't do it here" I whispered, my eyes darting towards his assistant in the driver's seat.
"Don't worry, he won't hear us."
"But... Still..."
"Get out!" I froze in shock.
The assistant parked somewhere safe and private and exited.
I knew it, he could her us.
I glared at the man beside me.
My reputation was perfectly ruined.
"So...are you better now?"
I sighed, glaring at him.
"I… I'm better," I murmured after a moment.
He smirked, a dangerous curve of his lips that made my chest ache. "Good. Then there's no excuse."
I pressed my lips together, trying to steady my breath, trying to keep some semblance of composure.
But his lips were on mine again, hungrier, faster, his hands tracing line of my body as his lips followed suit.
The car was shaking aggressively now and I could only imagine what the poor assistant thought of us.
When the assistant returned to the car, I couldn't look at him.
I was a mess, I straightened my hair as much as I could and smoothened the creases on my dress.
Adrian's eyes were still on me, but I was too exhausted to care.
The car continued to hum down the road and I rested my head against the seat, watching the vehicles moving and the city as I dozed off.
I felt the car come to a halt, and I opened my eyes.
I was home.
My head was now on Adrian's shoulder.
I straightened, my neck a little stiff from the posture is slept in.
"Thank you for the ride" I moved to open the door, but he dragged me back, placing a chaste kiss on my lips, "Goodnight."
I blushed.
"Good night"
But the night was going to be anything but good.