Adrian's Penthouse – The Inner Turmoil
The dim glow of the city lights spilled into Adrian's penthouse, casting long shadows against the sleek, modern interior. The scent of expensive whiskey lingered in the air as he stood by the window, nursing a crystal glass in his hand.
His face was impassive, but his eyes were darker than ever. The revelation from earlier—the betrayal by his own brother—gnawed at him relentlessly.
Adrian clenched the glass so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"Elliot…" he muttered under his breath, venom lacing his tone.
His younger half-brother. The one he had once protected, raised, and shielded from their ruthless father. And now, he was the snake in the grass, sinking his fangs into Adrian's back.
The betrayal stung, but strangely, it wasn't what consumed him.
No.
It was her.
Liana's face flashed in his mind—the way her eyes had held defiance and vulnerability at once. The softness of her lips against his, trembling but yielding. The taste of her fear mixed with her desire.
His grip tightened around the glass.
He shouldn't crave her.
He should destroy her.
And yet, all he could think about was owning her completely.
With a sharp inhale, he threw back the remaining whiskey and slammed the glass onto the bar counter.
The urge to see her, to touch her, was suffocating him.
Without hesitation, he grabbed his keys and strode toward the elevator.
He was going to her.
---
Liana's Apartment – The Haunting Memory
Liana lay in bed, her body restless despite the exhaustion weighing on her limbs. Her apartment was dimly lit, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting faint shadows against the walls.
But she couldn't sleep.
Not after last night.
Her mind was tangled with the memory of Adrian's touch, his kiss—a brutal possession that should have left her shaking in fear.
And yet…
Her skin still tingled where he had held her.
Her fingers unconsciously traced the faint bruise on her chin.
Her heart twisted with frustration.
"Why can't I get him out of my head?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
She shut her eyes, forcing herself to breathe slowly, willing her mind to silence the memories.
But then, the sharp sound of her doorbell pierced the silence.
Her eyes snapped open. She stared at the clock on her nightstand.
11:43 PM.
Her breath caught.
No one would come this late.
Unless…
Her stomach twisted with unease. She slipped out of bed and wrapped a thin cardigan around her slender frame. Slowly, she padded toward the door, her heart pounding.
She peered through the peephole.
Her blood turned cold.
Adrian.
Her hand instinctively tightened around the doorknob.
"No…" she whispered under her breath.
But before she could even think of not answering, his deep, authoritative voice drifted through the door.
"Open the door, Liana."
Her pulse quickened.
Her hands trembled slightly as she backed away from the door, her breathing uneven.
"Go away," she called out, trying to sound firm, but her voice was barely above a whisper.
There was a long pause.
And then… his voice lowered dangerously.
"Don't make me ask again."
Her breath hitched.
She knew better than to defy him. She had seen the ruthlessness in his eyes, felt the darkness in his touch.
Her fingers shook as she slowly unlocked the door and pulled it open.
He stood there, dressed in a black shirt and tailored slacks, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. His piercing gaze locked onto hers, dark and unreadable.
But there was something in his eyes tonight—something heavier.
Something unhinged.
Without a word, he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. The click of the lock sent a shiver down her spine.
"What are you doing here?" she asked softly, her voice barely steady.
He didn't respond.
Instead, he stared at her, his eyes dragging over every inch of her body—the cardigan slipping off one shoulder, the faint strap of her nightdress visible underneath.
Her bare feet against the wooden floor.
Her slightly parted lips, still swollen from his last kiss.
And then… he stepped closer.
She instinctively backed away, but he grabbed her wrist, pulling her flush against his chest.
Her breath caught as she felt his heat, his familiar scent—a lethal mix of woodsy cologne and danger—enveloping her.
"You're running from me, Liana," he murmured darkly.
His lips were close to her ear, his breath warm and tormenting.
"But no matter how far you run… I'll always find you."
Her heart pounded violently.
"You shouldn't be here," she whispered, her voice trembling.
But her hands were still pressed against his chest, and she hated how easily her body betrayed her.
Adrian's grip tightened slightly.
"No, Liana." His voice was low, almost dangerous.
"I should be exactly where you are."
And then, he kissed her.
But this time, it wasn't brutal. It was slow. Controlled.
Deceptively gentle.
His lips moved over hers with an aching slowness that made her knees weaken.
She tried to push him away, but he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, coaxing her open, tasting her.
Her fingers clutched the fabric of his shirt, torn between resisting and succumbing.
Her lips parted beneath his, and he deepened the kiss, claiming her mouth with a hunger that sent shivers down her spine.
When he finally pulled back, her breath was shallow, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
Their eyes met—hers wide and dazed, his dark and possessive.
His thumb brushed over her swollen bottom lip, his gaze fierce and unyielding.
"You hate me…" he murmured, his voice gravelly, "…but you want me."
Her eyes glistened with defiance, but her voice betrayed her.
"No… I don't…" she whispered.
But she did.
Her eyes screamed it.
Her trembling hands confessed it.
Adrian smirked faintly, his gaze dropping to her parted lips again.
"You're a terrible liar, Liana."
Her breath hitched.
Without another word, he released her, his body still pressed against hers. His eyes were still locked onto hers, dark and predatory.
He tilted her chin up slightly with his fingers, his thumb stroking her jaw in a way that made her shiver.
"I'll leave for now…" he murmured softly, his lips brushing against her ear, "…but don't think you're rid of me."
He slowly stepped back, his eyes holding hers until the last second.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked out of her apartment, leaving her breathless, shaken, and utterly confused.
---
See you in next chapter...