Liana's Apartment – The Lingering Heat
The apartment felt colder without him.
Liana stood in the middle of her living room, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her fingers trembling faintly. She could still feel Adrian's lips on hers—the warmth of his breath against her skin, the commanding grip of his hands.
Her knees felt weak, and she slowly sank onto the couch, her fingers brushing over her slightly swollen lips.
"What are you doing to me…" she whispered brokenly.
The heat from his touch still lingered on her skin, and no matter how much she wanted to fight it—fight him—her body had betrayed her.
Her lips had parted willingly beneath his.
Her hands had clutched at his shirt instead of pushing him away.
She shut her eyes tightly, frustration clenching her chest.
She was supposed to hate him.
Despise him.
But the danger in his eyes only made her crave him more.
Her phone buzzed suddenly, jolting her from her thoughts.
She reached for it, her hands still unsteady.
The screen flashed with an unknown number.
Unknown Caller.
Her breath caught. She hesitated, then reluctantly answered.
"Hello?"
There was silence for a moment.
And then… his voice.
"Did you miss me already?"
Her stomach twisted violently.
Her fingers clenched around the phone.
"Adrian…" she whispered, her voice shaky.
"I can still taste you, Liana." His voice was low, gravelly, and laced with dark satisfaction.
"Are you in bed?"
Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
Her pulse quickened.
"Are you thinking about me?" he asked softly, his tone almost mocking.
"Because I haven't stopped thinking about you."
Her hand tightened around the phone.
"Stop it," she whispered.
Her voice was barely above a plea.
But he ignored her.
"I'm picturing you right now," he continued darkly, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Your lips still swollen from my kiss… your skin still warm from my touch."
Her eyes shut tightly, and she tried to block out the way his voice was crawling under her skin, making her heart hammer against her ribs.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Liana."
His voice was calm, almost conversational.
"You can run, you can resist—but you can't escape me."
Her throat constricted.
"What do you want from me?" she asked weakly.
The silence on the line stretched for a moment.
And then, his voice lowered, chillingly soft.
"Everything."
And with that, the line went dead.
Her hand trembled as she slowly lowered the phone.
Her pulse roared in her ears.
Her skin prickled with heat, and she hated herself for the warmth pooling low in her stomach.
---
The Sinclair Mansion – The Brewing Storm
The Sinclair estate stood tall and imposing, its dark glass windows reflecting the dim evening sky. Inside, Adrian sat in his private study, leaning back in a leather chair, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a sliver of his chest.
A faint smirk played on his lips as he stared at his phone—the call log still visible.
He ran his thumb over the screen, recalling the shaky sound of her voice on the other end.
She was breaking, slowly but surely.
And he was going to enjoy every second of it.
But his dark satisfaction was interrupted by the sharp knock at his door.
Without looking up, he exhaled heavily.
"Enter."
The door swung open and Elliot stepped in. His eyes were hard, his expression tense.
Adrian's gaze sharpened immediately.
"What is it?" he asked coldly.
Elliot's jaw tightened.
"The board is moving against you."
His voice was curt.
"Your sudden pullback from the European deals is causing unrest. They want answers."
Adrian's eyes darkened.
His fingers drummed slowly against the armrest, his face devoid of emotion.
"Let them wait."
Elliot's brows furrowed.
"You're making enemies within your own company, Adrian."
Adrian's gaze cut to him, sharp and lethal.
"And do you think I care?"
His voice was low, threatening.
"If they have a problem, they can take it up with my lawyers."
But Elliot didn't back down.
"You're distracted." His voice was flat, accusing.
"And I know why."
Adrian's fingers stilled. His eyes narrowed dangerously.
The room grew heavier, the tension palpable.
Elliot's lips curled into a mocking smirk.
"It's her, isn't it?" he taunted.
"The girl. Liana."
In an instant, Adrian was on his feet, slamming Elliot against the wall.
His hand clamped around Elliot's throat, squeezing just enough to make him gasp.
"Watch your mouth." His voice was a low, menacing growl.
Elliot's eyes narrowed, but he didn't flinch.
"You're losing control," he rasped out, smirking despite the pressure on his throat.
"She'll be your downfall."
Adrian's eyes darkened further. His grip tightened for a brief second before he suddenly released Elliot, stepping back.
He turned away, his shoulders stiff, his jaw clenched.
"Get out." His voice was flat, emotionless.
Elliot wiped at his throat, but his eyes glimmered with twisted satisfaction.
"You're already falling for her, brother," he sneered.
"And it's going to destroy you."
Without another word, he walked out, leaving Adrian alone in the suffocating silence of the study.
Adrian's fists curled tightly at his sides.
He stared out of the massive window, his reflection a dark silhouette against the glass.
His own brother was right.
And it enraged him.
She was getting under his skin.
And that was dangerous.
---
See you in next chapter....