urned white. Adrian had disappeared after dinner, leaving her alone in this suffocating mansion, yet his pres

the staircase. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if s

tterly unwelcoming. She had no illusions about what Adrian expected. He hadn't married her for comp

ulders, she push

there, lounging in one of the velvet armchairs, was Adrian. A glass of whiskey dangled loosely from his fingers, his shirt unbutton

her, assessing, unbother

ep her expression blank. "

erous. "You ask that as i

she walked further into the room, stopping just short of where he sat

n't tell. He tilted his head slightly, studying her like a puzz

a choice in being here, but I'll n

irling the amber liquid in his

t a thing, Adrian. Not something

. "Then wh

avering. "A woman who

stood, closing the distance between them in a single, predatory stride. He towered over her,

oft, deceptively gentle. "You speak as if you

d her chin

was no humor in it. "Then let me t

ace up so their eyes met. His touch wasn't painful, but it wasn't g

ut she refused to ba

eetheart," he murmured, releasing her as sudden

, as if she were nothing

h shallow, her skin burning f

d to fight. But Adrian was playing a game

He wasn't just exp

cting her t