Tempting-Red Lips, Truthful Lies $ Seductive Touch

Celeste’s POV

"You should be afraid of me, Celeste."

Adrian's voice is smooth, deadly. A promise tied in seduction. His body only inches from mine as he grips my wrist and keeps me there. The air between us is thick—dangerous, heated, heady.

I ought to be terrified.

I ought to be running.

Instead, I turn my head and smirk upward at him. But nonetheless, here I am, just in front of you.

Though his smile shows no joy, his lips curve. You don't know when to quit playing games.

I raise an eyebrow. Adrian, you're the one playing. I'm only winning.

His hold gets just strong enough to raise my pulse but not enough to cause pain. His touch is a warning, a quiet promise of what he could do should he choose.

You believe you are succeeding? His breath fans on my lips, his words dropping to a whisper. You have no clue what you have gotten yourself into.

My heart races against my ribs as I take a deep breath. Show me then.

For a single second, something primal, dark, possessive flashes in his gaze. His thumb brushes my lower lip as his fingers glide from my wrist to my jaw, lifting my head.

Be careful what you wish for, he says softly.

My heart races. Where he touches me, my flesh burns.

This is not right. This is risky.

Still, I can't turn away.

My breath is shallow and I split my lips slightly. Perhaps I enjoy risk.

His hold tightens, his eyes darkening. Celeste, no. You enjoy control. You enjoy believing you are in control.

Yes, I do. And I despise how easy he sees through me.

His thumb pushes into my chin, angling my face farther closer. Tell me, darling... Do you still believe you are in charge?

I refuse to give up and swallow hard. You?

For a time, neither of us shifted. The tension between us is like a live wire, crackling with heat and something else—something we shouldn’t identify.

Then he performs the one thing I do not anticipate.

He gives me a kiss.

It's not gentle. It's not mild.

This is war.

His lips slam into me, asking, punishing, robbing my lungs of oxygen. His hand pulls me closer by means of a knot in my hair, as if he wants to devour me whole.

I ought to shove him away. I ought to tell myself why I'm here.

Still, I don't.

I returned his kiss. Strongly.

As his other hand holds my waist, raising me onto the bar counter, a roar rumbles from his chest. Instinctively, my legs encircle his hips and he moves between my thighs, intensifying the kiss until I forget why I ever sought to fight.

Flame. That is what this is.

Unstoppable, unmanageable, a wildfire.

Fisting my hands in his shirt, I draw him unreasonably closer, my body betraying me and dissolving into his.

Tracing my thigh, his fingers glide under the hem of my dress, teasingly threatening to go farther.

Gripping his wrist, I gasp against his lips before he can go higher.

He remains still.

Then, gradually, he draws back, his blue eyes searing into me.

"Scared?" he mocks.

Ignoring the fire gathering in my stomach, I breathe quickly. Do you? Not ever.

His lips twist into a slow, devilish grin. Excellent.

Then he completely releases me, moving back as if nothing just occurred.

Breathless, I blink; my skin still tingles from his touch.

Bastard

He smooths his visage into something inscrutable and straightens his cuffs. We have now discussed the actual cause of your presence.

I feel a tightening in my tummy. What is the cause?

His grin vanishes. The brother of yours.

The atmosphere changes right away. What was once warmth between us turns colder and more acute.

A gradual exhalation hides my response. I have said you—

Lie to me again and I'll discover the truth myself. He speaks with steel. You won't enjoy my techniques, and I swear it.

A shiver rushes down my back.

Adrian Devereaux is not just hazardous when he desires something.

He is unrelenting.

And at the moment, I am his aim.

I make myself remain composed to consider. What precisely do you believe you know?

His eyes narrow. Your actual name is not Lila Carter. That you aren't just some random lady seeking employment. He approaches closer, speaking softly. The man in that image, then, is looking for you.

My blood runs chilly.

He's nearly there. Too near.

I have to mislead him.

Shaking my head, I chuckled softly. You believe I have some long-lost brother looking for me out there? That's a stretch, even for you.

Adrian's face remains unchanged. I don't believe it. I do.

I gulp.

Damien Living.

Should Adrian actually have evidence, then all I have scheduled is in jeopardy.

I have to get in front of this. I have to shape the story first.

I make a smirk. What then is your strategy? Lock me up here till I divulge some great secret, then?

His eyes dance with mirth. You'd already be in my bed, darling, if I believed it would help.

A wave of heat enters my body, but I suppress it.

You truly think well of yourself, don't you?

He tilts his head down. Not at all. I just know what I desire.

For a brief second, his attention falls to my lips before returning to my eyes.

And I always receive what I desire.

My heart races.

I had to leave this place. At this time.

Stepping passed him, I pushed off the bar. Our talk is finished.

But he holds my wrist and stops me first, so I cannot move forward.

Not just now.

Turning around to face him, I breath forcefully. Adrian, what do you want from me?

He grips more firmly. All.

I gasp.

His phrasing suggests more than simply veracity.

It's about me.

The air is again dense with something hazardous. Unstoppable.

And I see, too late, that I am already in too deep.

A loud bang reverberates around the penthouse, preventing me from speaking first.

Adrian's eyebrows knit together.

I scowl. Expecting guests?

His gaze toward the door keeps my wrist in his hold.

One more knock. This time was more difficult.

Adrian's voice is soft as he exhales. Remain here.

But the instant he releases me, I seize his arm.

Something seems off.

Who is it? I say softly.

His jaw clenches. I have no idea.

I feel a shiver down my back.

Three knocks. More loudly. More pressing.

Adrian's face darkens. Tense and fully attentive, he walks to the door.

My heart racing, I remain planted.

The moment he opens the door, it flies open.

And there is the last individual I ever anticipated to witness.

One man.

Dark locks. Emerald eyes.

The same green eyes as me.

Damien

Living.

And pointing a pistol directly at Adrian's chest.