Tempting-Red Lips, Truthful Lies $ Seductive Touch

Adrian’s POV

"Step aside, Adrian."

Damien Moreau.

I require no introduction. I already know who he is,

What about the rifle aimed at my chest? That's only a supplement to the actual danger: the storm developing in his green eyes, the same hue as Celeste's.

Frozen, she is behind me. Though she remains silent, I can sense her anxiety.

I stay still.

I don't close my eyes.

I don't even fucking breathe.

Since I don't follow directions.

Especially not from a deceased person.

You have five seconds to put down that pistol, I say, calmly. Under control. Before I let you rue entering that door.

Damien grins. Devereaux, always so calm. But we all know you are not bulletproof.

Stepping forward, I push the gun's barrel into my chest. Then squeeze the trigger.

Quiet.

He grips more firmly.

Still, he doesn't fire.

Her voice cutting, Celeste at last comes out of her daze. Damien, halt!

That one request alters everything.

Damien's gaze darts to her and his face changes. He clenches his jaw. His position wavers—just a little—but enough for me to see the uncertainty.

He's not coming to murder me.

He is here for her.

I take the time.

One quick action gets the pistol out of his hand by twisting his wrist. It falls to the ground.

I throw him against the wall, trapping him with my forearm on his throat, so he cannot respond.

His hands go up to grab my arm and fight me, but I don't let up.

That was a poor choice. "Threatening me in my own house."

Damien clenches his teeth. You believe I care about your house? I came for Celeste.

She's not going anywhere with you.

You can't keep her.

I push further, seeing his expression deepen. You can't have her.

A choked noise comes from his throat. I could kill him right here. Break his fucking neck.

But Celeste approaches nearer, her voice quivering. Adrian, let him go. I do not.

I ought to. Still, I don't.

"Adrian," she repeats, this time more gently. Begging.

And goddamn, I loathe how much control she has over me.

Cursing, I let him go and step back just far enough to allow him to breathe.

Coughing and throat rubbing, Damien gasps. Still, his gaze stays fixed on Celeste.

He gazes at her as though she were his whole universe.

As though he had waited years to see her once more.

It makes me angry.

She advances with caution. Damien... how? How do you live?

His jaw clenches. It's a lengthy tale.

Say that to me.

Damien looks at me, then exhales and turns his attention back to her. "Not in front of him."

Celeste is unsure.

That uncertainty drives me absolutely crazy.

I walk in between them and make her face me. Should you believe for even one second that I am allowing you to depart with him—

I clench my teeth. You believe he will tell you the truth?

Damien laughs derisively. At least I won't trick her into bed first.

I doubt it. I simply go.

A single punch.

Directly to his jaw.

He trips, swearing, but I carry on. Grabbing him by the collar, I push him back into the wall.

You don't get to come in here, threaten me, and behave like some fucking hero," I say. Where the heck have you been all these years?

Damien wipes blood from his mouth and glares. To live.

Pushing into my chest, Celeste steps in front of us. Both of you are sufficient!

I keep my gaze fixed on Damien. You would have returned sooner if you really cared about her.

You know nothing about what I went through.

I don't mind.

Celeste, her voice cracking, turns to Damien. Why didn't you let me know you were alive?

Damien gazes at her, his expression opaque. I couldn't take the chance.

"Risk what?"

He looks at me, then back to her. You.

She gasps.

Her gaze at him bothers me. The way her eyes relax.

And I certainly as hell don't like the way he stares at her.

As if she were his property.

I take her wrist and draw her closer. This is over.

Damien advances. Devereaux, she's not your property.

I grin. Not at all. But she certainly isn't yours either.

Celeste's voice is harsh as she pulls away from my hold. Stop treating me like some treasure to be claimed, both of you!

Her explosion leaves us speechless.

She glances at Damien after taking a hesitant breath. I seek solutions.

She gazes at me. But I am not going with him.

That should not make me feel triumphant. Still, it does.

Damien tightens his hands. That means you are wrong.

Celeste's lips close. Perhaps. But I have to create it.

He exhales and lets his shoulders drop a little. Staying with him will make you sorry.

I laugh grimly. Attempt to steal her; you will regret it.

Our conflict is a live wire.

One incorrect action and everything will blow apart.

Damien looks at her once more. When you are prepared to learn the truth, you know where to locate me.

Then, without saying anything more, he turns and departs.

Celeste exhales and rubs her temples the second he leaves.

I move closer. Say you weren't really thinking about going with him.

She drops into the sofa with a sigh. I was not sure what I was thinking.

Kneeling before her, I hold her chin and make her face me. I don't believe him.

She agrees. Me neither.

Well.

Still, something feels off.

Damien appearing now? All these years later?

It's intentional.

I don't think coincidences exist.

I go about, standing. He is aware of something. Something significant.

Celeste observes me closely. You believe he is concealing something?

He is, I know.

A silence lengthens between us.

Then, gently, she inquires, "Do you believe... Do you believe he could be telling the truth?"

I cease my pacing. Gaze at her.

Say the one thing that counts.

It doesn't matter to me.

Her brows knit. What is it?

I lean down and come closer till my face is inches from hers.

What he says doesn't matter, Celeste. Your past with him doesn't matter to me. Whether he's your long-lost brother or the fucking devil himself doesn't matter to me.

Caging her in, I hold the couch's edge. You belong to me. And I would set the planet on fire before I let anybody steal you from me.

Her breathing catches. Adrian

Sliding my hand to her neck, I brush my fingers across her quick pulse.

Should you go, I whisper, "I will hunt you down."

She trembles but stays put.

Should you attempt to run... I touch her ear with my lips. You will come to regret it.

Her body pushing into mine, her fists fisting in my shirt.

And just when I believe she will drive me away—

Strongly.

Despairing.

A giving up.

But her phone buzzes just as my hand slides beneath her dress.

She becomes rigid. Draws back.

Grabs for it with unsteady hands.

Seeing the TV makes her face pale.

I take the call before she can respond.

One name appears on the screen.

Unidentified Number.

The message, however, is obvious.

We know your location.