wall and out of sight, I watch as Adeline, wearing a dress that hugs every fucking curve just right, sneaks away from a small grouping where Grant is boasting yet again. She has a look on her face that means trouble, her eyes glancing back to ensure Grant’s not watching before she hurries across the room to disappear down a hallway.
I follow her, quickly passing through the large room to head down the hall. I turn a corner and find Adeline tapping her shoe with impatience, her finger hitting the call button of the elevator repeatedly.
What is the little monster up to now?
Curiosity gets the better of me. Sneaking up behind her, I stay close enough to run into the elevator behind her, but still far enough that she won’t notice me until it’s too late.
The elevator doors slide open, Adeline steps inside, and just before they close fully, I rush forward, stick a hand out to stop them and then slide into the car.
She has a busted expression, her eyes flashing annoyance as she steps back to keep as much distance between us as possible.
Leaning against the opposite wall from her, I arch a brow. “Where are we going?”
“I’m going upstairs,” she snaps. “And you’re going to stay in the elevator to let it take you back to the party.”
“What if I don’t want to be at the party?”
Her eyes flick to me. “Then you shouldn’t have come.”
“You would have missed me too much if I decided to stay home.”
She flashes me a scowl as the elevator comes to a stop and the door dings.
Rushing out, she warns, “I mean it, Ari. Don’t follow me.”
Well, of fucking course, I’m going to follow her. Just the way she marches down the hall like the building is on fire means that wherever she’s going is a hell of a lot more interesting than what’s going on downstairs.
I’m a silent shadow at her feet until we reach a room door and she pulls a keycard from her clutch to swipe the lock. It beeps, popping open, but she turns before I can force my way inside to see what the hell she’s up to.
“Please tell me you’re not cheating on Grant with two men.”
Her eyes round with anger, lips yanking into a scowl.
I know she’s not seeing someone else, but it’s still fun to mess with her. Plus, if she was, I would have already killed him because she’s mine and doesn’t realize it yet.
Poking a finger against my chest, she tips her chin up, her blue eyes pinning mine.
“I’m not cheating on Grant with anybody-“
“I beg to differ.”
Her cheeks flare red.
“Anymore,” she adds while poking me with her finger as if it’s a lethal weapon.
Snatching her wrist, I pull her hand to my mouth, and bite the tip of her finger before sucking the tip.
Adeline stills, her gaze dropping to my mouth.
Sliding her finger from my lips, I whisper. “Are you sure about that?”
“Yes.”
Except there’s no strength behind the word at all. Her answer is breathless.
“Then let’s go in the room and find out if you’re telling me the truth.”
Wrapping an arm around her waist faster than she can react, I move us both inside and shut the door behind me, blocking it with my body so she can’t rush out.
She shoves away from me, backing up as if to keep me from walking into...
I look above her head.
...an empty room with nothing but the standard furniture and a large computer on a desk attached to her camera.
Lifting a brow, I almost laugh.
“Well, this is disappointing. Your private life is very boring, Adeline. I was hoping for more whips and chains and a naked person tied to the bed awaiting your return.”
She huffs and crosses her arms.
“I have two weeks to get these photos done, and I’m running behind. Grant has been unbearable over the past few weeks, partly thanks to you, and I would much rather be up here working than down there with a bunch of stuffy ass people who bore me to fucking tears.”
There she is...
I remember this girl. Not that she would remember me, but that’s beside the point.
The old Adeline is rearing her head, even if for very boring reasons. I can’t help but encourage it.
Scanning my eyes slowly down her body, I drag in a breath at the sight. Her black gown falls over her hips in a waterfall of silk, cinching at the waist before lifting higher into a bodice that does nothing to