Page 11 of You're Mine Now

But Adrian’s smile faltered. “Someone waiting for you?”

“No,” I lied.

“Read the message then,” he demanded.

Reluctantly, I fumbled for my phone, opening the notification. A smirk formed on my lips as I read aloud.

“You done with that creep yet?”

It was from Emma.

Adrian rolled his eyes, pretending to be unaffected, but his gaze flickered toward another unread message.

“You missed one from Ryan,” he said, his voice sharp as a blade.

I exhaled, bracing myself. As much as I knew it would anger him, it was probably best he knew I was seeing someone. I opened the message, smiling at the words.

“Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

I looked up. Adrian’s face had dropped, his expression a mask of disappointment and something darker.

“Who is he?” he growled.

“Just a guy I’m seeing,” I said casually, keeping my tone even. It was new—I couldn’t exactly call him my boyfriend.

Before I could react, he snatched the phone from my hand. His fingers flew over the screen, typing quickly. My eyes widened in horror as I saw him press send.

“Sorry Ryan, I can’t tomorrow… I started working out with my new trainer. I’m sore everywhere. He worked me hard.”

He smirked, satisfaction written all over his face.

“How dare you,” I began, my voice shaking. “That’s my personal—”

He silenced me with a finger brushing against my lips, his gaze a quiet warning.

“I told you you’d be mine one day,” he growled, stepping closer, his presence suffocating. “I was going to wait, to let youwarm up to me.” His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he looked pained. “But since another guy is closing in, I need to act fast.

“To make you mine.

“Tonight.”

Chapter Four

My jaw dropped, eyes widening as my heart thudded in my chest.

What does he mean?

His fingers reached for my chin, trailing upward, grazing my cheek. I flinched, turning away, but he caught my chin, forcing my face toward his.

“Look at me.”

His grip tightened, and I had no choice. His eyes bore into mine, dark and unreadable, and my lips parted almost involuntarily, my breath shaky and uneven.

“So beautiful it hurts,” he whispered, his brow furrowed. “Those eyes. Ocean blue. Haunted. And these lips…” his thumb brushed roughly along my lower lip, causing it to tremble. He tilted my head back, his fingers tangling in my hair, sending a shiver down my spine. I braced myself for his kiss, my pulse racing wildly.

But he only smirked. His hand drifted lower, slipping beneath my tank top, his fingertips grazing my bare skin. My stomach clenched as his touch trailed higher, inching towards my breasts.

“You want me to kiss you, don’t you?”

---