Page 12 of Cruel Hero

I lick my swollen lips, trying to find the courage to speak even though all I want to do is give in to desire and forget about the consequences.

“I’m sort of seeing someone. It’s not official or serious yet, but there’s potential.”

Adrien’s jaw tightens and his hands still.

“Who?” he repeats.

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Why not?” His voice is low, edged with something that makes my stomach twist—part jealousy, part possessiveness. His fingers tighten around my waist, anchoring me to him.

“Because it’s none of your business. You don’t get to barge back into my life and demand answers.” I lick my lips before continuing, “You’re are all wrong for me, anyway.”

Adrien’s face is a mask, emotionless, almost cold. But I can see the flash of hurt in his eyes before he hides it away.

“So I’m a villain, and he’s your Prince Charming? Your savior, who can fill the void I’ve left behind?”

“He could be.”

His blue eyes bore into me, his arms tightening around my body. “Tiffany Carter, why do you always make things so difficult?”

“I don’t mean to.” My hands still clutch the lapels of his tuxedo, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

“Does he know?” Adrien’s touch sends shivers down my spine as his fingers trail over my waist. “Does he know how you tremble at my touch? How I make you ache for more? How badly you crave my kiss, my touch, my body pressed against yours?”

“I loathe you.”

I never wanted Lucas to touch me like that. Not like how Adrien does.

My body still remembers every touch from Adrien—every stroke, every kiss. And now, standing there with him, the heat of his body against mine, I realize I will never forget him.

He is my forbidden fruit, my guilty pleasure, my secret longing. He is the one man I should stay away from, but whenever I’m near him, my heart aches with an unquenchable desire.

Lucas is different. He is kind and good, everything I should desire. But with him, I feel nothing. He is safe, predictable, and dull. With Adrien, I feel alive, desired, and needed to an extent that scares and excites me all at once.

Adrien’s thumb traces a corner of my mouth. “It’s quite ironic, isn’t it, angel? How do the bad boys always seem to get everything they want while the good guys are left with nothing?”

“It’s all because of you.” My eyes burn with tears. “You’ve messed me up. He’s such a good man, so kind and patient…”

“Patient, kind, and considerate? What a delight.” His eyes are hungry and relentless. “But that’s not what you want, is it?”

It is not, I admit to myself. I want fire and passion, the kind of intensity that can make me lose myself. I want the thrill of the unknown, the danger, and the excitement that comes with being with someone who could just as easily break my heart as he could give me the best moments of my life.

But I also want love, safety, and stability. I want to be cherished and cared for, and I want to be able to trust the person I’m with completely.

As the silence stretches between us, I can feel Adrien’s breath on my neck, his body still pressed against mine. He knows exactly what he’s doing to me, and I can’t pretend that I don’t want him to. It’s a constant battle between my head and my heart.

The question is—which one will ultimately win?

Chapter 7

Adrien

In the soft glow of the moon, Tiffany’s face is breathtaking—her lips swollen from our kiss, her eyes wide with desire. My hands have messed up her lovely curls, and there are smudges of lipstick on her mouth and neck.

She looks unbridled, wild, and utterly irresistible.

I can’t stop my eyes from trailing down her body, taking in every curve, every line, drinking in the sight of her as if it’s my last chance to savor it.

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