Page 30 of Cruel Hero

Time loses all meaning as we lose ourselves in each other. Every caress, every kiss feels like coming home and embarking on a new adventure all at once.

As we reach our peak together, tears prick my eyes. It’s overwhelming—the physical pleasure, but more than that, the emotional connection. For the first time in years, I feel truly seen, truly understood.

Afterward, Adrien picks me up—the second time in the past twenty hours—and carries me to bed, laying me down. He curls around me protectively, his fingers tracing lazy circles on my arm, and I nestle closer to him, savoring his warmth.

“What are you thinking?” He presses a kiss on my forehead.

“This changes everything, doesn’t it?”

Adrien’s arms tighten around me. “Yeah,” he says with a sigh, his breath warm against my skin. “I guess it does.”

Chapter 14

Tiffany

The soft morning light filters through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow across Adrien’s bedroom. I stir, my eyes fluttering open to find myself nestled against Adrien’s chest, his steady heartbeat a comforting rhythm beneath my ear. Despite the exhaustion from the previous night, a contented smile spreads across my face.

“Good morning, love,” Adrien murmurs, his voice husky with sleep.

I tilt my head up to meet his gaze, my heart fluttering at the tenderness in his eyes.

“Morning.” I lean in for a gentle kiss.

As our lips meet, I marvel at how right this feels. The warmth of his body, the safety of his embrace—it’s hard to believe that I’m here, in Adrien’s arms, after everything we’ve been through.

Just then, a sharp buzzing cuts through the silence. Adrien’s phone vibrates on the nightstand, the insistent chirping demanding attention.

I groan, burying my face in his shoulder. “Ignore it. We can deal with it later.”

“I’m sorry, angel. Duty calls,” Adrien says, reaching for the offending device. “I have some urgent matters to attend to at the office. There are some things I need to handle before meeting with my team. We’re also going to look into what your uncle was supposed to deliver to people who threatened you yesterday.”

A wave of disappointment washes over me as Adrien sits up, already shifting into business mode. But I understand—we can’t hide away from reality forever, no matter how tempting it may be.

“Tiffany, I need you to stay here while I’m gone.” Adrien’s expression turns serious, his blue eyes intense as they meet mine. “My security will keep you safe. I can’t risk anything happening to you while I’m dealing with this mess.”

I sit up, pulling the sheet around me. “I can’t just stay cooped up here all day. I have my own responsibilities to deal with.”

His jaw tightens. “This isn’t up for debate. It’s not safe for you out there right now. We don’t know who else might be after you because of your uncle’s dealings.”

I bristle at his authoritative tone. “I’m not a helpless princess who needs to be locked away in a tower. I can take care of myself.”

Adrien sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I know you’re capable, angel. But these people are dangerous, and I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.”

Part of me wants to protest and insist that I can handle myself, but another part is overjoyed that he cares enough to want to protect me. After all, I always dreamed of having my own Prince Charming.

I sigh, recognizing the genuine concern in Adrien’s eyes. As much as I want to assert my independence, I know he has a point about the potential danger.

“I’ll stay here today,” I concede. “But we need to figure out a long-term solution. I can’t put my life on hold indefinitely.”

Adrien’s shoulders relax, and he leans in to press a soft kiss on my forehead. “Thank you. I promise we’ll work something out. Just give me a little time to get a handle on the situation. And while you’re stuck here, you can go through Dean’s notes today. See if you can find any clues about what he might have been involved in. Anything suspicious or out of the ordinary?”

“Alright, I’ll see what I can find. Alexander doesn’t expect me at the office for a few days, anyway. I told him I’d be reviewing Dean’s notes and summarizing my findings.”

“Speaking of the company, I’ve been meaning to ask... Why did you choose Alexander Hawthorne as the new CEO?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Why do you think I chose him?”

“None of the current executives would willingly bring in someone young and inexperienced.” Adrien shrugs. “The media will eat up the idea of a new and fresh face, especially since he’s a Hawthorne, but the board of directors had likely resisted. And yet, you picked him over more seasoned candidates.”

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