Page 36 of Cruel Hero

Tiffany turns, catching sight of me lingering in the doorway. Her face lights up with a smile that feels like it could melt the coldest parts of me. “Adrien! You’re back. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Luis glances over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. “Hope you’re hungry. Tiffany’s been in here for hours, trying to outdo herself.”

“Smells amazing,” I say, leaning against the counter. “What are we having?”

“Homemade pasta. Luis was supposed to help, but he’s been more of a hindrance.”

He shrugs, unbothered. “Hey, I chopped those onions. That counts for something.”

Tiffany laughs, the sound warm and genuine, and it pulls at something deep inside me. She’s so effortlessly radiant, even in the simplest moments. I watch as she moves around the kitchen with ease, her blonde hair catching the light as she lifts the pot of pasta to drain it in the sink. She’s wearing one of my old shirts again, the fabric loose on her frame but somehow making her look even more alluring.

“You’re staring,” Luis says under his breath, smirking.

“Shut up,” I mutter, though I don’t deny it. There’s something about Tiffany that makes it impossible to look away. She’s a force of nature—vulnerable yet fiercely determined, kind yet unyielding. And she’s here, in my space, making it feel like a home for the first time in years.

“I’ll let you two finish up here,” Luis says, his smirk widening as he grabs a beer from the fridge. He claps me on the shoulder as he passes, adding in a low voice, “Don’t mess this up.”

I roll my eyes but say nothing, my attention already back on Tiffany. She’s plating the pasta now, her movements precise and graceful. The scent of garlic and herbs fills the air, mingling with the warmth of her presence. I move closer to her, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind and pressing a kiss to her neck.

“I’ve missed you, angel.”

She melts in my embrace. “You were gone for five hours. You couldn’t have missed me that much. Who knew Adrien Leroy could be so needy?”

“I must have been experiencing withdrawal. And you’re the only cure.”

Tiffany sighs and reaches up to caress my cheek. “You’re such a sap.”

“You love it,” I say before capturing her bottom lip between my teeth, tugging on it gently. It’s a slow kiss, meant to tease and tantalize. Her response tells me she’s just as eager as I am.

“I definitely do,” she breathes out as I pull back.

I reluctantly release her, knowing if I don’t stop now, dinner will be forgotten entirely. “So what culinary masterpiece have you whipped up for us tonight?”

Tiffany turns back to the stove, stirring the pot. “It’s just a simple pasta dish. Nothing fancy.”

“It smells amazing.” I peer over her shoulder. “I didn’t even know I had ingredients for cooking in this kitchen.”

She laughs. “You didn’t. I had Luis take me grocery shopping. Your kitchen was woefully understocked.”

“You went out? I asked you to stay here.”

“About that...” She bites her lip, looking up at me with those big blue eyes. “I may have gone out for a bit...”

I exhale sharply. “You know it’s not safe out there right now. Not with everything that’s happening.”

“I know, I know. But I had something important I needed to take care of. Luis went with me, so I was perfectly safe.”

My jaw clenches. “What was so important that you risked your safety?”

Tiffany’s gaze drops to the floor. “I needed to talk to Lucas. To end things with him properly.”

I freeze, my grip on her waist tightening involuntarily. “You broke up with him?”

Tiffany nods, her eyes lifting to meet mine again. “Yes. It wasn’t fair to him, Adrien. I needed to do it in person, not over the phone or through a text. He deserved that much.”

“I thought he was your Prince Charming,” I say the words with a bite, unable to keep the edge out of my voice. Tiffany’s expression softens, and she steps closer, her hand resting on my chest.

“Lucas is... kind. Safe. But he’s not you,” she says quietly. “Apparently, I have a thing for dark, brooding, and complicated men who make me question my sanity every day.”

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