Page 47 of His By Contract

“He wants me to meet with Catherine Walsh on Friday. Give an exclusive about our marriage, paint you as a controlling monster who forced me into this contract.” Georgia’s throat tightened, but her voice remained level. “He thinks I’m desperate enough to turn on you.”

Adrian’s fingers rested motionless on his desk, his gaze fixed on the paper before him. The city lights behind him cast his profile in sharp relief, throwing the tension in his jaw into stark contrast.

Georgia planted her feet wider, shoulders straight. She hadn’t come seeking his approval or gratitude. This wasn’t about earning his trust or proving her worth. This was about survival—his, hers, everything they’d built between them.

A tense quiet settled between them, full of possibilities shifting behind his unreadable eyes. Adrian’s stillness spoke volumes, his mind working through every angle, every potential move in this dangerous game.

He leaned back in his leather chair, the movement deliberate and controlled. His shoulders remained rigid, his focus razor-sharp as he processed her revelation.

Georgia’s heart hammered against her ribs as she watched his expression shift. Something in his eyes changed, the ice-blue warming just a fraction, the predatory edge softening into something closer to appreciation. His fingers drummed once against the polished wood of his desk before going still.

His chin dipped, the motion sharp and final. The gesture was subtle, but carried the weight of understanding, of seeing her choice and accepting its value. In that moment, Georgia felt the alignment between them solidify, a shared purpose against a common enemy.

But then his gaze hardened again, scanning over the notes she’d laid out. “You took an unnecessary risk.” His voice carried an edge of steel. “Meeting Vaughn alone was reckless.”

The words sliced through the brief moment of accord. Georgia’s spine stiffened, but she held her ground. The disapproval in his tone was clear, but she noticed his hands had curled into fists on the desk, not from anger, but from something that looked remarkably like concern.

Georgia recognized the familiar tension building in Adrian’s shoulders. His disapproval meant punishment would follow; she’d learned to read the signs in his posture, the way his fingerscurled against the desk’s surface. Ten strikes, maybe more for meeting Vaughn alone.

But the flash drive and notes before him held information worth every mark she’d earn. The evidence could save his empire, protect everything he’d built. Her skin tingled with anticipation, but she pushed the sensation aside.

“I made a calculated decision. Vaughn wouldn’t have revealed his plan if you were there. Sometimes protection requires risk.”

Adrian’s jaw clenched. His sleeve pulled tight across his forearm as he reached for the flash drive.

“This isn’t just about your company anymore.” Georgia’s voice grew firm. “My reputation, my designs, they’re tied to Adler Capital now. I won’t stand by while Vaughn tries to destroy what we’ve built.”

The leather of Adrian’s chair creaked as he leaned back, studying her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. His fingers traced the edge of her written notes, following the connections she’d mapped between shell companies and hidden accounts.

“What we’ve built,” he repeated, his voice low and dangerous.

Adrian rose from his chair, his movements fluid yet predatory. “Your meeting with Vaughn wasn’t just about gathering information.” His words sliced into her like a blade. “You placed yourself in his reach without protection.”

Georgia’s throat tightened as Adrian circled the desk. The flash drive and her notes lay forgotten on its surface as he approached. Her fingers curled into her palms, but she forced herself to remain still.

“Come.” The single word carried enough weight to root her feet to the floor, but Adrian’s hand on her lower back guided her from his office into the adjacent private lounge.

The city sprawled below them through floor-to-ceiling windows, a sea of lights that usually captivated her attention.

Adrian’s hand fell away as he positioned her in the center of the room. The soft lighting cast his features in shadow, but she felt the intensity of his gaze as he stepped back.

“You went to him alone.” Each word fell like ice between them. “After everything, you chose to keep this from me.”

Georgia’s pulse thundered in her ears. She recognized the dangerous edge in his voice, the careful control that masked something darker underneath. The space between them crackled with tension as she waited for what would come next.

“Remove your clothes.” Adrian’s voice cut through the silence. “Slowly.”

Georgia’s fingers trembled at the top button of her blouse. The city lights cast shadows across the room, turning the windows into dark mirrors that reflected her hesitation. One by one, she slipped each button free, the silk whispering against her skin.

Adrian stood motionless, his expression unreadable as she let the blouse fall. The cool air raised goosebumps across her exposed shoulders. Her skirt followed, pooling at her feet with a soft rustle.

Each piece of clothing stripped away another layer of her defenses. She unclasped her bra, letting it slide down her arms. The lace of her underwear offered little protection againstAdrian’s steady gaze. Her panties were the last barrier, and she pushed them down.

Adrian stepped back, creating distance that only heightened her exposure. His silence weighed heavier than any touch, forcing her to confront her nakedness under his scrutiny.

“Face the window.”

Georgia turned toward the vast expanse of glass. The city sprawled before her, countless windows glowing in the darkness. Her heart skipped. Somewhere in those distant towers, someone might look across and see her silhouette against the light.

---