Page 94 of Rise of the Siren Queen
A hypnotic blend of strength and quiet allure. He made it impossible for me to look anywhere else. His sharply defined jaw, so angular that seemed carved from stone, yet when he smiled, it softened, and in that fleeting, reckless moment, he became something even more dangerous.
He becamemine to lose.
And somehow, without a word, he shattered every wall I’d everbuilt around my heart, simply by existing.
My foolish, desperate heart that never stood a chance.
“Thanks, you are not so bad yourself,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant, trying to conceal my feelings, but the intensity of his gaze made my words falter.
His expression shifted, and pure, utter horror mirrored across his face. His eyes widened, and his mouth parted in shock, as though I’d just said the most absurd thing in the world. The moment my eyes met his, I couldn’t hold back a laugh—an unexpected, joyful burst of sound. I tried to suppress my laughter, but it only made it worse. I raised a hand to cover my mouth, hoping to salvage some dignity.
His initial horror shifted to pure delight as I tried and failed, unable to hold it back. His eyes sparkled with amusement, and his mouth twisted into his signature smirk. That’s when I noticed them—dimples. He had dimples.
Goddess, if I wasn’t far gone before, I definitely was now. My heart gave an unexpected jolt, and I had to fight the urge to flush, but it didn’t stop the warmth from spreading across my cheeks. The effect he had on me was unmistakable, and it was growing harder to ignore.
Clearing my throat, I forced a smile. “As much as I appreciate you complimenting me, I’m not going to a restaurant in such simple clothes.” I insisted, resuming my way toward the bedroom to change.
His amusement seemed to vanish in an instant, replaced by something far more intense—desire. His gaze swept over my body, measuring every inch with a hungry focus.
“Trust me,” his voice lowered, carrying a rough edge, “you’re nothing like simple.”
The words sank into me, a slow burn as his eyes flickered with undeniable desire. For a moment, I hesitated, but then I let go of the doubts. Clearly, he was more than pleased with how I looked.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to change. Can’t exactlygo driving around in boxers, can I?” he said, his tone playful.
For a moment, my gaze wandered over him, catching sight of the way his body shifted under the light and of his semi-hard length, before I glanced away. I’m so gone, and there is nothing I can do anymore. I’ve crossed that invisible line where want turns into need, and need turns into surrender.
Adrian changed into dark jeans that clung to his thick thighs and a deep navy shirt, simple but perfectly fitted, showcasing the muscles of his arms and the sharp lines of his torso. Casual and, oh gods, this man doesn’t seize to impress me. He turned to face me with a slight smirk playing at the corner of his lips. Every movement he made had a raw, masculine appeal. My heart skipped a beat, every inch of him seeming to draw me in like a magnet. His purpose matched his clothes to mine—casual yet elegant, fit for a morning drive and a lunch at a restaurant.
He caught my gaze lingering on him, and the smirk widened into something more dangerous, playful, yet with an edge I knew all too well.
“Ready?” His voice was a whisper.
I nodded, swallowing down the growing fascination that coiled tighter in my chest with every passing second, and walked beside him to the underground garage.
Though his car was impressive, I was more captivated by the sleek black motorcycle he headed to. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before, a stunning contrast to the typical vehicles I’d come across in my time here. Everything about the bike seemed tailored to perfection—aggressive yet elegant. It demanded attention without a single word.
I knew a lot about Nyssaion, but it had been so long since I had indulged in anything here, and seeing this bike made me realize how much it had changed in the time I’d been away. More than meretransport, it was a speed-built work of art. It felt like a reflection of Adrian himself—intense, unpredictable, and impossible to ignore.
As he approached, my heart skipped a beat, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away. There was something about the way he moved, the confidence with which he approached this sleek machine, that made my stomach flutter.
“We’re not taking the car?” Concern filled my voice, my eyes flicking between him and the sleek black motorcycle. I had never been on a bike before, let alone one like this. The thought of being out in the open, exposed to the wind and the speed, made my stomach churn with anticipation.
Adrian’s lips curled into a playful grin as he glanced at me, his hazel eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and those damn dimples appearing to taunt me. “You’re nervous?” he mocked.
“I’ve never been on a bike,” I admitted, my tone betraying my unease. “Is it safe?”
He chuckled, the sound low and comforting, and made me feel a little more at ease. “Don’t worry, I’ve got it under control,” he assured me, giving the bike a casual tap as if it were just a pet.
There was something about the way he said it, so sure of himself, that made me realize I was at his mercy. It was the uncertainty of being so out of control, so vulnerable, that made the pit in my stomach tighten even more. Passing me the helmet, Adrian climbed onto the monstrous bike with ease, his movements fluid and confident. I hesitated, staring at the bike, and then up at him.
“You coming or what?” Adrian shot me a grin over his shoulder, his eyes bright with mischief. The underlying dare in his tone provoked me to push past my fear and take the leap, and I would be damned if I didn’t rise to the challenge.
The helmet felt heavy in my hands as I slipped it on, the cool leather and padding against my scalp reassuring me, even if the nerves in mystomach refused to calm. I felt his gaze as he waited for me to join him, perched on the bike like a king on his throne. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, my pulse quickening as I neared him.
As I climbed onto the bike behind him, I keenly felt the heat radiating from his body and realized that my dress was not suitable for riding a bike.
“Hold on tight, Princess,” was the only warning I got before the bike roared to life beneath us. The deep rumble vibrated through my entire body, sending a thrill through my veins as Adrian revved the engine and launched us out of the garage into the cool morning air.
