Page 15 of Darkest Love
“I’m a girl who has things to say. So sue me.”
He lets out a low laugh that makes me flush. His voice is warm and addicting and it makes me want to lean into him. But I have to be careful with Adrien. It would be so easy to get lost in him and not have him feel the same way in return, which would just be heartbreaking.
We arrive at the hanger and Adrien walks with confidence to the private airplane. I follow behind in my wedding dress, practically tripping over it to keep up with him.
To his credit, before he gets on the plane, he motions for me to go first and helps me up the stairs. So he has the ability to be a gentleman. He just chooses not to be one.
“Can I change into something more comfortable for the flight?” I ask once we’re seated. I made sure to bring a carry on with a pair of pajamas in it.
Adrien eyes me over in a way that makes my skin tingle. “No. I want to take your wedding dress off you.”
“What do you mean?” I hate how breathless I sound.
“When we arrive at my home in Paris. It will be the start of our honeymoon. We’ll have sex. I want to take the dress off you.”
“I never agreed to have sex with you.”
“I just assumed since we’re married now.”
“I haven’t given you my permission.”
He inclines his head. “And I will not rape you. If you do not want me to touch you, I won’t but I have to say, it will make for a very disappointing wedding night.”
“I don’t care about that. If I want to have sex, we’ll have it. If I don’t want to have it, we’re not going to have it.”
“I thought you wanted an adventure? Trust me, Anastaisa, I will make it pleasurable for you. I want you to enjoy our lovemaking.”
“I don’t trust you. That’s the problem.”
“And yet, you agreed to marry me upon first meeting me.”
“I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.”
“And now you do,” he says. “You don’t need to fear sex. If you want an adventure, take it. I will be happy to oblige you.”
You just won’t be happy to love me, I think to myself. Why does that bother me so much? This would all be so much easier if I just let myself have fun with Adrien. He’s the kind of man who knows how to have fun.
“Maybe,” I concede.
“Well, you’ll know how you feel by the time we get to Paris.”
I’ll know in seven hours. Seven hours to make up my mind on whether I want to give myself into Adrien, a man I don’t trust, or keep my distance and try to protect myself.
It’s going to be a long flight.
When we arrive in Paris, it’s early morning and I’m exhausted. I slept a few hours on the plane. The one nice thing about a private jet are the reclined seats. But knowing I was going to be living with Adrien, a man who I barely know and one who intimidates me but also frustrates me, made me have restless sleep.
So now, I barely have any energy by the time we leave the plane. Adrien has a personal driver take us to his mansion. I don’t even realize I’m falling back asleep until the car stops and I wake up to find my head on Adrien’s shoulder.
He gives me a little smirk.
For someone who doesn’t believe in love, he sure does like to flirt.
“I’m glad my shoulder could provide you comfort,” he comments.
“It was an accident. Is this your home?” I look out the window to see a large white house with grey shutters over the window. It’s a beautiful home and it thrills me a little knowing I’ll be living here.
“It is. Do you like it?”
