Page 16 of Darkest Love
“I love it,” I admit.
“Then let me give you the tour. An adventure, right?”
“Right.”
During the flight, I had gone into the bathroom and changed into my loungewear, which I wear now. Adrien was not exactly happy that he didn’t get to be the one to take me out of my wedding dress but I’m still not sure I would have let him do that to me. I’m still not sure I want to sleep with him.
I mean, I would love to have the experience. Adrien makes my body feel warm and excited. But to give him my body will mean to give him all of me and he isn’t going to give me the same in return. So, I’m not sure I can be intimate with him. Not if I don’t want my heart broken.
The house is elegance personified. The front foyer is a large marble space that echoes when we talk. The living room and kitchen are interconnected. White and bright and beautiful. The windows are open, letting in a soft breeze. I could get used to living here.
But that’s assuming I’m allowed to leave.
“Adrien,” I say as we head upstairs, “I’m not a prisoner in this house, am I?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because I’ve been a prisoner for most of my life. I want to get out and see the city. I can do that, right? Because if I can’t, I’m going to complain your ear off for the rest of our lives together and I don’t think you would find that amusing.”
“You’re allowed to leave the house. I don’t want a prisoner for a wife. With that being said, you have to be careful. I have enemies here. People who would hurt you. Always take a guard with you if you leave but otherwise, you can go to the cafes or museums. My work leaves me busy most of the day so I don’t want you to get bored. I may not believe in love but that doesn’t mean I want to torture you.”
The tension in my shoulders eases up slightly. So Adrien isn’t all bad.
“And I can call my mom and sisters?”
He frowns as he stops before a closed door on the second floor. “Why wouldn’t you call them? They’re your family.”
“My uncle, Denis, prevented me from seeing them for years. So I just wanted to make sure.”
“You are not a prisoner here, Anastasia.”
“Ana.”
He ignores me. “I want to have fun with you.” He opens the door and it leads into a large master bedroom. Soft whites and greys with subtle greens and blacks make the entire space feel like something out of a fairytale. French doors lead out into a balcony that overlooks the huge expansive backyard. This is a place to fall in love.
Too bad that won’t be happening.
“Are you tired?” Adrien asks, shutting the door behind him.
I’m consciously aware that I am completely alone with him for the first time. And we’re in his bedroom. Well, my bedroom now too. I can see the dark desire in his eyes. It’s obvious he would love to have sex.
I could just give in and have fun. Enjoy my time here. Get everything I’ve ever wanted… except for love. But maybe that’s a small price I have to pay. Most people don’t get everything they want in life.
A compromise.
I stride across the room, intent on having fun. Adrien grabs my face and presses our lips together. The kiss is hot and passionate and everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a kiss. He definitely knows what he’s doing.
Adrien doesn’t waste any time lowering me onto the bed and kissing me more deeply. I can feel his entire body on top of mine. The strength in it. A heat settles its way into my core.
I can do this. I can do this.
So why is my heart hammering and not in a good way?
“Adrien,” I murmur when he kisses down to my neck. It all feels good and yet… I can’t get out of my head. This is all too much, too fast, too soon.
“You smell so good,” he says into my ear.
“Adrien,” I say more firmly, pressing my hands into his chest. To his credit, he raises himself off me, though he still hovers over me, having the upper hand. “It’s too fast.”
