Page 29 of Darkest Love
“Fine, fine,” I grumble, even though I have a plan forming in my mind.
When I return to the house, Adrien doesn’t let me get past the foyer before asking me if I’m all right.
“Why wouldn’t I be all right?”
“Because Gabriel told me you ran into Remy.”
“You know, if you’re so worried about me getting hurt by your enemies, then maybe you should have told me about them in the first place. Give me names. Show me pictures. It’s like you’re asking for me to get hurt.”
“I can tell you’re fine,” he says dryly. “You wouldn’t be full of this much sass if you weren’t.”
I stick my tongue out at him. Is it petty and childish? Yes. Do I care? No.
Adrien narrows his eyes and slowly approaches me until I’m cornered against the wall. “Did you just stick your tongue out at me?”
“Yes. And so what?”
“I didn’t realize you were a child. I thought you were a woman looking for an adventure.”
I shrug. “Maybe I can be both.” Being this close to Adrien does strange things to me. All I want is to sink into his body but to do that, I’d have to keep a level head around him and I’m just not sure I can do that.
“I don’t want a childish woman for a bride.”
“No, you just want a woman who will be a sex slave to you and nothing else.”
His eyes look over my face, focusing on my lips for a long moment. “You think you’re so cute.”
“I know I’m cute.”
“I could kiss you right now. Would you stop me if I did?”
I swallow hard. Everything in me wants Adrien to kiss me until I can’t breathe. But I have to keep a clear head. I have to. Or I’m going to lose my heart to him and he’ll never love me in return.
“I would slap you,” I whisper.
“Then prove it.” He grabs my chin and presses his lips to mine. For a moment, I let myself sink into his kiss. Marvel at it. Enjoy it.
Until Adrien ends it and gives me a smirk. “You liked it. You didn’t slap me.”
That causes a surge of anger to wash over me and I slap him across the face. Adrien doesn’t even look fazed. In fact, he seems more excited by my anger.
“No more going out,” he says. “Remy approached you. He thinks he has that right. I won’t let you get hurt.”
“I’m not going to stay inside all day like a prisoner.”
“Then when you want to leave, you’re only going with me. No guards. Not by yourself. Only with me.”
“Fine. But you work all the time and it’s annoying.”
“Maybe if you gave me what I wanted, I wouldn’t work so much.”
“And maybe if you weren’t such an asshole, I would give you what you want.”
He smirks once more before walking away, leaving me feeling cold and warm all at the same time.
Chapter Nine
Anastasia
