Page 30 of Heart of a Rebel

The elevator comes to a stop at my floor, and he walks me all the way to my door. Once we stop outside it, I turn to face him.

“You could come in.” I hold both his hands in mine.

Adrian looks me over, and although his body is close enough to feel the heat, I sense distance. “You’re drunk.”

I open my mouth to argue, but the slightest shift of my body makes me stumble, and my back hits the door harder than I expect it. Maybe he’s right, and I’m drunker than I realize, because his face blurs as he cups my jaw and holds me in place.

“El?”

“I’m fine,” I brush him off and force a smile, even though my head is starting to swim.

“I’m just saying, I wouldn’t want you to do anything you would regret.” His dark eyes feel almost pained looking at me.

“I wouldn’t.”

He shakes his head ever so slowly. “Can’t risk it.”

Every cell in my body wishes he would. Wishes one of us was reckless. But like statues carved from our own need for control, we stand with that gap of space between us. A line, and neither of us crosses it.

I nod, but it’s barely a movement with his hands holding my face. “Goodnight, then.”

His body shifts, and I think he’s stepping away, but his fingers thread back through my hair and he steps in, dipping his mouth to mine. If my mind wasn’t already blurry, this would be enough to take any thoughts left. I melt at his touch, wanting more and more. My hands find the front of his T-shirt, and I pull him closer, feeling every hard plane skate against me. I melt against him. But just as I’m about to drag him into my room, he breaks the kiss and steps back.

As he does, my vision fogs, there are three of him, then two, and finally one. My skin is hot, almost feverish, and I have to brace my hands on the door behind me.

“Are you okay?” He steps closer and touches my arm.

“Fine.” I force a smile, but the air is starting to feel like static and I’m not sure if I’m going to pass out or throw up. “I think I drank more than I realized. I need to lay down.”

The last thing I want is Adrian to see me puke, so I need him to get out of here before I do.

Adrian’s eyes skim me. “You sure you don’t need anything?”

I’m not sure if I’m swaying or if the hallway is, but the floor feels like it’s floating on open water, slowly rolling with the waves.

“I’m good.” I shake my head. “Go, keep an eye on the guys. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Eloise,” he says, looking me over once more with a pinched expression before turning and walking away.

I watch him make his way down the hall, waiting until he steps into the elevator to peel myself upright. Hopefully I didn’t look as trashed as I feel.

Turning around, I almost fall against the door but manage to catch myself. And when I blink, it takes longer than it should for my vision to come back to me.

Something’s not right.

I wipe the back of my hand against my forehead and feel the sweat. It was only two drinks, right?Did I see who set them in front of me?

My heart starts to race as the floor tilts on its axis. Panic racing with my pulse.

What was in my drink?

I fumble for my room key, but when I try to slide it into the lock, I miss. My temples pound and I rest my forehead against the door, trying to catch my bearings.

I slide the key in again and this time I find the slot and manage to get my door open. My room is dark when I step inside but it feels like the air is throbbing. I’m about to close the door when a hand slides around me from behind.

“Adrian?”

Even as I say his name, I know whoever this is feels nothing like him. They’re cold and gripping their fingers around my throat from behind, pushing me inside my room.

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