The rest of the evening passed in a blur of champagne and hushed conversations, the weight of the encounter with Michael Bradford still hanging heavy in the air. Adrian's words from earlier kept repeating in Emma's mind: "He didn't get the message the first time…Next time I'll make sure he does."
She didn't know whether to be grateful or unsettled by his protectiveness. There was something about the way he had stepped in front of her so fiercely, the way his body had tensed with barely restrained fury, that both excited and terrified her. She wasn't used to being the center of someone's attention like that.
As the night wore on, the ballroom's energy shifted, and Emma could feel the subtle undercurrents of tension. This wasn't just a social gathering—it was a game, a battleground where alliances were formed and broken in the blink of an eye. Adrian knew how to play, but Emma wasn't sure she even understood the rules.
She looked across the room to find him again—always so composed, so unreadable. Adrian's presence was magnetic, a force that pulled people toward him without him even trying. Yet when their eyes met, there was something in his expression that made her heart flutter uncomfortably. He was observing her again, just like before, with that unnerving intensity.
Is this what I've gotten myself into?
Emma was jolted out of her thoughts when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning, she was met by none other than Lila, who had a knowing smile on her lips.
"Your Mr. Blackwood is very possessive, isn't he?" Lila's voice was soft, almost too casual. "I must say, I don't think I've ever seen him react that way to anyone before."
Emma straightened, glancing back at Adrian. He was still across the room, his back turned toward her, but she could feel his presence like a pull, an invisible string tethering them together.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Emma said quickly, trying to brush off the conversation. The last thing she wanted was for someone like Lila to think she was playing some kind of game with Adrian.
"Oh, I think you do," Lila continued, leaning in closer, her tone lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "I've worked with him long enough to know when he's… interested in someone. But I'll give you a piece of advice—don't get attached. Ever."
Emma swallowed, her pulse quickening at the implication in Lila's words. "I'm not in a position to become 'attached'," she muttered, her gaze flicking back to Adrian again.
Lila smirked. "That's what they all say. But don't worry… I'm sure you'll figure it out." With that, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Emma to digest her cryptic warning.
Adrian's cold, calculating gaze was still locked on her, and despite the multitude of people around him, Emma felt like they were the only two in the room. She didn't know how to interpret the look he was giving her, the way his lips curved into that tight, unreadable smile.
Before she could think too much about it, Adrian moved toward her, his presence unmistakable. There was a distinct change in the air as he approached. The room seemed to hold its breath, the sounds of conversations fading into the background. It was as if the world was holding still, waiting for whatever was about to happen between them.
He stopped just in front of her, his height casting a shadow over her. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them was thick, heavy with things left unsaid, with questions neither of them was ready to answer.
"You've been staring at me all night," Adrian said finally, his voice low, teasing. His words were calculated, his tone light, but there was an underlying tension, an unspoken challenge in his gaze. "Is there something you want to say, Emma?"
Her heart skipped a beat, but she kept her composure, locking eyes with him. "Maybe I'm just trying to figure you out," she replied, her voice steady despite the chaos she felt inside.
Adrian's lips quirked in a half-smile, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he studied her. "And what have you figured out so far?"
Emma hesitated, unsure how much of her thoughts she should share. The truth was, she was starting to feel like she was drowning in him. Adrian was a mystery—too many layers, too many masks. But at the same time, there was something about him that drew her in, something magnetic and dangerous that made her want to get closer, even if it scared her.
"I don't know," she said slowly. "You're… different from what I expected."
Adrian's eyes gleamed with amusement, though there was a dark edge to it. "And what did you expect?"
The question hung in the air, weighted with meaning. Emma's mind raced, but before she could answer, a loud voice cut through the tension between them.
"Adrian!" A man called from across the room. "It's been too long, my friend! I'm so glad you could make it tonight."
The interruption broke the moment between them, and Adrian's eyes flickered toward the newcomer. His posture straightened, and the warmth in his gaze evaporated in an instant, replaced by a calculated coldness that sent a chill through Emma.
Adrian's expression smoothed over, that same impassive mask falling back into place. "Excuse me, Emma. Business," he said, his tone curt, and then he turned, striding toward the man who had called his name.
Emma watched as he mingled with the group of wealthy elites who surrounded him, his every word measured, his movements deliberate. She couldn't help but feel like an outsider in this world, a world that was starting to feel colder by the second.
The conversation with Adrian had left her more unsettled than she cared to admit. The heat between them was undeniable, but there was a distance that couldn't be ignored. And now, with Adrian once again slipping into his role as the powerful businessman, she was reminded of just how far removed she was from his world.
Despite his protectiveness, despite his attempts to keep her safe from men like Michael, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that Adrian was holding back from her—keeping her at arm's length. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized that the price of being close to someone like him might be too high. The tension was palpable, thickening every moment she spent near him. But as the night wore on, it wasn't Adrian who was close to her now.
The sound of high heels clicking on the polished floor behind her broke her reverie, and Emma turned, instinctively stiffening.
The woman who approached her was tall, impeccably dressed in a black, figure-hugging gown with a plunging neckline. The elegance of her appearance was matched only by the calculating look in her eyes. Her dark hair was pinned into a sleek bun, and her red lipstick stood out against her pale complexion.
"You must be Emma," the woman said, her voice smooth, almost mocking. "The new flavor of the week."
Emma's brow furrowed. "I'm sorry?"
"Oh, don't play coy," the woman continued, stepping closer, her gaze narrowing. "You're the one who's been hanging all over Adrian Blackwood tonight, acting like you belong by his side." She smirked. "Did you really think you could waltz in here, act like his little pet project, and not raise a few eyebrows?"
Emma's pulse quickened, but she stood her ground, her back straight and poised, refusing to be rattled. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're implying."
The woman laughed, an arrogant, brittle sound that didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, I think you do. You're just like all the others. Trying to use him for his money, his connections. But the truth is, you'll never be anything more than his plaything. You're just the next in a long line of women who think they can get something out of him, but you're mistaken."
Emma clenched her jaw, fighting the urge to respond with anger. She knew exactly what this was. It was a classic power move. But it wasn't going to work on her.
"Let me make something very clear to you," Emma said, her voice calm and controlled, every word deliberate. "Adrian Blackwood doesn't need me to secure anything. And as for what you think I am to him—maybe you should ask him before you assume. He is not your territory to claim."
The woman's eyes flashed with anger, and she stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You think you're special? You think you've got him wrapped around your finger? You're just another little girl trying to play in a world that doesn't have a place for you. Adrian will drop you like he does all the others. That's what men like him do."
Emma smiled, the tension in the air thickening as she stared at the woman, who was now practically hissing in fury. "Are you saying that because it's happened to you? It's cute how you think you know him," she said sweetly. "But perhaps you haven't noticed that Adrian doesn't do anything unless it benefits him. And right now, it seems like he's quite enjoying our conversations."
The woman's lip curled in contempt. She opened her mouth to retort, but Emma's patience had worn thin.
Without a moment's hesitation, Emma took her glass of champagne and poured the liquid slowly over the woman's head, watching as it cascaded down her face and shoulders.
For a split second, time seemed to freeze.
The woman sputtered, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What the hell is wrong with you!?" she shrieked, frantically wiping at her face with the back of her hand.
Emma feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow. "Oh my, I'm terribly sorry." She said, her voice dripping with mock sincerity as she dropped the glass, letting it clatter against the floor. "It was an accident."
The woman's gaze darkened with rage, but before she could launch into a tirade, Emma took a step back, eyes scanning the room until they landed on Adrian. His sharp features were fixed on the scene unfolding in front of him, but his eyes instantly locked with hers. Emma hesitated, her heart racing. This was a gamble. She could feel the tension in the air, the gaze of the entire room now on her.
Taking a breath, she weighed her options. And without a second thought, Emma took a step toward Adrian.
She reached for the collar of his black suit, tugging him closer, her eyes never leaving his. She stood on her tiptoes, and as his breath caught, their lips met in a kiss that was nothing short of electric. It was deliberate, intense, and in that moment, everything fell into place. Adrian's lips parted in surprise, but Emma didn't pull away. She deepened the kiss, letting the room around them feel the raw energy crackling between them.
When they finally pulled apart, the entire room was frozen, eyes wide with shock and murmurs rippling through the crowd. Emma's lips tingled as she whispered softly into Adrian's ear, "He's mine. And…he's my husband."
The words hung in the air like a bombshell, the scandalous proclamation sending the guests into a frenzy. Shocked gasps filled the room. Everyone was staring—either in disbelief or confusion, some even laughing nervously.
Adrian's eyes were wide as he looked down at her, clearly taken aback. His lips parted, but before he could respond, Emma gently tugged on his arm, pulling him away from the scene.
"Let's go outside," she said quickly, her voice slightly panicked now. The air was thick with expectations, and she could feel the pressure of every eye in the room. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not like this.
As they made their way through the crowd, Emma could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She was a mixture of exhilaration and regret, her fingers trembling as she held onto his arm. When they reached the balcony, she pulled him to a quiet corner, her breath coming fast.
"I… I'm so sorry," Emma stammered, her gaze darting between his stunned expression and the floor. "I didn't mean to… to do that." She cringed inwardly, her head hanging in embarrassment.
Adrian's expression softened, and his hand moved to gently lift her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. There was awe in his eyes now, admiration that she hadn't expected.
"Don't apologize," he said, his voice low and intense. "What you did… it was perfect." His smile grew. "You just gave me a new idea."
Emma blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
Adrian leaned in closer, his gaze never leaving hers, his voice tinged with something more. "It's time we stop playing games, Emma. You've got more power in this world than you realize. And you just claimed it, boldly, in front of everyone. I've been waiting for you to show me exactly what you're capable of."
His words sent a shockwave through her, but there was something else too. Something in his eyes that made her feel like she was finally seeing Adrian Blackwood for what he truly was: a man who played by his own rules, just like her.
And for the first time that night, Emma felt like she had won.