Serena's breath came fast and uneven as she pressed against the cold stone railing, Adrian's body a firm, unrelenting presence against hers. His hands were on her hips, fingers digging just enough to remind her that he was in control—always in control.
She should stop this.
Should push him away.
But she didn't.
Instead, she kissed him back with the same reckless hunger, her fingers twisting in his hair, pulling him impossibly closer. His scent—whiskey, spice, and something darkly intoxicating—filled her senses, making it impossible to think, impossible to remember why this was a mistake.
A low growl vibrated against her lips before Adrian finally pulled away, his breath ragged. His forehead rested against hers, as if grounding himself.
"Serena," he murmured, his voice rough, filled with a dangerous kind of want.
She swallowed hard, chest rising and falling. "This isn't supposed to happen."
Adrian's fingers brushed down her arms, slow and deliberate, sending shivers in their wake. "You think I care?"
"You should."
He chuckled, low and sinful. "I don't."
Serena clenched her jaw, willing herself to step back, to break the heat simmering between them. But Adrian's hands tightened at her waist, keeping her in place.
His blue eyes darkened. "Tell me to stop."
Silence.
Serena licked her lips, tasting him there.
Adrian's gaze dropped to her mouth, and something wicked flickered across his face.
"You won't, will you?" His fingers traced up her spine, sending another shiver through her. "Because you want this as much as I do."
Serena exhaled sharply, gathering the last remnants of her self-control. She forced herself to take a step back, breaking free from his intoxicating presence.
"This is dangerous, Adrian."
He smirked, tilting his head. "You knew that when you signed the contract."
She shook her head, pressing a hand to her temple. "That contract didn't say anything about feelings."
His expression turned unreadable. "Who said anything about feelings?"
Serena stilled.
Of course.
She was being foolish.
This was Adrian Blackwood—ruthless, calculated, emotionally untouchable.
The momentary warmth in her chest iced over.
"Exactly," she said smoothly, as if unaffected. "This was just a mistake."
Adrian studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "If that's what you want to call it."
It wasn't.
But she didn't correct him.
Instead, she turned away, gripping the cold metal of the terrace railing as the city lights flickered below.
Adrian didn't follow her.
The heat of his presence lingered for a moment longer before she heard the soft sound of his footsteps retreating into the ballroom.
She was alone.
And the worst part?
She had asked for it.
—
The Next Morning
Serena woke up in their penthouse, sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
She turned, expecting to find Adrian's side of the bed empty.
But it wasn't.
He was still there, asleep.
It was the first time she had seen him this way—unguarded, relaxed, almost… human.
Serena swallowed, something foreign twisting in her stomach.
Adrian Blackwood never let his guard down.
Not in business.
Not in bed.
Not with her.
And yet, here he was.
She hesitated, then reached out, her fingers barely grazing the sharp lines of his jaw.
Adrian stirred, his eyes flickering open, meeting hers instantly.
There was no grogginess. No confusion. Just sharp awareness, as if he had been awake the entire time.
Serena pulled her hand back quickly. "I—"
"You were watching me." His voice was husky, morning-rough, and devastatingly intimate.
Serena's cheeks heated. "No, I wasn't."
Adrian smirked, shifting onto his side, closer to her. "Liar."
She huffed, throwing the covers off and standing. "I'm taking a shower."
Adrian stretched lazily, his muscles flexing beneath the sheets. "Want company?"
Serena shot him a glare over her shoulder.
He chuckled. "Suit yourself."
She turned, heading toward the bathroom, her pulse still unsteady.
Adrian Blackwood was a dangerous man.
And not just because of his power.
But because he made her forget that she was supposed to keep her distance.
And the more time she spent with him, the harder that became.
—
Later That Day
Serena walked into Blackwood Enterprises, her heels clicking against the polished marble floors.
It wasn't the first time she had been here, but something about today felt different.
Maybe it was the way the employees looked at her—not just as Adrian's wife, but as someone who belonged in his world.
Or maybe it was the fact that she wasn't sure if she wanted to belong.
She stepped into Adrian's office, expecting to find him alone.
Instead, Olivia Kensington was there, standing beside his desk with a smirk that made Serena's blood run cold.
"Ah, Serena," Olivia drawled. "So good to see you again."
Serena forced a polite smile. "Likewise."
Adrian glanced up, his expression neutral. "I didn't know you were coming by."
"Should I have made an appointment?"
His lips twitched. "No."
Olivia folded her arms, tilting her head. "You two make such a fascinating couple. Tell me, Serena, how does it feel being married to New York's most ruthless businessman?"
Serena met Olivia's gaze, refusing to let her rattle her. "It's never boring."
Olivia's smirk widened. "I bet."
Serena's nails dug into her palm.
She wasn't sure what Olivia's game was, but she wasn't about to lose.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, watching the exchange with unreadable amusement.
Finally, he sighed. "Olivia, was there something you actually needed?"
Olivia glanced at him, her smirk fading slightly. "Just business, darling."
Serena stiffened.
Darling.
Adrian didn't correct her.
She shouldn't care.
But she did.
Too much.
And that was the problem.
Olivia turned back to Serena. "I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other."
Serena smiled tightly. "I'm sure we will."
And as Olivia walked out of the office, Serena knew one thing for certain.
This game she and Adrian were playing?
It was about to get a lot more complicated.