Serena's heart pounded against her ribs as she stood pinned between Adrian and the cold marble wall. His presence was overwhelming, his scent intoxicating—whiskey, cedar, and something darkly masculine that made her head spin.
He was too close.
Too consuming.
And yet, she couldn't bring herself to push him away.
Adrian's fingers traced a slow, deliberate path down her arm, his touch featherlight yet scorching. "You didn't answer me," he murmured, his voice a low rasp against her ear.
Serena swallowed hard. "Answer what?"
His lips quirked. "Are you falling for me?"
Her breath caught.
This was a game. A twisted, dangerous game where neither of them could afford to lose.
She forced a smirk, tilting her chin. "I think you're overestimating your charm, Mr. Blackwood."
His eyes darkened, amusement flickering with something far more dangerous. "Am I?"
Before she could respond, his hand slid to her waist, fingers pressing just enough to remind her that he was always in control.
Always.
Serena exhaled sharply, willing herself to ignore the way her body reacted to his every touch. "You shouldn't be doing this," she whispered.
Adrian chuckled, the sound low and sinful. "And yet, here we are."
She gritted her teeth. "You're insufferable."
His smirk widened. "And you're irresistible."
Serena's pulse jumped.
Damn him.
Damn the way he made her feel like the air between them was laced with fire, burning hotter every second they stood here.
She needed to get out of this.
To remind herself that this marriage was nothing more than a contract.
A business arrangement.
Not a love story.
Summoning every ounce of self-control, she lifted a brow and pushed against his chest. "If you'll excuse me, darling," she said, deliberately throwing Olivia's word back at him, "I have a gala to return to."
Adrian's grip tightened for half a second—like he wanted to stop her.
Like he wasn't ready to let go.
But then he smirked and stepped back, giving her space. "As you wish, Mrs. Blackwood."
Serena turned on her heel, her head held high as she walked away.
She didn't look back.
Because if she did, she wasn't sure she'd be able to leave at all.
—
The Morning After
Serena woke to the sound of rain tapping against the penthouse windows.
She stretched beneath the silk sheets, her mind still tangled in the events of last night. The way Adrian had looked at her. The way his touch had set fire to every nerve in her body.
Get a grip, Serena.
This wasn't real.
None of it was.
She threw off the covers and padded toward the bathroom, needing a cold shower to clear her thoughts. But just as she reached for the door handle, the scent of freshly brewed coffee hit her.
Her brows furrowed.
Adrian never made coffee.
Curious, she stepped out of the bedroom and followed the scent to the kitchen—where she found him standing shirtless, a steaming mug in his hand.
Serena stopped in her tracks.
Because damn.
Adrian Blackwood in nothing but low-hanging sweatpants and a cup of coffee was a sight no woman should be subjected to before caffeine.
He glanced up, catching her staring.
A slow, knowing smirk curved his lips. "Morning, wife."
Serena scowled. "What are you doing?"
He took a sip of his coffee, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Making breakfast."
She crossed her arms. "You? Cooking?"
"Don't look so surprised. I'm capable of basic human functions."
Serena arched a brow. "Debatable."
Adrian chuckled, setting his coffee down. "Sit. Eat."
She hesitated, suspicious. "Why are you being nice?"
He leaned against the counter, watching her with unreadable eyes. "Maybe I like taking care of my wife."
Her heart did something stupid in her chest.
She ignored it.
"This doesn't change anything," she muttered, grabbing a plate of toast and eggs.
Adrian didn't respond.
But the way he looked at her?
Like he was waiting.
Like he was patient.
And that terrified her more than anything else.
—
An Unexpected Visit
Later that afternoon, Serena was in her office at Blackwood Enterprises, going over event details when the door swung open.
She looked up—only to freeze.
Her father stood in the doorway.
Richard Vale.
The man who had gambled away their family fortune. The man who had pushed her into a marriage of convenience just to salvage what little reputation they had left.
Her grip tightened around her pen. "What are you doing here?"
Her father stepped inside, his expression unreadable. "I came to see how you were adjusting."
Serena scoffed. "You mean you came to see if I was doing my duty?"
Richard exhaled heavily. "Serena—"
"Don't." She set her pen down, leveling him with a glare. "I know exactly why you orchestrated this marriage, Father. And trust me, I don't need you checking up on me like I'm some investment you're monitoring."
His jaw tightened. "You think I don't care about you?"
She let out a bitter laugh. "You care about your name. Your legacy. Not me."
Her father's gaze flickered with something unreadable. "You're wrong."
She arched a brow. "Am I?"
Silence stretched between them.
Then, finally, Richard sighed. "I won't pretend I didn't make mistakes, Serena. But marrying Adrian… it was the best decision for you."
Her chest ached.
Because was it?
She wasn't sure anymore.
Richard turned to leave but paused at the door. "Just be careful, Serena. The Blackwoods… they don't play fair."
She frowned. "What does that mean?"
But he didn't answer.
He just walked out, leaving her with more questions than before.
—
A Warning
That night, Serena sat in the penthouse library, sipping a glass of wine as she replayed her father's words.
She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear Adrian enter—until he was right behind her, his presence like a dark shadow against her skin.
"You're tense," he murmured, his fingers ghosting over her bare shoulder.
She swallowed hard. "My father came to see me today."
Adrian stiffened. "What did he want?"
Serena turned to face him. "He said the Blackwoods don't play fair."
Adrian's expression didn't change. But something in his eyes turned cold. "Your father is a desperate man, Serena. He'll say anything to make you doubt me."
She searched his face. "Is he wrong?"
Adrian held her gaze, his silence deafening.
And in that moment, Serena knew.
She had just stepped into a game far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.
—