The taste of Adrian lingered on Serena's lips long after they had pulled apart. His kiss had been possessive, consuming—like he was branding her as his.
Serena stepped back, trying to steady her breath, but Adrian didn't let her go far. His fingers skimmed over her jaw, his touch both soft and commanding.
"You're learning fast," he murmured, his voice dark with approval.
Serena lifted her chin. "You underestimate me, Adrian."
His smirk was slow, dangerous. "I don't underestimate anything, angel."
That nickname. The way it rolled off his tongue sent a shiver down her spine.
But before she could reply, a knock at the door shattered the charged silence.
Adrian's expression darkened instantly.
"Wait here," he ordered before striding to the door.
Serena folded her arms, irritated by his command, but curiosity won over as she listened.
A man's voice, low and urgent, spoke. "There's been a breach."
Serena's stomach twisted.
Adrian tensed. "Where?"
"The penthouse garage. We found a device planted on your car."
Serena sucked in a breath.
Adrian's fingers curled into fists. "Who?"
"We're still analyzing. But it's a warning."
Adrian exhaled slowly, a deadly calm settling over him. "Handle it. Discreetly."
The man nodded and disappeared.
Adrian shut the door, his jaw tight.
Serena took a step forward. "What's going on?"
His gaze flicked to her. "Nothing you need to worry about."
Her irritation flared. "If someone planted something on your car, I do need to worry. I live here too, Adrian."
His expression hardened. "And that's exactly why I won't let you get involved."
Serena clenched her fists. "I'm already involved."
Adrian ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "Serena—"
"No." She stepped closer, her voice fierce. "Stop treating me like I'm fragile. If I'm going to be your wife—fake or not—I deserve to know what's happening."
Adrian studied her for a long moment. Then, with a resigned sigh, he muttered, "The device wasn't just a tracker."
Serena's pulse quickened. "Then what was it?"
His lips pressed into a thin line. "A listening device."
A chill ran down her spine.
Someone had been listening.
To them.
that night
Serena knew she should be afraid.
The warning note. The planted device. The quiet, lethal rage in Adrian's eyes.
But fear wasn't what consumed her.
It was *him*.
Adrian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of their penthouse, his body tense, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. The city lights flickered against his chiseled features, but it was the storm in his gaze that held her captive.
Something had shifted between them.
Something dangerous.
Something inevitable.
Serena's bare feet made no sound against the polished floor as she walked toward him. "Talk to me, Adrian."
He didn't turn. "There's nothing to say."
She exhaled slowly. "I don't believe that."
His shoulders tensed. "You should."
Serena reached out, her fingers grazing his back.
He went still.
Like a predator sensing a shift in the air.
She wasn't sure who moved first.
But suddenly, she was in his arms, and his mouth was crashing down on hers.
A kiss that was *fire and fury*.
His lips claimed hers with raw possession, his grip unyielding as he pulled her flush against him.
Serena moaned against his mouth, her fingers tangling in his hair as she met his hunger with her own.
She should stop.
She should push him away.
But she *couldn't*.
Because Adrian Blackwood kissed like a man who had been starving for years—and had finally found his first taste of salvation.
His hands skimmed down her spine, gripping the thin silk of her nightgown. "Tell me to stop," he rasped.
Serena's nails dug into his shoulders. "I won't."
A growl rumbled in his throat.
Then he was lifting her—effortlessly, possessively—carrying her to the bed.
The moment her back hit the mattress, Adrian was on top of her, his body hard and commanding between her thighs.
His hands roamed, pushing the straps of her nightgown down, revealing the smooth curve of her shoulders.
Serena arched beneath him, desperate for more.
For *everything*.
"Adrian," she gasped as his mouth trailed down her throat, leaving a searing path of heat in its wake.
He groaned against her skin. "You have no idea what you do to me, Serena."
She shivered as his hands explored, his touch rough and demanding.
Then his mouth was on her breast—hot, wet, *devastating*.
Serena's breath caught, her body arching into him as pleasure coiled deep in her belly.
"You're mine," Adrian murmured against her skin.
Serena's head spun.
Was she?
She didn't know anymore.
All she knew was that she *never* wanted him to stop.
Her fingers tugged at his shirt, impatient, desperate.
Adrian let out a dark chuckle. "Impatient, *angel*?"
"Shut up and take it off," she demanded.
His eyes flared with something wild.
Then, in one swift motion, he ripped the shirt off, tossing it aside.
Serena sucked in a breath.
God.
The man was *unfairly* built—broad shoulders, sculpted abs, every inch of him carved with raw power.
Adrian smirked, catching the way her eyes devoured him. "Like what you see?"
Serena arched a brow. "I'd like it more if you stopped talking and started *doing*."
Adrian's low growl sent a shiver down her spine.
"Careful what you wish for, Serena."
Then his hands were on her again—rough, demanding, worshipping.
Her nightgown slipped away, leaving her bare beneath him.
Adrian's breath hitched, his gaze darkening with primal hunger.
"Beautiful," he murmured.
Serena barely had time to react before his mouth was on her again, exploring, devouring.
Her body burned under his touch, every nerve alight with pleasure.
He moved lower, his tongue tracing wicked patterns down her stomach, his fingers spreading her thighs apart—
A sharp knock shattered the moment.
Serena gasped, her heart hammering.
Adrian cursed under his breath, his body tensed in frustration.
Another knock. Louder this time.
Adrian exhaled slowly, pressing a lingering kiss against her thigh before pulling back.
"Stay here," he ordered, his voice hoarse.
Serena groaned in frustration as he grabbed his discarded shirt and yanked it over his head.
He stalked to the door, his mood murderous.
The moment he opened it, a tall, sharp-eyed man stood on the other side.
"Ah, Adrian," the man drawled, stepping inside. "Did I interrupt something?"
Adrian's expression turned to stone. "Jameson."
Serena sat up, clutching the sheets to her chest.
Jameson smirked. "I see you've been keeping busy."
Adrian's jaw flexed. "You're no friend of mine."
Jameson chuckled. "Fair enough." Then his gaze flicked to Serena. "She's a pretty one. A shame you won't be able to keep her."
Serena's stomach tightened.
Adrian moved before she could blink.
In a flash, he had Jameson shoved against the wall, his forearm pressing against his throat.
"You have ten seconds to tell me why you're here before I break your neck."
Jameson let out a breathless chuckle. "Still so dramatic, Blackwood."
Adrian pressed harder. "Nine."
Jameson smirked. "Fine. I came to warn you."
Adrian didn't loosen his grip. "Warn me about what?"
Jameson's smirk faded.
"There's more coming, Adrian. And this time, even *you* won't be able to stop it."
Serena's blood ran cold.
Adrian didn't flinch. "Let them come."
Jameson's gaze flicked to Serena. "You should be careful, sweetheart."
Serena lifted her chin. "I can handle myself."
Jameson chuckled. "Oh, I *like* her."
Adrian growled. "Get out."
Jameson shrugged. "Suit yourself." He straightened his jacket and strolled toward the door.
But before leaving, he threw one last glance over his shoulder.
"Tick-tock, Blackwood."
Then he was gone.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Serena exhaled, her pulse still pounding. "Who *was* that?"
Adrian's jaw was tight. "Trouble."
Serena swallowed. "Adrian…"
He turned to her, his expression unreadable.
But when he spoke, his voice was pure steel.
"Stay close to me, Serena. No matter what happens."
Serena's heart clenched.
Because for the first time since she met Adrian Blackwood—
She wasn't sure if even *he* could protect her from what was coming.
—