Chapter 3: One Bed
The tension in the limousine was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Sophie kept her eyes on the passing city lights, pretending that her heart wasn't racing after what had just happened on live television.
Adrian, however, was watching her.
"Still pretending?" he murmured, his voice low and dangerously close.
Sophie turned to him, forcing a scoff. "Of course. That's what we're doing, right? Pretending?"
Adrian studied her for a long moment, his golden eyes unreadable. Then, he leaned in, just enough that she could feel his warmth.
"Tell me, Sophie," he whispered, "if I kissed you again right now… would you still call it acting?"
Sophie's breath hitched.
She refused to answer.
And that silence? It was all the answer Adrian needed.
Sophie barely had time to process the way Adrian looked at her before his phone buzzed.
He checked the screen, his expression darkening.
"Change of plans," he muttered.
Sophie frowned. "What plans?"
Adrian slipped his phone back into his pocket. "We're leaving the country tonight."
Sophie's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"
Adrian's jaw clenched. "Vanessa isn't done yet. She has something planned, and I won't let her blindside us."
Sophie scoffed. "And your solution is to run away?"
Adrian's golden eyes flashed. "It's not running. It's controlling the narrative."
Before Sophie could argue, the limo pulled up to a private airport.
Her heart thundered.
She wasn't just being dragged into a fake marriage anymore.
She was being pulled into Adrian's world.
And she had no idea if she would come out unscathed.
---
The moment they arrived at the secluded private resort, Sophie's breath caught.
The villa was straight out of a dream—crystal-clear pools, an ocean view, and luxurious white linen curtains billowing in the breeze.
But one detail made her stomach drop.
"Adrian," she said slowly, eyeing the massive king-sized bed in the center of the room.
Adrian smirked. "Yes?"
She turned to him. "Why is there only one bed?"
He tossed his jacket onto a chair and unbuttoned the top of his shirt. "Because we're married."
Sophie gaped at him. "Yeah, but not really."
Adrian arched a brow. "The world thinks we are. So unless you want the staff talking, I suggest you get comfortable."
Sophie groaned. "You enjoy torturing me, don't you?"
Adrian's smirk deepened. "Immensely."
Sophie huffed and grabbed a pillow.
This was going to be a very long trip.
---
Later that evening, they attended a private gala at the resort.
Sophie looked stunning in a midnight-blue dress, but the moment she stepped into the ballroom, all eyes were on her—including one pair that wasn't Adrian's.
A tall, dark-haired man approached, flashing a charming smile.
"Mrs. Blackwood," he greeted smoothly, offering his hand. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Damian Carter."
Sophie hesitated before shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Carter."
Damian's eyes glimmered with interest. "The pleasure is mine. I must say, you're even more beautiful in person."
Sophie flushed.
A cold voice cut through the air.
"She's taken."
Sophie turned to see Adrian standing directly behind her, his golden eyes blazing with silent fury.
Damian smirked. "Ah, Mr. Blackwood. I didn't realize you were the jealous type."
Adrian stepped closer, slipping an arm around Sophie's waist and pulling her flush against him.
"I'm not," he said smoothly. "Because I know exactly who she belongs to."
Sophie's breath caught.
Damian chuckled. "Well, that's a shame. Because if she wasn't, I'd definitely steal her away."
Adrian's grip tightened.
Sophie could feel the tension radiating off him.
For the first time, she wasn't sure if his possessiveness was part of the act… or something real.
And the most terrifying part?
She wasn't sure which one she wanted it to be.
---
The music swelled, a soft and seductive melody that filled the ballroom.
Sophie felt Adrian's grip tighten around her waist as he pulled her onto the dance floor.
Her heart thundered. "Adrian—"
"Just dance," he murmured, his lips brushing her ear.
Sophie swallowed, placing her hands on his shoulders as they swayed. But Adrian wasn't just dancing.
He was staking his claim.
His fingers traced the small of her back, his touch possessive yet… gentle. Too real.
Damian watched from the bar, his smirk widening as if he knew exactly what was happening.
"You didn't have to do that," Sophie whispered.
Adrian's golden eyes darkened. "Do what?"
"Act like you own me."
His gaze locked onto hers. "Who says I'm acting?"
Sophie's breath hitched.
This was dangerous.
Because for the first time… she wasn't sure if she wanted him to stop.
---
The night air was cool as Sophie stepped onto the villa's balcony, needing to clear her head.
This trip was supposed to be about proving a lie.
So why did everything feel so real?
She gripped the railing, inhaling the salty ocean breeze—only to stiffen when she heard footsteps behind her.
"Running away again?"
Sophie turned, and her breath caught.
Adrian stood there, tie undone, shirt slightly open, golden eyes glowing in the moonlight.
Her heart skipped.
"I just needed air," she muttered.
Adrian stepped closer. "Liar."
Sophie clenched her fists. "Why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?"
She exhaled sharply. "Making this feel real."
Adrian didn't move.
Then, slowly, he reached up—his fingers gently tilting her chin up to meet his gaze.
"You think I'm faking this?" he murmured.
Sophie couldn't breathe.
Because suddenly, his lips were just inches from hers.
Her pulse pounded.
One move. Just one.
And everything would change.
---
Sophie's entire world paused as Adrian leaned in.
Her mind screamed to pull away.
Her body? Betrayed her.
Then—
RING.
Adrian cursed under his breath as his phone vibrated violently in his pocket.
Sophie's stomach twisted as he checked the caller ID—his expression turning ice cold.
Vanessa.
Adrian turned away, answering the call. "What do you want?"
Sophie stepped back, her heart sinking.
This was a mistake.
She was falling.
And Adrian Blackwood?
He would never catch her.
---
>Vanessa's Game...…,.......,.....
Sophie sat on the bed, hugging her knees as Adrian spoke in hushed tones on the balcony.
Every part of her screamed to walk away.
She wasn't supposed to feel like this.
She wasn't supposed to want him.
Finally, Adrian hung up, his expression dark as he walked back inside.
"What did she want?" Sophie asked quietly.
Adrian's jaw clenched. "She has a video."
Sophie's stomach dropped. "What kind of video?"
Adrian exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Of us. Our first night in Vegas."
Sophie's blood ran cold.
"But—"
"Someone recorded us at the chapel," he muttered. "If that video gets out, it'll destroy everything."
Sophie's hands trembled. "She's blackmailing you?"
Adrian's eyes met hers. "No, Sophie. She's blackmailing us."
---
What's Next?
Vanessa threatens to expose the truth about their marriage.
Adrian and Sophie are forced to fight back… together.
The tension between them finally explodes—one way or another.