"I’m sorry," Emilia said, glancing back at him with an embarrassed smile. "You’ll have to duck. You’re taller than my door."

Adrian chuckled and lowered his head, one broad hand brushing the top of the frame as he stepped inside.

He stopped the moment he walled in.

The room was... small.

Not cramped, just lived in. Every shade seemed to belong to the earth with brown curtains, a walnut dresser polished with age, dark wooden shelves lined with books, and a queen-sized bed that occupied almost half the room. It felt as though the room had grown up with her, changing only where it absolutely had to.

The little single bed from her childhood had been replaced, but everything else still carried the quiet familiarity of home.

A smile tugged at his lips. "This is adorable."

Emilia folded her arms. "Adorable?"

"I’ve never seen a room this..." His gaze wandered around once more before settling back on her. "Brown."

Her cheeks warmed. "Is that your polite way of saying it’s ugly?"

"No." He laughed. "It’s... cute. It feels like you. Warm, and comfortable." He looked at the bed, then back at her with a teasing grin. "Though I’m fairly certain my feet are going to hang off that bed."

"It’s a queen-sized bed."

"It still looks tiny from where I’m standing."

She rolled her eyes, trying to hide her smile.

"Everything in here is so... you," he said quietly, the teasing fading into something gentler. "I like it."

The room suddenly felt even smaller. Not because of its size, but because there was nowhere for Emilia to hide from the way he looked at her.

Emilia smiled softly.

Without saying a word, she caught the front of his belt and gave it the gentlest tug. Adrian let himself be pulled forward with his intense gaze fixed on her.

She rose onto her tiptoes, her hands sliding from his belt to the sides of his face. Her palms rested against the faint stubble along his jaw as she searched his eyes for the briefest moment.

He said nothing, and then, she kissed him slowly.

The first kiss was featherlight, no more than a lingering brush of her lips against his, as though she was testing the distance between them.

Adrian’s hands settled instinctively at her waist, warm and steady, drawing her closer until she had no choice but to lean into him.

She kissed him again.

His thumb swept lazily against the small of her back while one hand slipped higher, cradling her side. He followed her rhythm instead of rushing it, letting her take the lead.

When she finally pulled away, only an inch separated them.

Their foreheads almost touched. She looked up at him with the smallest, most satisfied smile.

Adrian’s eyes searched hers before a quiet breath escaped him. "You’re teasing me."

"I might be."

She barely finished speaking before he closed the distance again.

His hand rose to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing gently beneath her eye as he kissed her with a little more certainty this time.

The kiss lingered just long enough to steal her breath before he drew back once more, smiling against her lips.

"You started that," he murmured.

"I know."

"And you’re not planning to apologize?"

Emilia’s smile only widened as she reached up to smooth an imaginary crease from the front of his shirt.

"Not even a little." She pressed a thumb on his lower lip. You asked me to keep my attitude intact."

She stepped away from him, and reached for the straps of the lavender nightgown on her. Adrian visibly swallowed.

His eyes roamed around her, enough to watch how the satin caught the light with every movement, flowing over her figure in gentle ripples before falling to mid-thigh. He watched how the subtle lace trim framed the neckline, adding a touch of quiet elegance rather than extravagance.

Emilia slipped the fabric from her shoulders, letting it pool soundlessly at her feet. The soft light traced the graceful lines of her body, revealing a slender frame softened by gentle curves.

Her waist tapered naturally before flaring into rounded hips, while her skin, smooth and warm beneath the amber glow, seemed almost luminous.

The delicate lace of her lingerie hugged her figure with understated elegance, accentuating rather than concealing. She stood for a heartbeat, vulnerable yet composed, drawing a quiet breath as if shedding more than just her clothes.

He had never really seen her before. Every moment they’d shared had been rushed, hidden behind layers of clothing.

Adrian’s breath caught.

For a long moment, he simply looked at her with the quiet reverence of a man who understood the trust she had just placed in him.

He knew her body would be this perfect through her clothes. However, seeing it fully now made it so unbelievably perfect.

His jaw tightened as he exhaled slowly, dragging a hand over his face before letting it fall to his side.

"Your mum is in the next room," he murmured, his voice lower than before.

A small smile tugged at Emilia’s lips.

"She wears noise-cancelling headphones. She won’t hear a thing... or care, as long as you’re not killing me."

He crossed the room in two slow strides until he stood before her again. His left hand cupped her full breast, and his thumb circled her nipple.

"You know..." he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers, "I respect you, right?"

She nodded, her lips parted with anticipation.

"Good."

His hands travelled down to her bare stomach, and he drew a line with his finger from her belly bottom down to the line fabric of her lingerie. Then, his hands settled gently at her waist before he lifted her effortlessly into his arms.

Emilia let out a startled breath, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, and her legs around his waist as he turned, carrying her the short distance to the bed.

He sat on the foot of the mattress with her still cradled against him, their foreheads nearly touching.

His smile was warm, though his voice carried the weight of restrained affection.

"Because it’s going to feel like I don’t for at least the next hour."

Emilia bit her lower lip, and nodded, ready. She reached for the hem of the turtle neck sweatshirt he wore, and pulled it over his head.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!

Report chapter

Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter