The first light of dawn spilled through the windows, painting the room in muted gold.
Elara stirred, feeling the heavy weight of a strong arm wrapped around her waist. For a moment, she thought she was still dreaming—until the deep rumble of his breathing told her otherwise.
Adrian didn't sleep like an ordinary man. He slept like a predator—still, tense, as though he could wake in an instant to defend what was his.
She shifted slightly, the sheet slipping down to reveal bare skin. The motion was enough to wake him. His eyes opened—those impossible, golden-amber irises locking on her.
"Trying to escape already?" His voice was rough from sleep, but there was a sharp edge beneath it, one that sent a thrill through her.
"I wasn't—" She swallowed. "I just… didn't think you'd still be here."
He smirked, pulling her closer until her back met the heat of his chest. "You think I take what's mine and walk away?" His lips grazed the curve of her shoulder. "No, little one. Once I've claimed something… I keep it."
The way he said it was both a promise and a warning.
His hand slid slowly down her arm, fingers tracing her skin like he was memorizing it. She could feel the tension coiling inside him again, like the night before hadn't been enough to burn it out of him.
"Adrian…" she whispered, unsure if it was a plea for space or more.
He rolled her onto her back, bracing himself over her, the sheet falling away. The heat in his gaze made her breath catch. "You don't know how dangerous it is," he murmured, his voice a low growl. "For me to want you this much."
"Then tell me," she challenged softly.
For a heartbeat, his jaw tightened as though weighing the risk. Then he lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her with the same hunger as the night before, his body settling between her thighs.
"This isn't over," he said against her lips. "It's only the beginning."
The rest of the morning was lost to the kind of slow, consuming passion that left her trembling. By the time they finally lay tangled together again, her pulse was still racing.
Adrian brushed her hair from her face, his eyes softer now but still carrying that dangerous glint. "One day, I'll tell you everything. But when I do…" he leaned closer, voice dropping to a whisper, "…you'll never be able to leave me."
She didn't know whether to be terrified or to surrender completely.
And maybe… that was exactly what he wanted.