Adrian stood by the window with a glass of whiskey. Trying to suppress the thoughts clawing at him. Mary. The way she lingers on his mind.
Harry waited silently, knowing better than to interrupt the moment. Samantha stood calmly in the center of the room, her sharp gaze locked into him.
"You need to leave."
Her lips parted as if she hadn't expected him to say it. "Why?"
He turned away, staring into the amber liquid swirling in his glass. He had built all he had on never letting emotions cloud his judgment. And yet, here he was, unraveling. Because of her.
Because of Mary.
The girl who looked at him with fire in her eyes, who challenged him. The girl who made him feel something dangerous.
She took a step closer. "This is about that her, isn't it? Are you finished with me?"
"It doesn't matter now."
Samantha let out a hollow laugh. "You think I don't see it? The way you look at her?"
He didn't respond.
Samantha sighed. "You're making a mistake, Adrian. Remember who you are."
Maybe he was. But keeping Samantha here, was making his heart clench.
"I'll have my secretary take you back. I'll see you later."
She studied him for a long moment and turned, walking toward the door. He downed the rest of his whiskey, but the burn did nothing to drown out the one name pulsing in his mind.
Mary.
She set down a plate in front of Daniel. He leaned back in his chair, smirking as he picked up his fork. "Didn't know this arrangement came with home-cooked meals." he teased. "I might start taking this seriously."
She rolled her eyes, taking a seat across from him. "Don't get too comfortable. Be alert."
He chuckled, stabbing a piece of chicken. "Sure."
She took a sip of wine, watching him eat. He was handsome, in that easy boyish way. The kind of guy she could go out with and earn a smile from people. But he wasn't here for a romance, he was here for work.
"So," she said, setting down her glass. "What do you need to do?"
Daniel arched a brow. "Play the doting boyfriend. Hold your hand in public, make people think we're in love."
"And you remember the rules?"
"No kissing. Unless it's necessary."
"Good."
Before Daniel could respond, the air in the room shifted. The door opened, and a presence that filled the space was commanding.
Adrian stepped in, his gaze cutting through the warmth of the moment like a blade. His eyes flicked to Daniel first, assessing, then landed on Mary.
"And you are?"
Daniel, to his credit didn't flinch. He wiped his mouth with a napkin before leaning back in his chair. "I'm Daniel," he said smoothly. "Mary's boyfriend."
he silence that followed was suffocating. Mary watched as his fingers flexed at his side like he was restraining the urge to remove Daniel from the room and throw him out.
Then a slow smirk curled on his lips, but his eyes remained cold. "Have you forgotten our deal?"
"No, Mr. Blackwood, I haven't."
The tension stretched, thick and unyielding, until finally, he exhaled sharply. Then, with terrifying ease, he turned toward Daniel.
"You're under my roof and you do exactly what I say, yes?"
"Yes." Daniel replied. It was as if he was under his spell.
"You're sleeping separately if you're staying tonight."
Daniel frowned slightly. "Excuse me?"
"You can sleep in her room. We don't know each other, take it as precautions." Then as if it was already decided, he turned to Mary.
"I'll sleep in yours."
Her breath caught, but she masked it up quickly. "What?"
"You heard me, if he stays under this roof, he sleeps elsewhere." his gaze flickered back to Daniel. "I need to make sure there's tight security."
Daniel glanced at Mary, waiting for her reaction, but she was caught in a battle she didn't expect. She should refuse. Push back. But the look in his eyes told her he wasn't asking.
And that ruined everything.
She stood near the edge of the massive bed, arms akimbo, watching as Adrian removed his watch and placed it on the nightstand.
"Don't worry, I won't use your bathroom."
He looked entirely comfortable as if he belonged in her space.
As if he owned her.
"You're taking the bed?" she asked, arching a brow.
He glanced at her, smirking as he pulled his shirt over his head, exposing muscles. She turned away.
"I'm not sleeping on the floor, if that's what you're asking."
Mary inhaled, trying to ignore how her stomach twisted at the sight of him standing before her. She huffed, walking to the other side of the bed to avoid him.
"Fine, just don't touch me."
He chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "You're also interested? Afraid you won't be able to resist?"
"I have a boyfriend."
But as she slid into the bed, keeping as much distance as possible, she felt the heat of him beside her, a presence impossible to ignore. He lay on his back, one hand resting behind his head.
Minutes passed. Neither of them spoke, but the air between them crackled like a live wire. She shivered, her fingers gripping the sheet beneath her.
"Is this the part where I kiss you to prove our enduring love?"
Daniel's voice was sharp, as he sat on the dining chair.
"Shh! Keep your voice down!"
Where on earth did Taylor get him from? This was not the conversation she wanted to have right now.
He scoffed. "No, let's be real here. You hired me for a reason, but now? You didn't follow arrangements to make it real. You were supposed to stay back and prove our love."
The door creaked open, and the arguments died in their throats.
Adrian was standing there, leaning against the doorframe, his gaze flickering between the two of them like a predator assessing his prey.
"Am I interrupting something?" His voice was smooth, laced with amusement.
Daniel straightened slightly, shoving his hands to his pocket. "Not at all. Just couple-drama situation."
"Good." he murmured, stepping further into the room then, without sparing Daniel another glance, he tilted his head at Mary.
"Because I need you."
Her pulse stuttered.
Daniel tensed beside her, but neither of them spoke.
"You will go to the orphanage today." he said and poured coffee, sipping it slowly.
"I work at the Orphanage. I don't need anyone to send me there. This wouldn't have anything to do with keeping me away from my boyfriend, would it?"
"Why? Were you planning to hang out with him?"
Heat simmered between them, thick and unspoken. He was toying with her, like he always did.
She exhaled sharply, grabbing the file he placed on the chair. "Fine. I'll report tonight."
He stood, then rounding the desk, closing the space between them too quickly. Mary tensed, gripping the file tighter as the scent of spice and something musky wrapped around her.
He reached out, trailing his fingers lightly along the edge of the file.
She swallowed hard, refusing to let him see how much he affected her.