Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
His thigh parting my legs, his hardness pressing against my heated core…
My heart ricocheted in my chest as I turned to find the man I couldn’t stand, my nemesis, leaning against the doorframe, a red apple in his hand. Our gazes met as he took a casual bite.
Why was he everywhere that I was? A constant, irritating shadow I couldn’t escape no matter how hard I tried.
Such an infuriating man.
“Adrian!” Giulia exclaimed. “What are you doing here? This is a private fitting.”
He completely ignored her, his eyes traveling over me with deliberate slowness. “I heard the bride was trying on her dress. Thought I’d come see what my dear brother was getting in exchange for this insane, political marriage and if she was worth it.”
Beatrice sighed, rubbing her temple. “That is rude, Adrian. I think you need to apologize to your sister-in-law.”
“She isn’t my sister-in-law yet.”
Giulia pointed toward the door. “Get out, mister.”
Adrian pushed off from the doorframe but made no move to leave. Instead, he took another step into the room, walking in with that lazy, goading smirk of his. His intimidating presence filled the space, almost suffocating. “From what I’ve seen, I think she’s worth keeping,” he drawled, his teeth grazing his bottom lip as he grinned.
“Of course she is,” his sister interjected, looking irritated at Adrian’s words. “I love you, my brother but you’re being insulting to Serafina. She’s the perfect addition to our family.”
“And she’ll be the perfect wife.” He took another bite of his apple.
Giulia nodded. “Matteo is lucky to have her.”
“He sure is,” Adrian remarked, his grin widening. I wondered if I was the only one who heard the mocking in his voice. Or maybe I was just imagining it…
“Now if you’re done with your usual assholery, why don’t you leave so we can continue with this dress fitting?”
“You love my assholery, sister.”
Giulia rolled her eyes. “Not always.”
Adrian pointed to his chest. “I’m your favorite brother.”
“Gabriel is.”
“He’s your twin, your other half. That doesn’t count. But I’m your actual favorite, just admit it.”
Giulia let out a small laugh. “Whatever your big ego says. Now, get out.”
“You didn’t deny it.”
“We all know you’re each other’s favorite. Stop fishing for compliments, Adrian. You’re wasting our time,” Beatrice scolded but gently in her tone, interrupting the two siblings.
For a moment I forgot I was irritated at this man for interrupting my important dress fitting with his usual arrogance and rudeness.
I watched the three of them with quiet fascination. Around Giulia and Beatrice, Adrian shed the layers of coldness that were invisible—the sharp edges softened, the performance dropped, the arrogance was gone.
They pushed back at him easily, without hesitation, the way you only could with someone you were truly comfortable with.
They were the perfect image of childish foolery between siblings before the parent broke them apart.
It was different from what I’d observed between them and Matteo. With him, there was always a half-second pause before they spoke. They were more modest… more careful around Matteo. Less warmth, more reserved.
Adrian raised his hands up in mock surrender and took a step back. “I came here to see and I have seen.”
His eyes traveled down my body and back up again, unhurried, before finding my face. He dragged his tongue across the corner of his mouth and something shifted in my stomach.
He took another bite of his apple and then placed it down on the coffee table.
“You’re going to be leaving a lot of dead bodies in your path, Princess. I hope you don’t mind the sight of blood too much,” he drawled.
What—
But Adrian didn’t stay for my response or reaction.
He turned on his feet and walked out, closing the door behind him, leaving his words echoing in my ears.
What was that supposed to mean?
He did this every time. Swept in with trailing arrogance and cryptic warnings, then left before I could form a response—before I could decide whether I wanted to slap him or demand he explained himself. And every time, without fail, he left something behind. Some residue I couldn’t shake.
Defiance.
Shame.
Freedom.
Desire. The horrible, traitorous flutter of wanting.
And now… a half-eaten apple, with his teeth mark decorating it.
A deliberate reminder.
I wasn’t sure which bothered me more.
Him casually sauntering into my life like he owned it, or him casually leaving like I was easily discarded.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Adrian
I saw her in that white wedding dress.
And I just knew…
I had to make her mine.
It was a simple, undeniable fact.
Serafina Morelli was the forbidden apple.
But unlucky for her, I had already taken a bite.
And now I want more.
My brother thought being the heir meant he could have whatever he wanted, could kill without consequences, could take what wasn’t his to take—that he was untouchable.
The chatter continued as I watched Serafina from across the dining table. Her perfect rehearsal dinner before her perfect wedding tomorrow. The poised, untouched bride.