He looks up when I enter. Those silver eyes tracking me immediately.
"Is everything alright?” he asks.
"It’s late.”
He smiles slightly. “You should get rest. I’ll be up soon.”
“It’s cold,” I say, fingering my top slightly, “without you in bed.”
Something flickers in his eyes. Interest. Curiosity. "Really?”
"Mmm." I stop in front of his desk, fingers trailing along the polished wood.
He leans back in his chair, studying me. "What are you doing, Seraphina?"
"Convincing my husband to put work away and give his wife attention,” I say, huskily. “Is that allowed.”
His eyes narrow slightly.
"Depends on what you're really asking for."
Smart man. He knows something has shifted. I’ve never initiated sex before, and even with us growing closer, physical intimacy has been…lacking.
"Didn't you say I could have whatever I want?" I bat my eyelashes at him, trying my best to appear innocent and coy.
"Within reason."
I try not to roll my eyes. He's so careful about his words that I feel like I am constantly in contract negotiations rather than a marriage. Even when he gives me what I want, there’s a reason behind it.
Adrian Nero does nothing without thinking it through.
I pull my hair back slightly, making sure that my neck is on display. I don't know anything about seduction, but from the way Adrian's eyes have turned to molten silver, I'm not doing too bad.
"Is that what this is?" His hand reaches out, fingers brushing the silk of my robe. "You want something?"
"Maybe." I lean against the desk, facing him. "Or maybe I'm just tired of denying what we both want."
His jaw tightens.
"I can't stop thinking about it."
"About what?" He's toying with the robe sash, opening it and exposing the lace gown underneath.
"The gala." I let the robe slip off one shoulder. "That night. The way you fucked me against the window like you couldn't help yourself. The way you just took me. You weren’t careful then.”
The air changes. Becomes heavier, charged.
"Careful," he warns.
"Why?" I slide onto the edge of the desk, right in front of him. "You're my husband. We're married. We're having a baby together. Why shouldn't we?—"
He stands abruptly, and suddenly he's between my legs, hands on either side of me, caging me in.
"Because," his voice is low, dangerous, "once we start this again, I'm not going to stop. I’m trying to be gentle with you, Sera….” He trails off. “Romantic.”
I reach out, using my nail to draw a line down the front of his shirt. “Romance has many meanings.” I meet his eyes. "I’m lonely, Adrian, and aching. I don't see the point in pretending I don't want you, don’t want that fire between us. After all, we're married."
His hand comes up, cupping my face. Thumb stroking my cheekbone. I can see him wavering. Ever so slightly. But he's a man of control, and he's not just going to give in. He's too suspicious. "This is a game to you. Testing what you can get from me.”
