Adam

My eyes are fixed on the monitor wall as I sit at my desk, but I'm not seeing a damn thing they display as I pour myself another glass of scotch, hoping it'll soothe my nerves. It doesn't. Just like the last two glasses didn't. I don't know what came over me earlier. I didn't plan to jack off in front of a complete stranger, but the second I saw her, I couldn't help myself.

As I lift the glass to my lips again, I notice my hand is shaking. I steady it with my other hand and take a sip.

"Shit," I mutter, slamming the glass down on the desk. I didn't even know it was possible for me to get that aroused so quickly—or at all. A woman hasn't sparked my interest since...in a long time. But one encounter with this girl has me drowning in insanity, drawing me to act on feral urges I thought were long dead.

There's something about her. On the surface, she dresses like she's trying to hide herself, but I know underneath her baggy clothing and unkempt hair lies a beauty. Why she's so intent on hiding it from the world baffles me.

Perhaps it baffles her too.

Why the hell did you have Eliza take her to guest quarters in your wing?

"Fuck." I groan, clutching my glass.

Five years?! What the fuck was I thinking?

The way her deep blue eyes bore into me flashes in my mind, causing a moan to escape me as I take another sip of my drink.

Why did I claim her as mine for the next five years?

Just thinking about her has my dick swelling against my pants. I've been in control of everything on this property and in my life for so long that this feeling—whatever it is—has completely caught me off guard.

I unbuckle my belt, spit in my hand, and start stroking my cock. I've got a few hours before I meet her in the dining hall, and there's no way I'll make it through dinner without whipping it out again if I don't get this out of my system now. I close my eyes, remembering how close she was to my dick and the licking of her lips that she thought I didn't notice. I lean back in my chair and let out a low moan. I can't wait to see her again.

***

"What time is it?" I ask in a low growl, staring at the untouched food and the empty seat next to me.

Claud steps forward and pulls a pocket watch from his vest.

"Seven forty-five, sir," he says.

"And what time did you tell her to be here?" I ask, voice tight.

"Se-seven o'clock sharp, sir," he stammers, a slight quiver in his voice. "I'm sure she'll be here soon. You know how women are—they take forever to get ready."

True. Give a woman more than one dress to choose from, and she'll spend hours deciding what to wear," Louis adds with a grin. "Not that it matters—it'll just get torn off once you're fucking."

The dining room door creaks open, and I straighten in my seat, only to deflate when Eliza walks in... alone.

"It's comments like that which prove your species never left the caveman era," Eliza says, scolding the men with a sharp look.

Where is she?" I ask, barely holding back a growl.

"Miss Shepherd informed me she will not be joining you for dinner, sir."

"What?" I roar, standing up and slamming my fist against the table. "Why not?"

""Maybe she's still full from her welcoming, sir," Louis says with a small smirk. I glare at him, but he averts his gaze.

Clearly, someone had been eavesdropping during my earlier interaction with Miss Shepherd.

I snarl and hurl my untouched plate across the room. Eliza, Claud, and Louis all jump as it shatters against the floor. I'm terrifying them, but I don't give a damn. How dare this woman I allowed into my home make me look like a goddamn fool in front of my staff.

"Clean this up," I bark, storming toward the doors.

"Don't do anything stupid, Adam," Eliza warns, but her words fall on deaf ears.

"Too late," Claud mutters just before I slam the door shut behind me.

Author's Note:

Things are getting intense with Adam, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts! 🔥 What do you think about his internal struggle and the dynamics between him and Isabelle? Your feedback and theories mean so much to me, and I'd love to hear how you're feeling about this chapter. Drop me a comment or vote if you're enjoying the twists and turns of the story so far! Your support truly fuels this wild ride!