My vagina tightens around his two fingers as I breathe heavily, his eyes on his, which are as dusky as the abyss. Smiling lopsidedly, he slams his lips on mine again, demanding a very deep kiss from me.

A passionate one. Almost amorous.

No, I shouldn't fall for him. Not even for his mind-blowing sex and blowjobs! God, what do I do? The closer I get to him, the more I lose my mind. Now I want nothing but more of him. More time. More moments. More reasons to hear his voice, scolding, and everything he does to me.

You must be out of your damn mind, Arabella! Snap out of it!

And then he urges me to stand up. I comply without questions, and he does the same afterward. I gaze up at him as his large frame engulfs my height. A pair of his alluring eyes twinkle down at me, seemingly sinful and imprudent. I'm sure he knows he's got the upper hand, and he loves it.

"What?" I utter softly.

"I want to tie you up so badly," he replies while stroking my hair to one side, a wicked smile on his lips. "I want you to feel the real bondage and how being vulnerable can be as exciting as being powerful is. I want you to be strained when I fuck you."

"Here? Right now?" My voice comes out a slight whisper.

A tingle in my tummy makes me want to smile even though I shouldn't. Jumping into some kinky play right amid my emotional chaos? Really? I don't think I'm ready, for God's sake—am I?

Studying me carefully for a moment, Adrian's lips curve up until he laughs gently. "Not now, Arabella. And certainly not here. The last thing I want is to push your limits tonight after the hard day you've had. But don't think you'll be saved next time," he says in a teasing voice, even though it's clear that he never bluffs.

"Well, um..." I clear my throat shyly. "Okay. Next time."

He scoots me into a warm embrace and whispers, "Now Let's go and eat, because the more you stay, the more I want to bury my cock inside you. Oh, Arabella, you've no idea what an attractive woman you are." He breathes lustfully into my hair, holding me tight.

Now my heart flutters, the same effect in my stomach. He can't be this empowering all the time, can he? He's supposed to be like the others. Fuck me, pay me, and then tell me to go. But why is he being so nice as if we're having a romantic relationship?

"But I have to go home, Adrian," I purr as my body slowly relaxes in his arms, a bit sweaty but not tired.

I can't get used to this. I shouldn't.

"Without dinner?" he mutters thoughtfully while rubbing my arm. I bob my head, eyes up at him. "Okay. I assume you're going to eat at home so... let me take you home then. And that one I won't take a no for an answer."

I crinkle my eyes, edging my head back in a sleazy protest. I see Adrian's small white-tooth smile that feels big from the pure mirth filled in his eyes.

I swear he got a killer smile! Pink lips, white teeth, with wild eyes rife with power and confidence. Surely, I've seen hot men before, but he's simply... unique?

"Okay, Mister Castle. Or Sir?" I cajole him, all so that I keep seeing that breathtaking smile he hardly lets out.

"There'll be a time when you'll only call me sir, Arabella. For now, Adrian is enough. And I know you love it." He smiles again as he says this.

Jesus! I bite my lip so hard as he leaves me to get himself ready to leave. And hell yeah, I love calling his name.

"Why did they postpone the bidding? I thought it would be next week," I ask him while reaching for my abandoned sandals.

I glance over my shoulder to where Adrian is tossing the shirt he's been wearing to the bed, probably planning to change into another one. He turns around and I suddenly wish he didn't.

Fuck! I've only imagined him naked but now I see him live.

He reminds me of those basketballers I ogle whenever Jake is busy watching the Lakers jumping and running around. Tall, big muscles, with tight sets of glistening abs like a Roman sculpture. I'm not a timid girl, but damn!

"I believe there's a new player and they're buying time," Adrian replies. He doesn't sound happy. "Wait a minute." He proceeds to dress, plucking another shirt from the wardrobe.

After a moment he disappears into the bathroom and silence prevails.

I put my sandals on as I wait, thinking of my two koalas at home. As long as Jake is around, I know Isla is in good hands. It's almost eight on my wristwatch—not bad.

"Ready?" Adrian returns, holding his mobile, wearing a white polo and the same black dress pants as before.

"Yeah, but... can I use the bathroom for a minute?" I ask him.

"Okay," he says, and a phone in his ear suggests he is already on a call. "We're coming down," he speaks as I rush toward the bathroom door.

He must be talking to Mario.

My head is jumbled again when we step into the elevator. Two middle-aged men are inside the cabin, talking in hushed voices as if they're discussing some important board meeting to come. Judging from their expensive suits, I can tell they're in business or politics.

They both nod at Adrian and he responds ditto, no word spoken. Their eyes linger on me and I wonder if my dress is too short. Above the knees and loose? Decent enough. It's about time I get used to these kinds of looks for having thick legs and thighs.

I slip at the back and my faltered smile reappears on my face when Adrian does the same. Amused in the eyes, he slides his hand behind my waist, pulling me closer to him, before resting it just about my round ass as if he's highly tempted to grab it to his heart's content.

"It looks like I'm not the only one with fine taste," he whispers in my ear.

"Excuse me?" I smother a laugh. "What are you talking about?"

"This." He stoutly grabs my ass and lifts the chiffon fabric in the process. A sharp breath turns into a quiet moan when some air hits my skin. "Still having doubts that you're such a distraction?" He lays a wet kiss on my neck.

Pinkish red must be prominent in my warm cheeks by now. I clear my throat and glance to the side where a shiny silver wall reflects us. This is probably how every woman should feel beside the man who makes her heart beat faster every now and then. Special and appreciated.

"I shouldn't have stopped with the blowjob," Adrian says with a sigh. I lift my widened eyes briskly at him. "Now let's hope you reach home as soon as possible before I change my mind."

One of the white gentlemen in front of us turns around fleetingly. I smile dryly at him, and he grants his attention back to his companion. I suck in a breath, trying to ignore the effect of Adrian's tight hold as a mark of his power over me, which is strangely a turn-on.

Since when do I enjoy being owned by someone? As if a part of me yearns to submit? For God's sake, that's the reason why I broke up with Richard because he was overbearing and a control freak. Everything has been about him and his wants, including outings and sex.

My thoughts dissolve the second the elevator pings, indicating the coming halt to the lobby. The men make their exit, followed by Adrian who's still holding my waist, urging me to take the same pace as his. Illicitly or not, we look like a normal couple and I can't say I'm complaining.

"Leave Jake to me," he says in a hard voice. I blink twice. "Can you trust me with that and quit worrying too much?"

"Okay." I nod. "But promise me that you'll tell me everything you find out. Whatever it is, Adrian, I want to know," I remark seriously, for more than his help, it's my need to understand Jake that drives me insane.

I want to know where I'm going wrong. If I'm the problem, then I need to find a way to fix it.

"I will. Let's go," he answers while taking my hand this time, and it appears the Mercedes is here.

Mario greets me gently as he always does. Adrian holds the backdoor open for me, and I smile blushingly as I slip in. He smirks, fully aware of his brilliance in treating a lady. He uses the other door, dismissing his driver from pampering him as if he's a crown prince.

"Tell me about the bidding," I say some moments later, seeing him too occupied with his thoughts.

I think it's troubling him, and I must admit that I hate when he's absentminded and disconnected. Our fingers are interlocked together on his knee, but he feels dimensions apart.

He sighs softly. "Just a few setbacks, but you shouldn't worry. My team and I are working on it."

I bob my head, trying not to impose.

"It's very important that you get this hotel, right?" I ask again, as nosy as I can be.

"Rightly so, Arabella. I hate failures." He smiles simply and lays a kiss on my lips.

He remains silent afterward, so I give him the tranquility he needs until the car pulls over in front of my house. Unlike before, this time he escorts me out of the car and only stops near the staircase, still looking troubled and mindful.

"There's someone I'm trying to locate. He knows in and out about bidding finesse in Vegas," he tells me as if he's sharing his torments at last.

It soothes my heart. At least he trusts me.

"Someone... Who?" I ask.

He smiles indulgently and strokes my cheek. "I doubt you know him, Arabella. He operates underworld business deals and—"

"I probably know a lot more than you think, Adrian. Try me," I suggest boldly, and he laughs boyishly for a change.

He looks radiant under the moonlight, standing tall with hands buried in the pockets of his pants. Casual and sexy.

"They call him Night Owl. Have you ever heard that name?" he mocks me.

Night owl? Of course, I know him. He's Josh's father!

"Um..." I stutter, unsure if I should lie or tell the truth. Adrian narrows his eyes at me, waiting for more. "I think I've heard it but why are you looking for that guy?" I wear my poker face to perfection.

Before Adrian could answer, we both turn around upon the appearance of none other than Jake, whose face furrows deeply upon seeing Adrian and the expensive car he's probably seen before.