Ladybug turned slightly and the arms around her tightened possessively. A flutter of pleasure rippled through her body for a second before she squashed it. She had woken up in a strange place, being held by some mysterious stranger who...just happened to be in really good shape. Then she caught sight of the face the arms belonged to and her heart did a little backflip.

Handsome did not justify the beauty of this face. It looked like it had been painstakingly sculpted by a master craftsman; all hard panes and angles and lovingly tanned by the sun. The nose was strong and straight, the cheekbones high, while the chin was firm and boasted the barest hint of stubble. The stranger's hair, while sopping wet, was golden like an angel's and curled slightly at the ends. The rest of his body was just as beautiful, wet clothes clinging to a hard and muscular body that belonged to either an athlete or a model.

Still, she thought, finger tracing his jawline as she felt for a pulse, there was something familiar about him.

At that moment, the stranger's eyes opened, locking onto hers. They were a piercing, deep emerald green that stirred a memory deep in her heart and awoke a warmth she hadn't felt in almost five years.

"Adrian?" She murmured, but at that moment, Adrian levered himself up, cupped one hand at the nape of her neck and covered her mouth with his in a tender, passionate kiss.

...

For a second, time stood still and Ladybug simply melted in his arms. His lips, warm against hers were firm, yet gentle as he pulled her closer to him, until she could feel the steady beat of his heart through the thin material of his shirt. Ladybug had spent most of her teen years dreaming about what it'd be like to kiss Adrian, but her girlish fantasies couldn't compare to the real thing.

Adrian changed the angle of his kiss and his lips parted, his tongue stealing in to tease hers. One hand stayed at the nape of her neck, while the other slid down the small of her back, sending tingles through the rest of her body as it did so.

Ladybug acted instinctively and wrapped one leg around Adrian's hip, pulling herself even tighter against him and twining her arms around his neck.

Oh God, did Adrian have magic hands. Not even Jacques could make her feel like this so fast-

Ladybug froze, one hand caught, tangled in Adrian's golden locks, while the other stopped, in the process of exploring the hard muscles on his back.

How could she be so stupid? She cursed herself, she had a boyfriend!

"Stop..." She mumbled against Adrian's lips.

Then she moaned aloud as the hand that had been in the small of her back, slid down to grip her thigh.

"Stop!" She repeated, this time pushing against him with all her might. Adrian simply held her firmly and began nibbling at the naked part of her neck in a way that sent glorious shivers down her spine.

This sort of attack should be illegal, Ladybug thought feebly as Adrian found a particularly sensitive place, and cupping her hand in a puddle, splashed him in the face.

Adrian jerked in surprise and stopped, blinking water out of his eyes.

"Wha- Ladybug, what's wrong?" he asked, wiping his face with one hand. Something about the gesture seemed to puzzle him and he stared at his hand, then touched his face gingerly as if something was missing from both.

Ladybug took the opportunity to wriggle free from his grasp and scoot out of reach. Her heart was beating like a rabbit's and she fought to take deep breaths to calm herself. 

That's right, she reminded herself. She was Ladybug, not Marinette. Adrian loved Ladybug, but Marinette was just his friend. Why did life have to be so unfair? She thought bitterly, and took another deep breath to stop the tears starting to form. Why did the boy – Ladybug stopped when she remembered being pressed up against him. Man, she corrected herself. He was a man now. Why did the man of her dreams have to be in love with her, but not in love with her at the same time?

She had a sudden flashback to Chat Noir kneeling in front of her, a rose in one hand and a passionate plea on his lips. 

Why did two of the most important people in her life love Ladybug, but not Marinette?

Ladybug wasn't the only one in turmoil. Adrian was sure he'd had his mask on before he'd passed out, and then when he'd woken up, there'd been...other things on his mind. Had she seen him transform back? And on that subject, where was Plagg? Ladybug prodded him in the chest to get his attention.

"Where have you been?" She demanded, "why didn't you call?" 

Adrian managed a flirtatious smile.

"Well, I would've if I could've but you didn't give me your number. "

The corners of her mouth twitched into a reluctant smile.

"You could've given me yours."

Adrian struggled to curb the lust that urged him to pull her back in his arms and make up for all those years they'd been apart. God how he'd missed her. She was more than just a fantasy to him now. He knew how she tasted, how soft and pliable she could become in his arms. Adrian reached for her but Ladybug saw the look in his eyes and quickly jumped to her feet.

"I have a boyfriend!" She blurted out.

Adrian froze in the act of grabbing for her.

"What?"

"I have a boyfriend." Ladybug repeated, meeting his eyes defiantly. "His name is Jacques. He's a musician. We've been dating for six months and it wouldn't be fair to him if-" She looked away uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lead you on just now...I wasn't thinking."

"Why are you here by the way? Where's Chat Noir?" She asked. "I remember being imprisoned by the Weather Wizard, then Chat Noir showed up to save me, then..."

Adrian willed her to keep going, to connect the dots. He wanted to shout, it's me! I'm Chat Noir! But at that moment, there was a sound from farther away and Weather Wizard staggered to his feet, ready for round two.

"I've got this one!" Ladybug said, unclipping her yo-yo from her belt. "Get to safety, Adrian."

"I'm Chat Noir," Adrian murmured quietly but Ladybug was already out of earshot. He'd better transform to give his lady back-up. "Plagg!" He whispered, "Plagg, where are you?"

His tiny, black kwami poked its furry head out of the drawer of an upturned desk.

"Hey kid, so it's safe to come out now? Thank God, I was getting bored and weak from hunger. Got any cheese?" 

Adrian tossed the ration of cheese he kept for his kwami and Plagg devoured it hungrily.

"Thanks," he said between mouthfuls. "By the way, I know we haven't really had this talk, but we should have a codeword in case you ever erm...need me to hide for an extended period of time?" He chewed thoughtfully. "Should we have a signal? Or maybe just put a piece of cheese out? No, a GIANT wheel of cheese to keep me occupied for a few hours would be perfect." His eyes gleamed hungrily at the thought.

"Weren't you listening? She'd got a boyfriend, Plagg." Adrian snapped irritably. "Can you stop talking and eat faster? She needs my help."

"Wow, grouchy." Plagg swallowed the last bite of cheese. "Are you sure that she's telling the truth about the boyfriend? Because I know for a fact in high school, M-" Plagg stopped as a stream of bubbles shot out of his mouth. Plagg sighed. The Kwami Rules for keeping Miraculous secrets were so restrictive. He'd wanted to tell the kid about Marinette being Ladybug many times, but the magic that had created him was binding.

He was saved further inner conflict when Ladybug crashed thought the wall, blown by a tornado that swirled after her, catching and lifting her into the air. Adrian stuffed Plagg into his shirt pocket.

"No time to transform, I have to save Ladybug now!"

Plagg clung to the shirt fabric and prepared for the worst. Kids, he thought with a sigh. They meant well.

Hi Everyone!

I wasn't going to post so early but it's Fourth of July so what the heck, enjoy! I am really enjoying writing  these romantic scenes...on account of me being single and a little bit pent up ;)...but I suppose that's good news for you guys since there will be more kissing and cheese left out in the scenes to come!! 

**I would also like to have it on record that I do not own any of the artwork I'm putting up, (I can write but I can't draw to save my life). But I spent a ridiculous time checking out Miraculous artwork in order to get...erm...inspired. Here's a hint to what will happen in the next chapter ;)

All credit for artwork goes to Eden Daphne as you can see, and in my mind she is the queen of Miraculous artwork! 

Allright, I know everyone wants to get back to family fun and watching fireworks, so enjoy, and Like and Comment what you think!!

Sincerely, your authoress Cantrella <3