Don't look back. Don't look back. Don't look back.

I had to keep chanting that in my head so I wouldn't turn around and stare at her, make her uncomfortable. But she was just so damn beautiful.

But I had to stop when I didn't hear her footsteps. I turn slowly, seeing her rooted in place. I almost grin, striding back towards her.

"Problem, Ms. Lee?"

"You want me to move in today?"

"That's what I said, is it not?"

She bites her lip, and it takes all my strength not to drop my gaze to it. Something is clearly bothering her.

"What's the problem?"

"I just," she shakes her head. "All my stuff is in my place. Or, my old place. I was moving out today, anyway. But I have to go and get it, I just..."

I raise a brow. "Just what, Ms. Lee?"

She sighs, slapping her hands on her thighs. I resist the urge to look at them, but when she winces and brings her hand to her chest, I immediately step forward.

"What is it?"

She chuckles nervously, shaking her head. "Just hurt my hand."

"How?"

She doesn't answer. But I do see the pain flash in her eyes for just a brief moment before she looks out of the window. I shove my hands in my pockets—to resist touching her—and blow out a breath.

"You said if I asked, you'd tell me. This is me asking, Ms. Lee."

She nibbles her lip as she looks back towards me. "I punched someone."

I wanted to smile.

I wanted to smile so bad.

I never want to smile like this.

But I'll be damned. I wasn't expecting that answer.

"Did they deserve it?" She nods. I shrug. "Is that where your stuff is?" Another nod, so I huff a breath. "Well, you need what belongs to you, don't you? But for tonight, you can make do with what we have. Tomorrow is a new day."

Her smile is soft, warm. I think her smile is my new favorite sight in the world.

"Thank you." She twists her lips, then chuckles lightly. "I don't even know your name."

I straighten my back, hold out my hand towards her. "Daniel Le Noir."

She looks at my hand, only hesitating for a second before lifting her eyes back to mine and then placing her hand in mine.

And there it was. That feeling. It was an indescribable feeling, honestly. One I hadn't experienced until I touched her earlier today. And just now.

Like she held the sun in the palm of her hand, and she was giving it to me.

A foreign feeling swept through my entire body; like I wanted to shudder, but my stomach was on fire with a craving to touch her longer.

And it didn't help that her beauty hit me like a truck. Her brown hair was slightly wavy, cascading past her shoulders. Her eyes were the lightest shade of brown I'd ever seen—like someone stripped down a dark brown until they couldn't anymore. Her face was soft, round. But her cheekbones poked out like I've never seen before. Her lips weren't symmetrical; her top lip was thin, but her bottom lip was full, which gives me the urge to tug between my teeth.

She was a petite girl. Like, not the skinniest girl I've ever encountered. But normal. She was fairly tall. If I had to guess, probably five-nine or ten. Since I was six-three and she still had to look up at me. Her chest was small, but her thighs? Oh, how her waist dipped into those thick thighs and perfectly rounded ass.

But her smile? Her smile is perfection. Her perfectly straight teeth make me wonder if she's ever had braces. Her smile is full, bright and beautiful.

She's beautiful.

By far the most beautiful woman I've ever met. I was dumbfounded for a moment when I met her earlier because she was so beautiful. But when I saw MG, everything took a turn.

And her pale brown eyes were staring at mine, tugging at my heart. I've never had my heart just race like this before. Just by someone simply staring at me and biting her bottom lip.

But here it is, beating like a fool.

"I'm Adrianna Lee." She says, a little breathless.

I wonder if she feels this, too. This indescribable pull towards me like I do for her. The electric heat that radiates between us both. The desire to feel how her lips feel against mine.

"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Lee."

She gives me a soft smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Le Noir.

Is it sad I was a little disappointed? I wanted to hear what my name sounded like coming from her heavenly lips.

I clear my throat, pulling my hand back. "Shall we go, then?"

She nods once, so I start to walk towards the elevator. I hit the button, letting her go in, first. I stand behind her and lean over to press the lobby button, but she had the same idea. My touch grazed down her arm and I have to fight the urge to smirk when I see goosebumps spread across her skin.

I get a faint smell of coconut from her hair before I step back and shove my hands in my pocket. But Adrianna, probably thinking I wouldn't notice, was checking me out in the reflection of the shiny metal. Her eyes swept me over, head to toe, and I saw her press a palm to her lower stomach.

I want to ask her if she feels it, the electricity cackling in the air all around us. Almost as if the world is pushing us together.

My mind momentarily wanders to dangerous territory, if I give into the temptation. I'd throw her against the wall and worship her body. Rip that tease of a skirt off her body and make her forget her own name.

I clench my jaw. I really shouldn't be thinking about that right now.

When we finally reach the lobby, the doors open. Adrianna moves after a moment, leading the way. But slows to a stop before walking out of the exit door.

"Should I walk to my old place and get my car?"

I hold her gaze. I wonder what happened between her and her old roommate that she felt the need to sprain her hand over. Why she left without her things, her car. So many questions about her I want answered.

"No." I shake my head. "Do you have class tomorrow?"

"Yeah, at ten."

"Then I'll have Bruce give you a ride there beforehand. You can pack what you need and leave it with Bruce, he'll bring it back to the house."

She nods. Then chuckles. "Who's Bruce?"

"My driver."

The way she's looking at me in disbelief is almost funny. Sure, I'm pretty successful. Sure, I live comfortably. But I'm not the in-your-face type. I still carry on as I did when I was struggling to make it. I just enjoy not having to drive myself around everywhere.

I push open the door, seeing Bruce already waiting. He opens the door for us, so I allow Adrianna to climb in, first. I have to try very hard not to stare at her ass as she climbs in and I follow behind her.

MG is already napping, body sprawled out across the side seat. I feel my heart swell at the sight of my beautiful girl.

Adrianna takes a spot towards the corner, so I sit adjacent to her...mostly so I can stare at her without being too conspicuous.

"She's a good kid," Adrianna smiles as we start moving.

"She is. It's why she deserves the best, Ms. Lee."

She looks up at me. "What does this entail, Mr. Le Noir?

I lean forward and rest my elbows on my thighs. "It's simple, really. You get her up and ready for the day. Feed her. Drop her off at school. I'm usually answering business emails the beginning of the day, which is why I can't do so, myself." I sigh. "After school, Mary Grace is pretty tired. Usually takes an hour or two nap. But you just ensure she gets her homework done. Stays put and doesn't wander off."

That gets a smile from her, making me feel like I deserve a damn award.

"I'm usually home by six, six-thirty the latest. After I'm home, you're free to do or go wherever you need to. Unless I need to attend a business meeting at one of my venues, then I'll need you back to watch over her." Adrianna nods slowly. "Her bed time is nine-thirty. She's usually good about going straight to bed. She's really the easiest kid you'll ever encounter," I grin. "Just..."

Adrianna turns her body towards me. "Her disability?"

I clench my jaw, hard. Then nod. "Yeah, there's that."

"Can you..." she lifts a shoulder, almost shyly. "Can you tell me a little about it?"

If this were anyone else, I'd tear into them. Rip them apart for even asking. Fire them, if they worked for me. But with Adrianna, it's different.

I...I want her to know.

"There's not much of a story," I exhale deeply. "She had an accident, once. Way too close to stupid neighborhood kids who were messing around with fireworks. Popped right beside her. Caused some damage to her eardrum," I balled my fists. "Then she suffered from sensorineural hearing loss, which then in turn, caused conductive hearing loss. Summed up, she's been slowly losing her hearing since she was five. The hearing aids enhance the sounds around her, helping her hear."

I take a breath. "She can still hear without them. Just not normally. It's, like, humming, she explained to me. Muffled. The hearing aids are needed so she can continue to make out what people are saying until she eventually can't anymore."

Adrianna nods. I don't know why, but I half expected her to say it would be too hard to cater to her needs and quit before she even started. But she smiled.

"She's a very unique, special girl. I'm excited to keep working with her."

Oh, God. My heart. It's doing that thing where its beating too fast for its own good. I blink, staring at this beautiful stranger.

Is love at first sight real? Is that what is happening right now? My palms are sweaty, my heart a wild mess. All I want to do is know every single thing about her. Kiss her.

"Thank you."

I turn away from her.

Mary Grace needs Adrianna. She needs someone who sees her for her and not for what's wrong with her. Who will listen to her, teach her, and guide her correctly. Aside from me, of course.

Not like fucking Nancy, my ex-wife. Who sees her as a problem and only wants to hide her from the world.

No. Mary Grace is a light that everyone needs to see. And I have a feeling that Adrianna gets that.

Which is why, under no circumstances, can I ever, ever jeopardize what Mary Grace and Adrianna can have together. I can't be selfish and act on these strange impulses I've never had before.

Being a father means being selfless; putting your kid before yourself. Always acting in their best interest.

Do I want to work as much as I do? Absolutely not. Do I enjoy missing pivotal moments in my daughters life? Fuck no. But I work and I work hard for her. So I can provide the house she lives in, the food on her table, and soon, the proper education she's gonna need. 

Adrianna is, by far, the most beautiful woman I've ever met—I'll probably ever meet. And yes, her body calls to mine. And I can feel whatever this feeling is between us, burning. It's tangible. I can see it by the way she looks over at me and keeps rubbing her thighs together.

I want her. I want her in ways I never knew was possible. I want to know who she punched, why she's studying children's education, if she's in contact with her folks, if she went to her prom, does she like dogs, is she a blood donor, what her favorite everything is. I want to know her.

I literally can't explain it. I've never felt this kind of pull to someone before. But I want to know every single secret she's keeping, and every worry she has.

I want to know how her body reacts to my touch. My tongue. My cock. How wet she can get for me. If she's ever been with someone like me, who enjoys a bit of rough sex. Who will tie her hands to the headboard and fuck her senseless. Who will prop her on all fours and drive deeper into her. But who'll also slow down and make her feel like she's the most beautiful girl in the world deserving everything.

Because. She. Is.

But I can't be selfish.

I can't take what I want—which in this case, is Adrianna. I just can't.

Mary Grace always has and always will be first. And as much as I want Adrianna, a line has to be made. She's off-limits. I can't put myself in a situation to make this hard for Mary Grace.

Even though the whole fucked up, selfish reason Adrianna is even here is because I couldn't imagine just letting her walk out of my life. The thought was unbearable.

I dug my grave. Now I'll lie in it.

No matter how hard it is.

A/N

✨tension✨

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