20

Chapter Seven - Testing His Patience

The next morning, Lena woke with a headache and an attitude.

She remembered the conversation in the garden.

Because you care.

She hated that Adrian had said it.

Mostly because he was right.

So she decided to make him regret being so perceptive.

After showering, Lena chose an outfit that was deliberately bold for breakfast: a short silk robe over a fitted camisole and shorts. Nothing inappropriate for lounging around the house, but enough to make it impossible to mistake her confidence for an accident.

She walked downstairs slowly.

Adrian was already in the kitchen.

He was pouring coffee.

He looked up.

And stopped.

For the first time since Lena had met him, his carefully controlled expression completely failed him.

His eyes flicked over her before he immediately looked away.

Lena smiled.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

His voice sounded slightly strained.

She walked past him and reached for a glass.

"You look nervous."

"You're blushing."

"I'm not."

She laughed.

"You are."

Adrian turned toward her.

"Lena."

"What?"

"Go put some clothes on."

She widened her eyes innocently.

"I'm wearing clothes."

"Something less distracting."

Her smile grew.

"So I am distracting you."

Adrian rubbed his jaw.

"You enjoy doing this."

"Doing what?"

"Testing my patience."

She leaned against the counter.

"Maybe."

He looked at her again.

This time, he held her gaze.

"You're playing a dangerous game."

Lena's smile faded slightly.

"Didn't we agree that's what makes it interesting?"

For several seconds, neither moved.

Then footsteps sounded in the hallway.

Victoria appeared.

"Good morning!"

Adrian immediately stepped away from Lena.

"Morning."

Lena hid a smile behind her coffee.

Victoria looked between them.

"Why does it feel like I've interrupted something?"

"Nothing," Adrian said quickly.

Lena took a slow sip.

"Absolutely nothing."

Adrian gave her a warning look.

She smiled sweetly.

The game had officially begun.

And judging by the color still lingering in Adrian's cheeks, Lena had finally discovered the one thing he couldn't completely control.

His reaction to her.

Later that morning, Lena found a folded piece of paper beneath her coffee cup.

She opened it.

Library. Ten minutes. Come alone.

No signature.

She didn't need one.

Her pulse quickened.

Ten minutes later, she pushed open the library door.

Adrian was standing by the window with his back to her.

He didn't turn around.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes."

His voice was different now.

No teasing.

No amusement.

Lena closed the door behind her.

"Why?"

Adrian finally turned.

"Because this has gone far enough."

She raised an eyebrow.

"The game?"

"Especially the game."

She stepped closer.

"And what happens if I don't stop?"

Adrian's expression hardened.

"Then eventually someone gets hurt."

Lena's confidence faltered.

"Who?"

He looked at her for a long moment.

"You."

Silence filled the room.

Then Adrian walked past her and opened the door.

But before Lena could leave, he stopped beside her.

His voice dropped to a whisper.

"Don't mistake my losing my composure for losing control."

He walked away.

Lena remained standing in the doorway, heart pounding.

For the first time, she wondered whether she had been playing with Adrian...

or whether Adrian had been letting her think she was.