Enemies Until Dark

CHAPTER 4: The Night I Deserved

ADRIAN'S POV

Selene wore a dazzling red robe that revealed the black lace lingerie underneath.

A bottle of champagne and two glasses sat on the table.

At the dining table lay a freshly prepared steak and a double-cream chocolate cake, perfectly sliced into neat triangles. Rose petals and scented candles had been carefully arranged across the floor, forming a trail that led deeper into the apartment.

I followed it.

It led straight to the bathroom door.

The sweet scent of strawberry and lavender drifting through the air already gave me an idea of what she had planned for me.

I placed my hand on the doorknob, a bright smile spreading across my face.

Before I could turn it, a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind.

“Congratulations on your win, Ady,” Selene whispered.

I turned around, my smile never leaving my face.

For a few seconds, I simply stared at her.

Then I leaned in and kissed her.

She kissed me back, deepening the warmth between us. We stayed like that for a few moments before she finally pulled away, leaving both of us breathing heavily.

“Hey,” she whispered.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Tonight isn't the night.”

Her fingers traced lightly along my collarbone.

“Let it just be the two of us existing in love.”

I pulled her into a warm embrace.

With her head resting against my chest, everything about today slowly faded into a blur.

The game.

The reporters.

The noise.

Even Rowan.

For those few seconds, none of it mattered.

Selene eventually broke free and gently pushed me toward the bathroom.

“You had a messy day, and I know how hard it has been. Take a bath and join me for dinner.”

“You got it, babe.” I smiled at her. “I love you so much, and I'll forever bless the day I met you.”

I started undressing as I headed toward the bathroom.

The bath was filled with my favorite lavender and strawberry scent. Selene's effort to relax my nerves was already working its magic.

The moment I lowered myself into the bathtub, all the tension in my body seemed to disappear.

I released a long breath and closed my eyes.

Damn.

I loved Selene so much.

She just knew what I wanted and how I wanted it at the right time.

If I wasn't so tired, I would have loved to stay up with her until dawn.

After bathing, I wore the silk red robe she had hung on the hanger and headed toward the dining room.

I was quietly singing the ridiculous song my teammates always sang after showering as I walked.

But as I approached the dining room, I stopped.

From a distance, Selene was sitting at the table with an unreadable expression on her face.

There wasn't even a trace of happiness in it.

She kept staring at the table in front of her, seemingly unaware that I had just walked into the room.

I walked toward her and stood behind her before resting my hands gently on her shoulders.

“Hey, babe. What's the problem?” I asked, placing my face against her cheek.

“Nothing, Ady. I was just a little carried away.”

She quickly arranged my plate.

“But you—”

She interrupted me with a soft peck.

“You keep talking, and the steak is going to get cold.”

She poured juice into my glass before placing the jug in the middle of the table.

I decided not to ruin the moment.

Ruining it would mean ruining the night, and this night was the only soothing thing that had happened to me since dawn.

So I let it go.

For now.

After eating, we cleared the dishes and decided to wash them together.

While drying my hands, I heard my favorite blues song playing from the living room.

I slowly walked toward the sound.

And there she was.

My Selene.

She had taken off any remaing piece of clothing on her and was pouring the champagne into the cups.

She raised her head.

Our eyes met.

Then she motioned for me to come closer.

Something about the scene felt familiar.

This day was just like the the first night made out after six months of dating .

Two years with Selene had turned me into a hopeless romantic.

I had hopelessly fallen in love with her, and I couldn't imagine a future without her in it.

I knew she was recreating that special night for a reason.

I just didn't know why.

I removed my robe and walked toward her.

Taking one of the glasses from the table, I held it in my left hand.

We danced around the living room, drinking champagne, laughing, and reminiscing about the ridiculous things we'd done throughout our relationship.

“Ha-ha! Remember the time we lost our keys and decided to sleep at a hotel, only to remember that we didn't even live in that apartment anymore?” she asked, staring directly into my eyes.

I laughed.

"Damn! I just want to have you right now? I said grabbing her bare body tightly to mine.

“Calm down, Wolfie.”

She raised herself onto her toes and kissed my cheek.

“You're already exhausted. You know I like it when you go god mode and not puppy mode.”

I laughed softly and pulled her closer.

She rested her head against my chest.

“Besides,” she whispered, “I don't think I came prepared to welcome him tonight. I've eaten way too much, and I want you all in not half-way.”

She raised her toes to softly bite my ear.

I shook my head, laughing.

“You're impossible.”

She knelt and stared at It "Hey, mummy isn't ready tonight you'll have to let Ady off tonight" She kissed the tip and I let out a sharp groan.

Selene chuckled and stood up.

A few minutes later, we settled onto the couch and continued talking.

We spoke about everything and nothing at the same time, laughing over old memories until her voice gradually became quieter.

Eventually, Selene fell asleep against my shoulder.

I looked down at her and smiled.

For a while, I simply stayed there.

My phone vibrated.

Carefully, I picked it up so I wouldn't wake her.

It was a message from Mom.

Son, I miss you. When are you coming home?

I stared at it for a moment before typing a single word.

Soon.

I dropped the phone back onto the chair.

Then I carefully lifted Selene and carried her to the bedroom.

I placed her gently on the bed before climbing in beside her and pulling the covers over us.

As I cuddled closer to her, my mind drifted toward what our family gatherings were always like.

They would praise my wins.

They would congratulate me.

They would tell me how proud they were.

And then, right beside all that praise, would come the family company.

Dad would remind me how my older brother, Mason, had once been the captain of the Boston Vipers. Despite his greatness on the ice, Mason had also helped with the family business at the same time.

Eventually, he had left hockey behind and joined the company full-time.

And because of that, everyone expected me to follow the same path.

As always, I would be called stubborn for refusing their offer.

But I wasn't stubborn.

I simply knew what I wanted.

Hockey wasn't something I had picked up because I had nothing else to do.

It was my life.

It was the one thing that had always felt completely mine.

I closed my eyes.

The thoughts slowly made me sleepy.

I was just beginning to drift off when a vibration came from the other side of the bed.

I opened my eyes.

It was Selene's phone.

The screen lit up in the darkness.

A single message appeared.

We need to talk. It's now or never.