Chapter 7
537 Words
Adrian's POV
I'd spent the morning in meetings, handling business, trying to focus on contracts and territories and revenue streams. But my attention kept drifting to her wondering where she was, what she was thinking, whether she was remembering our kiss the way I couldn't stop remembering it.
By noon, I'd had enough.
I called the manager. "Where is Aria working today?"
"Lower levels, sir." Basement storage, mostly. She... she requested assignments away from the penthouse floors.
Of course, she had.
I found her in the supply closet, pressed against the shelves like a cornered animal. The sight of her there small, scared, trying to hide triggered something primal in my chest. Not quite predator and prey, but close.
"Aria."
She emerged slowly, towels clutched to her chest like a shield. Her brown eyes were wide, wary, but there was something else there too. The same electric awareness that had crackled between us last night.
I stepped closer, watching her pulse flutter at her throat. "All morning." Different floors, different elevators, different routes through the building. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"
The flush that spread across her cheeks was answer enough.
"I want to take you to dinner tonight," I said, my voice steady and controlled despite the way my pulse was racing. "Just you and me."
She shook her head quickly. "I can't." I shouldn't. Last night was..." She swallowed hard. "It was a mistake."
"Was it?" I moved closer, close enough to see the gold flecks in her brown eyes. "Because you kissed me back, Aria." You melted into me like you'd been waiting for it your whole life.
Her breath hitched. "That doesn't mean."
"It means everything." I reached out slowly, giving her time to pull away, and brushed my fingers along her jawline. She trembled but didn't retreat. "You feel this too." This pulls between us. Don't lie to me."
"It's complicated," she whispered.
"The best things usually are." My thumb traced her lower lip, and I felt her sharp intake of breath. "One dinner, Aria. Let me show you what this could be."
She was quiet for a long moment, internal war playing out across her expressive face. Fear battled with curiosity. Self-preservation fought with desire.
Finally, barely audible: "Okay."
"Good." I stepped back, giving her space to breathe. "I'll have a car pick you up at eight." Wear something nice."
As I walked away, I could feel her eyes on my back. She was terrified, conflicted, probably already second-guessing her decision.
Perfect.
The hunt was always more interesting when the prey had some fight in them.
Aria's POV
I stood in front of my tiny closet, feeling ridiculous. Three dresses lay scattered across my bed, the sum total of anything remotely appropriate for dinner with... him. Adrian Voss. The man whose name I'd finally learned from whispered conversations among the hotel staff.
My hands trembled as I held up each option. The blue one was too casual. The black one had a small stain near the hem that I'd never been able to get out. The burgundy one... it was the nicest thing I owned, a thrift store finds. I'd splurged on last year, but suddenly it felt woefully inadequate.
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