018: Adrian, Are You the One Who’s Hungry?
1009 Words
Irene spoke seriously. “Miss Vaughn, please don’t underestimate this type of injury. If it doesn’t heal properly, it could ache and sting in cold, damp weather.”
“Really? Judging by your tone, you sound like you’re speaking from experience,” Serena teased, suddenly intrigued. “I’ve known you for so long, and this is the first time I’ve realized how good your combat skills are. Where did you learn that?”
“You flatter me, Miss Vaughn,” Irene replied modestly before turning to Adrian. “Mr. Lancaster, I’ll head back to Westport Bay and take care of the aftermath.”
Adrian nodded.
Serena was still curious. “Why’s she leaving already? She didn’t even say who trained her. I was hoping she’d teach me a move or two.”
“You can only train after your arm’s healed,” Adrian said as he approached her bedside, carefully lifting her injured arm for a look. Her elbow was clearly swollen and wrapped in gauze, with a faint medicinal scent lingering in the air.
“For now, Irene will stay by your side,” he said, making the decision.
Serena blinked. “Shouldn’t it be Adrian personally taking care of me?”
She really dared to say anything.
Adrian sat sideways on the bed. “I doubt I could take care of you better than she can. I’ll visit when I have time.”
“Well, I suppose I can’t argue with New Belmont’s busiest man.”
When the IV bag emptied, the nurse came in to remove the needle. Adrian’s expression darkened slightly as he spoke firmly, “Don’t ever do something like that again.”
“I can’t promise that. Didn’t you know? Sometimes the brain reacts faster than the body. I didn’t even think—it just happened.” Her voice carried just enough ambiguity. “Maybe it’s because… you matter a lot to me.”
“Then learn to control your brain,” he replied.
Serena paused, trying to read his expression. There wasn’t a trace of amusement in his eyes.
“You hear me?”
“Fine, fine. I’ll try.”
Only then did Adrian relax slightly. He poured her a glass of water, and Serena took her antibiotics, which were mixed with a mild sedative. Not long after, she began to feel drowsy. Glancing at the perfect ‘pillow’ right next to her, she lay down and used his thighs as a pillow, closing her eyes.
He didn’t stop her. Instead, he pulled the blanket up to cover her.
Soon, her breathing evened out. She had fallen asleep.
…
At 6 PM, the golden afterglow of sunset filtered through the sheer curtains, casting light across the bed. It split Serena’s curled-up figure in two, painting her sleeping face in a soft halo of light.
The woman who was usually sharp and seductive looked defenseless in her sleep—like a child.
Adrian still had a file in his hand, but his gaze had long since drifted away from the page and settled on her.
A soft breeze lifted her hair, a few strands landing on her cheek. He gently reached out to tuck it behind her ear, and as his fingertips brushed her skin, it felt just as soft and smooth as he imagined.
Before long, Serena’s brows twitched, and she slowly opened her eyes.
“You’re awake?” he asked gently.
Waking up to such a handsome face? Serena felt instantly refreshed. She reached out and lazily wrapped one arm around his waist. “Thanks for being my pillow, Adrian. Just the right amount of firm and soft—it’s the most comfortable one I’ve ever slept on.”
She even rubbed against him a little more for good measure.
Adrian, with a faint smile, reached out to steady her restless head. “Hungry?”
His voice was lower now, slightly husky, his breath warm. Serena looked up and noticed a certain dark gleam in his eyes—along with something visibly stirred beneath his pants.
Raising a brow, she tugged him closer by the collar and whispered playfully, “Adrian… are you the one who’s hungry?”
Serena was no innocent schoolgirl. She wasn’t shy in the least. Her eyes sparkled with teasing amusement.
“Adrian, what were you thinking about while I slept? You got yourself worked up all on your own, huh?”
It was teasing, laced with unmistakable flirtation.
Adrian looked down at her, his obsidian eyes bottomless like a tunnel with no end. Without a word, his hands slipped to her waist, and in one swift move, he lifted her fully into his lap. “You tell me.”
“Me? I was just sleeping. I didn’t do anything to you,” she said, clearly wronged.
“Falling asleep in front of me—that’s your fault,” Adrian murmured, and then his lips fell on her skin, leaving a trail of feather-light kisses along the nape of her neck. The sensation made Serena shudder.
“Adrian, you’re not seriously blaming me for this,” she said, squirming from the ticklish touch but making no effort to escape. She leaned into his chest, relaxed and intimate, while one hand playfully ran along the edge of his shirt.
Adrian’s voice deepened. “So you’re not teasing me right now?”
“I just noticed your shirt was wrinkled. I’m fixing it for you. Where’s your mind at?” Her words were innocent, but her fingers had already slipped between the buttons, pressing directly against his chest. The warmth and firmness under her palm made her linger.
His eyes darkened completely, like a fire spreading out of control. He lifted her chin and lowered his head to capture her lips—first a gentle brush, then a deep, drawn-out kiss. Tongues danced, teasing, retreating, meeting again. By the time they finally came up for air, both of them were breathless.
“Mm… Adrian,” she panted, trying to push him away. Her breathing was completely stolen by him.
- Writer
