Chapter 2 2

Adrian's grip on her hand was firm, his fingers warm against her cool skin as he led her through the dimly lit bar. The crowd parted around them like waves breaking against a stone, people instinctively stepping aside. It wasn't just his commanding presence-it was the aura of power that trailed him, the unspoken knowledge that Adrian Blackwood was a man you did not get in the way of.

Lila matched his stride, heels clicking sharply on the polished floor, her heartbeat echoing louder in her ears than the bass of the music. They passed through the main area and slipped into a private hallway. The noise of the bar dimmed, replaced by the quiet hum of air conditioning and the distant murmur of the city beyond the walls.

He stopped in front of a sleek, black door, turning to face her. His expression was unreadable, a mask of cool indifference. "You could still walk away," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine.

"Is that what you want?" Lila shot back, her chin tilted up defiantly.

Adrian's lips curled into a half-smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "What I want, Lila, is to see what you're really after."

"Maybe I'm just curious," she replied, taking a step closer, the scent of his cologne wrapping around her like a spell. It was intoxicating-dark and heady, with hints of sandalwood and smoke. "Or maybe I'm exactly what you think I am."

He didn't flinch, didn't move back. If anything, his eyes seemed to grow darker, the color of storm clouds gathering before a downpour. "I've dealt with your kind before. Gold diggers, opportunists, women who think they can play me. They've all learned their lesson."

"Maybe you haven't met the right one yet," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension crackled like a live wire between them, the air thick with unspoken words and unacknowledged desires. Then, without another word, Adrian pushed open the door and stepped inside, pulling her with him.

The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the city lights filtering through floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline. It was a private lounge, more luxurious than any space Lila had seen in a long time. Plush leather seats, a sleek marble bar stocked with the finest liquor, and a grand piano in the corner that looked as though it had never been touched.

Adrian dropped her hand and walked over to the bar, pouring himself another drink without offering her one. He took a slow sip, his eyes fixed on her as though he were dissecting her, peeling back the layers of her defenses one by one.

"Nice place," Lila remarked, glancing around with feigned nonchalance. "Yours?"

"In a way," he said, setting the glass down. "It's part of the Blackwood portfolio. But I prefer to think of it as a place to conduct... private business."

Lila smirked, stepping closer, her fingers trailing along the polished edge of the bar. "And which category do I fall into tonight, Adrian? Business or pleasure?"

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he moved, so swiftly she didn't see it coming, pinning her against the bar with his body. He wasn't touching her-there was a bare inch of space between them-but she could feel the heat of him, the sheer force of his presence.

"You tell me, Lila," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. "What do you want?"

For a moment, she couldn't breathe. The game they were playing felt dangerous now, teetering on the edge of something neither of them could control. She could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong, and her own was racing in response.

"Isn't it obvious?" she replied, her voice a husky whisper. She reached up, sliding her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. "I want you."

His eyes flared with something she couldn't quite place-anger, desire, suspicion. Maybe all three. "You don't even know me."

Lila laughed, low and throaty. "Does it matter?"

Adrian's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist, his grip like iron. He brought her hand down between them, pressing it flat against his chest. "Feel that?" he asked, his voice rough. "That's what you're playing with. Be sure you're ready for the consequences."

She could feel his heartbeat, strong and steady beneath her palm. It made her chest tighten, a strange ache that she couldn't explain. She'd never felt this way before-not with any of the men she'd pursued. This was supposed to be simple. A seduction, a game, a transaction. But Adrian was different. He made her want things she couldn't afford to want.

"You talk a lot about consequences," she said, her voice softer now, almost vulnerable. "But what if I'm not afraid?"

"Then you're a fool," he replied, releasing her so suddenly she almost stumbled back.

She caught herself, straightening, her smile returning, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Maybe. But I've been called worse."

He watched her for a long moment, his expression inscrutable. Then, without warning, he pulled her against him, his lips crashing down on hers. It wasn't a kiss; it was a battle. His mouth was demanding, bruising, and she met him with equal force, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she kissed him back.

The world around them faded-the city lights, the rain against the windows, the distant hum of traffic. There was only Adrian, his taste, his scent, the feel of his hands on her body. She had kissed many men before, but none like this. None who made her feel like she was falling apart and being put back together all at once.

He broke the kiss abruptly, pulling back to look at her. His breathing was ragged, and for the first time, she saw something raw and unguarded in his eyes.

"Tell me, Lila," he said, his voice hoarse. "What's your angle?"

She blinked, momentarily thrown off. "My angle?"

"You're a gold digger," he said bluntly. "You don't do anything without an angle. So what is it? What do you want from me?"

For the first time that night, Lila felt her confidence waver. The words she wanted to say-the lie, the clever retort-died on her tongue. Because the truth was, she didn't know anymore. What had started as a calculated play was becoming something else, something she couldn't control.

"Maybe I just wanted a taste," she said finally, her voice soft, almost pleading.

Adrian's eyes narrowed, and she could see the skepticism there, the distrust. He stepped back, putting distance between them. "Don't lie to me, Lila. Not you."

The accusation stung more than she expected, like a slap to the face. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to smile. "Believe what you want, Adrian. But I'm not the only one playing games here."

"Maybe not," he agreed, his voice cold now. He picked up his drink, turning away from her as though dismissing her entirely. "But I always win."

"We'll see about that," she whispered, more to herself than to him.

She turned on her heel and walked toward the door, her heart pounding in her chest. As she reached for the handle, she glanced back over her shoulder, one last look at the man who had turned her world upside down in a single night.

"Goodnight, Adrian," she said softly.

He didn't reply, just watched her with those dark, unreadable eyes as she slipped out of the room and into the night.