Chapter 4

Blue fills my senses as I practice holding my breath underwater. I would die for you, the words are loud and clear startling me, my, head whips right and left looking for the sound but the water consumes me surrounding me like tentacles binding me.

But you did the opposite. The words repeat back and a man’s face covered in blood appears in front of me, my body shakes violently I push back my body above the water my chest heaves violently as my lungs scream for air. I look everywhere but no one is there except, me in the pool.

“Amelia must be in the shower,” I murmur panicked leaving the waters and walking towards the changing room.

What was that?

Was I hallucinating?

My whole body shivered as I turned on the shower to cold so that I, can feel calm. The words in the note repeat in my head like a loop trying to interpret what they could mean. “The flower spread the poison,” I murmur.

Something, so beautiful yet deceptive enough to kill you. Is, that, what it meant? But that’s what poems are, they could have a different meaning to different people.

They don’t even need to make sense they are like a melody and something tells me this one is filled with betrayal. As water cascades down my body, I close my eyes in relief. Caressing, the bracelet I always wear my mind wandered back to him.

Adrian.

My heart skips a beat as I reminisce about last night, it was as if those eyes wanted to say a million things and I wanted to listen to every single one of them even if it takes, forever.

Well, that’s how it was until he gave me that stupid dare. Suddenly, the lights turned off. “Amelia, are you there?” I look for my clothes on the hanger only to find it, empty.

Fuck, I forget it outside.

“Amelia,” I yell.

Nothing.

No response.

The silence creeps me out as the darkness spread chills across my spine.“Are you there?” I wait for her to reply.

“Can you please hand me my clothes?” A few seconds later the knock on the door startles me.

“Oh! you are there” I sighed in relief, opening the door, my hand reaches out to take the clothes, and a hand touches my finger but it feels weird. Something cold traces my finger sensually making my heart thump.

“Amelia it is you right?” I ask nervously in the dark.

No reply again.

I, close the door fast and change into a dress. I can feel my own heart racing as I find, the swimming pool which was crowded minutes ago deserted. Nothing is more, scary than the unknown. Walking home, terror numbs me as the only thought that consumes my mind is If not her then who gave me the clothes?

Standing, in front, of my apartment I stare at the white box lying on the floor at my door. “Not another creepy note please” I shakily took the box and unlocked the door.

Keeping it on the table a lump formed in my throat as I reached out to open it. I, sucked, in a breath seeing a lacy black lingerie with a note.

Wear it for me on our second date

So, I could adore you

"Adrian "I release my breath seeing his name at the end.

The next day.

Sitting in my class as the professor explains to us. I hear a beep on my phone

Checking it, I see a message from an unknown number.

Miss me?

Who is this? I texted back.

The reply doesn’t come instantly but after five minutes my phone beeps again. My brows furrow at the photo sent by the unknown. I, sucked in a shaky breath, as, I open it.

He lays on the bed with those abs on display with a perfect v-line. His one elbow is bent behind his head as another hand splays on the other side of the empty bed.

I want you beside me he texts.

We don't always get what we want, do we? I text him back.

True but that doesn't apply to me. he texts

I could sense the arrogant smirk on his face while typing that.

you are delusional, I send the message.

Are you challenging me? You shouldn't tease me, Lily, especially if you don't know what I can do, he replies.

I am contemplating the idea of just blocking you Mr. Arrogant. I type.

And, I am contemplating the idea of spanking you until that ass of yours is red, his reply comes instantly.

How did you even get my number? I ask.

I had to get the number of the girl who makes my heart race. My heart skips a beat reading his reply.

It’s so creepy that he has my number but that doesn't change the way my cheeks are red with desire.

I closed my cell keeping it in the backpack to focus but, I couldn't. As the lecturer winds up for the day. I reached the street where my home is but a familiar car is parked outside, raising doubts in my mind which are confirmed when he gets out of the car in a perfectly dashing black suit while I am wearing jeans and a white top looking exhausted with my frizzy hair.

It’s good that Amelia is not here otherwise I would be bombarded with hundreds of questions and even more fantasies and plans for the future with him.

"What are you doing-?" My loud voice turns into a whisper, as his hand flew out to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear.

“I want to take you somewhere, get dressed,” he says more like demands.

Ignoring him, I started to walk towards the entrance of the building. But who am I kidding? he followed me and entered the elevator with me. Being In a closed space with him is dangerous. I, feel him behind me, His, hands fell on my waist as, goosebumps, raised over my arms.

“You will come with me, darling.” His knuckles brush my neck making my skin tingle.

“What if I say no?”

“Then I will have to carry you everywhere in my arms.” His index fingers trace my arm as he presses his body against mine. I could feel his hardness against me “See what you do to me.”

“Only you have the power to make me like this.” He whispers in my ear in a deep husky voice.

“Like what?” I said in a hushed whisper.

His hand grabs my jaw and tugs my face towards him, meeting his darkened eyes he leans close and whispers the words which become my undoing “You make me feel like I am powerless even if I have all the treasures of the world.”

Something in this moment resonates with my soul that if I fall for him, I'd look back to this. I closed my eyes as the feelings hit me.

Don’t Lily, don’t fall for those sweet words.

You don’t need another jack in your life.

You don’t need someone who sucks all your energy and leaves you shattered.

You don’t need – his lips pressed against mine startling me.

My hands flew to his hair as I kissed him back with the same intensity as he does.

His lips trail against my neck as he sucks on my skin tear escapes my eyes realizing, his touch is like freedom.

Freedom from my thoughts which wish to drown me.

The elevator rang, “Wait for me.” I turned around hastily not wanting him to see my tears, and opened the apartment door.

Removing my clothes, I notice the white box.

That lingerie.

I bite my lips. Should I wear it?

I want to wear it for him. Soon I pepped myself and opened the door to walk out.

A few moments later I found forest on both sides as he drives to God knows where. "I swear I am going to kill you if you are bringing me to another haunted mansion."

"You do every second kill me when you are not with me." His eyes gaze at my lips.

"So romantic, Darling perhaps you are trying to seduce me so you could bed me."I smile.

He scoffs.

Oh my god, I, can never guess his reactions. They are always strange, weird, and unexpected.

"If I was seducing you-” his hand caresses my exposed thigh.

"You would have been on my bed riding me not driving with me.” he winks.

My mouth opened in surprise.

Infuriating bastard.

I look out the window to hide my, flushed cheek “Has anyone ever told you how arrogant you are Adrian?”

“Have I ever told you how badly I want to fuck you every time I hear my name from your lips?” I stay silent as heat creeps into me

Why does he have to be hot and arrogant at the same time?

Taking the private elevator, he opens his penthouse with his fingerprint. The possibility of what this night could lead to makes me nervous.

"A private chef’s, here we will have salad and three courses."

"Then desert, of course," He says while staring at my lips.

He leads me down a hall, past a wine refrigerator with glass doors, and into the open floorplan kitchen.

A man with long dark hair in a black outfit stands at the counter beside the stove with his back to us preparing our dishes. Beyond the cooking area, a table set is beautiful for two against a backdrop of absolutely stunning views of the city.

"The bracelet seems to have a sentimental value for you, " Adrian asks as he pulls out a chair for me. He takes a seat across from me, I stare at the bracelet on my wrist with which it blackmailed me

"Yes."

"What's so special about it?” he asks

"This, delicate thing soothes me as much as it caresses my skin."

"Interesting." he watches me, his intrigue deepening.

We ate in silence. He eats his food while watching me in that unnerving way of his

I put the fork down “Why are you staring at me like that?”

"I like watching you eat."

"It's creepy," I murmur

"I am just watching the girl I adore."

Heat climbs up my neck and bloomed on my cheeks. Soon the food is over, He takes a sip of his wine before pushing his chair back and stands. He offers his hand "Dance with me." Suddenly music starts to play We dance together as our slow steps sync with each other as he twirls me around my back pressed against his chest. Resting his face on my shoulder he murmurs "I have been wanting to do this the whole night."

He slips the strap of my dress from my shoulder and kisses aggressively on my collarbone. My dress hangs low showing the black lingerie he gifted me.

"You have no idea how exhausting today has been for me. Something, was there on my mind the whole day consuming all my thoughts.”

“Why? Was the work too much?” I ask as my hand touches his.

His chest rumbles as he laughs “No, it was you, you consumed every one of my thoughts.”

Oh god, this guy tells me crazy things and makes me want to be crazy for him.

I lean my body against him he turns me around so I could face him, tracing his finger over the valley of my breast his eyes darken with lust. "Pretty, lingerie you wore it for me?"

"It's a pity it would be ripped apart after tonight."

"No! you can't." I said as his lips fell on the sensitive skin of the curve of my breast

"I like this one because-" I moaned loudly as he sucked on my skin. It would probably leave a mark later "You bought it for me." I continue.

Suddenly his hands left my body "What do you mean?"

"I didn't give you this."

"Huh," I asked confused.

"Then that box?" Lust fades as warning bells started to ring in my head bringing me out of the haze

“Take me home Adrian.”

“Right now,” I said sharply.

The whole ride passes silently with his hand on my thigh rubbing circles as if to soothe me and remind me of his possessive hold. “Someone is following you,” he says more like a statement, there is no doubt in his voice.

“Why didn’t you tell, me this before?” he stops the car as we reach my home.

You can’t trust anyone, not again Lily.

“I don’t need your help.” I unbuckle my seatbelt to get out but before I could reach the door his hand grips mine.

“Don’t you see that your stubborn attitude is putting you in a dangerous, situation.” he leans close as his grip tightens.

“Why do you care about me or, is it because you think I am a woman who can’t defend herself?” The words leave my mouth before I knew it. Suddenly silence takes place between us, his lips tighten, and his face morphs into a dark expression “It’s not because you are a woman but you are-” he pauses with his gaze lingering on the mark he left on my neck.

“My woman and I protect what is mine.” he continues and my heart trips with his confession.

“Just please let me go.” his hand leaves mine and I open the car door and run until I couldn’t smell his scent where I couldn’t see his grey orbs boring into mine with so much longing in them.

My eyes watered as my chest heaves up and down with an unknown feeling itching me.

Why did that hurt?