Not done with you.

Emma’s POV

Adrian sliced into his pancakes with a steady hand. He didn’t look the least bit surprised by the news.

"I didn’t expect anything less from Allysia," he said, bringing his coffee to his lips. He took a slow sip while his eyes stayed locked onto mine. "She can be incredibly petty and mostly unreasonable"

He raised a dark brow, studying me like he could read my soul. "Okay, with that look on your face, what’s going on in that little head of yours, Em?"

I blinked, surprised by how fast he could read me. I didn't think I was that obvious. I leaned forward, resting my arms on the cool surface of the table, and took a deep breath.

"I’m going to attend the wedding," I said firmly.

Adrian paused, his fork halfway to his mouth. He looked at me with pure amusement, like I had just told him the funniest joke of the year. "Are you serious right now? Emma, you don’t have to go just because she invited you. “

"Who said I’m going because she invited me?" I cut him off, my voice slowly rising. "You know what she called me in that text? A loser. You know what would actually make me look like a real loser? Hiding. I'm not going to sit in my room and cry while those two backstabbers celebrate. They should be the ones hiding from me. They wronged me, I didn't wrong them!"

I realized I was practically shouting and quickly looked down at my plate. "I’m... I’m sorry. I let my emotions take over."

Adrian just smirked, looking like he was enjoying a free TV show. "Actually, I find the 'new you' pretty cool. You don’t have to feel sorry for letting it out. It’s better than keeping it in."

I scoffed, shaking my head. I wondered when he became so reasonable. Usually, he was just an annoying ass, but this version of him was... nice.

"Since you're being so supportive," I said with a small smile, slicing into my own pancakes. "I could really use some help."

Adrian leaned back in his chair, a playful glint returning to his eyes. "What, do you want me to stop the wedding? Stand up and object?" He let out a little laugh.

I wished that was possible. Nothing would make me happier than seeing that ceremony fall apart. "Is that possible?" I asked.

"No," he answered, his tone light and joking.

"Ouch.” I paused. “So.. I want you to be my date to the wedding."

Adrian didn't even blink. He gave me that signature flirty look, the one that probably worked on every girl he’d ever met. "I thought you’d never ask."

"So... is that a yes?" I asked, my heart doing a little hop.

"Do you think I have an option?" He grinned.

"Huh... no. Definitely not." We both laughed, the tension in the room breaking for a second. But then our eyes met, and his expression changed. It became more focused and curious.

"Why do you want me to be your date, though?" he asked. "For real."

I took a breath, deciding to be honest. "To make Trevor jealous of course. I want him to realize he made a mistake and find his way back to me. Trevor belongs to me, Adrian. I’m not just going to let some seductive bitch take him away just like that."

“Don’t tell me you’re about to use me to get your ex back?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes! I mean, you should be happy I’m finally making you useful for once, Mr. Beaufort."

I waited for him to laugh or make a comeback, but he didn't. He didn't say a word. He just stared at me with an expression I couldn't read.

"Anyway," I continued, trying to ignore his silence. "I'm thinking of getting them a wedding gift. If you have time this week, we can go shopping for it together."

Adrian went back to his pancakes, the smirk slowly returning to his face. "And what kind of gift is that? A box of snakes? A big bottle of acid?"

I laughed. "No, I was thinking of something more... symbolic. Like a whip. Or maybe a high-voltage vibrator."

Adrian choked on a laugh. "Are you trying to commit murder? If you want them dead, you can just get a gun and shoot them directly in the head. It's faster."

"It's not murder!" I giggled. "Trevor isn't into BDSM or anything. It's just a symbol. A way to show her I'm going to whip her out of Trevor's life and get my man back. We can pick a day this week to go find the perfect gift for the soon-to-be Hayes family."

Adrian shook his head slightly, a smile spreading across his face.

Just as he was about to say something, his phone rang. He checked the screen, his expression turning sharp. "I have to take this," he said, standing up and walking out of the dining area.

A second later, my own phone buzzed on the table. I checked it, it was a missed call from my mom. The smile on my face disappeared immediately, replaced by a mix of anger and sadness. I stared at the name for a moment before turning the screen off.

Adrian walked back into the room a few minutes later, but he wasn't smiling anymore. He looked like he was already miles away.

"I’m sorry I can’t go gift shopping with you," Adrian said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Something came up, I have to leave for an urgent business trip right now and I’d be gone for a week."

My heart sank. I didn’t even know why I felt so disappointed, but I forced myself to nod. "Oh. Okay. It’s fine."

Already heading for the stairs, he spoke. "I’ll be upstairs getting my things ready. Take all the time you need. I can get my Personal Assistant to drive you home whenever you're ready."

I watched him go, feeling suddenly very small in that giant kitchen. I looked down at my pancakes, but the appetite I’d had a few minutes ago was completely gone.

With a deep exhale, I abandoned the food and made my way upstairs. I just wanted to change into my clothes and leave.

The moment I walked into the bedroom, I froze.

Adrian was standing by the bedside, completely naked. His back was turned to me, giving me a full view of his toned muscles and… well, his ass. I never thought a day would come when I would see Adrian Beaufort’s bare backside. Water was trickling down his skin, and the towel draped around his neck just made my heart beat faster. I swallowed hard, unable to look away.

He turned to face me, wiping the towel across his face. He walked slowly toward me, licking his bottom lip with that wet tongue of his. He didn't stop until he was inches away from my face, pinning my body against the door. His eyes looked straight into mine, dark and intense.

“You followed me,” he whispered.

I swallowed again, my throat feeling dry. “Not exactly. I just wanted to dress up and head home.” I crossed my arms, trying to sound casual, and pretend like my senses were not starting to dissolve under his gaze.

He scoffed and licked his lips again. Suddenly, he grabbed both of my hands, raised them above my head and pinned them to the wall with one of his. My chest was heaving. His gaze dropped to my lips as he gently pressed his mouth to mine, kissing me slowly and deeply. I felt his other hand slide under the shirt I had on. He squeezed my bare backside before his fingers moved lower, teasing me right where I was already getting wet.

A moan escaped my mouth before I could stop it.

“You sitting there in my shirt with nothing underneath was so tempting,” he rasped against my lips. “I wanted to bend you over that table and fuck you like never before. Remember what I told you yesterday? I’m not done with you. But you know what?”

His hand traced up to my breasts. He rubbed his thumb over my nipple, and I had to bite my lip so hard it hurt to stop myself from screaming out. I held my breath, trying not to grab him and shove his already hard length into me.

“I’m going to drop you home right now,” he said, his voice suddenly practical. “We can always go for round two another time.”

He winked at me, let go of my hands, and stepped back. Just like that, the heat was gone. He was already making his way back to his wardrobe like nothing had happened.

I stood there with my lips parted, but no words came out. Was he serious? The guy who was rock-hard just seconds ago was now casually sending me home?

“You can wear that shirt home. Put these on, too.” He threw a pair of shorts at me, and I caught them instinctively.

I furrowed my brow, feeling a surge of annoyance. “My clothes are in your car, Adrian.”

“My assistant came in early this morning and took that car out. Sorry, I forgot.”

Seriously? My underwear was in that car! The thought of his assistant finding my lace panties in the backseat made my face burn with embarrassment.

“I’ll have them sent over when he brings the car back,” Adrian said casually. “Or better yet, I’ll just buy you new ones.”

I shoved the shorts on quickly, my heart hammering with a mix of anger and unexplainable heat. I didn't say another word. I turned and marched out of the room, heading for the front yard.