My Love

Elena ~

“Talking about me, love?”

Adrian’s voice rolled smooth and teasing through the hallway as he stepped right up behind me his arm slid protectively around my waist, that simple touch sending warmth rushing down my spine while my heart slammed hard against my ribs, freezing me in place even as everything inside me wanted to bolt.

He turned that effortless smile on the group staring at us, eyes locking with mine first before he murmured low, “You’re looking breathtaking tonight, my love.”

That word love echoed heavy in the air, punching straight through me my eyes went wide because he’d just called me his love right there in front of everyone, my mind spinning wild wondering how the hell he’d even shown up here, saying things that made my knees weak when I was still trying to piece myself together after Alex.

Still half in shock, I tried stepping back for some space to breathe through the chaos exploding in my head, but Adrian just tightened his grip slightly his breath brushed hot against my ear while gasps spread through the hallway like wildfire.

“Oh my God, he’s actually her boyfriend?” someone whispered breathless.

“He’s insanely handsome,” another added, envy thick in her voice.

“Wait is that the mafia guy she mentioned?”

Their stares burned into us, but all I could feel was Adrian’s fingers pressing firm against my hip, steadying the storm Alex’s betrayal had left raging inside me for weeks now, making me question everything I’d believed about love and trust.

His arm pulled me even closer into his side as that deep voice cut through the stunned silence, smooth as sin.

“Adrian Knight,” he said, that sinful smirk curving slow on his lips. “Her boyfriend.”

My pulse thundered so loud it drowned everything else Alex’s brother just claimed me publicly as his girlfriend? My thoughts tangled into a complete mess: why was he doing this when part of me screamed this was wrong, dangerous after everything that happened between us that first wild night?

But another part the broken pieces still healing from two years of Alex’s lies and neglect clung tight to finally feeling wanted, seen like I mattered more than some secret shame.

I forced a small smile toward Lila and the girls, my voice coming out steadier than the shaking in my hands.

“Hey girls, enjoy the rest of the party, okay? I just need a minute alone with my boyfriend.”

The word felt strange and heavy on my tongue like a lie that somehow fit too perfectly, but it was the only excuse I had to escape their wide-eyed stares.

Without waiting for responses, I grabbed Adrian’s hand warm and rough against my palm and pulled him down the corridor away from all the prying eyes, my heels clicking sharp against the marble floor until we slipped into one of the quiet rehearsal rooms where the music from the main hall faded to nothing but a distant hum.

The door clicked shut behind us, and I whirled around to finally demand answers, words already tumbling hot through my lips.

“What the hell are you doing here calling me love like that in front of—”

I didn’t even finish the sentence.

Adrian cupped my face with both hands and kissed me sudden, consuming, and so painfully real it stole every thought from my head. The world tilted, memories crashing in uninvited, my heart pounding so hard it hurt.

When I finally pulled back, dazed and breathless, his hand stayed firm at my jaw, his thumb dragging slow and deliberate across my bottom lip.

“I can’t hold back anymore, Elena,” he murmured, his voice low and rough. “I need you. That first kiss I can’t forget it.”

He stepped closer, our foreheads nearly touching, his presence heavy and overwhelming.

“Tell me you don’t feel this too,” he said quietly. “Tell me it meant nothing and I’ll walk away.”

I opened my mouth to answer fear, desire, confusion all colliding inside me

and then his next move shocked me to the core.