Chapter 3

Realizing she was in no condition to be left alone safely, Adrián had no choice but to take her to a nearby hotel.

Even after reaching the room, Elena continued to squirm and cling to him. Adrián reached out to push her off, but at that exact moment, she tilted her head up. The dim lighting of the bar and the vehicle had obscured her features, but now, bathed in the bright hotel lights, their eyes locked.

Adrián froze. Is that Kayla?

Her facial structure bore an uncanny resemblance to his lost love. Looking closer, subtle differences were apparent, but that 70 to 80 percent resemblance was more than enough to cast a spell over him.

In her haze, Elena found the warm surface she was leaning against comforting and kept pressing herself closer to it.

Watching the woman squirming in his arms, Adrián was instantly transported back years ago.

He was on the verge of confessing his true feelings to Kayla back then, but fate tragically intervened when a fatal car accident took her life that very day. For years, her memory had haunted him every single day.

Now, staring at a face so remarkably similar to Kayla’s—especially those familiar eyes—Adrián lost his composure and gently caressed her cheek.

Feeling the soft touch against her skin, Elena leaned in and brushed her lips across his hand.

Her delicate lips stroked his palm, igniting an irresistible spark.

Overwhelmed by sudden desire, Adrián cupped her head in both hands and captured her tempting lips in a deep kiss.

The moment their lips met, both were caught off guard by the overwhelming softness and warmth.

Ever since Kayla passed away, Adrián had remained entirely alone. Seeing a face that mirrored the woman he had mourned for so long instantly ignited his dormant desires.

What began as a gentle kiss quickly escalated into a sequence of desperate, feverish bites and tastes.

Sensing the growing intensity, Elena felt her body slipping downward out of control.

Fearing she might slip away, Adrián pinned her wrist high against the surface behind her, trapping her firmly against the door.

An unfamiliar sense of fear washed over Elena. The scorching heat of his breath seemed to burn her skin as his nose trailed down toward her collarbone. He lingered there for a brief moment, but just as she thought he was pulling back, Adrián suddenly bit down hard...

Elena’s mind cleared slightly, her eyes widening in shock, but no sound could escape her throat. In an instant, her strength gave out, and she collapsed weakly against Adrián.

Her neck had always been her most vulnerable, sensitive area—a line she had strictly forbidden her ex-boyfriend from ever crossing. Now, with a stranger taking control of that delicate spot, Elena found herself entirely at his mercy.

Resting against his chest, she squinted through the haze, staring up blankly at the unfamiliar face above her.

Adrián gazed down at the breathless woman in his arms. The chaotic struggling had ceased; now, her glossy, half-lidded eyes shimmered in the dark, heightening her alluring charm.

"You brought this on yourself," Adrián growled softly, unable to hold back his burning desire any longer. Sweeping her up into his arms, he tossed her onto the mattress. Before she could even process the sudden movement, he hovered over her and pressed his lips to hers in a ravenous kiss.

For the very first time in her life, Elena experienced the raw, overwhelming possessiveness inherent in a man's nature.

His intense, masculine scent filled the dimly lit space. Pinning her hands firmly against the headboard, he claimed her mouth with unbridled passion.

Her overwhelmed, passive response was thoroughly unpracticed. In a sudden wave of panic, she instinctively bit down hard on his tongue.

"Agh..." Stung by the sharp bite, Adrián pulled his face back.

He tentatively touched the tip of his tongue to check for blood, his eyes narrowing as he glared down at her.

With the room lights extinguished, the shadow-draped space felt heavy and tense. In the dimness, Adrián’s expression turned fierce and dangerous, sending a sudden wave of dread straight through Elena’s chest.

Just as she raised her hands to push his chest away, Adrián forcefully tore her clothes apart. Taken aback by the stunning curves revealed before him, he hastily shed his own garments, scattering them onto the floor, before burying his face against her body.

A sharp cry escaped Elena’s lips. Words failed her completely. Twisting her fingers tightly into the bedsheets, she stared up blindly at the shadowy ceiling of the hotel room.

She had never imagined that intimacy could feel this intense and intoxicating. The boundary between her and this stranger seemed to dissolve entirely.

As the waves of sensation mounted, the overwhelming pleasure finally forced a helpless moan from her throat.

The sound shocked Elena herself. She couldn't believe such a vulnerable voice had actually come from her.

Throughout all those years with Bruno, she had never known a sensation so mesmerizing. Their intimate encounters had always been brief and uninspired—mostly because of her own reservations.

Elena had firmly believed that intimacy should be saved for marriage. Yet, worn down by Bruno's constant pleading, she had eventually given in and moved in with him.

However, their first attempt had been thoroughly disappointing, leaving behind a bitter impression. Because Elena remained completely passive and silent during those moments, Bruno eventually lost interest and stopped initiating.

Before Elena could lose herself further in these thoughts, Adrián, sensing her drifting attention, intensified his rhythm, pulling her back into the heat of the moment.

What followed was a dizzying blur of overwhelming heat and intoxicating pleasure.

She lost all track of time, unable to tell when the chaotic night finally drew to a close. By the time Elena drifted back to consciousness, morning light was already filtering into the room.

Awakened by a gnawing hunger, her eyelids slowly fluttered open.

Taking in her unfamiliar surroundings, a sudden wave of panic washed over her. She gasped and bolted upright.

Reality came crashing back, and vivid, blushing memories of the previous night flooded her mind. Everything that had transpired returned with terrifying clarity.