LOGINRECKLESS NIGHT
His eyes lock on me, sharp, dangerous, and so piercing that I forget how to breathe. I blink a few times, trying to steady myself, but the room keeps spinning. “I… I’m sorry,” I mumble, gripping the door handle for balance. “I must’ve—uh—got the wrong room.” He sets his glass down slowly, his gaze never leaving me. “You think?” His voice is deep, rich, and laced with something that sounds like amusement. I swallow hard, my heart pounding. “I didn’t mean to—uh—interrupt your little party.” He leans back on the couch, his shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal sculpted abs and a faint tattoo curling up his neck. The sight makes my stomach flip. He studies me for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re drunk.” I tilt my head, smiling weakly. “You’re drunk too.” That makes him chuckle, low and husky. “Maybe,” he says, lifting his glass. “Why?” I ask, stepping closer. “Were you cheated on too?” His jaw flexes. “Drunk, yes,” he says quietly. “Cheated on, no.” Something about his tone makes me pause. There’s weight behind it, pain, maybe anger. I blink at him, swaying a little. “Then why drink alone?” He lifts a brow, a faint smirk tugging his lips. “Maybe I needed to forget,” he says, voice low, steady. “And you?” “I needed to feel nothing,” I whisper, moving closer until I can smell the faint spice of his cologne. “Mind if I join you?” He studies me for a long moment, quiet, unreadable, then nods once. “Go ahead.” Without waiting, I reach for the glass in his hand. Our fingers brush, and my stomach flutters. I bring it to my lips, taking a slow sip. The taste is rich, smooth, and warm as it slides down my throat. “Mmm,” I hum softly. “Strong… but good.” His eyes follow the movement of my lips, curiosity flickering in them like a secret flame. He doesn’t speak, just pours another drink and hands it to me. Minutes pass. We drink in silence, the only sounds are the soft music and the clink of glass. By the time the bottle’s almost empty, I can barely feel my legs. The world feels soft, slow, and blurry. I giggle for no reason, my hand brushing his arm as I lean in. He watches me, not with judgment, but with quiet fascination, like he’s trying to figure out who I am and why I feel so broken. “I think…” I mumble, laughing under my breath, “I’m hot .” As he smiles at me, I can't help but notice how attractive he is. His chiseled jaw, his broad shoulders, the way his shirt stretches across his chest... I lick my lips, suddenly feeling very hot. "Hey, are you okay?" The stranger asks, noticing my unfocused gaze. "You look a little flushed." "I'm fine," I insist, even though I know I'm not. The alcohol is making me reckless and bold. "I'm just...in the mood for some fun." He raises an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And what kind of fun did you have in mind?" I lean in closer, resting my hand on his thigh. "The kind of fun that involves you and me...alone. In this bed." His eyes darken with lust as he realizes what I'm implying. "Are you sure that's a good idea? You’re drunk..." "We are drunk, and I don’t care," I slur, reaching up to undo a button on his shirt. "I want you. Right now." He doesn't stop me as I continue to undress him, revealing his toned chest. I trail my fingers over his abs, feeling the heat of his skin. "Fuck it," he growls, suddenly grabbing me and pulling me into a deep, passionate kiss. Our tongues dance as we both moan into each other's mouths. When we finally break apart, we're both panting. "Let's continue this in bed," I say breathlessly. He nods, helping me to my feet. We stumble over to the bed together, not caring that we're both still a bit tipsy. Once there, we both fall onto the mattress in a tangle of limbs, kissing and groping each other. I can't seem to get enough of him, running my hands over every inch of his body. He makes quick work of my clothes, tossing them aside until I'm bare. He takes a moment to admire my naked form before lowering his head between my legs. "Oh god," I moan as he starts licking and sucking at my most sensitive spots. He knows exactly what he's doing, driving me wild with pleasure. When he slides a finger inside me, I nearly come undone right then and there. "Please, I need you," I beg, tugging at his hair. “Please ,” I whimper, spreading my legs wider.” He doesn't make me wait long. He positions himself at my entrance and thrusts in deep, filling me completely. We both cry out at the sensation, our bodies fitting together perfectly. He sets a fast, hard pace, pounding into me again and again. I wrap my legs around his waist, urging him deeper. "Yes, yes, fuck me harder!" I scream, too far gone to care about being quiet. The bed creaks and bangs against the wall with each powerful thrust. He reaches between our bodies to rub my clit, sending me hurtling towards orgasm. "That's it baby, come for me," he grunts. My muscles clench around him as my climax crashes over me like a wave. "OH FUCK, yes!" I scream, seeing stars. He follows right behind me, buried deep as he fills me with his hot seed. We both collapse together, panting and sweaty. The night slips into a blur of mistakes and longing, the kind that can’t be undone. ****************************************************** A throbbing pain pulses in my head as I slowly open my eyes. The light spilling through the window blinds me for a second, and I groan, clutching my temples. Then I notice it— Clothes scattered across the room. Mine. My eyes go wide, and I jolt upright, the silk sheet sliding down my bare skin. A sharp scream escapes my throat before I can stop it. “What the hell…” I whisper, heart pounding so hard it hurts. I’m naked. The air smells faintly of wine and something… masculine. …the faint trace of expensive cologne still lingers in the air. I look around, panic rising in my chest. The room is quiet, too quiet. My gaze darts to the chair near the bed where a man’s jacket hangs, royal looking, and rich in fabric. But he’s gone. My breathing quickens as flashes of last night hit me in pieces, his eyes, his voice. “Oh my God…” I whisper, covering my mouth. What did I do?CHAPTER FORTY TWO His hand stays warm on my hip as he studies me, that slow, dangerous smile still tugging at his lips. The room feels almost too quiet after the storm we just created on the bed. “So,” he murmurs, “you went to Frederick… to help you leave the palace.” I nod softly. Instead of getting angry, his expression deepens with something chill, almost amused. “You should have come to me,” he says, brushing his fingers along my cheek. “If you want to go out, I’ll allow it. But you won’t go anywhere without my protection.” His thumb strokes my lower lip. “You’ll go with securities. Always.” My heart beats. I open my mouth, but he lifts my chin gently, stopping me. “And in five days,” he continues, voice dropping into that commanding tone that makes my knees weak even lying down, “I will announce to the court that we’re getting married. And that you’re to be ranked as Lady Countess.” My heart nearly jumps out of my chest. “That title,” he adds, b
CHAPTER FORTY ONE "I—I thought you were Nina,” I whisper. Adrian doesn’t answer. His eyes travel down my body, slow and deliberate, lingering on the red lace nightdress clinging to every curve I should definitely not be showing him. Heat coils low in my belly under that stare. His gaze drags back up to my face, sharp, burning, impossible to hold. Then he speaks, low and controlled: “Why were you coming out of Frederick’s chambers that night?” Of all the things to ask, this is what’s eating him. I lift my chin, almost daring him. “And what if I don’t want to tell you?” My voice comes out soft… and accidentally seductive. His reaction is instant. He steps in, grabs my throat lightly, not enough to hurt, just enough to command stillness and kisses me. Hard. Deep. Like he’s been starving for it for days. When he pulls back, his lips hover over mine. “Will you answer now?” My breath shudders. “No.” That one word sets something off in him. His
CHAPTER FORTY Josephine reaches for me again, ready to shove me a second time, when a voice cracks through the field like thunder. “HOW DARE YOU TOUCH THE MOTHER OF MY CHILD!” The whole archery ground stops. Bows drop. Chatter dies instantly. Even Josephine’s arm freezes mid-air. Adrian and Katerina stand at the entrance, but it’s Adrian’s fury that fills the space. He looks like he walked straight out of a storm—jaw tight, eyes blazing, shoulders tense with barely controlled anger. Josephine falls to her knees so fast the dust lifts. The other noble ladies follow, heads lowered, shaking. But Adrian is far from done. He steps closer, towering over Josephine. His chest rises and falls heavily, he’s shaking with rage. “You dare bully and endanger a pregnant woman?” he growls. “You dare touch a Royal heir?” Josephine collapses deeper, nearly sobbing. “M-my king, I swear—” “What level of cruelty,” he snaps, “makes you torment a woman carrying
CHAPTER THIRTY NINE And then, we turn at the same time on hearing Katerina’s voice slicing through the room. “There you are,” she says sharply. “My husband, I’ve been looking for you. And what exactly are you doing with her?” Her eyes land on me, full of displeasure she thinks she’s hiding but I see it. She hates that he’s talking to me. She hates that I’m here at all. Adrian straightens, suddenly taller, colder. He doesn’t even answer the question she asked. “This is *my* resting house,” he says evenly. “Why would the queen be looking for me here?” I bow politely to both of them, even though the tension between us hangs thick in the air. “Your Majesties,” I say softly. “I’ll excuse myself.” Before I even turn, she’s already sliding closer to him, pressing her body against his like she wants to stake her claim. I let out a low scoff as I walk away. *He’s your husband,* I think. *Shouldn’t you two be doing more than clinging like scared teenagers?*
CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT For a split second, an image flashes through my mind, him fucking me with this angry face of his, and rough, eyes locked on mine and I snap myself out of crazy thought. God, what is wrong with me? Why is a furious king the hottest thing I’ve ever seen? He doesn’t flinch. “Repeat what you said,” he growls. Fine. I lift my chin. “Why am I the only one suffering?” My voice cracks, but I don’t hide it. “We were both there that night. We both made that mistake. Yet I’m the only one being dragged through hell.” His expression tightens, but I don’t stop. “You never once asked what kind of life I wanted,” I continue, pain slipping into every word. “You don’t care. Do you even understand what it means to be labeled a concubine? For life?” I laugh, but it comes out broken. “I was drunk, Adrian. Out of my mind. And yet I’m the one being hated, judged, ripped apart. And now my family—” My voice shakes. “My family is being hunted
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN I push past Nina’s worried protests and step out into the hallway, following the growing noise drifting in from the front grounds. A security guard hurries by, and I stop him. “What’s going on out there?” He gives a small, respectful bow. “The shouting is coming from beyond the main gates, my lady. A group of farmers is protesting the tax increases.” Then he heads off again, already speaking into his radio. I stand still, my brain clicking immediately to the argument I overheard between Adrian and former Queen Ravenna, that cold, clipped conversation about rising taxes and “public unrest.” So this is what that was about. I let out a quiet, humorless laugh. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. The mighty King Adrian Drakonis, the same man that can bully me into silence any day of the week, suddenly can’t find the strength to deal with his own people’s problems? How… impressive. Honestly, I have enough problems







