Married to a Monster

Amber's POV

That night, I could not sleep.

I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my body wrapped in silk sheets that cost more than most people's monthly rent.

The penthouse was quiet except for the soft sounds since most of the staff were already asleep. Adrian was still in his office, probably on another "business call" with Vivienne.

I should have been angry, I should have been planning my revenge or my escape. Instead, all I could think about was Kade.

The way his hands had felt around my skin. How his mismatched eyes had looked at me like I was the only woman in the world, and the way he looked at me. It sent shivers down my spine.

I wanted to ignore all of it, but my body had other ideas, and I was already starting to get wet down there.

This was insane. I had just committed adultery. I should be drowning in guilt, not lying here wanting more.

The bedroom door suddenly opened, jerking me back to reality. Adrian walked in, loosening his tie.

He looked tired but still perfect. His gray suit was barely wrinkled. His hair was still in place. Everything about him was controlled and sophisticated.

Nothing like his twin brother, who was so wild even in bed.

"You are still awake?" Adrian asked, shrugging off his jacket.

"I could not sleep."

He smiled that charming smile and sat on the edge of the bed. His hand found my thigh through the sheets. "I can help with that."

Before I could respond, he leaned down and kissed me. His lips were soft. He kissed like he did everything else, with all seriousness.

I closed my eyes and tried to focus. This was my husband. I should want this.

But all I could think about was how different Kade's kisses had been. It was so raw and real, it made me so angry for every one of his touches.

Adrian's hand slid higher, pushing up my nightgown. "I have been thinking about you all day."

He had been thinking about Vivienne. About his business deals. About everything except me.

But I did not say that. I just let him touch me, let him climb on top of me, let him spread my legs with that same confidence he always brought to boardroom negotiations.

He entered me without much preparation. I was not ready, but I did not stop him. This was my punishment, wasn't it? For what I had done with Kade.

Adrian moved above me, his rhythm steady and controlled. His breathing was even. He was not even breaking a sweat.

I closed my eyes as I bit my lower lip, and there was Kade in my mind. His hands gripped my hips.

His rough voice in my ear. The way he had looked at me like I was precious and breakable and his all at once.

My body responded. Not to Adrian. But to the memory of his brother.

Shame burned through me, but I could not stop. I wrapped my legs around Adrian's waist and matched his rhythm, pretending his touch was someone else's. Pretending the man inside me was the one I actually wanted.

"God! Amber," Adrian groaned. "You feel so fucking wet." He cursed under his deep moan.

I bit my lip to keep from saying the wrong name. From calling out for Kade instead of my husband.

What was wrong with me? How could I be this person? This woman who cheated and then fantasized about her lover while her husband was inside her?

But I could not deny it. Kade had awakened something in me that I did not even know existed. Something wild and dangerous and completely wrong.

Adrian finished with a grunt and collapsed beside me. He was already reaching for his phone before his breathing even slowed.

"That was amazing," he said absently, scrolling through emails. "We should do this more often."

I lay there staring at the ceiling again, feeling empty, used, and completely unsatisfied. Adrian had not even asked if I cum. He never did.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. I grabbed it quickly, my heart jumping at the thought that it might be Kad, even though I had blocked his number.

It was just Harper asking if I wanted to meet for coffee tomorrow.

I set the phone down and pulled the sheets up to my chin. My body still ached for something Adrian had not given me. Something only his brother seemed capable of providing.

This was dangerous, and I needed to stop thinking about Kade. I needed to focus on my marriage, as broken as it was.

"I am going to shower," Adrian said, kissing my forehead. "Get some sleep, baby."

He disappeared into the bathroom. I heard the water start running.

 And thought that I was finally going to get some peace.

I closed my eyes, exhaustion pulling me toward sleep,  but then I heard Adrian's voice answering a call, and there was something suspicious about the way he spoke in whispers.

I sat up slowly, my heart starting to pound. As I wondered, who was he talking to at this hour?

I crept closer to the bathroom door. It was open just slightly. The shower was running, but Adrian was not in it. He was standing by the sink, phone pressed to his ear.

"I do not care what the board wants!" Adrian grunted with a frown on his expression. Nothing like the warm tone he used with me. "Kade is not becoming CEO. I have worked too hard to let that happen."

My blood ran cold. He was talking about Kade.

"No, we tried buying him off. He refused." Adrian paced, his free hand clenched into a fist. "He actually wants to be part of this company. Can you believe that a loser like him, who murdered his own father he thinks that can ever happen?"

Silence as whoever was on the other end responded.

"Then we have no choice." Adrian's voice dropped even lower and deadlier. "We need to handle this permanently. I want him gone. For good."

My hands immediately clasped to my mouth, forcing myself not to scream as a result of the shock.

"I do not care how you do it. Make it look like an accident. One of his street races, A bad business deal gone wrong. Whatever it takes." Adrian turned toward the mirror, his reflection showing a man I did not recognize. "Just kill him once and for all!"

I heard the word, and my heart jumped out of my chest.