Page 9

He caught her arm again, pulling her into his chest, holding her tightly. Desperately.

“I’ll do it.”

Her breath caught.

His hands pressed to the door behind her, locking her in without hurting her. His eyes searched hers, wild with emotion.

“I know I ruined everything,” he whispered. “I hurt you in the past. I know that. And I’ll pay for it. I’ll be anything you want. Just let me be near you. Please.”

Her heart pounded in her chest.

“You’re out of your mind,” she muttered.

She shoved him back again and turned around. She threw open the door and walked out without a second glance.

She walked straight to the elevator, stepping in just before he reached her. The doors slid closed on his unreadable expression.

Sienna’s heart was racing. She stepped out on the ground floor and walked briskly to her car. She flung the door open, tossed in her bag, and collapsed in the driver’s seat.

Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly.

“What the hell is he trying to do?”

Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her body still buzzing from the confrontation. His touch, his voice, his scent all wrapped around her like chains.

‘He wants to be with me? That’s impossible. He’s Adrian Vaughn. He never even thought of me as his girlfriend. He’s not in love—’

She stopped herself.

Gritting her teeth, she started the engine.

‘He’s just jealous that his toy slipped through his fingers beforehecould toss it away. Adrian Vaughn can’t love anyone but himself. I left first. That bruised his ego. And now he’s chasing me just to see if I’ll fall again, just like before, madly in love with him.’

Her jaw clenched.

She drove off without sparing the mall a second glance.

***

The Montgomery House was silent, save for the soft rustling of a few maids moving around. It wasn’t grand or huge—Sienna and Theo had chosen a more private life, with fewer people and minimal staff. The house was sleek and modern, with gentle cream interiors designed by one of the most expensive interior designers in the country, handpicked for them two years ago when they moved in after their marriage.

Sienna headed straight for the bedroom and took a quick, hot bath. But no amount of water could rinse away the thoughts that consumed her mind. The incident at the mall refused to fade, circling her like a ghost she couldn’t shake off.

She threw herself onto the bed, eyes shut tightly, trying to force sleep. Just as the darkness began to pull her under, the shrill buzz of her phone jolted her awake.

Groaning, she kept her eyes closed as she reached for it lazily. Her lashes fluttered open, and she cracked open her eyes. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the name flashing on the screen, her heart skipped a beat.

A video call. From Adrian.

Her brows pinched into a frown. Biting her lip, she hesitated before flipping onto her stomach and picking up the call.

The screen lit up.

Adrian appeared before her—shirtless, fresh out of the shower, his wet hair slicked back.

The phone was propped on his dresser, the angle perfect enough to reveal every line and cut of his body. A towel clung low on his hips, water still dripping down his sculpted torso. His chest glistened, powerful and lean, each muscle carved with intention. His hair was damp and tousled, falling slightly over his sharp brows as he ran a hand through it, slicking it back.

Her lips parted slightly as her breath caught. He was a living, breathing sin.