Page 57 of Made for Wilde

She knows exactly why I don’t want to go out tonight, why I haven’t wanted to do anything all week. My body might be standing in this apartment, but my mind is still back in Koda’s cabin, wrapped in his sheets, his hands on my skin.

“You’ve been so quiet lately.” Adrian steps closer. “Are you sure everything is okay?”

No. Nothing is okay. I’ve spent every waking moment this week thinking about a man I can’t have, replaying every touch, every kiss, every whispered word. And then today, just when I thought I might be getting a handle on things, Koda called. His voice alone was enough to shatter the paper-thin composure I’d managed to build.

“I’m fine.” I tuck my hair behind my ear. “Just tired from work and school. Nothing a quiet weekend won’t fix.”

Sarah drops her purse on the counter.

“Shoot, I forgot my phone charger. Be right back.”

Then she disappears down the hallway toward her bedroom, leaving me alone with Adrian.

The moment she’s gone, Adrian’s expression shifts to something more intense. He moves closer, close enough that I can smell his cologne. It’s something expensive and trying too hard, just like him.

“I don’t like seeing you look sad, Charlotte.” His voice drops even lower. “Whatever’s going on, I’m here for you. You know that, right?”

I take a small step back. “Thanks, Adrian. I appreciate it.”

He reaches for my hand, his fingers cool against mine. “I mean it. My door is always open. Day or night. If you need to talk, or just... not be alone.”

There’s something in the way he says it that makes my skin prickle. Adrian has always been friendly—sometimes overly so—but lately, there’s been an edge to his attention that makes me uneasy.

“That’s really sweet.” I try to pull my hand back, but he holds on.

“I care about you, Charlotte.” His eyes search mine with an intensity that makes me want to look away. “More than you know.”

Then, before I can process what’s happening, he pulls me into a hug.

His arms wrap around me, holding me against his chest. He’s taller than I am, but nowhere near Koda’s height. Nothing about this embrace feels right. Not the pressure of his arms or the smell of his skin or the way my head fits awkwardly against his shoulder.

I give him an awkward pat on the back, hoping he’ll let go.

“Thanks, Adrian. Really.”

He doesn’t take the hint. Instead, he holds me tighter, one hand sliding up to cup the back of my neck in a gesture that feels possessive and wrong. My heart hammers in my chest, but not in a good way. This isn’t the thundering excitement I feel when Koda touches me. This is discomfort, pure and simple.

“Adrian,” I mumble against his shoulder. “I’m good. Really.”

He finally releases me, but not before turning his head to press his lips against my cheek. It’s not quite a kiss. It’s more like a lingering touch that lasts several seconds too long to be casual. My stomach turns.

“Text me if you need anything,” he says, his eyes intense. “Anything at all.”

A throat clears behind us.

Sarah stands in the doorway, phone charger in hand, her eyebrows nearly reaching her hairline. Adrian steps back quickly, looking not nearly as embarrassed as he should.

“Got everything?” he asks Sarah, suddenly all business.

Sarah’s eyes dart between us. “Yep. All set.”

I shoot her a look that I hope communicates everything I can’t say out loud: Help me. Get him out of here. What the actual fuck?

Sarah, bless her, reads my distress signal perfectly.

“We should hit the road. Traffic’s going to be a nightmare.” She grabs her purse and heads for the door, practically dragging Adrian with her.

“Remember what I said,” Adrian calls over his shoulder. “Any time.”