Page 26

Elena

W hen Troy disappeared into the woods, a sense of unease settled deep in my bones.

I tried to shake it, tried to focus on the warmth of the cabin, on the fire flickering steadily beside us, on the presence of Adrian right next to me.

But it didn’t help.

I kept staring at the door, half-expecting Troy to walk through it, flashing that easy smirk, acting like this wasn’t the most dangerous thing he could have done.

“He’s going to be fine,” Adrian said beside me.

I turned my head toward him, my fingers gripping the blanket. “You don’t know that.”

Adrian sighed, stretching his long legs out as he leaned against the wall. “Troy’s smart. He wouldn’t go too far, and he’s been leaving a trail. He’ll be back before we know it.”

I swallowed, my stomach twisting. “And if he’s not?”

Adrian’s blue eyes were gentle as he turned to me. “He will be. It’s Troy. He promised, and he never breaks a promise."

The certainty in his voice should have reassured me .

It didn’t.

I let out a slow, uneasy breath, wrapping my arms around myself. “I hate waiting,” I murmured.

Adrian was quiet momentarily before shifting closer, his hand brushing over mine, warm and firm. “Then let me take your mind off it.”

I glanced up at him, surprised by the softness in his voice.

His gaze was intense and steady, the firelight flickering in the depths of his blue eyes.

I hesitated, my body still tense with worry, but when I nodded and whispered, “OK,” Adrian was already moving.

He tugged me forward gently, his hands sliding up my arms as he guided me closer. His body heat seeped into mine, chasing away the lingering chill.

“You’re always overthinking,” he murmured, his lips ghosting over my forehead, pressing a kiss there before trailing lower.

A shiver ran down my spine.

“Then help me stop,” I whispered.

Adrian’s chest rumbled with a low chuckle, but his gaze darkened, his expression turning serious as he cupped my face and kissed me.

It was slow at first.

Teasing. Soft.

His lips barely brushed over mine, coaxing, testing the waters.

But I didn’t need coaxing.

I didn’t need hesitation.

I needed him . I needed him to make me forget. To take me away from all the worry and reality of our situation.

I slid my hands up his chest, gripping his shirt, pulling him in.

That was all it took.

Adrian let out a low growl of approval, his hands sliding into my hair, tilting my head so he could take more and kiss me deeper.

Heat pooled low in my stomach, replacing the fear, the anxiety, and the endless thoughts of Troy being out there alone.

There was only this.

Only him .

Living in the moment.

No worries.

No overthinking.

Just this.

I reached for his shirt before I could stop myself, my fingers slipping beneath the fabric, pressing against the hard planes of his stomach.

Adrian shuddered, his breath hitching against my mouth.

Then, swiftly, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside.

I exhaled softly, my hands exploring the muscles beneath my fingertips. His skin was so warm and alive against mine.

He looked perfect. He was so strong, like someone who could carry the weight of my world and never falter beneath it.

His gaze burned into mine as I hesitated, my hands hovering at the hem of my shirt.

He didn’t rush me. Didn’t push. He watched and waited.

When I finally tugged it off, his sharp inhale of breath sent a thrill through me.

“You’re… incredible,” he murmured, his fingers trailing along my arms, over my shoulders, leaving a path of fire in their wake. “So fucking beautiful, butterfly.”

He was being careful. I knew he didn’t want to rush me. I didn’t want to rush either, but I also didn’t want to stop.

I needed this.

Needed the distraction.

Needed him .

The next moments passed in a blur of soft gasps and exploring hands, of whispered touches and teasing kisses, of learning one another, memorizing every reaction.

Adrian took his time, worshipping me, his lips trailing down my body, discovering what I liked, what made my breath hitch, what made my fingers dig into his back.

When I shuddered beneath his touch, he whispered sweet reassurances against my skin, his voice low, deep, soothing.

He made me feel everything.

Gently, he pushed my bra strap down my shoulder and ghosted his lips over where it had been. My breath came out shaky as he peppered kisses lower until I was shifting for him, allowing him to unhook the clasps and free my breasts.

The moment he did, he tossed my bra aside and worshipped my breasts, his lips sucking and kissing against them. I let my head fall back as his tongue lavished a hardened nipple before sucking it into his mouth.

“Touch me, butterfly,” he husked out. “Fuck, baby. Please touch me.”

His words had my hands moving over his bare chest and down to his pants. I fumbled with the buttons on his jeans, my hands shaking.

“Slow,” he murmured against my lips. “Take your time. It’s OK.”

I did as he instructed, slowing my movements so I could focus. I had his pants unzipped in moments, and he shimmied out of them before helping me out of mine.

The entire situation seemed insane to me. I kept pushing the thought out of my head that this would have never happened had we not crashed. Right now, I’d be on campus, sitting alone while I watched him across the courtyard, talking to some random girl and putting her number into his phone. Smiling at what the night would bring him.

“Stop overthinking,” he said, returning me to the moment. “It’s just me and you. It’s us.”

I breathed out, ashamed I was letting my mind stray.

Gently, he took my hand and pressed it against the very hard, prominent bulge in his boxers. I swallowed thickly. The fact I’d done this to him made butterflies dance in my stomach.

I was too nervous to do much more than touch him over his boxers. He sensed that because he let out a soft chuckle.

“Are you scared?” he murmured, kissing along my jaw. “To touch me?”

I nodded, breathing hard.

He let out a soft grunt.

“Then maybe I can touch you. Do you want me to touch you, Elena?”

God, yes.

I nodded again, unable to get the words out.

He slowly kissed his way down my body and gently moved between my legs. He carefully removed my pants, taking care of my sore ankle. When I was in nothing but my panties, he smiled at me, his green eyes filled with an emotion that made my breath catch.

Adrian Drexler was beautiful. I knew he got all the girls with just a tiny smile.

“Here’s what’s going to happen, butterfly,” he said, his eyes on mine. “I’m going to take your panties off. Then, I’m going to eat your pussy until you’re screaming my name. OK?”

Good god. This man was unholy.

“Tell me you want me to eat your pussy, butterfly.”

He’d gone from sweet to feral. It was doing something to me. I could already feel how wet I was just from his words and kisses.

I nodded, but he tutted at me.

“I want your words, baby,” he crooned softly. “Tell me. I want to hear you. Say my name.”

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding so hard I wondered if he could hear it.

“Adrian, I-I want you to eat my-my pussy.” Immediately, I felt my cheeks heat.

“Fuck, my name sounds good on your lips.” He gently removed my panties and stared down at my glistening, bare pussy.

When he didn’t move, I put my hands down to cover myself, thinking something was wrong with me.

He let out a feral snarl and shoved my hands over my head, leveling himself over me in the process.

“You don’t cover yourself when you’re with me, butterfly. Do you understand? When I say I want to see you, I mean every fucking bit of you. Tell me you understand.”

“I understand,” I answered back, staring into his eyes.

He shifted, kicking his boxers off. My breathing picked up as he pressed down on me, his hot, thick cock dangerously close to breaching me.

“I’m going to fuck you one of these days,” he husked out. He ground himself against me, making a moan slip past my lips. He kept my arms pinned over my head as he continued to slowly grind against my pussy .

“Fuck, baby, I bet you feel like heaven,” he said, breathless. “I can’t wait to bury myself inside you and get lost.”

I moan softly as the feeling he was raining down on me grew. His lips met mine, and before long, I was pushing my hips upward to meet his dick.

Just when I thought I’d explode, he slowed to a stop. A whine of protest left me, making him chuckle darkly. He released my hands and slowly kissed his way down my body, lavishing my breasts as he went with sucks and kisses.

When he was at eye level with my pussy, he looked up at me, a smirk on his lips.

“I’m so hungry, baby. I’m going to fucking devour you.” And with those words, he dove in. I cried out as his tongue flicked against my swollen clit. I’d never felt anything like it in my life. He buried his face deeper into my pussy, his soft groans vibrating my hot center and only adding to the pleasure I felt.

He teased me with his fingers, slipping it in just a fraction of an inch before pulling out. It was driving me mad.

His tongue was a hurricane on my clit as he ate and sucked, flicking like a goddamn expert against the sensitive bundle of nerves. I fisted the blanket, my breathing ragged, my impending orgasm rearing its head.

This would be the first time I’d ever had one. I’d never explored myself before. Honestly, I hadn’t even known how, and I wanted my first time to be with someone I cared about.

It was about to happen, and I was beside myself with anticipation.

He swirled his tongue over the pulsing bud before sucking me. I saw blinding white light, my release rushing from me in a tidal wave. I tangled my fingers in his hair, fisting the soft strands as I forced his face deeper against the pleasure he was tearing from my body.

When I finally came down, I lay in a boneless heap, breathing hard. My body twitched as he continued to lap at me, cleaning me with his tongue. Finally, he moved up my body and pressed his lips against mine. I parted my lips, tasting myself on him, and kissed him deeply.

He slowly began rubbing his cock against me, my already sensitive pussy desperate for more already.

“More,” I whimpered against his lips .

“Yeah?”

I nodded as he stared down at me.

“You want me to fuck you, baby?”

God, his mouth was doing something to me.

“Please…”

He chuckled softly and continued to grind on me.

“I can’t. We have to wait for Troy so we can take you together. I can make you feel good again, though.”

I nodded eagerly, making him laugh softly. I loved the way he sounded when he was happy. Adrian was typically always a grouch, so this was a pleasant change.

He continued his work, his cock sliding between my folds and hitting my clit.

I jutted my hips up to meet the pleasure he was eliciting from me. His breathing grew heavy as we ground against one another. It didn’t take long until the flurries of my impending release took flight. I clung to him. He sensed I was close again because the intensity of his kiss grew, and he moved quicker.

I came with a cry, dampening his groin. He let out a groan, his hot seed shooting out and coating my pussy as he came with me. We both rode out the pleasure until coming to a slow stop, panting hard.

He stared down at me, a sated smile on his face.

“I’ve never come like that before,” he commented.

I didn’t know what that meant, and it must have shown on my face because his lips quirked.

“Grinding on a girl. Dry fucking. You’re my first.”

“Really?”

“Mhm, butterfly. Did you like it?”

I nodded eagerly, making him laugh, his eyes alight with happiness. It made my chest sweet.

He grew quiet as he stared down at me.

“Are you on the pill?” he finally asked. “Because I’m going to come inside you when I fuck you the first time. If I get you pregnant, I won’t even give a fuck.”

His words made my heart jump.

“I’m on a shot,” I said thickly. “So basically, yes. ”

“Damn,” he murmured, brushing his lips gently against mine. “I wouldn’t mind seeing your belly swollen with my baby.”

My heart thundered in my chest at his words.

“Really?” I whispered, staring up at him.

“Really,” he answered softly. “I think I want to keep you, Elena. If you’ll let me.”

I nodded, throwing caution out the window. “I want you to keep me.”

“Fucking done, baby.” He kissed me again, long and slow, before finally breaking away. Carefully, he moved off me completely before grabbing one of his t-shirts. He cleaned me from the mess we’d made before returning and joining me beneath the covers.

Adrian tucked me against his chest, holding me close. His hand absently traced soothing circles against my spine.

I sighed against him, content for the first time in days.

Then, softly, he murmured, “I have to tell you something.”

I blinked up at him sleepily. “Hmm?”

His fingers drifted through my hair, his expression turning almost sheepish.

“That ballet you were in before we left?” he started.

I frowned slightly, waiting. Steve had flown in to see me and had sat with Zara in the audience. They were my little cheering squad. We’d gone to dinner after. It had been a good night.

“I went.”

My heart stilled.

I pulled back slightly, staring at him. “What?”

He exhaled, shaking his head with a small, fond smile. “I said I wasn’t going. But I did.”

Tears burned behind my eyes.

“You watched me dance?” I whispered.

He brushed his thumb beneath my eyes, catching the tear that slipped free. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, butterfly.”

A choked sound escaped me, something between a laugh and a sob.

Adrian chuckled softly and kissed me, slow and sweet, pressing our foreheads together.

“I’ll go to every show you ever have,” he promised .

“Adrian…” My voice cracked, and he wiped another tear away, smiling gently.

“I mean it,” he said, serious now. “I’ll be there for every single one. And that’s just the beginning.”

He continued, making promise after promise, whispering plans for when we got home, talking about everything we would do, the places we would go.

His words wrapped around me, a lifeline of hope I didn’t realize I needed.

And I believed him.

I needed to believe him.

“I hope you’re right,” I whispered. “Because I want those promises, Adrian. All of them.”

“They’re yours,” he swore.

We lay there for hours, talking, learning things about each other we had never known before.

He asked about school, and I told him about my classes and professors and how I hated mornings but loved the quiet moments in the studio before anyone else arrived.

I told him about my dreams.

And he listened.

Really listened.

Eventually, my stomach grumbled, and he laughed, grabbing some crackers to hold us over.

But as the sun dipped, my worry for Troy returned full force.

“He should be back by now,” I murmured.

Adrian sighed, pulling his clothes back on. “I’m gonna check.”

I nodded, chewing my lip.

He smirked. “You stay the way you are.”

I rolled my eyes, but his teasing was enough to ease my nerves momentarily.

He left, and I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing with what-ifs.

When he came back, his expression was grim.

“Nothing.”

My stomach sank .

Adrian added more wood to the fire before sliding back into bed with me, pulling me against him.

“It’ll be OK,” he whispered, his voice gentle, steady, unshaken.

I wanted to believe him.

But that night, my nightmares were worse than ever.