Adolph
The second she stepped out, I lost control of my thoughts.
Dios mÃo.
My future wife stood before me in a dress that shouldâve looked angelic. Should have. But on her? It was dangerous. A temptation wrapped in lace and diamonds, a vision so devastatingly beautiful it made my chest tighten.
The fitted bodice hugged every dip, every curveâtaunting me. The silk skirt cascaded like a waterfall, soft and endless, begging to be lifted, crumpledâremoved. The lace on her arms made her look delicate, untouchable⦠but we both knew better.
Because I touched what I owned.
Her lips parted slightly, and I saw itâthe uncertainty, the hesitation, the undeniable fire behind her eyes. She hated this, hated that my opinion mattered. Hated that she was waiting for my reaction.
So I took my time.
I leaned back in my chair, dragging my gaze over her, slow and consuming. A smirk curled at my lips as I exhaled, dark and amused.
âDios, Netiâ¦â My voice was silk-laced dominance. âDo you realize what youâve done?â
She swallowed, blinking. âW-What?â
I stood, unhurried, reveling in the way her breath hitched when I stepped closer.
âYou walked out looking like that... and now you expect me to behave?â I murmured, circling her slowly, like a predator savoring its prey.
She turned her face away, as if that would stop me from drinking her in. Foolish girl.
I stopped behind her, lowering my head so my breath ghosted along the back of her neck. My fingers traced up her arm, following the lace. Soft. Delicate. Breakable.
âThis dress is a masterpiece.â I brushed my lips against the shell of her ear, voice dropping into something deeper, something lethal. âBut you know what would be even more beautiful?â
She trembled slightly but stayed silent.
I smirked.
âThe sound of it hitting the floor.â
She gasped, stiffening, but I wasnât done.
My fingers slid down her waist, stopping just before they could press where I knew sheâd feel them most. I leaned in, my lips barely grazing her skin.
âTell me, mi future bride ⦠should I let you wear this to our wedding? Or should I ruin it tonight?â
She sucked in a sharp breath, her body betraying her as her fingers curled into fists.
I chuckled, pulling away just enough to look into her eyes. âAh. No answer? So shy all of a sudden?â
She glared up at me, jaw tight, but her pulse was racing.
Perfect.
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Neti
My mistake was stepping in and out of that dressing room.
The second I did, I felt itâhis eyes on me. A heat so intense it burned through my skin, making my breath catch in my throat.
Adolph was seated like a king on his throne, his dark gaze dragging over me slowly, possessively, shamelessly. He wasnât just looking. He was devouring.
And I hated how my body reacted to it.
The smirk on his lips was the worst part. Arrogant. Teasing. Dangerous. He leaned back in his chair like he had all the time in the world, like I was some dessert he was debating how best to enjoy.
Then he exhaled, deep and dark.
âDios, Neti⦠do you realize what youâve done?â
My fingers clenched at my sides. âW-What?â
I shouldâve walked away. I shouldâve turned on my heel and gone back into that room. But I didnât. I stood there like a fool as he rose to his feet, each step toward me slow, deliberate.
âYou walked out looking like that... and now you expect me to behave?â
His voice was silk-wrapped sin, warm and heavy, wrapping around me like chains.
He circled me, his presence overwhelming, his cologne clouding my thoughts. Every nerve in my body was alive, screaming.
And then he stopped behind me.
I didnât turn around. I refused. I wouldnât give him the satisfaction.
But then his fingers traced up my arm, featherlight against the lace.
A shiver raced down my spine.
âThis dress is a masterpiece,â he murmured, his lips so close to my ear that my knees nearly buckled. âBut you know what would be even more beautiful?â
I didnât answer. I couldnât.
His lips brushed against my ear, voice dipping into something darker, something lethal.
âThe sound of it hitting the floor.â
My breath hitched. My stomach twisted. My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it.
Then his hands moved lower.
Just the barest brush along my waist, his fingers hovering like a whisper, but my entire body betrayed me.
âTell me, mi esposa⦠should I let you wear this to our wedding?â His lips barely touched my skin. âOr should I ruin it tonight?â
Heat exploded through me. I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to breathe, to think, to stay in control.
I turned, snapping my glare to his. His eyes were smoldering, full of unspoken promises and unrelenting hunger.
He's asking me if I want to marry knowing my answer but it was a easy contrast of my situation
He's asking me like it'll matter...
He was playing with me.
And the worst part?
I was losing.
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