Page 18 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

He’s not calling you honey,dumbass.

“Uh, do you want a cup of tea?” It’s all I can think of saying to distract myself from the embarrassment.

“Sure.” His smirk is more of a sneer. He’s definitely laughing at me.

“It’ll be ready soon. I just need to, um.” My eyes dart between him and the floor. He follows my gaze and moves aside so I can slide off the counter. “I’ll make the tea now.” I swallow hard and look up at him.

His piercing gaze lingers on me for a moment longer, his eyes betraying none of the warmth I’d hoped to find in them. Have I done something wrong? In that cold, calculating stare, I sense a warning.

“One teaspoon of honey.” He lifts a long finger and then points it at the kitchen island. “Leave it here.” He turns and exits the kitchen.

Is he on edge because of work? Options pass through my mind as I turn the electric kettle on and put two teaspoons of tea into the pot. Did I say something to upset him? Maybe no one’s climbed on his counters before, and he was just stunned to find me there. The thought makes me crack a little smile until I realize I’m only wearing an oversized T-shirt. He musthave seen my underwear while I was reaching for the tea.

I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head. That would explain his behavior. I only put it on because I thought I’d be asleep by the time he came home. I look down to make sure I’m not wearing an ugly pair of panties, as if that would make the situation any less mortifying.

As I pour the steaming tea into the cup, my hands tremble slightly, betraying my nerves. The scent of forest fruit fills the air, but a sudden jolt causes me to spill some of the tea onto my shirt. Panic grips me as the burning liquid spreads across the fabric and onto my skin, staining it with a vibrant hue.

“Ow, fuck!” Cursing under my breath, I hastily set the teapot aside and abandon the tea, making a beeline for the staircase. I need to change and rinse the shirt before the stain sets in. As I ascend the steps, the burning sensation dies down.

Reaching my room, I quickly peel off my stained shirt. This is not a fancy shirt, but it’s Ethan’s, and he would kill me if he knew I not only borrowed it but ruined it as well. But as I turn aroundto walk to the bathroom, a shockwave of horror courses through me as I come face to face with Adrian standing right outside my open door. Shit, I must have forgotten to close it. His expression is dark and furious. Before I can react, he reaches for the door and slams it shut, leaving me alone.

“Fuck,” I whisper, staring at the door wide-eyed. A few breaths later, I scramble to cover myself, my hands shaking with the embarrassment of Adrian seeing me in only my bra.

After I’ve changed my shirt and mustered the courage to head downstairs and clean up the spill, I slowly poke my head out the door. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as I gather the courage to face Adrian. The embarrassment burns hot on my cheeks. He saw me shirtless! The thought that we’re now even in that regard is not lost on me. The memory of his muscled back flashes in my mind.

Slowly, I make my way back downstairs, steeling myself for the inevitable confrontation. As I enter the kitchen, I see Adrian standing by the counter, adding honey to his tea. If he knows I’m here,he doesn’t show it.

“I’m sorry about… you know, and about the spill,” I say tentatively, gesturing to the overflowing teacup next to his. “I seem to have a knack for spilling drinks.” I try to joke, but it falls flat. He sets his spoon aside and turns to face me. Fury. There’s fury written all over his face. Why is he so angry?

“You seem to have a knack for leaving doors open when you shouldn’t.” I bristle at his tone but gather my courage to tell him that he’s no better.

“That makes two of us.” I raise my chin, hoping I don’t regret this later.

His eyes narrow, and I can see the anger simmering beneath the surface.

“Is that so?” he growls, taking a step closer to me. Every muscle in my body protests, but I stand my ground.

“Yes. You left your door open, and I saw.”

“And what exactly did you see?” His tone is calm, despite his eyes.

“I saw you…without your shirt on.” I close my eyes for a moment, hoping my cheeks don’t turn red. Adrian’s lips quirk into a sardonic smile, but there’s no warmth in his eyes. The silence is unbearable, and my mouth opens before I can shut it. “I’m just saying that it’s hypocritical of you to be angry when you’re not innocent yourself.” I have to keep reminding myself to breathe.

“Is that your way of justifying your behavior?” he murmurs, his voice dangerously low. A muscle feathers his jaw, and I tear my eyes away.

I swallow hard, feeling a surge of both fear and desire coursing through me. No one should look this good when scolding someone.

“Yes,” I answer, my voice barely above a whisper.

Adrian steps even closer until there’s barely any space between us. I meet his gaze defiantly, refusing to back down despite my heart threatening to break free. There’s a charged silence between us, the tension crackling like electricity. I can feel the heat of his body radiating against mine.

“So, you saw me shirtless, huh?” Adrian murmurs, his voice tinged with a dangerous edge. Before I can respond, he leans in closer, his lips brushing against my ear. “I’m sure youreallyenjoyed yourself after that, little duck,” he whispers, his breath hot against my skin.

Electricity hits me low in my belly as I fight to take a breath. Enjoy myself after? What is that supposed to mean? He pulls away, reaches for his tea, and walks out of the kitchen. What the hell just happened?

As I slowly awaken in the plush comfort of the bed, my eyes adjust to the soft morning light filtering through the sheer curtains. A smile spreads across my lips, appreciating how lovely Adrian’s made the room for me… despite his behavior last night. I quickly turn off the nightlight and stretch.

The memory of our conversation in the kitchen still lingers in my mind—his hot breath on my ear, his piercing eyes pinning me in place. Shaking off the thoughts, I make my way to the bathroom for a refreshing shower, letting the warm water soothe my tense muscles. After drying off and getting dressed, I opt for jeans and a white sweater. I don’t want to waste any more time, so I put my hair up in a ponytail and pop in two gold earrings to add some detailto the outfit.