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She whirled around, angry words on the tip of her tongue. They died as Adrian stepped out of the shadows. Dressed in dark blue jeans and a black T-shirt that hugged his muscular chest, he oozed sexuality. Stubble dusted his granite jaw.
What would it be like to feel the scrape of that rough hair against her skin? Feel it against her neck as he trailed kisses down to her breasts, her stomach, and even lower still to her thighs...?
Dear God, Everleigh, get a grip.
Her gaze snapped up to his. Those piercing eyes were fixed on her, the blue of his irises glowing hot, as if he could see her every lurid thought.
“Yes,” she forced out, her voice breathy. “I wanted some time alone before we leave in the morning.”
“You say that as if you’re never coming back.”
The sensual thoughts disappeared as grief tightened her chest. When she did come back it would be the day before Fox would officially be announced as being part of Cabrera Wine. She’d be coming back, but it wouldn’t be the same.
“The house and grounds will always be yours,” Adrian said, once again reading her mind. “The mortgage is being paid off as part of the sale.”
“How generous.” Everleigh winced at the snide undertone in her words. “Truly,” she added softly. “You didn’t have to agree to that.”
The cellar seemed to shrink around them as Adrian stepped closer. The vise around her heart tightened. But this time it was something far more seductive and dangerous than grief.
Desire.
Whoever said the road to hell was paved with good intentions had obviously not been around someone as devastatingly attractive as Adrian Cabrera. No, it was paved with lust, and seduction, and a desperate want for something more than just a casual relationship or a quick fling.
“I’m glad it makes you happy.”
He stopped in front of her, his well-built body towering over her. Rather than feeling afraid, or intimidated, she wanted to lean in, press her cheek against his chest and listen to the steady rhythm of his heart while he held her and told her everything would be okay.
Their dance had lingered on her mind during the entire drive home, creeping into her dreams where the night had ended with Adrian slipping off her dress and kissing his way over her naked body instead of her closing an elevator door in his face.
She wanted him so much it scared her.
But no matter how attractive she found him, no matter how much she wanted him to show her the pleasure sex could bring, she couldn’t give in. Sex would be fleeting. Relationships ended. People left.
And each time she lost someone she lost another piece of her already broken heart.
She stepped back—out of his reach and out of danger. “If we’re leaving at six in the morning, I should get to bed.”
She started to brush past him, trying to keep as much distance between them as possible. His hand wrapped around her wrist, the heat of his grasp scorching her skin.
“I’m just trying to help, Everleigh.”
The softness in his voice was ten times worse than the hard tones of the suave billionaire who seduced with a single glance.
Tears pricked her eyes. “I don’t want your help. I want...”
“What?” Adrian prodded when she fell silent.
She lifted her head and looked him in the eye. Words faltered in her throat, and the yearning to confess her deepest heartache warred with her not wanting to look like an emotional fool in front of the man who held her future in his hands.
“Nothing.”
She’d known Adrian for a mere day. Dumping her vulnerabilities on one of the world’s richest men was definitely not the way to convince him to sell to her or put her in a leadership position.
Adrian released her wrist and she sucked in a breath. A second later his palm cupped her cheek. Before she could stop herself she’d leaned into the caress as a breathy sigh escaped her lips. How could one simple touch be so soothing and yet spark so much want inside her?
His eyes flashed hot in the dim light. Before she could say anything, he lowered his head and captured her mouth with his.
Oh, my.
