Chapter 438

The fire between them burned long into the night, their connection growing more intense with each passing moment. Only when Vivian's broken whispers pierced through - her voice raw, her lashes damp with unshed tears - did Adrian finally ease his relentless pace.

Shifting to lie beside her, Adrian watched as Vivian pulled the silk sheets up to her chin, burying her flushed face in the pillow. Within minutes, her breathing steadied into the deep rhythm of exhausted sleep.

Adrian's gaze traveled downward, catching sight of her slender legs peeking from beneath the covers, still bearing the faint pink imprints of his passion. A possessive thrill shot through him, like an artist surveying his finest work.

With careful fingers, he adjusted the duvet to shield her completely from the morning chill.

As dawn's first light crept through the windows, Adrian propped himself against the headboard, lighting a cigarette before reaching for his phone. A text from Dominic blinked on the screen - an invitation for drinks sent hours earlier.

It struck him how completely Vivian had consumed his world lately. When was the last time he'd simply gone out with the guys?

Yet even as he acknowledged this change, Adrian found he didn't miss the endless social rounds. His life felt richer now, more purposeful. His attention drifted to Vivian's sleeping form beside him, her delicate features barely visible above the cocoon of blankets.

Unable to resist, he reached out to brush a fingertip along the slope of her nose.

She twitched in her sleep, a tiny frown creasing her brow before she turned her face deeper into the pillow like a kitten seeking shelter. The sight tugged at something primal in his chest.

Decision made, Adrian stubbed out his cigarette and set his phone aside. Sliding beneath the covers, he gathered Vivian's warm body against his, breathing in her familiar scent as sleep claimed him.

The shrill alarm tore Vivian from dreams the next morning. Blinking against the dim light, she nearly drifted back to sleep until the clock's numbers registered - noon.

She bolted upright, sheets pooling around her waist as she took in Adrian working on his laptop across the room. Only then did she notice the blackout drapes keeping the room in artificial twilight.

"Finally awake?" Adrian's deep voice sent shivers down her spine as he reached for the remote. The curtains parted like stage curtains, sunlight flooding in to gild his aristocratic features.

Vivian scrambled from bed, suddenly aware of the marks still visible on her skin. She could feel Adrian's heated gaze tracing every movement.

Noticing her discomfort, Adrian's lips curved. "What's there to hide? I know every inch of you."

"Hide? Please," Vivian tossed her hair, affecting nonchalance despite her burning cheeks. "With this body, I should be modeling lingerie." She made a show of searching for her discarded pajamas.