Chapter 11
Stella's POV
"I thought..." I gestured vaguely with my free hand to signal I want leave.
"You thought wrong." He pulled me closer, until I could smell that maddening cologne of his."Sit."
I sank back into my seat. What are you playing at, Mr.Lancaster?
"Tell me. Mrs. Lancaster." His voice dropped to that dangerous whisper that seemed go straight to my nervous system."Exactly how eager are you to please me?"
Heat crept up my neck. "Mr. Lancaster, I do whatever you ask.Aren't I being obedient enough?" I let a hint of breathiness enter my voice. "You're such a demanding husband."
His grip tightened fractionally. "Tonight," he murmured, just loud enough for our audience to hear, "you'll have a chance to prove that eagerness. Didn't you want to be in my bed?" My face flamed. Oh, no,I don't want. It was my first time to have sex. I could feel his gaze returning to me periodically, each glance leaving trails of fire on my skin. The car's interior somehow felt smaller than usual, the space between us charged with dangerous electricity. The scent of expensive wine hung heavy in the air, making my stomach turn slightly. I pressed myself against the door, trying to put as much distance as possible between us.
"Mr. Lancaster." My voice sounded steadier than I felt.′′Ifyou hate me,why did you agree to this marriage?"
He didn't open his eyes, his head tipped back against the leather seat as if meditating. The streetlights painted shifting patterns across his proud features, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw and the slight tension in his shoulders.
My phone buzzed with a message from Sam: "Stella, you okay?Also... does his 'disability' affect, you know... everything?"
I snuck a glance at Adam, but his expression remained impassive. "Better than expected," I typed back carefully."Though I don't totally get to know him. He moves... differently than I expected."
"Oh? Do tell me! Anything... interesting to share with me?" Heat crept up my neck as I remembered that devastating kiss in the car. "Sam! Not like that!""Sure, sure. But I do want to know - does the height thing apply? You know... proportionally?"
I glance at his lower body for just one second, then my cheeks flushed. It seemed his cock was quite big. Damn man.
I couldn't help but giggle, then immediately tried to cover it with a cough when Adam's eyes opened.
Damn it. How sharp are his eyes?I angled the screen away quickly,but not before catching Adam's slight smirk.
"Something amusing?" His voice held that dangerous edge that made my pulse jump.
′′Iheard," I ventured, desperate to break the tension, "that men's height correlates with certain... other length of the body?"The words tumbled out before my brain could stop them.
Before I could react, he moved with that deadly grace of his,closing the distance between us in an instant. His cologne wrapped around me like a physical touch, making my head spin. One broad hand gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Curious about someone specific?" His voice dropped to that dangerous whisper that always made my pulse race. "Brian,perhaps?" "Brian's body is... bad,maybe." I fought to keep my expression neutral. "And I don't know his." The muscle in his jaw ticked. His thumb traced my bottom lip.the touch sending sparks of electricity down my spine. For a heart-stopping moment. I thought he might kiss me again. His eyes certainly lingered on my lips long enough to make my breath catch.
"Bad?" The word rumbled through his chest, and I suddenly realized just how close we were. "It seems he didn't satisfy you?11
"Mr. Lancaster-" I started, but the rest of my words died as his other hand found my waist, pulling me even closer.
"Tell me, Mrs. Lancaster," his breath ghosted across my lips,"just how much my body is you planning to... investigate?"
The innuendo in his tone made my cheeks burn."Iwasn't-"
His lips crashed into mine with bruising force, cutting off my protest. Unlike our previous kiss, this one held pure possession and barely contained anger. His hand tangled in my hair,tilting my head to deepen the kiss as his other hand maintained its possessive grip on my waist. A small, embarrassing sound escaped my throat as his teeth grazed my bottom lip. The taste of expensive wine lingered on his tongue, but somehow I didn't mind the alcohol so much anymore.Just as suddenly as it began, he pulled back, though his hands remained exactly where they were. The look in his eyes made my heart race.
"Interesting reaction." His thumb brushed my now-swollen lip.drawing another embarrassing little gasp from me.
\---
The car pulled up to Lancaster Manor's imposing gates.I moved to exit quickly as to escape,but Adam remained seated.
"Taylor." His voice cut through the night air. "What do you make of Mrs. Lancaster's performance tonight?"
"Sir?" Taylor's professional mask slipped slightly, revealing genuine uncertainty.
"Her presence at Rouge. Her little show with the dice." Adam's eyes remained fixed on the manor ahead."Quite coincidental,wouldn't you say?"
Ice settled in my stomach. He suspects something.
"I want everything on her connection to Rouge." The command held no room for argument. "Every visit, every interaction.Understood?" "Yes,sir." I had slipped out of the car before he could turn that penetrating gaze on me again. But I could feel his eyes following me all the way to the door.
Let him look, I thought with grim satisfaction. He'll never guess the truth.
Behind me. Adam watched my retreat with narrowed eyes."Interesting." he murmured, almost to himself.
A predatory smile curved his lips. "Let's see how long she can keep up the act."