Page 28 of Falling for My Shifter Boss

"Rest, little wolf," he murmurs, his arms tightening fractionally around me. "You're mine now. And I won't let anything happen to you again."

I fall asleep with the ghost of those words echoing in my mind, knowing that, for once, I don't have to fight alone.

Chapter 14

Maya

I wake to the warmth of Adrian's body wrapped around mine, his presence achingly familiar. His strong arms hold me close, one hand splayed protectively across my stomach, his steady heartbeat a grounding rhythm against my back. The weight of him feels like an anchor, keeping the lingering memories of silver burns and wolfsbane at bay.

Blinking against the soft morning light filtering through floor-to-ceiling windows, I take in the space around me. Adrian's bedroom is exactly what I expected—dark, sleek, and meticulously organized. Everything speaks of careful control, from the precise angle of the minimalist furniture to the subtle, masculine scent that permeates the air.

The bed is massive, the sheets whispering against my skin with an impossible softness that speaks of luxury I've never known. It should feel intimidating, this precise slice of Adrian's world, but his warmth beside me transforms the space into something else entirely.

A deep inhale from behind me, then a ripple of muscle as Adrian stirs. His grip tightens instinctively before his eyes open, fingers pressing into my skin as if ensuring I'm still there. The possessive gesture sends a shiver down my spine.

I turn my head slightly, meeting his storm-gray gaze. He's still heavy with sleep, but his wolf lurks beneath the surface, assessing me, searching for any lingering weakness. The intensity of his stare makes my breath catch.

"How are you feeling?" His voice is rough, edged with a concern that makes something warm unfurl in my chest.

I stretch slightly, testing my limbs. The wolfsbane has mostly worked its way out of my system, though my muscles still ache with a bone-deep weariness. My wrists throb where the silver had burned into them, but the pain is duller now, manageable. "Better. A little sore, but nothing I can't handle."

Adrian studies me for a long moment, his jaw tightening as his fingers brush over my wrist. The touch is feather-light, barely there, but it sends electricity racing through my veins. His thumb traces the raw skin where the silver had bitten into me, and the tenderness in the gesture contrasts sharply with the darkness that crosses his face.

"You shouldn't have had to handle it at all."

The protectiveness in his voice—bordering on a growl—sends another shiver through me. "But I did. And now I'm here."

His eyes darken, something unreadable flickering across his face. The morning stubble along his jaw makes him look rougher, more primal. "And you're not leaving."

The possessiveness in his tone does something to me, something dangerous and thrilling all at once. My breath catches, my pulse quickening as I stare up at him. My wolf stirs inside me, responding to the raw authority in his voice even as my human side bristles at the command.

For a moment, neither of us moves. The air grows thick with tension.

Then I shift in bed, suddenly, acutely aware of just how close we are—his bare chest pressed against my back, our legs tangled beneath the sheets, my thin t-shirt doing little to shield me from his heat. The fire between us is immediate, a slow-burning flame ready to ignite at the slightest spark.

I push myself up, stretching with a soft groan that I immediately regret when Adrian's eyes track the movement. "I need to get clean."

Adrian watches me for a second longer, his gaze heavy with something that makes my skin tingle. Then he moves, rising from the bed in one fluid motion that reminds me just how powerful he is. "I'll run you a bath."

I blink at him, surprised by the offer—and by how much I want to accept it. This isn't the cold, calculating CEO I'm used to. This is something else, something raw and protective that makes my wolf pace restlessly beneath my skin.

By the time I step into the bathroom, the sound of running water fills the space. Adrian stands by the massive, high-end bathtub, twisting the taps with precise movements. Steam curls into the air, carrying the scent of eucalyptus and something rich and earthy—him—that lingers, mixing with the warmth of the room. The marble counter gleams, everything pristine and perfect, just like him.

I raise a brow, aiming for lightness I don't quite feel. "Fancy."

Adrian gives me a look that makes my stomach flip. "You were drugged, burned, and kidnapped. You deserve a bath."

I smirk, tilting my head, unable to resist pushing him just a little further. "And are you planning on helping?"

He doesn't flinch, doesn't waver. Instead, he takes a slow step forward, his gaze locking onto mine, unreadable and scorching all at once. "If you need me to."

The air is charged, heavy with the scent of steam and desire. The oversized shirt I'd borrowed from Adrian's closet feels like a barrier now, a flimsy one at that. The fabric slips off my shoulders, pooling at my feet, and I stand before him, bare and unashamed.

Adrian's gaze rakes over me, hunger flashing in his stormy eyes. His control is slipping, the carefully constructed walls around him crumbling with each passing second. He takes me in, his breath hitching ever so slightly, and the sound sends a thrill through me.

I step into the warm water, the heat enveloping me like a welcome embrace. I sink into the bath, the water lapping at my skin, and I can't help but watch him from beneath my lashes. My voice is a soft challenge, laced with a teasing note. "You’re just going to stand there?"

His jaw tightens, the muscle there ticking with restraint. But there's a shift in him, a subtle loosening of the iron grip he maintains on his emotions. Then, he moves.

---