Page 173 of Undisputed Chaos
"Missed you," he murmured against my neck, hips pressing against me in a way that made me warm.
I could feel him hardening against me, his body's automatic response to our closeness.
His hands settled on my hips with gentle possessiveness, thumbs stroking over the paint-stained fabric of my shirt as he ground softly against my bottom.
"Adrian," I sighed, tilting my head to give him better access to my throat.
I paused, a smile tugging at my lips. "Why are you always turned on?"
His chuckle vibrated against my skin, low and rough.
"Because you're too fucking perfect, angel. Every time I see you covered in paint, completely in your element, creating something beautiful, I can't help myself."
His hands moved from my hips to my waist, pressing me more firmly against him.
"You drive me insane in the best possible way. Look at you," he breathed, his voice dropping to that register that made heat pool in my belly.
"Hair wild, paint smudged on that little nose, lost in your art.You're like a goddess of creation, and I'm just a mortal man who can't resist worshipping at your altar."
I turned in his arms, paint-stained hands framing his face as I studied the man who'd become my whole world.
Even sweaty and exhausted from training, he was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
He was beautiful in the way storms were beautiful, in the way fire was beautiful when it burned exactly as it was meant to.
"You're ridiculous," I whispered, but I was melting into his touch.
"Ridiculously in love with you," he agreed, capturing my lips in a kiss that tasted of salt and promises.
When we broke apart, his gaze shifted to the painting behind me. "It's incredible," he said quietly. "You can see the story in it. The journey."
"Come on," he said, taking my hand. "Show me what else you've been working on."
He led me deeper into the studio, past canvases in various stages of completion, toward Neptune's corner.
The turtle was floating near the surface, his eyes blinking slowly at us as we approached.
"How's our aquatic overlord doing?" Adrian asked, crouching beside the tank.
"Spoiled rotten," I replied, kneeling next to him.
“When Sierra brought Toffee over, I swear that cat spent three hours just sitting here, completely mesmerized."
Adrian reached out to tap gently on the glass, grinning when Neptune swam closer to investigate.
"Smart turtle. He knows quality company when he sees it."
"You're not jealous, are you?" I teased. "Of all the attention he's getting from Toffee? Sierra said he would’ve killed you if we got a cat.”
"Me? Jealous of a turtle?" Adrian stood, pulling me up with him and wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Angel, there's no way on earth I could ever cheat on Toffee. That cat owns my soul."
He paused, glancing back at Neptune with mock seriousness. "But Neptune doesn't count. He's aquatic, totally different category."
I burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the high-ceilinged space. "You have categories for pet loyalty?"
"Absolutely," he said with complete conviction.
