Page 71 of Undisputed Chaos
"That one’s my favorite," Adrian's voice came from behind me, making me jump.
I turned to find him freshly showered, a towel slung low on his hips, water still beading on his tattooed chest.
The sight made my mouth go dry. His abs were glistening, and he looked like something carved out of my deepest desires.
"Really?” I asked, forcing my eyes back to the canvas.
"Of course, it doesn’t compare to yours.” He moved to stand beside me, his heat radiating against my skin as he engulfed my presence beside him.
I studied the painting with new appreciation, seeing the controlled violence in every brushstroke. It was raw, powerful, and undeniably skilled.
"It's beautiful," I said honestly.
"Not as beautiful as you," he replied all cheesy, pressing a kiss to my temple before moving away. "Give me five minutes to dress, then we can go."
While he changed, I continued my exploration, finding the massive aquarium that separated the kitchen from the living area.
Inside, sleek, kind of scary silver fish with razor-sharp teeth circled lazily, and I stared at them wide-eyed and entranced. A deep blue light illuminated the water.
"Piranhas," Adrian explained, returning in dark jeans and a forest green button-up similar to yesterday, which made his eyes even more striking.
The top buttons were undone, revealing the edges of his tattoos, but the overall effect was surprisingly respectable.
"Birthday gift to myself.”
"They're... interesting," I managed, watching one particularly large specimen eye me through the glass.
"They're excellent listeners," he smirked with a wink. "Never judge, never interrupt."
I laughed, turning to take in the rest of the space. "Your home is amazing, Adrian. It feels like a museum crossed with a hacker setup crossed with..."
"A serial killer's lair?" he grinned helpfully, eyes dancing with mischief.
"I was going to say an antique store, but sure, let's go with that."
He laughed, the sound echoing through the large space. "Come on, angel. Let's go charm your family."
The nerve-wracking, exhilarating walk to his car was a blur, but I barely noticed. Adrian’s hand never left me as my head spun with nerves, anticipation, and that strange sense of rightness.
As we slid into the Lambo, Adrian leaned over, kissing me with a kind of patience and promise I’d never known. “Ready to introduce me to the family?”
I grinned at him, impossibly ready, impossibly his. “Ready.”
He pulled back, wild and untamable and absolutely mine. “Let’s go make a night no one will forget.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Isla
Adrian pulled his neon green Lamborghini up to the curb at a well-known fancy restaurant in town.
I ran my damp hands down my dress, fighting the urge to make a run for it, knowing my family was already in there.
The restaurant's exterior had warm, golden light and sleek, modern architecture, inviting yet exclusive.
Through the large windows, I could see elegant tables spaced generously apart, offering a mood that was hopelessly, offensively calm compared to the riot in my stomach.
“Ready, angel?” Adrian’s fingers squeezed mine, warm and reassuring. Even under the streetlights, his green eyes flashed with mischief.
