Page 37 of The Second Deal

Chapter14

We Will Go Down

–Dream Drop

Adrian’sbeamis so fucking annoying as he steps inside, practically on me as the the door slams shut behind him.Heleans down, butIturn my head and back away.

“Fuckin’ nope.”

Buthe grabs me, forcing me to stay still as he plants his mouth on mine.

Igrowl with fists balled up at my sides.

Hissmirk is more pronounced when he finally parts. “Niceseein’ you here.”

Aconniving smile forms on my lips. “Yeah.Zakasked me to come.”

Hisexpression falls. “Don’tyou thinkIwant you here, too?”

“Youdidn’t ask.”

“Itwasheavilyimplied.”

Iroll my eyes and push him away to sit on the trunk.

Heforces himself between my legs, and his hands cup my face to make me look up at him. “Areyou andZakworking things out?” he questions.

Bristling,Iattempt to shake his hands away, but his hold is firm. “NotthatI’maware of.”

Adrianstudies me carefully, like he’s memorizing every pore and imperfection on my face.Hisfingers gently trace the bandage on my cheek.

“Why?”Iask.

Hetips my chin upward and leans down.Hekisses me softly.Repeatedly.

Lastnight, his touch was bullish and frantic.Thismorning, it was decisive and assertive.Now, it’s tender and adoring and sends a quiver through my stomach until my inner walls clench.

“You’remine this time around, princesa,” he finally murmurs over my lips.

Ishove him away. “Ialready told you no.”

Adriangazes longingly, searching for something in my eyes. “Whatwill it take for you to say yes?”

Mygaze drops toAdrian’shands, making outTimeon the right fingers andLesson the left.WhenIblink, the nightmare that’s been haunting me flashes in the brief darkness, reminding me thatIdidn’t come home after seeingZak’sheart break almost every night on repeat for so long just to do it all over again.

Idon’t say a word.Ipush my back against the cool, hard brick and cock my head towards the stage where sound check is in progress with people yelling at each other over adjustments. “Youhave a show to get ready for.”

Adriangrasps my jaw, forcing me to look at him. “Iwant you,Steph,” he insists quietly. “Weowe each other this.”

Mybrows knit together. “WeoweZakan apology.”

“Iapologized.You’rethe one who ran away without saying anything.”

Swallowinghard,Isay softly, “I’mgonna apologize, andI’mnot gonna fuck it up this time.”

Hiseyes narrow, glowering, but he doesn’t say a word.Heinhales sharply before grabbing his sunglasses from the top of his head and placing them on mine.Then, he reaches over his shoulder and grabs his shirt from his back, pulls it over his head, and lets it fall onto my lap.

Ican’t help ogling his bare, tattooed torso, eyeballing the piercing in his left nipple.Imake my eyes snap shut, trying to shake the memory of last night out of my head.Itonly worsens when the darkness sends all sorts of sensations flooding my nerves and panties. “Getoutta here with that shit.Fuck.”

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