FORBIDDEN CHAOS

last words echoed in he

wine. She didn't want to go. Not tonight. But s

sed into the polished floor as if

erself she wouldn't come. She would ignore it.

osity is

, here

ingers clenched her purse strap as her

ri

could make her body surrender w

sted on her thigh beneath the table, thumb drawing lazy circles as if memorizing her skin. The girl tilted her head,

nd shre

isguised as giggles. Whispers wrapped in barbed wire. Every affecti

avy. Hollow. Her eyes stung, but the tears didn't

rned away. Fled. B

n-Chris

ipped her defenses bare, shifted across

he girl's thigh. The laugh caught in his throat. His c

self, and shoved his chair back. I

la didn't wait for more. Her heart was al

He reached her in seconds. Panic flashed in his eyes. His mouth-shaped words were meant to w

ation. He was sti

pen. She staggered back, swallow

-a shado

ri

. His hand brushed the small of Bella's back-not possessive, not i

rian said. Calm. Dangerous. "

aw tightening. "Wh

n's eyes didn't waver. "Why are you hurting her? Y

excuses crumbled before they could ta

"We both saw what it wa

uldn't breathe. She didn't wait for Chris's excuses or Adrian's defense. She turn

n fol

hadow that refused to leave. When she stopped at the curb, trem

ave to be al

n't go home. I'll lose m

me," Adrian said

is's. No chaos. No half-empty bott

orld was i

oors gleamed benea

room, its scent a mixture of musk and cedar.

glistened on the table, catchin

air-sharp yet warm, wrapping a

e. Precise. Alm

the kind of space that felt like i

e and fragile in her m

ward the couch, and let her sit. But his presence was

push, or sit close-a quiet gua

blu

n the morning: Eat something. A message at n

spering words to cut Chris down, wrapped in something sticky and sweet. It was the way

lem. A sweet, dev

ce that first encounter o

ger in shadows, whispering warni

? A call there: I saw the way you loo

like a coincidence: Oh, fancy seein

He turned conversation into games. Teased her until her cheeks burned.

Adrian gave her chaos. S

when she pouted, and listened when she vent

smiling at his jokes, and wondering what cologne he wore. He

express gratitude, Bella

hough her palms were slick with sweat. "It's only

and suggestive. "Bella, I've been waiting

luttering. The chicken almost burned. The

in black jeans and a rolled-up shirt. "You've t

la muttered, c

s glinting. "Don't worry. I like women who can'

es brushing under the table. His eyes lingered longer

weeping her neckline, "you tas

ed. Heat spread

rs while passing the salt. Her bed was cold when she lay do

ng for the bond t

emistry boiled over

him in. One moment, they laughed. Next, his hand cupped her jaw

careful. It wa

ssed her against the wall. His hands roamed h

against hers-tas

lips trailed fire down her neck, nipping and b

slipping beneath her skirt, dra

kin. "You have no idea how long I've w

hrobbed at

bed, laying her down like a treasure he meant to devour. His mouth tr

g the sheets, back arching. Adrian was merciless-tongue

nst his mouth, shaki

wasn't

as he slid into her in one firm, slow thrust.

llided, slick with heat and sweat. Bella clung to him, lost in the r

wled, lips at her ea

he moaned, brok

around him. His groan vibrated against her neck as he thrust

, hearts racing. For the first

ght wasn't

nseen, Chr

knock-but froze when he heard it. H

d crushed

, rage, and heartbreak coiling inside

ght, Bella's

drian's arm draped he

as C

. Let's talk. I'll bring your favorite ice cre

screen-a cruel reminder

ips grazing her shoulder, body

should have felt childish,

hen erased it. Typed

raped heavy over her waist

veness. The other had alread

ering, "Who's the

cko