Chapter 164

Magnus Hale

I wanted to scream, to open my mouth and say that it isn't. That inside me, insecurity devours me like fire. But that's my problem. Adrian has already given me his answer; he’s already made it clear how much he loves me. It’s up to me to win this internal war, not him.

I force a slight lopsided smile, trying to hide it.

"Yeah. I'm just exhausted. Let's eat."

His gaze changed, darkening suddenly, as if he had sensed my lie. Instead of pressing me, he just curls his lips into a light, serene smile.

"Of course, love. Let's eat."

He begins to eat and doesn't let go of my hand. I do the same, chewing in silence, trying to quiet this head that won't stop. Each forkful is an effort to fake normalcy, to push this nervousness down into my chest.

Suddenly, I feel a gaze pierce my skin like a hot blade. I lift my eyes without thinking and find Navarro. His crooked, hard face glares at me with hatred, his eyes gleaming with rage just seeing me here, breathing.

It's almost funny. He must be eating himself up inside because he can't accept that I'm still standing, even after that bullshit time he humiliated me, back when I hadn't accepted Adrian and the irritation with my own life was only dragging me down further.

Now it's different. I'm here, steady, and it seems like that poisons him even more.

I stare back, giving him a dry, sharp smirk—more of an insult than a greeting. I stay quiet, only moving my lips slowly: "What is it, you piece of shit?"

He reads it, of course. His face grows even more closed off, rage darkening everything. I don't miss the chance: I let out a short laugh, almost a huff, more irritated than amused.

Navarro always thought he was superior to everyone. I never sent him to the other side because he had his uses; I liked keeping him alive for fun, just to see how far his patience would go.

But if this son of a bitch thinks I'm going to swallow his provocations for annoying me, he's dead wrong. I'm going to use all this frustration on him: let the anger burn and consume him.

Adrian’s grip on my hand moves up to my wrist, far too strong, making me look away.

I feel his fingers close as if they wanted to trap me. I look up and find a cold face observing me.

"Don't look at anyone else, my love." His voice comes out short and tense. "It bothers me."

He loosens the grip and slowly runs his thumb over the back of my hand, a gesture almost careful that contradicts his rigid expression.

"Eat your food so you can rest," he adds, without taking his eyes off mine.

My chest tightens uncomfortably, knowing that I ended up bothering Adrian. It gnaws at me from the inside.

And what irritates me most is the ease he has in saying what bothers him—direct, no runaround—while I swallow these jealous feelings in silence, brooding until I almost suffocate.

I let out a heavy sigh, trying to ease this shit inside me.

"Fine," I answer dryly and go back to eating, focusing on the taste of the food as if that were enough to distract me.

I completely ignore the burn of Navarro’s gaze fixed on me. Compared to Adrian’s, his doesn't scare me at all. Because the eyes beside me don't look away, don't blink, and don't give me a break.

Damn it... where did that soft boy from a few minutes ago go?

I finish eating, and as soon as I push the tray away, Adrian stands up slowly, his gaze fixed on me—intense, firm, almost suffocating.

"Shall we, my love?" he asks, without looking away.

I just nod and stand up too. He takes my hand, intertwines our fingers, and we head out of the mess hall. The silence between us weighs more than any word. His expression doesn't change—cold, impassive—and it leaves me restless.

I confess: I'm scared. I don't know what's waiting for me. I need to make him smile, or at least break this mask. Anything to bring back the soft boy from before.

But how? What the hell do I do to calm this man down?

I swallow hard and take a deep breath, trying to summon some courage.

"L-Love..." The word escapes, tremulous and weak.

Damn it.

My voice failed. I doubt he even heard it.

Suddenly, his footsteps stop, and I'm forced to stop too. He turns slowly, his eyes wide, his expression taken over by something between surprise and disbelief.

"Did you... call me love?"

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Before I can react, he cups my face with both hands, his touch firm, almost possessive, forcing me to face him.

"Answer me, Magnus." His voice is low, but it carries a dangerous tension. "Did you really call me love? I didn't hear wrong, did I?"

I breathe deeply, feeling the heat of his hands against my skin. I grab Adrian’s wrist, and, even with my heart racing, I let it out.

"No... you didn't hear anything wrong, love."

His lips crash onto mine with a ravenous urgency, taking me whole. I reciprocate without thinking, the same intensity burning in my chest, and my hands move up—one gripping the back of his neck, the other his waist, pulling him against me.

Adrian’s mouth opens, allowing me to invade, and I waste no time: his taste ignites me, addictive, impossible to let go of. I suck his tongue hard, pulling a low groan that vibrates right against my skin. The sound drives me crazy.

My hand reaches for his hair, pulling firmly as I devour his mouth, moving down to his chin to lick every feature, every drop, before sliding my tongue between his lips again. Biting, sucking, licking—I want it all; I want to mark him with my desire.

He reacts with the same hunger, fingers digging into my waist, and kisses me again, deeper, filthier.

"Put your tongue out, my love," he orders, his voice hoarse, loaded with lust.

I obey immediately, exposing myself to him. Adrian catches my tongue between his teeth, bites lightly, and then sucks it, pulling with a pornographic slowness. The scene is so obscene it borders on cruel, and at the same time, sensual enough to set me on fire from within.

His taste is far too addictive, as if every kiss were a drug dragging me deeper into this addiction called Adrian.

I pull his hair harder, ripping him away from my mouth, and go straight for his neck. I attack without mercy: I bite, suck, and mark every inch of the warm skin under my lips.

I feel his heart race against my chest—fast, desperate—and that only goads me to bite even harder, pulling a groan that, instead of pain, overflows with pleasure.

I lick the path back to his chin and kiss him again, devouring his mouth as if it were the only thing in the world that mattered. His scent invades me; the taste of his skin is almost sweet, savory in a way that leaves me insane.

Holy shit... I never imagined I could like kissing someone this much. But I do. I can even say, without any shame, that I love kissing Adrian. His mouth is perfect; his flavor keeps me addicted, as if nothing else existed.

We separate for lack of air, both of us panting in the middle of the corridor. I see his lips swollen and red, and I know mine must not look any different. He rests his forehead against my chest and wraps me in a tight hug, as if he never wants to let go.

"I love you, Magnus," he repeats, without stopping. "I love you... I love you."

I squeeze him against me hard, closing my eyes.

"I know," I answer softly, leaving a long kiss on his hair.