Clara’s breath came in short gasps as Adrian pressed her back against the wall, his body firm against hers, the heat between them nearly unbearable. His lips left hers, trailing down her neck with possessive, lingering kisses that sent waves of shivers through her.
Her hands moved to his chest, grasping the fabric of his jacket as she pulled him closer, desperate to feel him, to lose herself in him. “Adrian,” she whispered, her voice breathless, almost pleading.
Adrian’s hand slid up to her cheek, his thumb brushing over her lips. His eyes, dark with jealousy and desire, locked onto hers, the intensity of his gaze making her heart race. “You drive me insane, Clara,” he murmured, his voice low and rough, filled with longing and frustration. “You’re mine. No one else’s.”
Clara’s heart pounded in her chest at his words, the possessiveness in his tone sending a thrill through her. She wanted to protest, to tell him she wasn’t his, not fully, but the truth was that she craved his touch, his control, the way he made her feel like she belonged only to him.
Her hands slid down to his waist, fumbling with the buttons of his jacket, her movements quick and urgent. Adrian’s hands mirrored hers, slipping beneath the fabric of her dress, his fingers grazing the bare skin of her thigh, the contact sending a jolt of heat through her.
Their movements became frantic, the weight of everything—jealousy, possessiveness, longing—pushing them to the edge. Adrian’s mouth found her neck again, his teeth grazing her skin just enough to make her gasp, his breath hot against her ear. “You’re mine,” he repeated, his voice a growl, each word dripping with possessiveness. “I don’t care what happens. I just want you.”
Clara’s pulse quickened as his words washed over her. She wanted to belong to him, to give in to the thrill of the forbidden, to forget the world outside this room. She tugged his jacket free, her hands roaming over the hard planes of his chest, feeling his heart pounding beneath her fingers.
Adrian’s response was immediate, his lips crashing against hers with a renewed urgency, his hands slipping up her dress as he pressed her back harder against the wall. Their bodies collided, moving with the kind of frantic desperation that came from knowing every moment could be their last.
Clara moaned softly as Adrian’s hand slid beneath her thigh, pulling her leg up to wrap around his waist. The heat between them was unbearable, the friction driving them both closer to the edge. Every kiss, every touch was charged with the thrill of something dangerous, something they weren’t supposed to have but couldn’t live without anymore.
Adrian’s hand gripped her waist, pulling her tighter against him as his other hand roamed freely beneath her dress, each touch more possessive than the last. “You belong to me, Clara,” he murmured against her lips, his breath coming in shallow gasps. “No one else will ever have you.”
His words sent a shiver down her spine, the possessiveness in his voice making her ache with a need she could barely contain. She arched her back, pressing herself against him, her body responding to every word, every touch, as if she were made for him.
Clara’s breath hitched in her throat, her body trembling with anticipation as she gripped his shoulders, pulling him closer.
“I need you,” she whispered, her voice barely a breath. “Now.”
Adrian’s response was immediate, his hands lifting her effortlessly as he pressed her back against the wall, his lips claiming hers with a hunger that left her dizzy. The thrill of knowing they could be caught at any moment only heightened the intensity of their desire, pushing them both to the edge.
Adrian opened his pants and the tip of his hard cock easily found the entrance of Clara’s wet pussy. Clara’s back arched against the wall, her hands digging into Adrian’s shoulders as she felt the tension building, his cock pounding inside of her, her whole body trembling with anticipation. The forbidden nature of it all—the secrecy, the danger—only heightened the pleasure, driving her toward the edge. Adrian’s touch was possessive, each movement claiming her as his, making it clear that no one else could ever make her feel this way.
“Adrian…” Clara gasped, her voice barely a whisper as her body tensed, the heat between them becoming unbearable. His lips found her neck again, leaving a trail of burning kisses that sent shivers down her spine.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured, his voice rough and breathless. “Come to me, babygirl.”
Those words sent her spiraling. Clara’s body shuddered as the wave of pleasure crashed over her, pulling her into a climax so intense it left her breathless. Her nails dug into Adrian’s skin as she gasped his name, her legs trembling as she clung to him for support.
Adrian wasn’t far behind, the feel of her coming undone in his arms driving him over the edge. His grip on her tightened, his breath hot against her skin as he buried himself deeper, lost in the overwhelming sensation of her body pressed against his. His own release hit him hard, a growl escaping his lips as he let go, his body trembling with the force of his climax.
They stayed like that for a moment, their bodies still trembling, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they held on to each other, the world around them fading into the background. In that moment, there was nothing but them, wrapped up in the intensity of their illicit affair.
Slowly, Adrian pulled back just enough to look at her, his forehead resting against hers. His eyes, dark with emotion, met hers, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The intensity of what had just happened lingered in the air, their bodies still humming with the aftermath of their passion.
Clara’s heart raced as she stared up at him, her body still trembling in his arms. She couldn’t bring herself to speak, couldn’t put into words what she was feeling. All she knew was that she was completely, hopelessly his, no matter how dangerous or forbidden that might be.
Adrian’s hand moved to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over her lips. “You’re mine, Clara,” he whispered again, his voice soft but firm, as if he needed to remind her of the truth they both already knew.
She nodded, her breath still shaky, her emotions swirling inside her. “And you’re mine, Adrian,” she whispered back, her voice filled with an undeniable longing.
Clara leaned against the wall, trying to steady her breath as she and Adrian began to compose themselves. The intensity of the moment still lingered between them, their hearts racing in sync. Adrian ran his hands through his hair, straightening his jacket, while Clara smoothed out the fabric of her Dior gown. The urgency of what had just happened in this secluded room was still fresh, but they both knew they had to return to the party, and any trace of what transpired needed to be erased.
Adrian, his voice calm but tinged with the remnants of their passion, leaned in close and whispered, "You should leave first. I’ll take the other door and walk around the house. We can’t have anyone suspecting anything."
Clara nodded, still slightly breathless. She understood the danger of their situation all too well. "Okay," she agreed softly, her fingers lingering on the lapel of his jacket, not quite ready to part from him just yet.
Adrian cupped her face one last time, his thumb brushing her cheek with a tenderness that made her heart ache. He pressed a firm, possessive kiss to her lips—one that sent a reminder of their connection, a reminder of what they couldn’t say aloud in front of the world. "I’ll see you out there," he murmured, pulling away reluctantly.
Clara gave him a small smile, knowing it was time to face the rest of the evening. She slipped out of the room, careful to close the door softly behind her, and made her way back toward the party. Her pulse was still racing, her body buzzing with the thrill of their secret, but she forced herself to act calm, collected—like nothing had happened.
She scanned the ballroom as she re-entered the party. Her eyes immediately went to the Caldwell table, but neither Elena nor Henry Jr. were there. A sense of unease crept into her, but she pushed it aside, telling herself it was just her nerves playing tricks on her. Still, something didn’t feel right.
Clara excused herself from the crowded ballroom, deciding to search for Elena. She felt a bit light-headed, maybe from the vodka, or maybe from the intensity of her encounter with Adrian. Needing fresh air, she stepped outside, into the garden where lanterns softly lit the stone pathways.
She wandered through the garden, her heels clicking quietly on the cobblestones as she glanced around. The night air was cool against her skin, and the scent of flowers and freshly cut grass filled her senses. But there was something else too—a feeling of unease she couldn’t shake.
As she walked along the garden’s edge, something glittering caught her eye near the entrance of the hedge maze. Bending down, she picked up a small, delicate hairpin—one she immediately recognized as Elena’s. Clara’s brow furrowed in confusion. Why would Elena leave her hairpin here?
Without thinking, Clara decided to follow the trail. She stepped into the maze, her steps cautious but curious as she made her way deeper into the twisting paths of hedges. The further she walked, the quieter it became, the sounds of the party fading into the distance. Something wasn’t right.
And then, just around the next corner, she saw them.
Clara froze in place, her heart leaping into her throat as she took in the sight in front of her.
Elena was making out with someone. And it was Henry.