13: The Devil’s Temptation

13: The Devil’s Temptation

Ellie’s POV

I should have known better.

I should have fought harder.

But when Adrien guided me deeper into the private club, his hand firm on my lower back, I let him.

The world around us shifted, morphing into something dark, intoxicating. The air was thick with perfume and expensive cigars, with whispered secrets and hidden sins.

Women draped in silk and lace moved like shadows, some perched on the laps of powerful men, others watching hungrily from the corners. The dim lighting and the red glow of chandeliers above made everything feel… sinful.

My heart pounded.

This wasn’t my world.

But Adrien? He thrived in it.

He led me through the maze of leather couches and velvet curtains until we reached a secluded booth.

A waiter immediately approached, bowing slightly before setting down a bottle of deep red wine.

Adrien didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to.

People knew who he was here.

The way they glanced at me with curiosity, some with envy, made my skin prickle.

I was out of place.

Adrien poured the wine himself, the rich liquid swirling in his glass as he studied me. “Drink.”

I swallowed hard. “I’m not really in the mood.”

A slow smirk curved his lips. “Are you afraid you won’t be able to control yourself?”

I shot him a glare, but my fingers tightened around the stem of my glass.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

Pushing.

Testing.

Controlling.

And the worst part? It was working.

I took a sip, the taste smooth yet bold, laced with something… dangerous.

Adrien leaned back, watching me through heavy-lidded eyes. “Liam kissed you.”

I froze.

The glass nearly slipped from my fingers.

“How do you—”

“Ellie.” He tilted his head, voice dangerously low. “I always know.”

My throat went dry.

His fingers tapped against the table, slow, calculated. “Tell me, did you like it?”

I hesitated.

His gaze darkened. “Be careful how you answer.”

I placed the glass down carefully, my pulse hammering. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Oh, but it does.”

His voice was smooth, seductive, but underneath it was something sharp.

Possessive.

My breath hitched as he leaned in, his fingers brushing over my wrist. The touch was barely there, but it sent a shiver up my spine.

“You let him touch you,” Adrien murmured. “You let him taste what belongs to me.”

I stiffened. “I don’t belong to you.”

His smirk deepened. “Don’t you?”

Before I could respond, he reached into his pocket and pulled something out. A key.

He placed it on the table between us.

I frowned. “What’s that?”

“Your new home.”

My stomach dropped. “What?”

Adrien lifted his wine glass, swirling the liquid before taking a slow sip. “I’ve moved you into one of my penthouses.”

A chill ran through me. “You can’t just—”

“I can,” he cut in smoothly. “And I have.”

I pushed away from the table. “You can’t control my life, Adrien.”

His hand shot out, catching my wrist before I could fully stand.

The air between us crackled.

“I already do,” he murmured, voice like silk.

I trembled, my body betraying me, reacting to the dark promise in his words.

Adrien’s grip loosened, his thumb brushing over my pulse point. He could feel it racing.

His smirk widened.

“Sit down, Ellie.”

Against my better judgment, I did.

Adrien’s POV

She thought she had control.

She didn’t.

I studied her, taking in the way her fingers clenched the edge of her dress, the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

Liam’s kiss still lingered on her lips.

Unacceptable.

I reached forward, my knuckles grazing her chin. “Do you know why I brought you here tonight?”

Her breath hitched. “To show off?”

I chuckled. “No, sweetheart.”

I traced the rim of my glass, watching her squirm.

“I brought you here to teach you a lesson.”

Her brows furrowed. “What kind of lesson?”

I leaned in, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear. “A lesson in obedience.”

She shuddered, her pulse hammering.

I smirked. Good.

I sat back, my gaze flickering over to the entrance just as a familiar figure walked in.

Lady Blake.

Perfect timing.

She spotted us immediately, her sharp blue eyes narrowing. She hated Ellie.

And she had every reason to.

I waved her over.

Ellie stiffened beside me.

Lady Blake approached, her dress hugging her curves perfectly, confidence dripping from every movement.

“Adrien,” she purred, placing a hand on my shoulder. “It’s been too long.”

Ellie’s fingers twitched beside me. I felt it in the way her posture locked up, in the way her hands curled into fists on her lap.

Ah, there it is.

The reaction I wanted.

I said nothing, only tilted my head slightly, waiting. Letting them feel the weight of each other’s presence, of the history neither of them understood yet.

I smirked. Let the games begin.

Lady Blake’s gaze finally slid back to Ellie, assessing, dissecting. Then her lips curled into something sharper.

“Well, well,” she murmured. “So this is the girl who’s replaced me.”