Chapter 23 You are mine
Chapter 23 You are mine
Rowan reminded himself over and over again why he had to remain in control. In fact, before this he’d never had a problem with keeping whatever he felt in check.
But…he seemed to lose all reasoning wherever Adrian was concerned.
The plan was to pay Jack’s club a visit—Adrian was sure to be there. Then, he’d pull him aside and explain everything to him. Starting from Rose.
He’d stuck to the plan for the most part, until he saw a girl shamelessly grinding into his husband.
That was when Rowan lost it.
He pulled the girl off, not caring that she’d landed on the floor with her ass. He didn’t even stop to consider the fact someone could be recording, wouldn’t be surprising since they were the hottest topic right now.
Adrian blinked at him in his drunken daze. “Look who joined the party.” He clapped his hands, grinning like a kindergarten kid that was finally allowed to play with his favorite toy.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Rowan yelled over the loud music.
Adrian pointed at him. “I thought you said it was bad manners to cuss.” His smile turned into a knowing smirk. “Maybe we should punish you for this little misbehavior."
He dropped his voice to a whisper, grabbing Rowan’s jacket. “What do you think? Want me to whip you into a good boy?”
Something in Rowan’s pants twitched at Adrian’s suggestive words. He frowned, pushing the anger he felt back to the center of his mind.
“Get up!”
Adrian folded his hands across his chest. “Oh what?” He looked like a defiant kid. “Will I get punished too?”
Rowan leaned in, his hands on each side of Adrian. Trapping him. “You’re asking for it right now.”
“What’s going on?” It was Jack, he had two guys on each arm. “Leave him alone.”
Rowan straightened up. He really hated this guy. “And who are you?”
“I wasn’t able to properly introduce myself last time. I’m Jack, his best friend. And I’m telling you to back up, he doesn’t need you.”
“And who are you to know what he needs?”
“Well…he for sure does not need you! Haven’t you hurt the guy enough?” Jack walked closer. “Leave him alone.”
“I’m sure you know why I can’t do that. If you’ll excuse me…” his voice turned low so only Jack would hear. “I need to take my husband home.”
He pulled Adrian up and threw him over his shoulder. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”
Adrian was quiet the entire way to the car, not saying a word even when Rowan put him in the passenger seat and put his seatbelt on for him.
Rowan got in, then handed him a bottle of water. “Drink this, you need to sober up. Then we’ll have a long talk when we get home.”
“Home?” Adrian laughed like he just heard the most ridiculous thing ever. “Where exactly is home?”
Rowan frowned. “The penthouse?”
Adrian laughed again, the sound gradually transitioning into a sob. “I wouldn’t call that shithole a house. Sure, it’s pure luxury compared to where I grew up. But it’s just as bad.”
“Drink more water.” He took the bottle from Adrian. “I can’t understand a word you’re saying.”
Adrian shook his head. “I don’t want any more water. Just drive to my apartment. I promise you’ll never have to see me again.”
“Why won’t I see you again?”
Adrian was growing impatient. “Are you not here to tell me we have to stay away from each other? I mean, given the fact an official statement has been made to confirm our marriage, it’s only logical that you won’t want to be seen with me.”
“What nonsense are you spewing now?”
Rowan pinched the bridge of his nose. Adrian sure knew how to push his buttons.
He pushed Adrian’s head back and put the bottle of water on his lips. “Drink?”
Adrian shook his head. “I want a cigarette,” he mumbled.
“Why do you smoke so much?” Rowan pried his mouth open. “Drink. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Adrian let the water flow smoothly down his throat, bringing him closer to a little bit of sobriety.
“Good boy,” Rowan whispered.
He closed the bottle when Adrian drank the entire content. “Now let’s talk. What is this about never seeing you again?”
“Is that not what you’re here to tell me? You’ve made the marriage official, I bet your father and his fucking group of investors are happy. Now that everyone’s got what they want—it’s time to discard me like the dirt I am. Isn’t it?”
Rowan could easily imagine why he would think that. “Stop swearing,” he cautioned, but it wasn’t because it showed poor manners.
There was just something about seeing the flash of anger in Adrian’s eyes right before he fired off a few cuss words.
Rowan found it both endearing and sexy—
He shook his head, where did that thought even come from?
“Look, we’re not confirming the marriage so—”
“You’ve all ruined my career, I’m going to get cancelled so bad I won’t even be able to get a supporting role—”
Rowan did the only thing he could think of to shut the guy up. He leaned over, hand resting on the passenger seat and directly stole the remaining words from his lips.
Like the first time, he was stunned by how soft Adrian’s lips were.
He could get drunk off from how sweet he tasted. But he couldn’t let himself lose control and treat Adrian the way he’d done before.
Adrian’s reaction that night was seared into his brain. The way he’d flinched and that broken voice of his when he cried. He’d be damned before he made Adrian feel that way again.
He pulled away with unexpected difficulty. “Just shut up and listen to me,” he managed to get out.
A stunned Adrian couldn’t even bring himself to make a coherent sentence.
“We’re not confirming the marriage rumors, I wouldn’t do that to you. In fact, I’m going to sue anyone who dares to speak on it.”
“Wait…” Adrian struggled to believe what he was saying. “You’re not confirming the marriage because you know it will hurt me?”
“Are you in the habit of making me repeat everything I say?”
“It’s not my fault you’re a douchebag. I find it hard to believe you’ll do anything for me from the goodness of your heart.”
That made something in Rowan’s chest hurt, but he couldn’t blame Adrian for thinking that way. “Right, I only did it because I wanted something in return.”
There was panic all over Adrian’s face when he looked at Rowan. “What do you want?”
“Well…will you do anything I ask?”