Stella's POV
"I didn't realize you owned property in this area," he said, his voice carrying a hint of appreciation I rarely heard.
My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly turned away, pretending to busy myself with finding a vase for the roses he'd given me. "I bought it a few years ago," I explained while arranging the deep red blooms. "It's mainly an investment, but I keep it ready for use anytime."
In case I need to escape. The thought came unbidden, a habit from my long-standing practice of always keeping an exit strategy. But somehow, this thought didn't feel as urgent anymore. I wanted to stay with Adam.
Adam walked to the window, hands in his pockets, admiring the breathtaking night view. The city lights twinkled against the dark backdrop, like a living painting.
"It suits you, always barefoot," he said simply. This neutral comment somehow warmed my heart in an unusual way.
I glanced at my watch and realized it was almost midnight. "Perfect timing," I said, moving to his side. "We'll be able to see the fireworks soon."
I gathered my courage to take his hand, feeling a slight electric current at the touch of our skin, then led him to the wraparound terrace. The glass doors slid open smoothly, and the cool night air rushed to greet us, carrying distant sounds of celebration.
"You can see Times Square from here," I pointed toward the area where lights converged and crowds packed densely. "But the view of the fireworks is even better."
Adam stood by the railing, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body. In the distance, test fireworks had already begun blooming in the night sky, fleeting colors briefly flashing in the darkness.
I could feel Adam's gaze shift from the horizon to my face. While I focused on the skyline, he was studying me with an intensity that made my skin tingle.
"Have you ever watched New Year's fireworks with Brian?" he suddenly asked, his voice casual but with an underlying edge.
I turned to him, confused by the unexpected question. "Why would I waste my time doing that? I'd rather study for finals than spend New Year's Eve with Brian."
Adam raised an eyebrow.
I leaned against the railing, resting my chin on my hand, carefully studying Adam's expression. "What? Is Mr. Lancaster jealous?"
His expression tightened slightly. "You're imagining things."
"Fine," I deliberately maintained a casual tone, "though I haven't spent New Year's with Brian, I have spent it with other people."
His reaction was immediate—his eyes sharpened, his jaw tensed, and his entire body seemed to stiffen. "Who?" he asked almost commandingly, his tone carrying obvious possessiveness, as if he was ready to track down whoever I named.
I couldn't help but smile. "Why should I tell you? Didn't you just say you don't care?"
Watching the conflict play across his features, a question that had been circling my mind for weeks suddenly spilled out.
"Adam," my voice came out softer than I intended, "do you like me?"
He froze, those green eyes locked on mine, and I could see the shock in them. For a moment, I couldn't read his thoughts. Had I gone too far? Pushed too hard? Silence stretched between us, filled only with distant celebration sounds and my pounding heartbeat.
Why did I ask that? What am I expecting him to say?
Adam's expression softened almost imperceptibly. He reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear that had been blown loose by the night breeze. His fingers lingered on my skin, sending waves of warmth down my spine.
"What do you think, Mrs. Lancaster?" he asked, his voice so low it was almost lost in the city noise.
Before I could formulate a response, the Times Square crowd began the final countdown.
"Five!" The voices echoed across the city.
"Four!"
Adam's hand cupped my face, his thumb gently tracing my jawline.
"Three!"
My heart raced, my breath catching in my throat.
"Two!"
"One!"
As the first New Year's bell tolled—that deep, resonant "DONG!" that seemed to vibrate through the air—Adam leaned closer, his eyes never leaving mine.
"Happy New Year, my Stella," he whispered, and then his lips met mine.
The kiss started gently, almost reverently, completely unlike the forceful passion I was accustomed to from him. It felt like a question, a confession, and an answer all at once. As the bells continued ringing, marking the birth of a new year, the kiss deepened, and I felt myself melting into his embrace.
A brilliant burst of light exploded overhead, bathing us in golden light as the fireworks display began in earnest. But neither of us looked up. In that moment, the only thing that mattered was the silent communication passing between us.
Do you like me? Aren't you already mine?
The answer seemed to flow between us without words, more powerful for remaining unspoken.
I rested against the pillows, soft light falling on his downturned face. Adam knelt before me, his eyes full of tender focus. His lips first kissed my abdomen, the wet heat making me tremble slightly, then he moved slowly downward, kissing my pubic bone, finally stopping between my moistened folds.
I held my breath as his tongue skillfully explored, sliding over my sensitive clitoris as if savoring every taste. I bit my lower lip, moaning softly, my legs involuntarily tightening around him, only to be gently spread apart again. His tongue moved deftly, sometimes delving deep, sometimes circling, as my hands clutched the sheets, my body growing hotter in waves, wetness flowing from within, dampening the corners of his lips.
He looked up, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes, then crawled up to kiss me. I tasted myself on his lips, shy yet thrilling. His hand guided his hardened member to my entrance, slowly pushing in. In that moment, I felt the fullness stretching me, the hard texture rubbing against my inner walls, gentle yet firm.
He began to move, his rhythm building from slow to fast, each deep thrust hitting that most sensitive spot, my moans growing increasingly urgent. Pleasure accumulated like rising tides, as I held him tightly, my nails digging into his back.
Finally, after one deep, powerful thrust, my body shuddered violently, orgasm sweeping through me like an electric current, my inner walls contracting intensely around him. He growled softly, releasing with me, warm fluid spreading inside me as we embraced each other, sinking into shared breathlessness.
A perfect new year' eve!
Brian's POV
Each lash of the rattan cane burned like fire across my back, but it was nothing compared to the rage boiling inside me. Blood seeped through what had once been pristine white fabric. I remained kneeling on the hardwood floor of my father's study, refusing to give him the satisfaction of hearing me cry out.
This is so fucking unfair.
"You useless waste of space!" My father roared above me, his face contorted with rage. "Do you have any idea how much money I've spent on you? How many strings I've pulled? And for what? For you to humiliate our entire family with your incompetence!"
The unfairness of it all snapped something inside me. Why was I always the one being punished? I wasn't the problem—I was just playing the game with the shitty cards I'd been dealt.
"It's not my fault!" I shouted, no longer caring about the consequences. "If you weren't a bastard son, our family would already be at the top! I have to fight for every scrap of respect, and it's all your fault!"
It's all their fault. The entire damn Lancaster family, looking down on us just because grandfather couldn't keep it in his pants. Now I'm paying the price for their mistakes.
My father's eyes widened with shock before narrowing dangerously. He raised the cane higher, ready to deliver an even harder blow—I braced myself for the impact that never came as my mother caught his wrist.
"Thomas, stop!" Her voice cut through the tension. "He's our only son. You can beat him until he bleeds out, but it won't solve this disaster."
At least someone in this house has some sense.
I kept my head down, not wanting them to see the hatred burning in my eyes. My back throbbed with pain, each heartbeat sending fresh waves of agony through the welts. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the humiliation I'd endured tonight.