Stella ‘ s POV
His expression darkened slightly at my continued refusal to work for his company. "Why do you ask?"
"I'd like to go to Ms. Davis's welcome party," I said, keeping my tone carefully neutral. "Would Mr. Lancaster mind having an extra companion this evening?"
From the corner of my eye, I caught Taylor's barely concealed look of alarm. *He probably thinks I'm here to cause trouble.*
Before Adam could respond, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, then answered with his usual brevity: "Lancaster."
Even from where I stood, I could hear Grace's voice, bright and sweet: "Adam, are you done with work? You're coming tonight, right?"
I felt my earlier good mood evaporate, my lips unconsciously pressing into a thin line as I watched Adam's expression.
His eyes remained fixed on me as he responded with a noncommittal, "Mm."
Grace's voice continued, her tone taking on a pleading quality. "I've only just returned to the country, and I don't have many close friends here. Would you be my date tonight? Please?"
*God, could she be any more obvious? Why doesn't she just pee in a circle around him to mark her territory?*
"Not convenient," Adam replied without hesitation. "I already have a companion."
I blinked in surprise. "You have a date tonight?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them, anger flaring instantly. *After everything last night, he already has another woman lined up?*
Adam looked at me like I'd grown a second head. "Yes. You."
It took me a moment to process his words. *Me? I'm his date?*
The corner of his mouth twitched as he reached out to gently pinch my cheek. "Mrs. Lancaster, I've agreed to take you along, yet you still look unhappy. You're very difficult to please."
My face heated at his choice of words, memories of exactly how he'd "pleased" me last night flooding back unbidden. Adam's eyes darkened as he caught my expression.
"Stella, what are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice dropping to that dangerous register that made my knees weak.
*Damn, can he read my thoughts now?*
"Nothing!" I smacked his shoulder lightly. "You're so annoying!"
Taylor studiously examined the ceiling, pretending not to witness our exchange, which only made me more self-conscious.
"How did you know about tonight's event?" Adam asked, mercifully changing the subject.
"Someone invited me," I replied, then added suspiciously, "Why? Don't you want me to go?"
Adam looked genuinely confused. "Why would I not want you there?"
"If you wanted me to go, why didn't you tell me about it yourself?" I challenged.
"You said you didn't know Grace Davis," he reminded me.
*Oh, right. I'd forgotten my half-asleep lie from last night.*
"I didn't before, but I could get to know her now," I amended quickly. "Of course, once I'm no longer Mrs. Lancaster, I won't bother getting to know your friends anymore."
The wheelchair came to an abrupt stop beside the waiting Bentley. Adam remained motionless, his expression darkening to something dangerous. Without warning, he stood from the chair and backed me against the car, his body effectively trapping mine.
I caught a glimpse of Taylor discreetly turning away, giving us privacy.
*Damn, I've gone too far.*
"Stella," Adam's voice was dangerously soft, "if you're not Mrs. Lancaster, whose wife do you plan to be?"
A chill ran down my spine at his tone. Something in his eyes made my heart race—not entirely from fear.
"I—I was speaking hypothetically," I stammered, suddenly aware of how my careless words had affected him.
Adam leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. "Don't even hypothetically think about it."
Before I could respond, he captured my lower lip between his teeth, biting just hard enough to make me gasp. The gesture was possessive, primal—a warning and a claim all at once.
When he released me and moved to the other side of the car, I could practically feel the emotions radiating off him in waves. I touched my tingling lip, my heart racing in my chest.
*Was that concern I saw in his eyes? Fear? Or just anger?*
*I should be offended by his possessiveness, but damn... why is it turning me on instead?*
Grace's POV
I stood in the center of Santorini Resort's villa, unconsciously checking my reflection in a passing waiter's tray. The blue sapphire necklace I'd designed specifically for tonight sat perfectly against my collarbone, complementing my water-blue silk gown. Every detail had been meticulously planned—hair, makeup, jewelry—all for one person.
*Hasn't he arrived yet?*
When Adam arrived, I wanted him to see me at the center of the world he belonged in—a world where Stella was an outsider.
James appeared at my side, champagne in hand. "He's coming," he murmured. "Taylor confirmed they're five minutes out."
Relief flooded through me. *Finally*. After three years apart, I needed this chance to remind Adam of what we once had—what we could have again if he could see beyond his infatuation with Stella.
The room's energy suddenly shifted, all eyes turning toward the entrance. When I spotted Adam in his wheelchair, impeccably dressed in a black suit, my heart raced, a smile already spreading across my face—then I froze.
*You've got to be fucking kidding me.*
Stella stood behind him, one hand casually resting on his wheelchair, surveying the room as if she owned it. She was wearing damn jeans at my welcome party.
I forced my features into a polite mask and approached them. "Adam, you came," I said warmly before shifting my gaze to Stella. "Winston, you're here too? I must have forgotten to send your invitation. What a surprise that you've joined us anyway!"
*Why would he bring her? This was supposed to be our reunion.*
Stella's hand slid from the wheelchair handle to rest possessively on Adam's shoulder. "I'm Adam's date," she replied without even pretending to be apologetic. "Sorry I didn't have time to change into something more formal. Work was busy today."
I examined her appearance—cashmere coat, fitted jeans, and black ankle boots. Her hair was pulled back in a loose knot that looked like it had taken only thirty seconds to do. I'd spent three hours getting ready, while she looked like she'd just walked in off the street.
*But she still looks good. I hate her. I'm supposed to be the center of attention today, who does she think she is?*
"Well, we're just happy Adam could make it," I replied pointedly. I turned to him, deliberately excluding Stella from my focus. "Adam, could I speak with you privately? There's something important I need to discuss."
I glanced meaningfully at Stella, making it clear this conversation wasn't meant to include her.
Adam's expression remained unreadable as he turned to Stella. "Why don't you get yourself a drink? I'll join you in a few minutes."
She shrugged, seemingly unbothered, and walked away. I couldn't help but notice how many eyes followed her across the room.
*Of course they're staring. She's the only one who didn't bother to dress properly.*
"This way," I said to Adam, leading him to a quieter corner. "There's something I've wanted to ask you."