Tempest of Desire

Thea's pulse quickened as she caught sight of Adrian lingering by the entrance of the university. His gaze locked onto her, dark and unreadable, as if he had been waiting. She ignored the way her heart stuttered and forced herself to walk past him, but he stepped into her path, his presence an inescapable force.

"You really wore that?" His voice was low, edged with something dangerously close to possessiveness.

She folded her arms. "It's just a dress, Adrian."

His fingers grazed her arm, sending a trail of heat in their wake. "Not to me."

She exhaled sharply, pulling away before she let herself react. "I have class."

His jaw clenched, but he stepped aside, allowing her to pass. Yet, as she walked into the building, she felt his eyes on her, burning with unspoken words.

The morning dragged on in a blur of lectures and half-hearted note-taking. By lunch, Thea had barely touched her food, her mind too occupied with the storm that was Aiden.

She didn't expect him to find her in the library's quiet alcove, yet there he was, leaning against the bookshelf, his presence intoxicating.

"I didn't mean to snap earlier," he said, his voice softer now. "But seeing you with him…" He trailed off, his eyes flickering with something dark. "I don't like it."

She swallowed hard. "You don't get to be jealous."

Adrian let out a bitter chuckle. "I don't get to feel a lot of things where you're concerned. But I do."

Before she could respond, he closed the distance between them. His fingers found her waist, pulling her closer. "Tell me to stop," he murmured.

She didn't.

His lips met hers with a slow intensity, unraveling every thread of resistance she had left. His hands slid under the fabric of her dress, tracing the curve of her thigh. The warmth of his touch sent a shudder through her, igniting something she couldn't suppress.

A sharp clap of thunder outside broke the spell, and Thea jerked back, her breath uneven. Adrian smirked, running a thumb over her swollen lips. "Lunch?" he asked, as if nothing had happened.

She hesitated but nodded. "Yeah."

The rain started just as they left the university to meet Adrian's guide. Sheets of water blurred the streets, drenching them before they could reach their destination. When they arrived at the agreed-upon location, they found it empty.

Adrian checked his phone and let out a frustrated sigh. "He canceled. Too much rain."

Thea shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. "Great."

He glanced around, then gestured to a nearby hotel. "Come on, we can wait it out inside."

Thea hesitated but followed, her soaked dress clinging to her skin. The warmth of the hotel lobby was a relief, but the tension between them thickened as they checked into a room to dry off.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Adrian turned to her, his gaze dark with intent. "We're alone."

She swallowed, taking a cautious step back. "Adrian—"

He reached for her, his touch igniting the fire that had been smoldering between them. "Tell me you don't want this," he whispered against her skin.

She couldn't. Because, in that moment, she wanted nothing more.