Adrian

Chapter 28: I Shouldn't Care

(Adrian's POV)

Amber didn't follow me.

Not at first.

And maybe that should have made me feel better.

Maybe I should have been glad she was still with him, pressing her soft hands against his skin, making sure he was okay—

Maybe that should have kept me from losing my goddamn mind.

But it didn't.

Because every second she spent with him was a second she wasn't with me.

And I wasn't the kind of man who shared.

Not ever.

—

I clenched my fists, pacing behind the school.

My breathing was slow. Too controlled.

Because if I let go for even a second—

I was marching right back in there and ripping Damien apart.

—

Footsteps.

Light. Hesitant.

I exhaled sharply. "Go away, Amber."

Silence.

Then—

"Make me."

I froze.

Because I expected her to be mad.

I expected her to come out here and yell at me, shove me, tell me how much of an asshole I was—

But she wasn't doing any of that.

She was challenging me.

And that was so much worse.

—

I turned slowly, golden eyes locking onto hers.

She didn't flinch.

Didn't take a step back.

She just crossed her arms and glared.

Like she was daring me to say the wrong thing.

I smirked. "You really want to do this right now, sweetheart?"

She huffed. "I don't want to do anything with you."

I tilted my head. "Liar."

Her jaw clenched. "Why are you like this?"

I exhaled. "Like what?"

"Infuriating," she muttered.

I grinned. "You love it."

She scoffed. "I really don't."

I took a step closer.

Not enough to touch her.

But close enough to make her feel me there.

"Then why are you still here?"

Her breath hitched.

And I knew.

She didn't have an answer.

—

Silence.

Heavy. Tense.

Then—

"Why do you care so much?" she muttered.

I blinked. "What?"

She folded her arms. "You act like I'm some prize you refuse to lose. But you won't even tell me why."

My jaw tightened. "Maybe I don't need a reason."

She scoffed. "Right. Because Adrian Blackwood just gets what he wants, no questions asked?"

I smirked. "Glad we're on the same page."

Her eyes narrowed.

Then—she shoved me.

Hard.

—

"You're impossible!" she snapped.

I laughed. "And you're addicted to me."

Her breathing stuttered. "I'm what?"

I leaned in slightly.

"Ad-dic-ted," I murmured, letting the word drag out.

Her face flushed.

She hated that I was right.

—

She scowled. "You're delusional."

I chuckled. "You're in denial."

Amber groaned. "I can't stand you."

I smirked. "Want to say that again?"

She glared. "I. Can't. Stand. You."

I tilted my head. "Then why do you let me get this close?"

Silence.

She swallowed hard.

And for a second—just a second—her fingers twitched.

Like she wanted to shove me again.

Or pull me closer.

I already knew which one she would choose.

—

I grinned. "Face it, sweetheart."

Her breath hitched.

"You're mine."

—

Amber snapped out of it instantly.

She scoffed, shoving past me. "I am not yours, Adrian!"

I laughed, watching her storm off.

And maybe she thought she won.

Maybe she thought she had the upper hand.

But she didn't.

Because no matter how far she ran—

She would never really get away from me.

And the next time she tried to make me jealous?

I wouldn't be so nice.

—