Leading Us

2. Temptation

Chapter Two: Temptation

Maya’s heart still thundered in her chest long after Adrian left the suite. The air seemed to hum with the lingering energy of his presence, and she could still feel the ghost of his touch on her skin. She paced the room, trying to shake off the intoxicating effect he’d had on her. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his piercing blue gaze, felt the warmth of his breath against her ear, and it made her stomach flutter.

What had just happened? She wasn’t the type to be easily swayed by a handsome face, but Adrian Blackwood was more than just a pretty face. He was power, wealth, and seduction all wrapped up in a dangerously enticing package. She had heard the stories about him—the way he collected people like he collected art, with a cool, calculated precision. But nothing had prepared her for the reality of meeting him in person.

Maya forced herself to focus. There was still the gala to get ready for, and she needed to regain her composure. Tonight was important—too important to let her guard down. She had worked too hard to get to this point, and she wasn’t going to let a man, no matter how devastatingly attractive, derail her plans.

She glanced at the clock and realized she only had an hour before the event started. With a sigh, she headed to the bathroom to freshen up. The warm water cascading down her body helped clear her mind, washing away the remnants of her encounter with Adrian. But even as she scrubbed away the day’s grime, she couldn’t help but replay the way he had looked at her, like she was something he wanted to possess.

Maya stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a plush towel. She took her time getting ready, meticulously applying her makeup and styling her hair. The dress she had chosen for the evening—a sleek black number that clung to her curves in all the right places—hung in the closet, waiting. It was a dress meant to turn heads, and tonight, she was determined to make every head in the room swivel in her direction.

As she slipped into the dress, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. The woman staring back at her looked confident, poised, and utterly desirable. But beneath that exterior, Maya knew there was still a part of her that was rattled by Adrian’s unexpected visit. She needed to keep her wits about her tonight—Adrian Blackwood was a game she wasn’t sure she was ready to play.

A knock on the door jolted her out of her thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly reminded herself that Adrian wouldn’t knock—not after the way he’d entered her suite unannounced earlier. It was probably room service, bringing up the dinner she had ordered.

But when she opened the door, she found a hotel attendant holding a small black box instead.

“This just arrived for you, Ms. Sinclair,” the attendant said with a polite smile. “Courtesy of Mr. Blackwood.”

Maya’s breath caught. She took the box, her fingers trembling slightly as she turned it over in her hands. It was small, unassuming, yet the weight of it seemed heavy with meaning. She thanked the attendant and closed the door behind her, staring at the box as if it might suddenly reveal its secrets.

What was he up to now?

Carefully, she lifted the lid and found a delicate diamond necklace nestled inside. The stones caught the light, sparkling brilliantly against the black velvet lining. It was exquisite, clearly expensive, and completely over the top. There was a small card inside as well. Maya picked it up, her pulse quickening as she read the words written in Adrian’s unmistakable handwriting:

*To complement the woman who outshines them all. Wear it tonight, and know that I’ll be watching. – A.B.*

She sat down on the edge of the bed, her mind spinning. The necklace was stunning, but it was the message that left her breathless. There was no mistaking his intention—he wanted her to wear it, to flaunt the gift he’d given her, to show everyone at the gala that she was somehow linked to him. It was a claim, a mark of possession.