Fractured Reality

Something's Gotta Give

Chapter 24

Directly after dinner, Adrian had taken a large bottle of something that wasn't wine and headed to the study. He needed to keep his mind occupied. Somehow, he had finally gotten into one of the books he had found when he was disturbed by a soft voice. "Would you mind some company? I've hardly seen you over the last few days."

Adrian looked up slowly at the woman that he had been doing everything in his power to not think about. He didn't speak as their eyes locked, and she walked further into the room. She paused about halfway to him and stood there awkwardly as he continued to stare and say nothing. She finally swallowed and spoke. "Well, I can see that you, um, were busy. I'll go find something else to do."

Before she could move, he set the book and empty bottle to the side before he stood in one swift motion. He was right in front of her so quickly that she took a step back out of surprise.

That was as far as he allowed her to go. He reached out and grabbed her arm to keep her from going any further as he finally spoke. "You know, I am hard-pressed to know which I want more."

She gave him a confused look. "What?" her confusion didn't last long as he took a few steps toward her, and she was forced to step back. It was at that point that she smelled what had been in the bottle he had just set down. "Wait, Adrian, are you drunk?"

He paused for a moment and tilted his head to the side before he took another step forward. "I suppose so, yes."

Eva's eyes widened at his response. He was not acting like himself. By that point, he had nearly backed her up to the wall. She put her hands against his chest and pushed a little, though it didn't do any good. She settled for frowning at him. "Why? That isn't like you."

He let out a dark chuckle as he leaned in a little. "Belmont always swore it was the best way to deal with his troubles. I've tried everything else, why not see if he was right?"

His answer did not clear her confusion at all. "What is that supposed to mean? Is something bothering you? You know I would be happy to help if I can."

A low rumble erupted from him at her words. She might not have heard it if she hadn't felt it under her palms. The feel of it suddenly reminded her that this male was more than just a man. He was a dangerous predator as well, but as she looked up into his golden eyes, her fear was tempered by the feral, hungry look he was giving her when he answered. "I think you have done quite enough already."

Eva swallowed thickly and tried to step back once again only to find her back was against the wall. Her breath was coming a little faster. "Adrian, you're scaring me."

He smirked at her as he leaned in next to her ear. She heard him sniff before he leaned back just far enough to look into her eyes. "You don't smell scared."

She stiffened slightly. She had not considered the fact that he would be able to tell the difference in her pheromone levels when she was aroused. She felt her cheeks heat, but he wasn't finished. "Tell me I'm wrong."

Eva's mind was frantically trying to salvage the situation. She knew he would not normally be acting like this, but damn if it wasn't hot. She couldn't deny that she found him attractive on the best of days, but this- this was hot as hell. Still, she tried to at least keep her composure. "Y-you said a moment ago that you weren't sure what you wanted. What did you mean?"

He lifted one brow at her question and leaned until they were almost touching. His breath ghosted over her ear when he answered. "I am unsure which I want more at this moment. Whether I should fuck you or feed on you."

Eva's breath froze in her lungs, and it took all she had for her knees not to buckle. A flash of heat raced through her veins and went straight to the spot between her legs. There was suddenly a pulsing need in that spot that she had never felt before. Not like that. She couldn't hold in a whimper when her breath finally started again.