Page 42 of Care: Part 1

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Care for Desire

“It was very nice meeting you, Valerio," Avelina stated as she stepped out of the car.

Valerio made sure to close the door behind her before delivering a smile that showed off his pearly white teeth. "Same to you. Goodnight, Miss Santos."

Avelina began to walk up to the mansion. There was a guard outside that she never seen perched there before. He gave her a curt nod as he opened the door and allowed her inside. She presumed that Adrik might have upgraded his security due to the breach of his safety.

The first thing she did from the moment she entered the house was head straight to Adrik's room. Worry had occupied her thoughts the entire time she rode back from the wedding. She wanted to be sure that Adrik was feeling okay.

When she made it to his door, Avelina could not help but sigh. With a balled-up fist, she lightly tapped her knuckles against the wood quite a few times.

After a few seconds, she could hear a faint groaning. The sound left her to frown. When tumbling could be heard on the other side of the door, Avelina could no longer brush aside her concern as she found herself barging into the room.

The tumbling she had heard must've resulted from Adrik falling. It pained her to see him on the ground with his hand holding his side where that man had stabbed him. Avelina quickly placed herself at his side, with her eyes instinctively flashing to the source of his pain.

He looked over at her before his eyes fell on the dress she wore. "You changed."

"Yes, the other dress was ruined.”

Adrik's wound was covered up with gauze, but the bleeding was almost seeping through the bandage. Her finger grazed it lightly.

"Black clothing is not a good look for you," Adrik told her. She watched him as he allowed his hand to hover above her bare cleavage. "However, I do like this part."

"Let me help you up," she spoke softly, completely ignoring his words.

Avelina placed his arm around her shoulders and helped him stand. It made things difficult because he was far too heavy and far too tall. Avelina always considered herself a tall girl, but she was nothing compared to Adrik.

She was able to only walk him two steps before completely losing her strength. As he collapsed on the bed, she seemed to fall right on top of him. Her body landed on his with a thud, leaving him to let out another groan.

"Uh, I am so sorry," she said, concern written all over her face.

The second her eyes met his; she wished they hadn't. His eyes were so intense and seemed to lock her in. Those gray orbs that were promising her that they would never let go withheld so much safety and comfort. Like a puddle, someone would want to splash in, laugh in, and stay in—it was home.

Not to mention, his warmth provided something she hadn't had in so long. The way it seemed to hug her and pull her in tighter so quickly struck her heart in the most electrifying way. There were even tingles that developed all over her skin like love bites.

His lips were so close to her own.

For once, she wished she had the power to freeze time. She knew she was nearing a hazardous zone, but she wanted to stay in that moment.

"Adrik, I am so sorry," she whispered, "for this, too."

He opened his mouth, ready to speak, but she held his cheek and pressed her lips to his.

The way their lips fit together was like harmony. They melted against one another with ease.

Adrik was quick to respond to the kiss, his mouth parting and allowing Avelina to maneuver her tongue against his own. His hand wandered down to her thighs, where he gripped them and placed them on either side of him. She was straddling his waist while her lips attached to his like the missing piece to a puzzle.

Every emotion poured out of her. Every feeling that Adrik couldn't detect from her words managed to pummel onto his lips.

Slowly, she pulled away. Her eyes were still closed, and her lips still parted. The only thing that occupied her mind was how much she needed him.

Avelina could feel the pad of his thumb caress her cheekbone. Her eyelids finally pulled apart, so she could gaze into the eyes that belonged to Adrik Zolotov.

A passion spread throughout her body that led to the standing hair on the back of her neck. It was like they were giving her a standing ovation.

He leaned in toward Avelina with his eyes cast down to her lips.