His Reluctant Bride

ing room, Serena's mind was al

ded to

o

ve, but that also me

nch of the property at all times. If she was careful, if she

she needed

o remained by the doorw

osa, do you know if there's a garden or s

she nodded. "Yes, Miss Moretti. Th

ope sparked in

rf

courtyard, she might fin

Serena asked, keepi

ef moment before nodding

s scanning everything-the layout of the halls, the positi

etail m

breathtaking courtyard. The scent of fresh roses filled the air,

s bea

only saw an

hedges and wrought-iron gates. Be

ee

e gates, she could vanish into the trees

to wait for th

some time alon

rateful smile. "T

away, leaving Serena s

as her

ed toward the gate, glancing aroun

hed for

icked

in excitement-this w

a step

denly wrapped a

ed back against a hard chest, her

d as she recog

ri

effortlessly restraining her

ded in her ear

h brushing against her ear.

y her body react

kin tingled where h

betrayed her by racing

d herself

o get out

elbow back, aim

an antic

r around, gripping both her wrist

to hers, filled with somethin

you," he

in ragged gasps. "You

ghtly. Not enough to hurt,

. And

nt a shiver

from

ething m

ing da

mn

a back into the hous

f the way, but it didn't ma

nd staircase, she was breathing

door to her room an

in her eyes. "You can't ke

side, shutting th

able, but his storm-gray

?" His voice was low, dan

breath

hiver through her-a mix of fear, anger

t own me,

rward. "No? Then tell me,

nched h

nothing?" His voice softened, but the edge remained. "The only r

ails digging into her pal

ou think I'm the worst

nt a chill d

ond, he turned and st

er his shoulder. "Next time you try

ed out and locked

her chest heaving,

ad fa

ai

s wasn'

ven c

he would accept thi

her chest rising and falling with frustration. Adrian had locked her in. Ag

ng-the lack of contr

uxury, but even when her family lost every

d

treated her like his property. Serena

dn't acc

dn't let

e'd find another way. Her gaze flickered to the la

n't about to break her leg on the

she neede

of the bed, inhaling deeply. Her mind raced through possibilities

to learn mo

his own game, she had to un

meant o

o get clo

laying the role of

r

ad spent the afternoon mentally preparing herself for whateve

k suit, he leaned against

to break something by now." Serena shot him a

ved into a s

er arms. "Wha

nne

ked. "Ex

ard, closing the di

"And since you skipped dinner last n

an eyebrow. "A

rk didn

have to per

omach

was perfectly capable of carrying h

i

play this game,

r

er chin. "Le

t dining room, with a long mahog

didn't expect was the intimacy of it. Candles

was unsettlin

suspiciously. "Are you

lf a glass of wine. "Woul

stabbing her fork into a

her, his expres

seemed, while she sat there f

y, "how was your firs

lenched

derful," she said sweetly,

ed. "You'll g

p on her for

to sta

d to b

uing, she tilted h

e I w

ightly, as if he recogniz

o

s surrendering, then

hen h

hen she'

anor would work, but she knew one thing about

nsettle them? Make th

ook another bite of food, and l

carefully choosing her wor

row. "Is that your wa

. "I wasn't aw

a sip of his wine. "But I mak

red. "Everything about

in his chair, wat

't like that

fingers, keeping her expression neut

rk played

both know th

didn't

his gaze, silentl

etween th

ion, yes-but i

ingered between them

a wasn't sure if it was hate.

ke the sil

ake you

an eyebrow. "I

d smoothly, "I'll allow

d her eyes. "D

. "No more esc

nched h

eturn?" s

the estate," he said.

eart skipp

was

rveillance, she could find ways t

had to b

o quickly, he'd se

, pushing her foo

bout it," she

ckled. "Sm

yes met

asily he saw through her

ething thrill

s where neither of

n after, and Adr

mediately, but instead, he walk

te

you doing?

didn't

or her hand, pulling

d, but he di

ht me," he

swallow

s warm, firm

d have pu

d have sl

me reason,

the back of her hand, his

your choice," he said soft

s pulse

, to tell him he wo

nked her hand back

see abo

ckled, ste

wi

ed and left the room, leaving Seren

er fists, her

hate

espis

touch still lin