Breti hurriedly pushed him away and steered Adrian onto the balcony that connected to the room next to the drawing room. Once inside, they quickly slipped through the door and into the room.

“What’s with this sudden downpour!”

“Tell me about it.”

Came the voices of the servants, grumbling about the abrupt rain outside.

If they’d been even a second slower, someone might have caught them—just the thought made Breti’s head spin.

She drew the curtains over the window and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Mm—!”

But the moment she finished, Adrian pressed her up against the window and captured her lips with his own—a kiss deeper and fiercer than before.

Breti pushed him away, glaring sharply.

“You said you wouldn’t appear during the day.”

Even if it was gloomy and dark from the rain, it was still much brighter than night. This wasn’t the kind of environment Adrian usually emerged in.

“You showed up a few days ago too! Back then, you—”

Breti’s cheeks flushed as she recalled what happened during the last rainy spell.

Throughout the monsoon, Adrian had appeared before her again and again, tormenting her endlessly.

Breti had been unable to push him away.

Just the thought that refusing him might somehow trap Karsten inside, never letting him return, sent chills down her spine.

Adrian stepped closer, his presence overwhelming.

She shrank back, but he only came nearer, their gazes locked.

“Who knows? Even I can’t say.”

Adrian replied, relentless. Backed up to the door, Breti realized she had nowhere left to run. The hard surface at her back, and Adrian, drawing closer, blocked her in completely.

He braced one hand against the wall beside her head.

“And besides, I just couldn’t stand the sight of you with that b*stard.”

His voice was tinged with anger.

“Who do you mean…?”

Breti asked, caught between confusion and alarm.

“You really don’t know?”

Adrian’s eyes flashed dangerously.

Just then, lightning flashed, illuminating Adrian’s eyes with a wild, feverish light.

Breti instinctively shuddered.

“Breti, don’t let your eyes wander to anyone else.”

The madness in his gaze made her swallow hard.

“I can’t stand the thought of it.”

Adrian stroked her hair, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Breti found herself staring, spellbound for a moment. It was a smile Karsten would never give her, and yet Adrian showed it so easily. Sometimes, she even confused Adrian’s smile for Karsten’s—or maybe, deep down, she just wished it was Karsten’s all along.

She quickly averted her eyes and forced herself to speak.

“Just give Karsten his body back already.”

“And why should I?”

“Adrian!”

Her voice was sharp, full of anger.

That tone only seemed to please Adrian.

“Yes, Bret. I’m Adrian, not Karsten – just Adrian.”

Breti’s face flushed deep red. He could always see right through her—every time she projected Karsten onto him.

Adrian pressed a light kiss to Breti’s rain-damp hair.

“It hurts my feelings, you know—if you keep thinking of Karsten while looking at me.”

“I-I never—”

“Breti, are you really going to lie to me?”

He cupped her face firmly, forcing her to meet his gaze.

He was so close, there was nowhere to look but into his eyes.

Breti’s mouth went dry, her heart pounding so loudly she was afraid he might hear it.

‘What if he can?’

“Who do you think that heart is racing for?”

Sure enough, Adrian’s question followed, and Breti tried to look away.

“Naughty girl.”

“…”

“Breti.”

Adrian let out a low chuckle and pressed a series of feather-light kisses to her lips.

Just then—

“Laterna? Where are you?”

Meliover’s voice rang out from nearby, searching for her.

And that wasn’t all.

“I can’t find Karsten either.”

“Isn’t he in his office?”

“He’s not.”

Even Gabriel was looking for Karsten now.

Startled, Breti grabbed Adrian’s arm, pleading in a whisper.

“Please, you have to go. Please—just disappear.”

“Hmm, should I?”

Adrian’s eyes didn’t so much as flicker at her desperate tone.

Instead, he gripped her waist, grinding against her with slow deliberation.

“Breti, what do you think I should do?”

His voice, seeping into her like a caress, made every nerve in her body stand on end.

Fighting to ignore how sensitive she’d become, Breti clung to his arm, her voice barely more than a whimper.

“Please… I’m begging you.”

But Adrian showed no intention of letting her go—or of giving Karsten his body back.

“Come on, Breti. Please. Karsten has to come back, doesn’t he?”

“…”

“And you know exactly how to make that happen.”

His hands grew bolder, leaving nothing to the imagination. Everything was playing out just as he wanted.

“So? What will you do?”

He dangled the inevitable choice in front of her, making her ache with anxiety.

Breti knew all too well what he wanted. She squeezed her eyes shut, then slowly opened them again.

“Just… hurry. Please…”

At last, she nodded.

Adrian traced the curve of her waist, his voice low and suggestive.

“Hurry… what, Breti?”

He pretended not to understand, forcing her to say it aloud.

“Hmm? You have to tell me what you want.”

His hand traveled deliberately down the line of her spine. When his fingers reached the small of her back, Breti felt her vision blur.

One by one, Adrian began to undo the buttons along her back.

“Breti?”

He whispered, his voice dripping with temptation.

“Is this really what you want?”

“…”

“Tell me—who do you want? Is it me… or that weakling?”

Instead of answering, Breti shook her head, denying his words.

“Oh? Do you want to say Karsten isn’t weak?”

“…!”

She knew she ought to answer—but the instant his hand made contact with her bare skin, her vision seemed to flicker.

“But Breti, you know… that man really is weak.”

A shiver ran through Breti’s shoulders.

“So want me more.”

Adrian murmured, slipping her clothes from her shoulders and pressing his lips to the bare skin. The sound of his mouth meeting her flesh echoed in the room.

The more persistent his lips became, the more desperately Breti had to stifle her own cries.

“Miss!”

Bagi’s voice called from behind the door, searching for her—and him.

Breti’s heart pounded so wildly, she thought she might faint if the door opened now.

Under his hands, Breti was soon stripped bare.

His gaze roamed over her, slowly, taking in every inch of her skin.

Her face flushed a deep red.

“Honestly, I almost feel sorry for him.”

“What…?”

“He doesn’t get to see this beautiful body of yours.”

Breti instinctively raised her arms to shield herself, but Adrian stopped her.

“Don’t cover up.”

His commanding tone made her whole body go rigid.

His eyes raked over her even more intently.

The longer he stared, the more her cheeks burned red.

Finally, Adrian looked at her blushing face and gave a soft, teasing laugh.

“Breti, your face is going up in flames.”

His lips brushed her cheek and trailed lower; his mouth demanded more. His breath slid over her teeth and tongue, and this kiss was deeper and more consuming than any before.

By the time he finally pulled away, Breti was in a daze.

She could feel the hard heat of his desire pressed against her most sensitive place.

“Breti.”

She knew what he wanted—she knew exactly what was about to begin.

As his hand pulled her hips closer, Breti slipped her arms around his neck.