Adrian's Wrath (5 page)

The laugh that bubbled out of her was completely unexpected. How long had it been since she had laughed? Too damn long for her to remember. In all honesty Adrian was exactly the type of man Brea should stay away from. It was obvious he had anger issues because it was clear as day when he fought. He could crush anyone with just a look. Cameron hadn’t been anything like Adrian physically, but his anger had been something nightmares were made of. She was smart enough not to let herself open up to Adrian, but she couldn’t help the part of her that desperately wanted to connect with someone.

“I…” It was cute how he didn’t seem to be able to get his words out. For one instant it made her feel like she could forget everything that had happened in her life. “I don’t want to be forward or anything, but maybe you’d like to get some coffee with me one of these days?”

It had been so long since she had allowed herself the pleasure of company, male company to be exact. There was just too much at risk, but even though she was being logical, she also wanted to be a little selfish.

“Listen, I’m sorry I put you on the spot. I feel like a dumbass now.” He chuckled but she had a feeling he didn’t find any of this funny.

He started walking past her and instinct had her reaching her hand out and grabbing his thick forearm. “Wait.” When her hand touched his warm, hard flesh, Brea found it hard to breathe. He instantly stopped and looked down at her. A small crease formed between his eyes. Letting go of his arm, she was the one that felt like a dumbass now. “I’m sorry.” What was she supposed to say? If he didn’t think she was whacky before, he had to now. She had grabbed onto him, stopping him when he obviously wanted to leave. A small gasp escaped her when she felt his big hand take her much smaller one and clutch it. She brought her eyes up, not knowing what to expect to see in his expression, but what she saw left her dizzy and breathless.

Adrian was a fucking fool. A dumb motherfucker for even entertaining the idea that there could be something between them. If his past hadn’t been a good enough reason to stay away from her, his aggression and hatred of himself should have sealed the deal. It was clear she had past issues as well, especially after he saw her reaction to being touched by the drunks. Sure, any woman might have reacted like that, but when he had looked into her eyes both times he had seen honest fear that she knew from experience. The way she had almost told him so was enough to have every part of him wanting to beat the shit out of the person that had hurt her. Even the thought of someone hurting Brea had his hand that wasn’t holding hers curling into a tight fist.

They stared at each other for several long moments and he wondered if she could see all the need and want he had for her. The feelings he had for her were crazy and so unlike him, but they were powerful and all consuming. Nothing was said and then she pulled her hand away and walked past him.

“Please, Brea.” Was he actually begging her to go out to dinner with him? He hadn’t been on a date since Addie, and the very idea of doing so with this petite, beautiful woman had him feeling fear for the first time in years. She stopped and looked at him, indecision sweeping across her expression. Never in his life had he wanted something as much as he wanted her. Even if all she did was allow him that one dinner, he would accept it with a smile and a “thank you.” The thought had guilt slamming into him when he pictured Addie’s face. The emotion was fresh and raw and had a building storm of turmoil growing inside of him. This woman before him, who he hardly knew, made him feel things he had never felt, that he thought he could never feel again.

“Okay.” Her whispered agreement had his pulse accelerating. Who knew one little word could make him feel so much?

“Okay?” It was stated as a question even though hers hadn’t been.

“Yes, okay.” The smile that touched her lips was endearing and a little on the shy side.

He couldn’t help his grin as he looked down at her. “Can I have your number and I’ll give you a call tomorrow so we can set something up?” He felt like a damn teenager asking a girl out for the first time. She looked unsure for a split second and he had to remind himself that whatever problems she had in her past would make this very sensitive for her. He had to be patient.

“Here.” Digging into his pocket he searched for a scrap of paper and pen. When he came up empty he glanced at the small black apron tied around her waist. He could see her pen and order tablet sticking out from one of the pockets. “Mind if I use those for a moment?”

She glanced down to where he was looking at. “Sure.” When she handed him what he wanted, he tore off a sheet of paper and jotted his number down on it.” When he gave her everything back he noticed how her hands slightly shook as she took it out of his grasp.

“Hey.” He waited until she looked at him before he continued. “I don’t want you to feel like you’re being pressured into anything. You are in control here, okay?” After a long moment of her staring at him, she visibly relaxed. At that moment he wanted to find the guy who had hurt her, that had her feeling like she wasn’t in control, and beat him until all his rage and all her pain were gone.

She glanced down at his number and he saw a touch of a smile cover her lips. She shoved it in her pocket and started writing something on a blank page. When she tore it off and handed it to him and he saw her number written on it he couldn’t help his smile or the way excitement coursed through him. Yup, he was becoming a damn teenager again.

“Thank you.” He was thankful for a lot of damn things, but right now, at this exact moment, he was so very thankful that she trusted him enough to give him those ten little digits.

* * * *

Since giving Adrian her number Brea had contemplated if that had been the best course of action. Since moving away she had done everything in her power to go unnoticed, and here she was, at the very first opportunity, giving away pieces of herself. One more look in the mirror confirmed she was ready for her date tonight. Was she that desperate for a man to notice her? Did she really want affection so badly that she would risk everything she had worked so hard for?

Adrian had offered to pick her up but she had declined, knowing it was a stupid move to allow him to know where she lived. They were to meet up at a little Italian restaurant on Hickory Ridge Street. Her nerves were shot to hell and she couldn’t stop her palms from sweating. Grabbing her keys and purse, she double-checked to make sure her pepper spray was safely stashed away in the inside pocket. Smoothing her hands down the front of her jeans, she headed out the door.

Primos was a renowned restaurant that specialized in homemade pasta and sauces. When she walked in,
the smell of garlic and tomatoes wafted around her. Her stomach cramped in hunger and she looked around the small, almost intimate interior. The two-seater tables were situated in the center of the room with the booths pressed up against the walls. She didn’t see Adrian right away, but several of the booths faced away from her so it was possible he was seated in one of them.

“Do you have reservations?”

Brea drew her attention to the hostess booth to her right and the young, extremely attractive redhead behind it. “I, uh…I’m meeting someone here.”

The hostess raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at her. “Name?” The way she said that one word was so condescending that Brea felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. Maybe this had been a horrible mistake.

“Brea?” Adrian’s deep and gravelly voice had her turning around and all thoughts of fleeing leaving her mind. Just one look at him had her common sense taking a vacation. The dark jeans and loafers he wore were casual but sophisticated. He wore a crisp, light-blue button-down shirt that matched his eyes. The sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, showing a few sharp lines from his tattoos, making him appear a little on the bad boy side. He came up beside her and smiled broadly down at her.

“I’m sorry I’m late. There was an accident off of Cedar and Broadview. I had to take a back way.” Now that he was closer to her she could hear him slightly out of breath.

“You didn’t walk here, did you?”

He chuckled. “No, but there wasn’t any close parking so I had to park two buildings down and run up here.” Her heart just melted a little more. He turned toward the hostess. “Two for Adrian Holden.” The waitress took a moment to drag her seemingly awestruck gaze from him and look down at the sheet in front of her.

“Uh, yes, of course, Mr. Holden. Right this way.” She cut Brea a rather nasty glance before she turned and led them toward one of the empty two-seater tables.

“Actually we’d like a booth, if you have one.” Brea knew if she had requested that from the hostess she might have gotten her eyes clawed out, but when Adrian had asked all he got was a dreamy-eyed look and a nod.

“Is there anything you and your sister would like before I leave?”

His sister? Really?
Why, because he was so incredibly gorgeous that the only way he would be seen with her was if they were related? She didn’t expect Adrian to correct her, but his next words surprised her.

“No, thank you. My beautiful
date
and I will wait for our waiter.”

The hostess left and Adrian watched her wearing a lopsided smile. Sitting right across from him made her acutely aware that she couldn’t escape his gaze. The look in his eyes told her he found her embarrassment slightly amusing. Her cheeks still felt warm from the hostess’s comment, and they only became hotter the longer he watched her. She took that time to stare at him as well. His dark hair was short but long enough that he pulled off the slightly messy look. Maybe he didn’t like being the one under examination, because a moment later he brought his attention to his menu.

Clearing her throat she let her attention fall to her menu. Everything sounded incredible, and although she had never been to this restaurant, she knew that the reviews raved about this “hidden gem.” Their waitress came by and took their orders. Adrian ordered a bottle of Moscato, and despite knowing she shouldn’t drink alcohol, she couldn’t help but sample some of the sweet liquid with her dessert. The conversation stayed fairly safe, with them talking about current events and the weather. To sum it up, they didn’t talk about anything personal which led Brea to believe that maybe Adrian had a few of his own secrets.

“So, how did you start fighting in the underground?” Voice pitched low so no one but him would hear, she cast a glance at Adrian. Brea had been contemplating sticking to neutral subjects, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her. Despite all her internal admonishments to keep her distance, she found herself wanting to know more about him. The fork that he was bringing to his mouth stopped before it got to its destination and he lifted his eyes to hers. When he cleared his throat and set his fork down, she couldn’t help but feel like she had maybe crossed the line. “I’m sorry, that really isn’t any of my business.” Everyone had their own reasons for doing things, especially her, and his silence told her she might have just asked the wrong question.
Maybe he fights because of his past?
It wasn’t an implausible concept. She assumed a lot of the fighters had pent-up aggression that they released in the cage.

“No, you didn’t say anything wrong. It’s just—” He took a sip of his wine before looking at her again. “I started fighting because I lost someone very important to me a long time ago.”

Oh
. She should have known there was an ex. She had her own issues with an ex so she knew exactly where he as coming from, but she doubted his ex was anything like Cameron. Maybe she cheated on him and he kicked people’s asses while imagining it was the guy his girlfriend had fucked? That might be the reason, but she sure as hell wasn’t going to ask to confirm it.

“Well, I know all about exes.” She could have slapped herself right then and there. Why had she said anything? Closing her eyes and dropping her head, she needed to remind herself that it didn’t matter how sweet Adrian was and how much she liked him. Nothing could ever start between them.

The way she looked dejected pulled at Adrian’s heart. “Hey now, don’t close up on me now.” He moved out of his seat and slid into hers. She visibly stiffened, but when he didn’t make a move to touch her she relaxed and looked up at him. His breath stalled at the hopelessness reflected in her gaze.
What the hell happened to her that would make her look so lost?
A large lump formed in his throat and he swallowed it, forcing it down. He lifted his hand, moving it slowly toward her face so he didn’t spook her, and brushed a lock of hair off her forehead. Her eyes looked impossibly big and blue on her face, and her creamy skin glowed under the soft lighting. The urge to kiss her was stronger than anything he had ever felt before. The question was, would she let him or would his actions scare her away?

He wasn’t sure any longer because what his brain was telling him he should do and what his heart was telling him he needed to do were throwing fists at each other. He leaned in slowly as he held her eyes and stopped right before his lips touched hers. She hadn’t pulled away and her breathing had changed to short, quick pants. Everything inside of him roared out at the knowledge that she was just as affected as he was.

“Brea, I want to kiss you.” He could feel her warm breath sweep across his lips. She smelled like the chocolate cake she had just eaten, and damn if he didn’t like chocolate. “I want to know it’s okay to kiss you,” he whispered against her mouth, needing her to say it was okay before he went any further. He heard her swallow, and when she whispered “yes,” he didn’t waste another moment.

When his lips finally pressed against hers he groaned. They were just as soft as they looked and tasted better than his imagination had conjured up. As her mouth opened for him, he slipped his tongue inside and brought his hands up to frame her face.
God, she tastes so fucking good.
Her tongue against his was hesitant at first, which was okay because he could take control until she was ready to take the reins.