The door clicked shut behind Daniel, leaving Adrian alone in his expansive office. The quiet settled around him, broken only by the faint ticking of the antique clock on the wall. He exhaled slowly, placing the glass back on the desk before pushing himself up from his chair. His movements were fluid, controlled, yet beneath the surface, something restless brewed.
He strode towards the floor- to- ceiling window, his tall frame casting a long shadow against the polished floor. The city below twinkled under the evening sky, its lights stretching endlessly. But his mind wasn't on the view. It was on her.
The memory of her- soft, warm, and utterly intoxicating _ clawed at the edges of his mind, refusing to fade. He had spent years mastering the art of control, yet one night with her had unraveled something deep within him.
His dark hair was unruly, as if echoing his inner unrest. His hand ran through it absently, his jaw ticking at the mere thought of her.
He had given her a chance to seek him out, left his name, his address_ a direct invitation. But she hadn't taken it. She had walked away without a second glance, without a single attempt to reach him.
The fact alone should have made him forget her. He had never been the kind of man to chase. Women came to him willingly, eagerly, desperate for a fraction of his attention.
But not her.
If she thought that she could forget him, she was totally mistaken.
He would remind her.
Because now that he had her scent, now that she had unknowingly embedded herself into his mind - there was no escaping him.
Not until he decided to let her go.
+++++++
With the weekend that was quick to pass, Monday finally arrived. The soft hum of birds outside her window stirred Kelsey from her sleep. She blinked, momentarily disoriented, before stretching her arms above her head. The warmth of her blankets was tempting, but she had an early class.
With a sigh, she sat up, brushing her hair back from her face.
Slipping out of her bed, she padded towards the bathroom and after taking a quick shower, she stepped across the wooden floor to her closet, running her fingers over the simple selection of clothes. She wasn't the type to fuss over outfits, but still, she chose a neat blouse and a pair of fitted jeans. Once dressed, she pulled her hair into a Ponytail, letting a few strands frame her face.
By the time she reached the kitchen, the rich aroma of coffee filled the air, mingling with a faint scent of toast. Her father sat on the small dining table, flipping through the newspaper, his glasses perched low on his nose.
"You're up early." He remarked without looking up, turning another page.
Kelsey smiled, walking towards the counter. "I have to be. First lecture's in an hour."
She reached for a mug and poured herself some coffee, the warmth instantly soothing. As she took a sip, her father finally set the newspaper down, studying her.
"I can drop you off, he offered. I'm heading in town anyway."
Kelsey's eyes lit up. "Really? That will be great."
The corner of his mouth tilted slightly in amusement. "Glad to know that my chauffeur services are still appreciated."
She laughed softly, grabbing a banana from the fruit basket before taking another sip of coffee.
"Always." She teased.
A comfortable silence settled between them as they finished their breakfast. Then, with one last sip of her drink, Kelsey grabbed her bag, ready to leave.
Kelsey slid into the passenger seat, adjusting her bag on her lap as she settled in. The leather seat was cool against her legs and it took her a moment before she could adjust to the foreign temperature. She watched as her father locked the house and approached, his movements calm and precise.
When he got into the driver's seat, he adjusted the rearview mirror before starting the engine. The familiar low rumble filled the silence as they pulled out of the driveway.
For the first few minutes, neither of them spoke. The roads were quiet, the golden hues of morning sunlight stretching over the pavement. Kelsey glanced at her father from the corner of her eye. He looked relaxed, one hand on the wheel, his gaze focused ahead.
"You have everything you need?" He finally asked.
Kelsey nodded, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "Yeah. Maya's going to help me with some notes later."
Her father hummed in approval. "She's a good friend."
Kelsey smiled at that. Maya had been by her side through everything, even when their worlds were vastly different.
As they reached the university entrance, students were already bustling around, some engaged on hurried conversations, others focused on their phones or textbooks.
Her father slowed the car to a stop near the gate. "Have a good day kels."
She turned to him with a grateful smile. "Thanks dad. See you later."
Grabbing her bag, she stepped out, feeling the cool breeze brush against her skin. She adjusted the strap over her shoulder as she scanned the crowd.
Not long after, a familiar voice called out.
"Kelsey!"