Chapter 256

"Adrian."

Emilia called from outside as she pushed the gym door open. "Someone brought this for me."

She smiled, holding up the bouquet of sunflowers in one hand and a Cartier box in the other.

Adrian glanced over from the treadmill.

For a moment, he simply looked at her. Then a smile spread across his face as he stepped off the machine.

"I wonder who that someone could be."

Emilia shut the door behind her and walked farther into the gym, her smile growing.

"Isn’t it too early for a gift?"

"Too early?" Adrian reached for his towel. "For you?"

She rolled her eyes, although the pleased little smile on her face betrayed her.

The sunflowers were beautiful, their bright yellow petals opening toward the light. She had always loved them.

There was something about their uncomplicated cheerfulness that made her happy, and the fact that Adrian had made them a gift made them more special.

The Cartier gold bracelet was another matter entirely.

She had opened the box twice already, just to make sure she hadn’t imagined it.

"Adrian, this bracelet—"

"Is a bracelet."

He wiped the sweat from his chest and shoulders before bringing the towel to the back of his neck. Then he reached for his water bottle, took a long sip, and set it aside.

Emilia watched him approach.

He stopped in front of her, slipped a hand around her waist, and leaned down to kiss her.

It was a brief, warm, and familiar kiss.

The kind of kiss that still managed to make her smile afterward, even when she had every intention of behaving like a perfectly composed adult.

"Sunflowers," he murmured, brushing his thumb over her waist. "Love them?"

"I do." Her smile softened. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome, sweetheart."

She leaned forward and kissed him again, a little more deliberate this time.

Adrian’s hand tightened ever so slightly at her waist. When she drew back, his eyes followed her lips.

"That’s a better thank-you."

Emilia laughed. "Such a flirt."

She shook her head and finally set the flowers and bracelet on the nearby bench, careful not to crush the petals or leave the box where it might fall.

She was wearing a black, fitted long romper that followed the curves of her body without restricting her movements. Her hair was pulled away from her face, and the simple outfit suited her so well that Adrian had spent the first few seconds after she entered the gym wondering how a woman could look so beautiful while making absolutely no effort to impress him.

Not that he intended to tell her.

She already had enough reasons to feel pleased with herself.

The indoor gym was naturally quiet, save for the faint hum of the air-conditioning and the occasional clink of weights against metal.

Emilia glanced around.

Her attention settled on the pull-up bar.

She looked at it, then at Adrian. Then with a teasing smile, she looked back at the bar.

He noticed the assessment taking place on her face.

"No," he said.

She turned to him. "I haven’t said anything."

"You’re thinking loudly."

"That’s not a thing."

"It is when you do it."

She ignored him and moved toward the pull-up bar. Standing beneath it, she raised both hands above her head and stretched.

Her fingertips almost brushed the metal.

She rose onto her toes and stretched again, her brows drawing together when she still couldn’t get a proper grip.

Behind her, Adrian watched with an expression that suggested he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Need help?"

"No."

"Interesting." He folded his arms across his chest.

Emilia shot him a look.

Adrian’s mouth twitched. Then he stepped forward. "Move, sweetheart."

"I’m perfectly capable of—"

He placed his hands around her waist and lifted her just enough for her fingers to close around the bar.

Emilia let out a startled laugh. "Adrian!"

"What?" he asked innocently. "You wanted to reach it."

"I could have managed."

"Absolutely."

She glared at him, but the effect was ruined by the smile tugging at her lips. Before she could formulate an appropriate response, Adrian stepped away.

Emilia adjusted her grip, her palms settling against the cool metal. She glanced down at him.

"You’re not going to let me fall, are you?"

"Not a chance."

Satisfied, she bent her knees and jumped, pulling herself upward.

For a moment, she managed to lift her body. Then her arms began to tremble. "Oh, my God."

"Keep going." He laughed quietly.

Emilia attempted another pull, but her feet swung beneath her, and she finally dropped back onto the padded floor.

She landed with a small, indignant huff. "Never again."

Adrian looked unconvinced. "You lasted longer than I expected."

"Thank you for your overwhelming support."

"Anytime."

She was about to retort when she noticed him moving toward the bar.

He reached up, caught it with both hands, and pulled himself off the ground with effortless precision.

And then Emilia forgot what she had been about to say.

His shirt was already discarded on the nearby bench, leaving his upper body bare beneath the gym’s bright overhead lights.

She had seen Adrian shirtless before.

That did absolutely nothing to prepare her for the view now.

His shoulders were broad, his arms defined without appearing exaggerated, and his back was a study in controlled strength. As he pulled himself upward, the muscles along his shoulders and upper back tightened beneath his skin, and his shoulder blades shifted with each deliberate movement.

The powerful lines of his latissimus muscles flared beneath his arms, tapering toward his waist, while the muscles running down either side of his spine stood out whenever he lowered himself.

Every movement was measured and unhurried. Effortless in a way that was frankly offensive.

He lowered himself until his arms were nearly straight, then pulled upward again. His back tattoos flexed, with the muscles beneath his skin working in smooth coordination as his chin cleared the bar.

Emilia stared.

Adrian completed another repetition before dropping lightly to the floor.

He turned, caught her staring, and smiled. It was a slow, infuriating smile.

"Something wrong, sweetheart?"