CHAPTER 46: THE TASTE OF TEMPTATION

Adrian’s answer left Bianca speechless.

Just because he wanted to?

"What if I say I don’t want to kiss you?" she challenged, narrowing her eyes.

"Oh, that?" Adrian leaned in a little, a trace of a smirk on his lips. "The proof’s already there, isn’t it? You kissed me back. And you were the one who didn’t want to stop. If it wasn’t for me holding myself back as much as I did..." He trailed off, letting the unspoken finish the sentence for him.

"Y-you..." Bianca struggled to find the right words.

Damn it...

Bianca cursed Adrian in her head.

"Want me to prove I can change your mind and make you want to kiss me again?" Adrian said with a mischievous smile.

Bianca gaped at him, stunned.

Was her ex-boss always this smooth? Since when did he turn into a damn flirting god?

She could feel her face heat up, completely flustered by his boldness.

"Didn’t you like it too? Come on, Bianca. I could do it again, if you want," Adrian said, leaning in closer with a teasing look.

Her eyes widened as Adrian leaned in. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand when she realized what was about to happen. He stopped when he saw her reaction, a smirk tugging at his lips. Bianca slowly lowered her hand from her lips when she realized he wasn’t going to kiss her after all.

"Don’t joke like that. And I blame the wine, obviously. But seriously, why did you kiss me? Our contract says kissing’s only allowed if it’s necessary."

Bianca asked because she genuinely wanted to know. Sure, she was the one who tried to seduce him first—Adrian had already pointed that out. The problem was, she couldn’t even remember clearly what had actually happened. Everything was a blur. But Adrian was known for his iron self-control. If he didn’t like a woman, he wouldn’t even lay a finger on her. And hadn’t he once told her she wasn’t even his type?

So what the hell made him do something as reckless as kissing her last night? Was it really just the alcohol talking?

Adrian let out a soft sigh. He honestly didn’t understand why everything needed a reason. For God’s sake, he just wanted to kiss Bianca. That was all.

Truthfully, he’d been wondering for a while what her lips would taste like. So last night, when he saw Bianca’s red lips right in front of him, looking so tempting, he didn’t think twice. He kissed her. He gave in to that desire. And just like he imagined, they tasted sweet. Addictively sweet.

"What if I tell you I just want to kiss you, would you believe me?"

Bianca blinked, slightly thrown off. "What do you mean?"

Adrian let out a quiet breath, eyes locked on hers. "I don’t even know exactly when I started imagining you, Bianca. Your face, your smile, your lips, your body—shit." He gave a small, frustrated laugh and shook his head. "Everything about you keeps flashing in my mind. The moment I looked at your lips, I lost control."

Bianca gasped softly, her breath catching in her throat. She wasn’t expecting him to be that blunt, especially not with that look in his eyes.

"You’re not serious," she said, almost in a whisper.

Adrian didn’t respond right away. His gaze dropped for a second, guilt showing in his eyes before he finally spoke. "You probably think I’m some perverted bastard for imagining your body. I get it. Honestly, I’m ashamed of myself too. I don’t know why, but being around you completely messes with my sense of logic. I mean it. I’m sorry if what I did last night made you uncomfortable."

Even though he often played around with women, or more accurately, changed girlfriends as he pleased, Adrian still knew his boundaries. He wasn’t proud of that reputation, but he didn’t hide from it either.

His exes were always treated well during their time together. He would shower them with luxury gifts, from designer items to over-the-top romantic gestures like a hundred roses. He did all that just to make them happy. It was his way of showing care, even if it didn’t last.

Yes, most of those relationships ended badly, but still...

As much of a jerk as he could be, Adrian never forced them. He was also honest. Brutally so, at times. His father and grandfather had always taught him to be honest and take responsibility for his actions.

If Bianca thought he was wrong for kissing her, then Adrian would apologize.

The furrow on Bianca’s forehead made her eyebrows look odd. She stayed silent, staring intently at Adrian.

She hadn’t expected him to be that honest.

"Well... that’s a lot to take in," she muttered, trying to hide her surprise. "But, don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with me?" she asked, narrowing her eyes, a half-smirk playing on her lips to mask her nerves.

Bianca’s words made Adrian let out a dry, humorless laugh. He couldn’t believe she was interpreting his actions as a sign that he was falling in love with her.

"Falling in love? I don’t even know what that feels like, Bianca. I’m not sure if my heart is still capable of love... or if it’s gone completely numb," he said, voice flat but his eyes turned away.

Bianca blinked, confused and intrigued. "What do you mean?" she asked, her tone softer now, unsure.

"I mean... there’s no way I’m in love with you right now. I think I’m attracted to you," he admitted, his gaze finally meeting hers.

Sometimes, people who have been hurt by love go through a phase of denial. Love that once broke them doesn’t earn their trust so easily again. Just like what Adrian felt now.

To him, love came only to those who welcomed it. So if he didn’t want love, then love wouldn’t come knocking on his door.

Bianca froze. She didn’t know that her former boss didn’t believe in love anymore. From what he just said, it seemed Adrian had once experienced heartbreak so deep that he chose to shut his heart completely.

But wait—what did he say just now?

Attracted?

Holy shit.

"Wait... you’re attracted to me?" Bianca asked in disbelief, her voice uncertain. Her heartbeat quickened, a mix of shock and confusion spreading through her chest.

How is that even possible? Seriously? No way.

"Mm," Adrian nodded, confirming it without hesitation. His calm expression didn’t match the bomb he’d just dropped.

***