Chapter 22

Stella's POV

"Well?" Adam's voice could have frozen fire. "We're waiting for your explanation, Miss WNinston."

Lucy's perfectly manicured fingers twisted in her lap. "I... I may have been mistaken about what I saw."

"Mistaken?" I kept my voice light and pleasant. "That's quite different from your earlier certainty about seeing me in a...compromising position with an unknown man."

She shot me a venomous look, but I noticed the slight sheen of sweat on her forehead. Her breathing seemed unusually rapid,and a flush was creeping up her neck.

Interesting side effects, I thought. Looks like someone's own medicine is coming back to bite them.

"Perhaps," I continued sweetly, "we should discuss your vision problems? After all, making such serious accusations about me as Mr. Lancaster's wife... that's quite concerning if you're having trouble seeing clearly."Lucy's hand flew to her throat, tugging at her designer collar."I... I'm not feeling well.""Really?" I tilted my head.'"You seemed perfectly fine when you were spreading those rumors earlier."

Brian stepped forward, ever the wannabe knight in shining armor. "She's obviously unwell. We should-"

"Stay exactly where you are." Adam's command froze Brian mid-step. "Your... girlfriend has made serious accusations against my wife. I want to hear her explanation."

Thomas cleared his throat from his corner of the room. "Now,Adam, surely we can handle this as a family-"

"As a family?" Adam's smile was pure venom. "Interesting choice of words from you."

Lucy swayed slightly in her seat, her face flushing darker."Brian, I feel strange..."

"An apology is okay," I suggested mildly. "Both to me and to Mr. Lancaster, whose reputation you've attempted to damage."

"I... I apologize if there was any misunderstanding," Lucy managed through gritted teeth.

"Misunderstanding?" I echoed. "That's not quite the same as admitting you lied, is it?"Lucy's hands were shaking now, and her breathing had become distinctly labored. Karma's quite the bitch, isn't it, dear sister?"I'm sorry," she finally ground out. "I was... mistaken about what I saw."

"And?" I prompted.

"And I shouldn't have spread false rumors." Each word seemed to physically pain her.

"Mr. Lancaster?" I turned to Adam. "Do you accept her apology?"

Adam's expression could have cut diamonds. "Get her out of my sight."

Brian practically lunged forward to help Lucy up. She stumbled against him, her usual grace completely absent.

"This isn't over," she hissed as Brian led her past my chair.

"Oh, I think it is." I smiled serenely. "Unless you'd like to continue this drama? You seem a bit... hot. Perhaps some wine would help?"

She blanched, nearly tripping over her own feet in her haste to leave.

Thomas's wife lingered, clearly torn between following the drama and maintaining her dignity."Well, I never-"

"Exactly," Adam cut her off."You never. Now leave."The room cleared quickly after that, leaving just Adam and me in the oppressive silence.

\---

"Want to explain what really happened?" Adam's voice carried down the dimly lit hallway as we made our way back to the east wing.

I considered my options carefully. "She tried to drug me earlier,"I watched his expression carefully. "Invited me to her room for a 'chat', then offered me some suspiciously special wine."

The muscle in Adam's jaw ticked and the temperature in the hallway seemed to drop several degrees.′′Dug you?"

"Don't worry, I switched our glasses when she wasn't looking."I couldn't help but smile.

"You should have told me immediately." His voice had gone dangerously quiet.

"This time." His hand shot out, catching my wrist and pulling me to face him.′′Ianything had happened to you-"You'd what?" I challenged, pulse racing from his proximity."Defend my reputation?"You'd what?" I challenged, pulse racing from his proximity."Defend my reputation?"recovered."

The casual way he delivered that threat made my breath catch."Mr. Lancaster-"

"You're mine," he stated simply, like it was an immutable fact. "An attack on you is an attack on me."

Yours? My treacherous heart skipped. "How... possessive of you."

His other hand came up to trace my jawline. "You have no idea."

Back in the room, I surveyed Adam's suite with carefully hidden apprehension. The massive custom bed dominated the room, specially designed to accommodate his supposed disability.

"I'll take the bed," I announced quickly, diving for the center before he could protest. "You can use the guest room."

′′Myroom," he reminded me, wheeling closer."My rules."

I buried myself deeper in the ridiculously comfortable mattress."Weren't you just defending me downstairs? How ungentlemanly to make your wife sleep elsewhere."

"Who said anything about sleeping elsewhere?"The bathroom door clicked shut behind him, and I heard water running. I had just enough time to process his words before panic set in.

He wouldn't actually... would he?

The bathroom door opened, releasing a cloud of steam. Adam emerged,wearing only silk pajama pants that rode dangerously low on his hips.

My smug smile froze as he approached the bed with predatory grace.

What does him want to do?

The massive custom bed seemed to mock me as I tried to maintain my composure. Adam's presence,fresh from his shower with water still glistening on his bare chest, made the room feel impossibly small.

My eyes darted to his silk pajama pants riding dangerously low on his hips, then quickly away - only to land on something that made my heart stop.

A box of condoms on the nightstand.I immediately regretted my earlier bravado about claiming the bed. Two weeks ago, I'd been adamantly against this arranged marriage. Now here I was, in his bedroom, with him looking at me like...