*Amelia’s POV*
Adrian slid his hand from my hip up to my throat and squeezed it tenderly, "My feelings don't matter, Amelia. My empire is what matters, and you make me weak."
My eyes widened. I hadn't expected him to be so honest about his feelings. I could see the raw emotion in his eyes and hear the vulnerability in his voice as he spoke. I wanted to capitalize on that softness that was so unlike the Adrian I had come to know. Yes, he was saying what he felt for me didn't matter, but he was acknowledging that he felt something, and it made me feel less crazy.
I tangled my fingers into Adrian's hair as my breathing increased. His lips were mere inches from mine, and it felt like a magnetic force was drawing us together. He leaned in, and for a brief second, time seemed to stand still. Then he closed the distance between us and our lips crashed together with an intensity that was both unexpected and electrifying.