Forty-two ~ Evelyn

My front door locks shut with a click as I collapse against it.

I travelled back to the flat with Heidi and Adam, who left their car here. Ade begrudgingly agreed to pick me up in a few hours to give me a fleeting moment to reset and get together what I need for the week.

After a quick sweep of the flat to check I have no unexpected visits, I collapse onto the sofa. I yank the blanket draped over the back and haphazardly lay it across me. Flicking on one of my favourite shows, I snuggle into the comfort of being home.

A heavy knock at door startles me awake. 'Is it already time for Ade to pick me up?" I wonder as I trudge to the door.

Heaving it open, I'm once again met with only a bouquet of flowers on my door matt. I analyse the flowers on the way back to the kitchen, turning it gently in my hands.

It has to be the same person, the bouquet is identical. The only difference is a second black rose nestled in the centre.

I set the decorative box down next to its twin before picking up the note from where it sits cradled between the roses. Removing the small card from its white envelope, more plain black text is revealed.

["Do you crave trouble?"]

Surely that's a coincidence, it's far too soon and impossible for anyone to know about last night.

I drop the note onto the table and walk away. I force myself to believe it's because I'm running out of time to get ready and not because my heart's about to implode in my chest.

Jumping straight into the shower, I allow the cold water to bathe me in chills until my muscles tense but my organs relax. Only then do I turn the temperature up by a fraction to make the scrubbing more tolerable.

Once I'm enveloped in my towel, I go through my skincare routine before using concealer to attempt to hide as much as possible. I add a second layer of deception using foundation from a bottle I dug out from the forgotten depths of a drawer.

It pales the bruises, but the dark patches remain a stark contrast to my pale skin. With a deep exhale, my body sags and I slink off to repack.

Considering the high probability that I won't be going on any adventures for a short while, I focus on picking out a selection of my favourite loungewear.

The zip clinks closed as a rhythmic knock rings throughout the flat.

Slowly yanking the door open, my heart slows as the image of Ade's tall frame fills the doorway.

"Hey, perfect timing. I just need to put my shoes on." I push the cheerful notes through my vocal chords.

Ade nods his response with a stiff smile before wondering off to the kitchen.

I've barely had a chance to scoop up my shoes when he calls out, "Who sent you flowers?"

"I don't know, I can't work it out."

"Well, when did they arrive?" A harshness poisons his tone.

"Sunday evening and today. They were just left on my doormat." I pull my off-white shoelaces into a tight bow before rising. "All I've got is a couple of ambiguous notes."

Ade is already inspecting the two pieces of card when I enter the kitchen. His dark brows are drawn together causing lines to crease his forehead.

"What are you going to do about it?" His demanding question tugs my own brows together.

"What can I do? I'm sure they'll get bored soon and stop." It could just be a strange prank.

Ade's jaw tightens as he drops the notes. "Let's go!" He mutters, picking up my bag and heading for the door.

'What's crawled up his ass?' I roll my eyes. Maybe I shouldn't have caved but it's too late now. At least I can easily get myself home if this goes south.

Something constricts in my chest at the thought and a pang of perspective whispers he's probably still a bit shaken by last night.

I try to let it wash over me, but with his paled knuckles wrapped around the steering wheel and no sign of his rigid exterior peeling away, it's difficult to ignore my nagging concerns.

The soundless journey passes in a blur of muddled thoughts until we pull into car park.

I beat Ade to the opportunity to open my door but accept his hand, wishing to clamber out of the low car as gracefully as possible.

Glancing around the vacant space, I'm grateful for the direct lift to Ade's apartment, yet a blade of anger cuts through me with the frustration of being forced to hide.

Ade loops an arm around my waist. The sudden contact startles me before the warmth coaxes me to melt against him.

His steady heart beats against my ear and I allow it to lull me into a peaceful trance. I wrap my arms around his waist, clasping my hands together, to cling to the contact as we walk.

Ade glances down, his dimples threatening to break through, and tightens his grip. "You're beautiful." He breathes, ducking his head to place a kiss against my forehead.

My little bee erupts in my chest and I latch onto Ade's collar before he has a chance to pull away. I yank him down onto my lips causing him to stumble. I take the opportunity to push him back against the wall with a soft thud.

I bite Ade's bottom lip and push up onto my toes to deepen the kiss. Ade's hands cup my ass, lifting me further into him until my feet leave the ground.

I lock my legs together around his firm waist, allowing him to carry us upstairs without breaking our connection.

My hands quickly become tangled in his hair, desperately pulling him closer.

The bedroom door clatters against the wall after being kicked open. Ade finally comes to a stop in front of his dresser, carefully setting me down on top of it.

Our height difference breaks the kiss, forcing my eyes open. Ade's defined chest heaves slightly under weighted breathes as his darkened skies analyse me. His hands grip the dresser either side of my legs, as if the wood is the only thing holding him back from losing control.

"It's okay, you won't hurt me." I whisper, tracing the stubble dusting his jaw. I need his hands on me. I need hands that I want to feel.

"Are you sure?" His intense gaze holds only concern and not an ounce of pressure.

"I'm sure." The words have barely left my lips before Ade's are demanding my full attention once more.

He collects the hem of both my jumper and my top, pulling back for a splinter of time to yank them over my head. After discarding the unwanted clothes, one hand evades my bra to knead my breast whilst the other grasps my hip to pull me flush against him.

Our bodies pant against each other as we ignore the need for air. My heart beats erratically as my head swims with desire.

Desperate to feel more of him, I push his top up his torso with my fingertips, relishing in each contour that slides under my palms.

Ade retreats to answer my plea, discarding his top before exploring my neck with his lips. His fingers effortlessly work the fastenings on my jeans without a single glance.

I clutch his flexing biceps tightly as he lifts me with one hand and removes my jeans with the other. The wood cools my flushed skin momentarily until Ade's fingers trail fires up my thighs.

I stare shamelessly as he sucks two fingers into his mouth. I breathe his name in an exhale of near relief as they brush between my legs.

"Please!" I beg, pulling his forehead against mine.

He answers by sliding his fingers inside me. My body instantly urges them deeper as a blaze rages in my core.

His immediately all-consuming rhythm is welcomed as my head falls back.

Ade bites the crook of my neck before his grip on my jaw forces me to look at him. There's a hypnotising fire burning in his dilated pupils.

"Don't look away. I want you to give yourself to me, can you do that?" All I can do is nod, already knowing the answer with every fibre of my being.

"Say it!" He demands, sending a rush of heat between my legs.

"I'm yours!" I declare with unrestrained truth.

Ade's hand moves to my neck as his thumb joins the assault on my senses, massaging circles against my clit.

My breathing quickly becomes a mumbled mixture of swears and his name as my orgasm grips my body.

Ade's gaze refuses to leave mine, even as the tidal waves subside.

Needing more, needing him. My fingers fumble with the button on his jeans, immediately moving to the zip after conquering its gatekeeper.

Ade watches the frustration dance in my eyes with a slight smirk, making it all that sweeter when I finally remove the troublesome clothing.

I tug him closer, aligning his length with my entrance.

"Wait, I'm not wearing a condom." Ade's brows furrow marginally as his eyes continue to watch mine.

"I'm on the pill. Please, I need to feel you." Ade nods once before pushing into me, the delicious stretch forcing a moan from my parted lips.

My legs circle his hips, drawing him in deeper whilst my hands anchor against his heaving chest.

One of Ade's hands holds my legs open wider to him, allowing his other hand to find my clit once more.

I gasp as I tighten around his length. Stars begin to cloud my vision as Ade's thrust's become relentless.

My intoxicated head falls back but quickly snaps back into place at the contact of Ade's hand against my ass. The sting swirls with pleasure, secretly begging for more.

But his grip on my neck provides a luscious alternative, holding me firmly in place as all of my nerves ignite at once.

I scream his name between uncontrollable moans, seeming to threaten Ade's last shred of self-control as his deepening thrusts quicken.

His mouth claims mine as his movements lose their rhythm and he grinds out his own climax. I swallow every moan until there's only shallow panting left.

Ade releases my neck, his forehead falling against mine. Years could have passed by in that moment and I wouldn't have noticed nor minded.

Ade collects my motionless limbs, carrying us over to the bed. My heavy body melts into the sheets upon contact.

I wrap an arm around Ade's heated torso, nuzzling up against his chest.

Amongst a drowsy cloud, I'm left with a parting gift as I drift off, the whispered words "I belong to you."