Chapter 24: You're Beautiful

[Mature Content]

Adrain kissed Joi hungrily, his lips claiming hers with unrelenting passion. His hands roamed her body, igniting every nerve under his touch. Their tongues danced, teasing and tasting, neither of them willing to pull away.

Joi's right hand explored his chest, her fingers tracing the defined lines of his muscles. She moved to his neck, then his sharp jawline, savoring the texture of his skin. Her fingers found their way to the buttons of his shirt. With a swift, deliberate motion, she undid them, exposing the heat radiating from his body.

Adrain groaned as her hands slid under his shirt, her touch sending a shiver down his spine. His arousal grew, painfully constrained in his pants. His hand ventured to her waist, hiking up her gown, revealing the soft curve of her thighs. The kiss deepened, his lips capturing her lower one, sucking with enough pressure to make her moan into his mouth.

Joi's hands roamed under his shirt, caressing his toned abs and sliding up to his chest. Her fingers found his sensitive nipples, pinching them gently, and Adrian let out a deep growl of pleasure.

"Joi," he groaned, his voice hoarse, a mix of desire and frustration as his body yearned for more. He grabbed her waist and pulled her onto his lap, their breaths mingling, heated and unsteady.

But Joi broke the kiss, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. She felt the slick heat between her thighs and cursed herself silently for how easily he unraveled her.

"Why did you stop?" Adrain's voice was rough, his gaze smoldering.

"You need to rest," she said, her voice trembling slightly as she licked her swollen, reddened lips.

Adrain smirked and sat up, pulling her closer. "So, if I wasn't sick, you wouldn't stop me?" His lips found her neck, kissing the sensitive skin before licking the same spot.

"Adrain…" Joi's voice wavered as her eyes fluttered closed, her body betraying her resolve. "You need to get better first," she managed to whisper, her words shaky.

"And when I do?" he murmured against her skin, his right hand sliding up to cup her breast. He massaged it slowly, savoring the way it fit perfectly in his hand, full and soft.

Joi's breath hitched, and she clenched her thighs together, trying to regain control of her thoughts. "I… I can't promise you that," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Adrain chuckled softly, his lips brushing against hers. "We'll see about that."

Joi's moan slipped out involuntarily as he pinched her nipple through the thin fabric of her gown. She gripped the bedsheet tightly, her knuckles white.

"Adrain," she finally gasped, her voice desperate. "Stop."

He paused, his hand lingering for a moment before he pulled back. His eyes lingered on her flushed face, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

"You're beautiful," he said simply, his tone softer than she'd ever heard.

Her eyes widened, and her cheeks turned crimson. He kissed her lightly on the lips before lying back down, his expression finally relaxed. Joi stared at him, confused. Adrain wasn't the type to compliment.

Shaking her head, she busied herself changing the towel on his forehead, checking his temperature, which had begun to drop. But even as she worked, her mind kept replaying his words.

---

As Joi cleaned up, the doorbell rang, pulling her from her thoughts. She stood to answer it, but Adrain's hand grabbed her wrist.

"I thought you were sleeping," she said, startled by his touch.

"Will you come back?" he asked, his deep blue eyes uncharacteristically vulnerable.

Joi blinked, caught off guard by the soft plea in his voice. "Of course," she said, offering him a small smile. "I just need to get the door."

He hesitated, his grip loosening reluctantly. Joi chuckled softly at his uncharacteristically childish behavior and hurried to the door.

Opening it, her brows furrowed. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone sharp.

Rachel stood there, smirking. "I came to see my man," she replied, brushing past Joi.

Joi quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Adrain is sleeping. He doesn't need any disturbances. So, you can leave." Her voice was firm, her posture unapologetic.

Rachel's smirk faltered, her eyes narrowing. "Don't act high and mighty, Joi. You're just another one of his whores. Don't think for a second you're any different from the rest."

Joi's jaw tightened, but she refused to let Rachel see her falter. "I don't care what you think. Let me remind you—I am his fiancée." She stressed the word, her voice dripping with confidence.

Rachel's face twisted in disbelief. "You? Living here as his fiancée? That's laughable."

Joi smirked. "And yet, here I am. Contract or no contract, it's still a marriage. So, you can leave now."

Rachel's composure cracked. "What?! That's impossible!"

Before the argument could escalate further, Mrs. Catlin entered, carrying bags of groceries. "Ma'am, I'm sorry for the delay. The traffic was terrible because of an accident on the road," she said apologetically.

"It's fine. I'm just glad you're safe," Joi replied warmly.

Rachel, however, wasn't ready to leave. "Adrain will want to see me," she insisted.

Joi stepped closer, her voice low and dangerous. "He won't. And if you don't leave now, I'll throw you out myself."

Rachel glared at Joi but didn't have time to respond before Adrain's voice echoed from the hallway. "Rachel, go home."

Both women turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, his shirt unbuttoned, his hair disheveled but his presence commanding.

"Sir, I brought the file you requested—" Rachel started, attempting to regain her composure.

"I'll take it," Joi cut in, snatching the file from Rachel's hands.

Adrain's gaze softened as Joi walked toward him, swaying her hips ever so slightly. She placed a hand on his chest. "I'll put this in your study, cook dinner, and then we can relax together. Okay?"

He nodded, his lips quirking into a faint smile as he turned back toward the bedroom.

Rachel stood there, seething, as Joi turned back to her with a triumphant grin. "Still here? Planning to join us for dinner?"

Rachel stormed out without another word, and Joi slammed the door shut, locking it behind her.