Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 163: Chapter 163

The rain had stopped, cloaking the city in night. Guided by Adrian's headlights, Elara returned to her Bugatti. As his McLaren pulled away, she hit the gas, keeping pace close behind.
Dinner hour found No. 9 Restaurant bustling. Victor maintained a permanent private room here, accessible to Adrian now that Victor himself had departed for Marisiton.
After placing their order and handing the menu back to the waiter, Elara turned to Adrian. "Has Victor reached Marisiton yet?"
"Yeah, he got there an hour ago."
Elara nodded. "Ruby didn't see him off, I suppose?"
"No, she didn't."
Elara nodded again. Silence descended, thick with the anticipation of the night ahead and the lingering unfamiliarity between them, rendering the atmosphere abruptly awkward.
Flushing slightly, Elara pulled out her phone, a flimsy shield against the silence. She scrolled absently through videos, her mind refusing to focus as inexplicable nerves took hold. 'Where was that fearless woman from before?' she berated herself silently. 'Why sudden cowardice?'
She stole a glance across the table. Adrian seemed utterly unfazed, calmly scrolling through his phone and replying to messages, as if whatever was about to happen tonight was nothing out of the ordinary.
For Elara, however, it felt momentous. This was her first time, imbued with considerable gravity. The stark contrast in their composure was undeniable. 'Had my earlier boldness truly stemmed only from the fight with my mom?'
The food arrived promptly, but after a few bites, Elara's appetite deserted her. Odd—she usually savored the cuisine here, yet tonight it tasted curiously flat.
"Does the food taste a bit bland to you tonight?" she asked.
"It's fine," Adrian replied.
"Oh," Elara murmured.
Silence descended again.
Adrian registered the awkwardness between them but dismissed it. 'Probably just pre-game jitters or playing hard to get,' he mused. 'She'll loosen up once things get going.'
Adrian typically ate lightly in the evenings. Within half an hour, they were leaving the restaurant, Elara trailing a step behind as they headed towards the outdoor parking.
Spotting a convenience store across the street, Elara cleared her throat pointedly to catch Adrian's attention.
Adrian halted and turned to her. "Are you catching a cold?" he asked.
"Um... Maybe you should pop into that store? Pick up a few... things?" Elara suggested, her voice faltering, though the implication hung clear between them. 'Condoms,' she screamed inwardly.
Understanding dawned instantly. A faint smile touched his lips as he caught Elara's hand, tugging her forward. "Won't need them," he said.
No need?' Elara's mind reeled. 'He keeps them stocked? For whom?' Suspicion curdled into hot irritation. 'Perfect. Plays the aloof gentleman, and now he can't even pretend?'
Fueled by sudden anger, she dug her heels into the pavement, refusing to move.
Adrian tugged firmly, pulling her along. "Nothing at home," he clarified. "Stop overthinking."
Elara glared. "Then why not buy them?"
Adrian just smiled. "Not buying."
They got into their cars. During the drive, Elara's thoughts churned. 'No condoms. Is he backing out? Then why am I going to his place? Unless... he doesn't want to? Ridiculous. My charm is undeniable. He couldn't possibly resist.'
She clicked her tongue. 'He's toying with me. Keeping me off balance. Does he hate condoms? Expect me to take the morning-after pill?' The thought ignited fresh fury. 'What an utter bastard!'
But she quickly dismissed it. 'No. That doesn't fit. Unless... he knows my period just ended? Thinks it's a safe window?' The explanation offered a sliver of logic. 'Yeah. Must be that.' A flicker of relief eased her tension.
Arriving at the Veritasiton Hills underground garage, Elara had barely shut her car door when Adrian—emerging from his McLaren—swept her off her feet. Without a word, he strode towards the elevator, cradling her.
"What are you doing?" Elara exclaimed, startled as her feet left the ground.
"I'm afraid the bird might fly," Adrian said with a teasing grin.
Elara fell silent.
The elevator ascended smoothly to the ninth floor. Holding her effortlessly with one arm, Adrian scanned his fingerprint, unlocked the door, and moved with purpose towards the master bathroom.
Inside the spacious shower stall, he set her down. The moment her feet found purchase on the tile, his fingers were already deftly working the buttons of her blouse.
So eager,' she thought, a flicker of amusement piercing her nerves. 'All that cool composure? Pure theater.'
Standing bare before him, Elara felt the heat of Adrian's unwavering gaze. His eyes remained locked on her as his hands moved with deliberate calm, unbuttoning his shirt, shedding his suit pants, betraying none of the urgency she sensed beneath.
Hot water cascaded over them. Steam quickly billowed, fogging the glass enclosure and gradually obscuring Elara's vision. The initial chill dissolved as warmth seeped into her limbs, bringing profound relief.
She watched as Adrian patiently worked body wash into a lather over her skin. The slick glide of his hands, tracing every curve and plane, sent shivers skittering along her nerves.
He even washed her hair, his movements careful and deliberate. Though clearly inexperienced—this being his first time bathing someone else—he wasn't clumsy. His touch remained gentle, attentive to her slightest reaction to avoid any discomfort.
Elara basked in Adrian's focused attention. Occasionally, she rewarded his ministrations with a soft, fleeting kiss brushed against the corner of his mouth.
Only after she was thoroughly rinsed did he finally turn his attention to washing himself.
Roughly forty minutes later, Adrian carried Elara from the steamy bathroom and settled her gently onto the vast bed.
Her hair, partially dried, fanned out in long, damp strands across the pillow. Looking up at Adrian, Elara gifted him a radiant smile.
Adrian, by contrast, looked utterly serious. Bracing his hands on either side of her, he gazed down, his voice a low rasp. "Still certain?"
A playful glint lit her eyes. "What if I changed my mind? Still time to flee?"
"Far too late," Adrian murmured.
"Then why ask?" Elara shot back.
His lips captured hers, the kiss starting gently. Elara closed her eyes, surrendering as his touch mapped every contour.
His strong, veined hands closed around her slender wrists, pressing them deep into the yielding mattress. The kiss deepened, turning hungry, possessive—a silent claiming.
Elara felt a shift as Adrian moved, freeing one hand to deftly untie the sash of her robe. He parted the fabric, and then the heat of his body covered hers.
His tongue traced a deliberate path along her earlobe—a silent question in the intimate touch. "Elara," he breathed against her skin.
"Hmm?" Her response was soft, breathless.
"Last chance," he breathed, his voice a low thrum against her ear. "Still sure?"
"I'm sure," Elara replied, her voice soft but unwavering. "No regrets."
It ended far sooner than Adrian anticipated. Discovering she was untouched—a revelation that stunned him—forced a swift conclusion.
A question had risen to his lips—why hadn't she told him?—but her pained whimpers, the tears streaking her cheeks as she twisted beneath him, silenced it. He murmured reassurances, unable to prolong her distress. He ended it quickly.
Naturally sensitive to pain, Elara lay spent beneath the covers, turned away from Adrian, drawing ragged breaths, too exhausted to speak.
After tending to her with a wet wipe, Adrian slid back beneath the covers. Gathering her gently into his arms, he murmured, "Still hurting?"
Elara shifted a little. "It hurts..." she murmured.
Despite the lingering ache, another thought surfaced. 'That was... fast. Alarmingly fast. Twenty minutes tops, including everything?' Burrowing her face deeper into his chest, her voice muffled against his skin, she ventured, "Adrian, are you... having issues?"
Adrian barked a laugh, equal parts exasperation and dark amusement. "Who was the one begging me to stop because it hurt?" He'd cut it short for her sake, and now she dared question his stamina? Unbelievable.
"But still..." she mumbled, unconvinced. 'Too fast.' Justin's words echoed unsettlingly. 'Was he right? A lifetime of... disappointment?'
He could almost hear the gears turning—and the doubts—in her head. Irritation flared. "You were the one pleading for mercy," he reminded her, his voice tight. "Rest up. I'll make sure you're thoroughly satisfied later." If anything, he was the one left wanting.
Elara responded with nothing but a pair of deeply skeptical hums.
Adrian dismissed the urge to argue; she'd learn the truth soon enough through demonstration. In the quiet lull before the next round, he asked, "Your first time?"
Elara gave a slight nod.
"Six years with Alex, and nothing?"