Darling Villain (Forbidden Fruit #1)

Chapter 24

Tiffany

A s the sun sets behind the majestic peaks of Monte Bisbino, the crisp autumn air carries the scents of conifers, poplars, and oaks. A gentle breeze playfully rustles through the vibrant foliage as our car glides along the narrow roads of Cernobbio, with Adrien’s security team following closely in another vehicle.

The village blurs past us, a charming mix of pastel buildings, cobblestone paths, and ivy-clad walls. Adrien’s hand rests on my thigh, his fingers idly tracing circles through the fabric of my dress.

“We’re almost there,” he murmurs, his voice low and smooth. His gaze is fixed on the road ahead, but I can feel the tension coiled in his body, the way he seems both eager and reluctant to arrive at our destination.

I glance out the window, watching as the scenery shifts from quaint village charm to the sprawling elegance of Lake Como’s shoreline. The water glistens under the fading sunlight, a mirror reflecting the fiery hues of the sky. It’s breathtaking, but my mind is elsewhere, consumed by the man beside me and the unspoken questions hanging between us.

In just two weeks, Adrien has come to understand me better than any other man I’ve been involved with. It’s almost insane how easily I gave away a piece of my heart to someone who is determined to take everything I have and ruin my family.

Yet, sometimes when he thinks no one is watching, I catch Adrien gazing at me with a tenderness that makes me wonder if this is more than just a game for him. What if he’s falling for me too? I need to find out, but I’m afraid of the answer. Afraid of what it might mean for us, for my family, for this fragile thing growing between us that feels both dangerous and inevitable.

The car slows as we approach the gates of Villa Mariana, its iron bars adorned with intricate ivy designs. The gates swing open silently, and we drive through, the crunch of gravel beneath the tires the only sound breaking the stillness. The villa is a masterpiece of Italian architecture with its pale walls and terra-cotta roof, surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens.

In the center of the circular driveway stands a massive stone fountain, water cascading gracefully from its tiers.

I’m overcome with awe as Adrien switches off the car’s engine.

He turns to me with a small smile on his lips. “Do you like it?”

“It’s stunning,” I reply, gazing up at the villa. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“You’re welcome.” Adrien gives me a quick but appraising look before walking around to my side of the car and opening the door for me. As I step out, his strong hand wraps around my waist.

Today, Adrien is dressed casually in dark jeans and a charcoal sweater, his hair tousled as if he had just rolled out of bed. It’s the most relaxed I’ve seen him.

Italy looks good on him.

Adrien’s thumb gently caresses my hip and my stomach flutters at his touch.

“Are you cold?”

I shake my head. “No.”

I am anything but cold.

“Good.” He releases his hold on my waist only to take my hand. “Come, I want you to see the view. It’s my favorite spot.”

Adrien leads me up the marble steps and into Villa Mariana. The entrance opens into a grand foyer, where a chandelier hangs elegantly from the ceiling, its crystals casting a soft light over the marble floors. The walls are adorned with rich tapestries and oil paintings creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

As soon as we enter the inner hall, a young man greets us.

“Good evening, Signor Leroy, Signorina Carter,” the man says with a polite bow. “Welcome to Villa Mariana. My name is Luca. I’ll be at your service during your stay. Dinner will be ready shortly, if you’d like to freshen up first.”

Adrien nods curtly. “Thank you, Luca. We’ll be down in a moment.”

“And you can call me Tiffany,” I chime in, flashing him a friendly smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Luca’s eyes flick to me and a flush of color spreads across his cheeks. He shyly smiles at me. “Nice to meet you too, Tiffany.”

Adrien’s grip on my hand tightens almost imperceptibly, a subtle shift that doesn’t go unnoticed by me.

“You may leave now,” he dismisses Luca.

Luca bows again, his expression carefully neutral, and retreats down the hall, leaving us alone in the grand foyer. The tension in the air is palpable, and I can feel Adrien’s gaze burning into the side of my face.

“What was that about?”

His jaw tightens. “You don’t need to be so friendly with the staff,” he says, his tone clipped. “They’re here to do their jobs, not to be your friends.”

I blink at him, taken aback by the sharpness in his voice. “I was being polite.”

Adrien runs a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “Polite is fine, but you don’t need to smile at him like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re trying to charm him.”

“Are you jealous of me greeting your staff?” I ask, my eyebrows arched in disbelief.

“Jealousy is a waste of energy,” he says evenly, though the way his fingers still grip mine tells a different story. “I just don’t appreciate you flirting with my staff right in front of me.”

I can’t help but laugh at his obvious agitation. “Flirting? I was just being polite, Adrien. There’s no need to overreact.”

He takes a step closer, his body now pressing against mine. “Is that so? Because from where I was standing, it looked an awful lot like flirting.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re being ridiculous. I barely said two words to him.”

“Two words too many,” Adrien says before capturing my lips in a fierce kiss.

His kiss is possessive and demanding, leaving no doubt about his feelings. I melt into him, my hands gripping his shirt as he presses me against the wall. His tongue explores my mouth hungrily, and I respond with equal fervor.

When we finally break apart, we’re both breathless.

“You have no idea what you do to people, do you?” He brushes a strand of hair away from my face. “That smile of yours—it’s dangerous. And you give it away too freely.”

My breath catches in my throat as his fingers linger against my cheek. “Adrien—“

“I don’t like sharing,” he interrupts, his tone firm but laced with something softer, something that makes my heart skip a beat. “Especially not with a guy who blushes when you say hello.”

I stare up at him, my pulse racing. There it is again—that glimmer of vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior. The way he looks at me when he thinks I’m not paying attention. The way his voice cracks ever so slightly when he says things like this.

“It’s just a smile,” I whisper.

“Not to me,” he says, taking my hand in his. “Now, let me show you the gardens before dinner.”

He leads me through the villa towards the grand spiral staircase, our footsteps echoing as we ascend to the upper floors.

“Why is it called Villa Mariana?” I ask, attempting to lighten the mood.

“It was a wedding present from my father to my mother, Mariana,” Adrien pauses for a moment, his eyes scanning the ornate ceiling. “My family used to live here year-round. My mother adored the gardens, often tending to the roses or strolling along the winding paths. But that was before my parents passed away twelve years ago. Since then, the villa has mostly remained empty. It has too many memories. It’s hard for me to be here, to be honest. And my sister Sylvia hasn’t been back here since our father’s funeral.”

I instantly regret bringing it up. His pained eyes and tight jaw tell me I’ve hit a nerve. “I’m so sorry, Adrien. I had no idea. You must feel so…” I search for the right words, “overwhelmed by all these memories and emotions.”

Visiting the Carter Manor evokes similar emotions for me, even though I was a child when I lost my parents. It’s a place where I’m reminded of them constantly, with their pictures around every corner and their presence still evident in every room. It’s a dull ache, a weight that’s always there, hiding beneath the surface.

“You don’t need to apologize. It’s not your fault. I’m just a bit nostalgic, that’s all.”

“Would you prefer if we stayed somewhere else for the night? We don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to, Adrien.”

We climb to the top of the stairs and step out onto the balcony, where we’re greeted with a breathtaking view of the sprawling grounds below.

“I enjoy seeing you here. I think you will help to replace some of the bad memories with good ones.” Adrien takes my hand and leads me to the edge of the terrace. “This used to be my favorite spot.”

The gardens below are breathtaking—rose bushes, bedding plants, fountains, gazebos, and a labyrinth—but as far as I’m concerned, it’s only second to the views of Lake Como.

Adrien’s arms wrap around my waist, pulling me close to his chest. I close my eyes, savoring the warmth of his body, the smell of soap and leather, the steady thump of his heart.

“Why did you move away? You could’ve stayed in Italy,” I ask.

His body tenses. “My father took his own life when I was studying in college. It happened right after my mother’s funeral. She had been struggling with her mental health and it all became too much for her. When my father was away on a business trip, she jumped from the balcony. My sister found her body in the garden.”

My throat tightens, and I instinctively press my body closer to Adrien’s.

“I was so angry,” he continues. “They both abandoned us when I was just beginning to make something of myself. Something more than being known as the son of a wealthy and influential man. I resented my father for what he did to my mother. He was always gone, never there to support her when she needed him the most. I moved to London to study and start fresh, getting away from everything that reminded me of them. I wanted to create my own path and establish my identity. But even after all this time, I still harbor resentment towards them for leaving us alone with the ghosts of what could have been my future.”

Adrien pauses, taking deep and steady breaths.

“And then Sylvia also left for New York in search of a new start. She wanted to break away from the expectations placed upon her. Meanwhile, I had no choice but to fulfill my father’s wishes—managing his businesses and trying to get out of the deep debt he had gotten us into by helping smuggle guns for the mafia.”

His voice trails off and he gazes out at the lake. His words resonate with me, and I feel a connection to him I never expected. We have both been shaped by loss and the weight of expectations.

“I had to leave because this place is filled with reminders of my past, and I needed a fresh start.”

I turn to face him, reaching out a hand to comfort him. “You don’t have to shoulder that burden alone, Adrien. We all face struggles, and sometimes, it helps to lean on someone else for support. You’re not alone.”

He stares at me intently, as if considering my words, before suddenly pulling me into a tight embrace. The tension in his body eases as he holds me close, the weight of his grief and hurt pressing against me.

I run my fingers through his hair, offering what comfort I can. “I’m here for you, Adrien. If you ever need someone to talk to or just someone who understands, I’m here.”

“Thank you, angel. That means a lot.” He meets my gaze again, his eyes serious. “But don’t pity me. I’ve made it this far on my own, and I’ll continue to do so.”

The sun sets behind us, painting the sky with beautiful shades of pink and orange. The colors reflect off the surface of Lake Como like a shimmering mirror. We stay still for a while, listening to the sound of crickets in the distance and the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore.

With slow, deliberate movements, Adrien leans in closer until his lips meet mine. The kiss is tender, yet filled with longing and sadness that we both share.

The kiss provides a reprieve, a moment of calm amid all the turmoil.

And for now, that’s enough.