Chapter 20 - Adrian
"Hey, Baby," Adrian murmured, dragging his palm over Rhiannon's body. It'd been a fucking long day, and all he'd wanted since coming home was to find her and kiss her, maybe more if she felt like it.
While he'd been dealing with her prick of a father, Rhiannon had taken a few days off until the bug disappeared. Adrian hadn't even realized how much he'd missed her until he walked into the apartment.
Seeing her standing in the living room felt like a balm to his tired mind, and he gravitated to her without a second thought.
"Hi." Rhiannon smiled tightly, and Adrian frowned as she dodged his kiss. "Sorry, it's been a long day." Her eyes turned to the floor, and unease knotted his stomach as she pulled away. "I really just want to shower and go to bed."
"I heard you were with Irena," he said, feeling forced to take a step back. "You feeling better, Baby?"
Ever since the dinner with his family a few nights ago, she had been keeping her distance, attributing her absence to a stomach bug. But he knew it was more than that. He could practically feel the weight of her unease lingering in the air between them.
Rhiannon shook her head, then muttered something unintelligible before she kissed him on the cheek and darted to the bathroom.
He clenched his fists in frustration. The way her father had treated her—cold and dismissive—had cut deeper than even he had realized. Adrian's heart tightened at the thought of her father manipulating her emotions, making her question her worth and place within the family. It made him furious. If he could, he would confront her father, demand an explanation, and make it clear that Rhiannon was not a pawn in his games.
But more than anger, Adrian felt a deep-seated worry. Despite his assurances about her place in their business, he could sense Rhiannon was still struggling to shake free from the suffocating expectations that loomed over her. In the wake of their meeting with Mikhail, he feared she felt no control over her destiny, that all his support hadn't been enough to restore her confidence.
Determined to change the course of the day, he began to formulate a plan. It had to be something that would make her smile, something that would reignite the spark they both knew was still there. An idea began to take shape in his mind: a fun date that would bolster her confidence and remind her of her strength.
***
The next day, Adrian cleared his schedule, and while Rhiannon was waking up, he presented the idea to her, his voice low in the quiet of the room.
"I have a surprise for you."
Rhiannon raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a tentative smile that warmed his heart. "Oh? What is it?"
"Thought we could go to the shooting range today," he declared, unable to contain his enthusiasm. "A little friendly competition. I'll teach you some of my tricks." His eyes heated as she curled up against him. "And more depending on what you're in the mood for?" His thoughts turned to a game of dare where he might even be able to convince her to kiss him a little more heavily than just the pecks she'd been giving him.
Her eyes widened, a flicker of joy dancing within them. "Really?"
"Of course, it'll be fun."
To his relief, Rhiannon's laughter rang out, brightening the heavy atmosphere. "Alright, I'm in," she said, a hint of mischief returning to her voice.
When they arrived at the shooting range, the anticipation pulsed around them. Adrian could sense Rhiannon's tension easing as they stepped into the brightly lit space, filled with the sound of gunfire and the acrid scent of gunpowder. He focused on her, taking note of the way her posture shifted—more relaxed now, her confidence starting to shine through.
"First things first," he instructed, guiding her to the firing line. "Let me show you how to hold the gun properly." He positioned her hands, their fingers brushing against each other, and Rhiannon shot him a sideways glance, her lips quirking.
"I know how to use a gun, Baby," she teased, standing on her tiptoes to nibble on his bottom lip. His breath caught, and his eyes darkened.
"I thought you might," he murmured against her mouth. "But I wanted to make sure before we turn this into a competition."
"What's the prize?" she asked him, her head tilted up to look at him. It reminded him of their first time together, and Adrian swallowed a moan, his cock thickening in his pants.
"Winner chooses," he replied hoarsely, settling a palm on her waist.
She let out a laugh. "That sounds alright. Best two out of three, then?"
He nodded, captivated by the sparkle in her eyes.
***
As the afternoon unfolded, they fell into a rhythm of playful competition, each shot met with laughter and playful banter. Adrian watched as Rhiannon's focus sharpened with every shot she took, her determination radiating off her in waves. She was a natural; her enthusiasm was infectious, transforming the day into something he wouldn't forget.
They spent hours laughing and challenging each other; each missed shot was met with gentle teasing, and each hit was celebrated with cheers. Adrian found that the more they engaged in this simple activity, the more her spirit seemed to lift. It was as if the weight of the world had temporarily eased from her shoulders, replaced by a blissful camaraderie that he had longed for.
When they finally wrapped up their time at the range, Rhiannon's smile was genuine and infectious. Adrian's heart swelled with hope—maybe, just maybe, this little outing had rekindled the confidence she so desperately needed.
However, as they returned home, the atmosphere shifted once again. Rhiannon remained cautious, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. The moment they stepped through the door, he instinctively reached for her, an urge to close the distance between them and reaffirm their connection. But she stepped back, something unspoken flickering in her gaze.
"We had fun today," she said, but the light in her eyes dimmed. He could sense the invisible barrier rising between them, the tension coiling tightly once more.
"Yeah, we did," Adrian replied, his brow furrowing with concern. "I'm glad we could do something together."
Rhiannon nodded, but she didn't move closer and he suggested a dinner, unwilling to let her return to the room before the heat between them faded.
The evening wore on, and although they shared laughter and stories, it felt as if there was an unbridgeable gap between them. When the time came to go to bed, she hesitated at the door to their shared room, her body language closed off.
"Rhiannon," he began tentatively, stepping forward to close the distance between them. "Is everything okay? I thought today would help you feel better. You've been acting strange, Baby. You know you can talk to me if you need to."
"I know, Adrian—I just…" She lowered her gaze, a shadow passing over her features. "I enjoyed the shooting range, really. But I… I still feel off. Just… tired, I guess."
Adrian's heart sank. No amount of good moments seemed to be enough to banish the unease that clung to her. "You know you can talk to me, right? Whatever's bothering you, I'm here."
Rhiannon offered him a faint smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I know. It's just… complicated." She shifted her weight, glancing back toward the hallway as if considering an escape route.
That gnawing doubt resurfaced in Adrian's mind, creeping in like a thief in the night. He could feel the worry eating away at him; the distance that had crept in after the dinner with his family had only amplified. He yearned to pull her close, to show her the love and support she so desperately needed, but her retreat felt like a brick wall rising between them.
As they finally made their way into the bedroom, the air felt thick with unspoken words. Rhiannon sat on the edge of the bed, her posture stiff. He wanted to bridge that gap, but every instinct told him to tread carefully.
"Do you want to watch a movie or something?" he suggested, longing for a way to lighten the mood.
Her eyes flickered up to meet his, and for a fleeting moment, he saw a glimmer of the Rhiannon he loved—the one who thrived on adventure and laughter. "Maybe later," she replied, though he could sense the hesitation in her voice. "I think I just need some time to myself."
The rejection stung deeper than he cared to admit, and he fought to maintain his composure. "Okay," he said softly, hoping to exude understanding, even as anxiety roiled within him. "I'll be right here if you change your mind."
He turned away, the weight of her distance heavy on his heart. He couldn't shake the feeling that the night might end without any renewed connection between them, without that intimacy that had always been a natural part of their relationship. As he lay in bed next to her, his mind swirled with thoughts and fears. Would this doubt continue to gnaw at him? Would it become a chasm too wide to cross?
Adrian tried to focus on the comforting rhythm of Rhiannon's breathing beside him, hoping to drown out the concerns that plagued his mind. But every minute stretched painfully long as he listened to her, feeling her restlessness rather than the peace he craved.
He turned onto his side to face her, softly tracing the lines of her profile with his gaze, admiring the way her hair fell over her shoulders, the way her lips curved slightly even in sleep. Rhiannon was a force of nature, and yet, while he adored that strength, he also understood the delicate balance of vulnerability beneath it.
"Rhiannon," he whispered, his voice low, "I know you're dealing with a lot right now, but I want you to remember that I'm right here for you. You're not alone in this."
She stirred slightly but didn't respond. His heart ached at the thought of her battling her demons, feeling lost in a world that seemed so relentless.
The silence stretched, and Adrian slowly closed his eyes, allowing rest to claim him. But even in slumber, uncertainty shadowed his dreams. He couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to do something—anything—to help her feel secure and loved in a world that was constantly trying to undermine her worth.