Wear My Ring
Everything changed after that morning.
Not dramatically.
Not all at once.
Worse.
Quietly.
Like Adrian slowly stopped separating Lia from the rest of his life.
And maybe the most dangerous part?
She let him.
—
Three weeks later, Lia stood in Adrian's penthouse kitchen wearing one of his black hoodies while pretending not to panic internally.
Which was difficult.
Because Adrian Monteverde was currently in a meeting three rooms away—
and somehow still texting her every six minutes.
Message:
Adrian:
Did you eat?
Lia:
You asked me that twenty minutes ago.
Adrian:
Answer anyway.
Lia:
Yes.
Adrian:
What did you eat?
Lia:
Are you interrogating me?
Adrian:
Yes.
Lia stared at the messages in disbelief.
Then smiled despite herself.
Which honestly had become a problem lately.
Because Adrian somehow made obsessive behavior feel affectionate.
And that should concern her more than it did.
She set her phone down before pouring coffee into a mug, still half asleep from staying up too late studying the night before.
The penthouse felt strangely familiar now.
Comfortable.
Like she'd accidentally started belonging here.
Her books sat stacked near Adrian's office.
A skincare bag occupied one of his bathroom counters.
Half her favorite snacks somehow kept appearing in the kitchen without explanation.
And Adrian—
Adrian looked terrifyingly pleased every time she left something behind.
The realization warmed her chest in a way she tried very hard not to examine too closely.
A quiet voice interrupted her thoughts.
"You're smiling at your phone."
Lia turned quickly.
Adrian leaned against the kitchen entrance still dressed in dark slacks and a black button-down, sleeves rolled slightly up his forearms.
Beautiful.
Annoyingly beautiful.
His attention settled fully on her immediately.
Like it always did.
Lia lifted a brow lightly.
"You're supposed to be in a meeting."
"I finished early."
The answer came easily.
Too easily.
Because Adrian absolutely would end a business meeting early just to come look at her for five minutes.
And somehow—
that reality still affected her every single time.
He walked toward her slowly.
No hesitation.
No distance anymore.
Like closeness had become instinct between them.
His hands settled naturally at her waist the second he reached her.
Warm.
Possessive.
Comfortable.
"You stole my hoodie again," he murmured softly.
Lia glanced down at the oversized black fabric.
"You literally leave them around your apartment like traps."
A faint smile touched his mouth.
"They look better on you."
Heat rushed instantly through her chest.
God.
He still did that.
Said devastating things casually like they were normal conversation.
Adrian lowered his head slightly, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead before resting there for a second longer than necessary.
Affection had become natural with him too.
Constant.
Quiet touches.
Forehead kisses.
Hands always finding her somehow.
And maybe the most dangerous part?
Lia missed it whenever he wasn't touching her now.
Adrian pulled back just enough to study her face.
"You're tired."
"You text too much for someone running a billion-dollar company."
A low laugh escaped him.
Warm.
Real.
"You still answer every time."
The truth of that settled warmly into her chest.
Because she did.
Always.
Adrian's thumbs brushed lightly against her waist through the hoodie.
Then his gaze shifted downward suddenly.
Focused.
Intent.
Lia frowned slightly.
"What?"
Instead of answering, Adrian reached into the pocket of his slacks slowly before pulling something out.
A small velvet box.
Her heartbeat stumbled instantly.
"Oh my god."
Adrian's expression softened immediately at her panic.
"It's not what you think."
"That sentence has literally never calmed anyone."
A faint smile flickered across his face.
Then he opened the box carefully.
Inside rested a delicate silver ring.
Simple.
Elegant.
Beautiful enough to steal her breath for a second.
Lia blinked softly.
"Adrian..."
"It's not an engagement ring."
The roughness in his voice wrapped lightly around her chest.
"But I saw it and thought about you."
God.
That somehow felt more intimate.
Because of course Adrian saw things and immediately associated them with her now.
He reached for her hand carefully.
Waiting.
Always waiting.
When Lia let him take it, something softer crossed his expression instantly.
Like trust from her still overwhelmed him.
Adrian slid the ring slowly onto her finger.
Perfect fit.
Her pulse turned uneven immediately.
The silence afterward felt dangerous somehow.
Because Adrian stared at the ring on her hand like it meant something far deeper than jewelry.
"You sized my finger?"
A faint flicker crossed his face.
"You fell asleep holding my hand once."
Lia stared at him in disbelief.
"That is the creepiest thing you've ever admitted."
"No," Adrian murmured softly.
"That's probably not true."
Unfortunately—
he was right.
Heat spread through her chest anyway.
Because somehow, even his obsession had become familiar now.
Adrian lifted her hand slowly toward his mouth before pressing a soft kiss against the ring.
The gesture nearly ruined her emotionally.
Not because it was dramatic.
Because he looked sincere.
Like putting something on her finger physically satisfied something possessive inside him.
His eyes lifted slowly back to hers afterward.
Dark.
Focused.
Dangerously soft.
"You're wearing my ring now."
The quietness in his voice wrapped tightly around her heart.
Possessive.
Affectionate.
Completely gone for her.
Lia swallowed carefully.
"You make everything sound emotionally threatening."
A low laugh escaped him softly before he stepped closer.
Warmth surrounded her instantly.
"You love it."
The horrifying part?
She really, really did.