ring gates. Elena's heels clicked sharply against the polished stone as she stepped out, the chill in the air mixing with the heat rising in her

the pockets of his perfectly tailored suit. "Watch your s

." She was about to step toward the door when her pulse sp

tight in outrage. Adrian's ex. The popular model who Adrian embarrassed publicly before they

lief. "And to her? This can't be real! You're... you're going

nds curled into fists at her sides, and she stepped forward. "Excuse me?" Her voice was sharp, brimming w

ock and irritation mixing in her ex

through the rain and the ex's protest. "The woman who will not stand here and li

think you can keep him? He'll get bore

subtlety. Without thinking, she reached up, grabbed Adrian's face, and kissed him - hard, poss

is mouth, clearly about to speak, but Elena pulled back just enough to shove him slightly toward th

rds appeared, moving with precise authority. They stepped forward and, without hesitation, grabbed the ex under the arms, gently but firmly dragging her toward the driveway. She screamed, k

to Adrian, hands on her hips, and snapped, "See? I told you - this is my

f surprise crossing his usually unreadable fe

in another possessive kiss, just enough to make him pause. She pulled back slightly, resting her forehead against his

she claimed him without hesitation. "You... you're jeal

"I am not jealous," she said grumpily, a flush rising to her cheeks. "I am natur

ng in his expression. "Naturally protec

n't do it for you. I did it for me. And to make sure s

d. "I see. So, all fire

rk despite her grumpy tone. "I told you. I make the rules. This is my house now.

oice low, gray eyes still

still racing, heart hammering in her chest. She had surprised even herself - the fir

em: electric, charged, impossible to ignore. He stepped closer again, lips barely brushin

trying to appear fierce. "And don't think this me

mile forming. "Protecting what's yours... an

guard up. "I said I'm not jealous. I'm grumpy. And I'm

making her pulse quicken even more. "Feisty, stub

You better get used to it. I won't always be this agreeab

slow, knowing smile. "I wou

doorway, still flushed, chest heaving, realizing that she hadn't just driven away his ex - she had as

made her stomach flutter and knees weak. "You know," he murmured,

yet victorious. "Good

against hers, heat radiating off him. "I t

: she wasn't just protecting Adrian. She was protectin