This time, the kiss wasn’t violent. It was desperate... and hungry.
Adrian kissed her with a force that made her stagger back.
But before she could retreat any further, he supported her neck with one hand.
And lifted her up effortlessly with the other hand.
Heat burst through her chest as she clutched his damp shirt, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist.
The waves rushed up around them, soaking their lower halves.
Ella’s back hit the wet sand as Adrian lowered her down with agonizing control, not once breaking the kiss.
He hovered above her, his knee wedged between her thighs, his body dripping from the sea water, hair sticking to his forehead.
She raised a hand to brush it back, but Adrian caught her wrist midair, pinning it beside her head. Then the other.
And suddenly, she was beneath him, barely able to move, completely exposed to his gaze.
"Keep your words, Elle," he murmured, breath brushing her lips.
His hand slipped under her soaked top, dragging across her ribcage, and Ella gasped.
"Hmm..." Her back arched slightly, his words barely registering in her mind.
"Do not ever leave," he spoke against her lips.
A hint of clarity seeped in her mind and she looked at him, "I am not leaving.
"Say it again," he whispered, his voice trembling just slightly, like he was on the edge of something feral.
"I am not leaving," she breathed, this time softer.
He placed his lips on her neck, gently kissing the spot, "Again."
Her eyes closed as his tongue caressed the sensitive spot, "Not... leaving..." she rasped.
He lowered his mouth to her collarbone, peppering kisses down her throat.
The sea cradled them, waves crashing gently around their waists.
His hand slid up to cup her breast, thumb brushing over the hardened peak through the fabric.
Ella arched up into his touch, her moan swallowed by his next kiss. It was slow, deep, all-consuming.
He kissed her so gently that Ella could barely think straight. Everything seemed to be engulfed in a haze until—
Ella felt something warm again on her shoulder blade.
She stiffened.
As Adrian released her lips, she gently nudged him back and looked down.
And in the next moment, she froze. Blood bloomed on her shoulder like a flower, the darkest shade of crimson.
Ella followed the trail of blood until her gaze landed on Adrian’s wrists.
"Adrian!"
"I am fine," Adrian frowned, inching closer to her.
But Ella was no longer in the mood to listen to him.
"What do you mean you are fine?" While he leaned in towards her, Ella was already on her feet, "Give me your hand. I will help you up..."
"I don’t—" need help.
Adrian trailed off when he saw her offered hand.
Wordlessly, he placed his palms on hers, easily enveloping her tiny one.
"It’s—" fine. Adrian’s words were interrupted by Ella who continued.
"But don’t worry. Just tell me and I will blow it for you. It will feel a little better that way," Ella winked, "Oh, what were you saying?"
"Nothing.’’
"Fine, just tell me when it’s painful."
Ella cleaned his wounds and gently applied the medicine on the cuts, "Does it hurt...?" she asked the man, carefully observing the cuts.
"Hurts."
Ella carefully blew on the wounds, "In the future, you should be gentler with yourself.’’
At first, she had not intended to comment on it yet looking at his current state, she could not hold herself back.
Just as Ella tilted his wrist and carefully applied the medicine on the other side, Adrian whispered again, "Hurts."
Ella blew on it a couple of times, "Is it better?"
"Mm."
It went on until both of Adrian’s wrists were bandaged again.
When Ella straightened up on the couch, she found Adrian glaring at his wrists, "Does it still hurt?"
Adrian pursed his lips, "Mm."
Ella patted his shoulder, "Don’t worry. It will get better in no time."
Adrian’s face darkened.
But Ella missed his expression as she was already on her way to the kitchen, "How about we have a great meal? I am sure that will make you feel better—"
Her words trailed off when she saw the state of the kitchen.

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