Chapter 3 Christopher, you Lunatic

Christopher strode over to his motorcycle, swung his long legs over, and barked, "Get on." Adeline looked at him as though he had lost his mind. "Why would I ditch my four wheels for your two? My convertible's way cooler than your roofless bike!" She didn't wait for a response and slid into her car. Before she could settle in, a strong hand grabbed her arm like she was a small child and yanked her out of the car. Without a word, Christopher dragged her to the other side of the vehicle. He opened the door and shoved her in before slamming the door shut. It all happened in one smooth, forceful motion. By the time Adeline realized what had just happened, Christopher was already in the driver's seat. "Crazy," she muttered under her breath, though a small smile tugged at her lips. Christopher suddenly leaned in close, one hand braced against the window by her side, his tall frame looming over her. Before she could react, his lips crashed onto hers in a fierce, demanding kiss, giving her no chance to resist. Adeline struggled, muffling her protests against him. When he finally pulled back, he didn't retreat fully. Instead, he bit down slightly on her now-swollen lips, just enough to make her wince. She scowled, covering her mouth. "Are you a dog or something?" Christopher's sharp eyes fixed on her, dark and dangerous as they lingered on her reddened lips. "If you mention divorce again, I'll sew that mouth of yours shut." With that, he slammed his foot on the gas, and the car roared to life. Adeline wisely chose silence. She knew better than to challenge Christopher when he got like this. He was the kind of lunatic who would actually follow through on his threats. … Gillstone City sparkled under the night sky, a beacon of decadence and indulgence. Adeline stared out the window, watching the city lights blur as they sped past. Christopher drove with one hand on the wheel, the other casually resting on the open window. His slender fingers held a lit cigarette, its embers glowing faintly. His wild, reckless charm was on full display, his sharp features exuding confidence. The black bead bracelet on his wrist seemed oddly out of place against his brash demeanor. The buzz of her phone interrupted her thoughts. Glancing at the caller ID, her expression hardened, and she reluctantly picked up. "What is it?" she asked coldly. Christopher's gaze flicked to her, catching the irritation on her face. He didn't need to ask; he already knew who was on the other end. "Adeline, come home this weekend for dinner," Lloyd Keller's voice was authoritative, leaving no room for negotiation. "No," Adeline shot back, ready to hang up. "It's Leonard's sixth birthday. He wants you to celebrate with him." Lloyd's tone softened slightly as he mentioned his son, Leonard Keller, a warmth Adeline hadn't been on the receiving end of for many years. "Fine," she replied. Before she could end the call, Lloyd added, "Bring Christopher with you. It's been a while since I've seen him." Adeline's eyes flicked to Christopher, who was focused on the road. Quickly, she looked away. "He's busy—" Her words were cut off as Christopher snatched the phone from her hand. His long, elegant fingers gripped the phone as he gave an amused, knowing smirk. Speaking into the phone, he said, "Dad, we'll be there this weekend." Adeline rolled her eyes. In front of Lloyd, Christopher always played the perfect son-in-law. After hanging up, he tossed the phone onto her lap and floored the gas pedal. Moments after, they arrived home. As soon as Adeline stepped out of the car, Christopher grabbed her wrist with a firm grip. Before she could react, he pulled her into the villa and pressed her against the cold, unyielding wall. With one hand pinning her wrists above her head, his tall frame trapped her completely. His other hand cupped her chin, and he claimed her lips with a ferocity that left no room for protest. The icy wall behind her only heightened the heat of his actions. Adeline felt suffocated, the aggressive kiss stealing her breath and leaving her unable to escape. Christopher was such a lunatic. Kissing her was probably more like a conquest than an act of affection. Though this wasn't their first kiss, Christopher always managed to leave her gasping for air, her soft protests swallowed by his relentless dominance. The more she resisted, the more intense he became. His dark eyes glittered with amusement as he tightened his grip on her waist, deepening the kiss as if determined to drain the last bit of oxygen from her lungs. Just as her mind started to short-circuit, Christopher pulled back, a wicked smirk on his face, clearly pleased with himself. "You can't sleep without me, but when I'm here, you can't handle it?" Adeline's chest heaved as she gasped for air. Her pale face, now flushed from lack of oxygen, looked irresistibly alluring. In the dimly lit villa, Christopher's sharp eyes never left her. His Adam's apple bobbed as he took in her figure, the faint flush on her cheeks, and her disheveled appearance. There was no denying it. Adeline was captivating in every sense. Too bad that sharp tongue of hers was venomous. "Christopher, if you want me dead, can you at least pick a less twisted method?" she snapped, her breath still uneven. Christopher's large hand cupped the back of her neck, pulling her closer. His low voice, laced with danger and amusement, murmured, "Killing you is boring. Sleeping with you is much more fun." Adeline shoved him with all her might. "Even a dog has more dignity than you!" Christopher didn't budge as he laughed darkly. "That's all the strength you've got?" Before she could retort, he effortlessly hoisted her onto his shoulder like she weighed nothing. She yelped as he carried her upstairs to the bedroom, tossing her onto the bed with ease. Adeline propped herself up slightly, glaring at him. "Christopher—" Her words were cut off as he climbed over her, his tall frame pinning her down. His hand cradled the back of her head, and his lips descended on hers once more, demanding and unrelenting. His fingers found the zipper of her dress, pulling it down in one swift motion. The cool air on her exposed skin made her shiver, snapping her out of her haze. Though Christopher didn't love her, nights like these had been a constant since the day they married. She vividly recalled their wedding night—hours that stretched into dawn, leaving her body marked with bruises and her bones aching as though she had been run over by a truck. She had never understood if he was venting his desires or his frustrations. The sharp smack of his hand on her thigh jolted her back to the present. "You still have the energy to think about other things?" he teased, his lips curling into a mocking smile. His dark eyes glinted with a predatory edge. Adeline realized her dress, along with her undergarments, had been stripped away without her noticing. Knowing she had no escape, she leaned into her only weapon—her words. With a wry smile, she quipped, "Just wondering if other men could be better at this than you." Christopher's expression darkened instantly, his teeth gritting. "Adeline, you must have a death wish." She sighed, resigning to herself to her fate. Why couldn't she ever keep her mouth shut?