AN: Hey all, I went back and corrected a BUNCH of grammar issues. I've never written in present POV before and I kept flipping between past and present tense. Hopefully, I didn't totally screw up the embedded comments but I probably did. Ah, well.

You guys rock as always. Thanks for all the comments and votes. I just love you guys. XOXOXO!!

She Embraces the Flame

Elizabeth's POV

I want to die of embarrassment.

Lying in bed I refuse to open my eyes. I've been awake for a few minutes now, fully sober and with a pounding headache. My sweater and leggings are gone and I'm guessing Adrian must have removed them after my little incident in the bathroom.

I can't believe I puked my guts out right in front of him. To make matters worse I'm fairly certain I threw up on his shoes before passing out.

Someone kill me.

"You gonna pretend to be asleep all day?" Adrian's low voice asks.

Shit!

I squeeze my eyes shut even tighter and pull the blankets up over my head.

From under the covers I hear him sigh loudly. "Come on, Ellie." He doesn't sound angry. But he doesn't sound happy either.

"How long was I out for?" I ask, my voice muffled by the blankets.

"About four hours."

Damn.

"Have you been here the whole time?"

"Yes."

"Why?" Anyone else would have run for the hills.

"I was worried."

My heart clenches with a strange happiness despite my misery. It feels nice to have someone care. Especially Adrian. "Thank you."

"I wouldn't thank me just yet." The underlying threat in his tone has butterflies swarming in my stomach. There's no doubt about it, I'm in big trouble.

I squirm nervously under my cocoon of blankets. As if they could protect me...

"Adrian?"

"Yes, Ellie?"

"Did I throw up on your shoes?" I all but groan.

"Yes, you did," he replies bluntly.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

"I'm sorry," I moan, burying even deeper under the covers.

"Oh, I plan to have you make up for it," he promises. His voice is closer now. I feel a hand tug at my blankets. "Time to get up."

"I don't want to," I pout like a child. I can't face him. I'm just too embarrassed.

"Now," he orders, giving the blankets a hard tug and yanking them off me.

I sit up sulkily. My hair is a mess, falling in tangled locks of dark brown around my face. I can only imagine what the rest of me looks like.

Adrian is standing over the bed, watching me. I stare at the floor. I can't bring myself to look at him just yet.

His feet are bare.

Because you threw up on his shoes, dumbass!

"How are you feeling?" he asks.

"I have a headache," I mumble.

"I wonder why?" he drawls sarcastically. Reaching over he picks up a bottle of vitamin water off my nightstand and hands it to me. "Potassium." Taking the wrist of my free hand he turns my palm upward and deposits two pills. "Tylenol."

"Thanks," I murmur, obediently taking the pills.

"I want you to drink that bottle and go take a shower. Understand?"

I nod, feeling like a scolded child.

"Good." With that he leaves me alone in my room.

I finally raise my head, staring at my closed bedroom door. I don't know what to think, my mind a whirlwind.

First, I go to war with my family. God, what a nightmare that was. Then I finally break up with Eric. Double nightmare. And now Adrian is clearly upset with me.

This day is just the worst.

Adrian's voice calls from the living room, "I don't hear water running."

Crap!

Chugging the rest of the vitamin water I hastily get up and head for the bathroom. I'm a little taken back by how clean it is. I can even smell the lingering lemony scent of cleaning products.

"Adrian?" I call out.

"Yes, Ellie?" his answers, the hard tone of his voice clear through the thin wall.

"Did you clean my bathroom?" Which I'm positive I vomited all over.

"Yes, I did."

FUCK!!

Groaning, I drop my head into my hands. The nightmare is never ending.

Turning on the shower I crank it up extra hot and strip off my bra and underwear. The water immediately wakes me up and eases the tension in my body. My headache dissipates and by the time I'm done I feel a hundred percent better.

Getting out I brush my teeth - twice for good measure - and gargle some mouthwash. Feeling refreshed I blow dry my hair. I still can't find my damn brush so I use my fingers to work out the tangles and then pull it back up into another bun.

Wiping a hand over the fogged mirror I stare at my reflection and nod. I don't look half bad and decide to skip on any concealer. Wrapping a fluffy towel around my body I head back to my room to get dressed.

As soon as I exit the bathroom I freeze mid-step. Adrian is leaning against my bedroom doorway, waiting for me. Behind his glasses he gives me a dark look so intense I take a step back.

He's literally glaring at me with anger.

Swallowing, I say in a rush, "I'm really sorry."

Straightening from the door he walks up to me slowly. "For what?" His voice is low and dangerous, making me shiver.

I don't even know where to start. "Everything."

Looming over me he crosses his arms. "Be more specific."

Nerves begin to claw up my throat. His stance makes me feel so small and vulnerable. Never before has a man made me feel this way. My hand grips my towel a little tighter. "I'm s-sorry for g-getting s-sick...on y-you."

He shakes his head. "Try again."

I frown. He wasn't upset about that? "I'm sorry a-about Eric."

"Nope."

"F-for getting s-so drunk?"

"There we go." His eyes narrow as he asks sternly, "Is that a habit with you, Ellie?"

I quickly shake my head. "Never done that before."

His jaw ticks. "Which part? Drinking yourself unconscious or getting totally shit faced at ten o-clock in the morning?"

"Eight actually," I blurt, slapping a hand over my mouth. That was stupid.

His handsome face hardens to an unreadable mask. That can't be good. "I'm going to tell you right now, that sort of behavior will not be tolerated, do you understand me?"

The absolute authority in his voice has my heart skipping a beat. I could argue. I could tell him I wasn't a child and he has no right bossing me around. But instead I stutter out, "Y-Yes."

He continues to scold me, "That was extremely irresponsible."

"It was Mrs. Gunderson's idea!" I exclaim.

Adrian pauses at that. "The kinky old lady?"

"Yea. I wasn't going to drink so much. She told me not to be a pussy."

His lips twitch and I swear he almost smiles. Then he's back to scolding, "That's no excuse. What if I hadn't been here? What if you passed out and hit your head?"

He's right. I let my family get the best of me. I stare down at my feet, unsure what to say. I should tell him about what happened, but part of me is afraid. If I tell him about my mother and sister, he could very well walk away from me.

Who would want to deal with that kind of drama?

But I can't hide it from him either. I can't stop them from interfering and Adrian has a right to know.

"You're right. And I'm sorry. I was...upset," I finally relent.

He rubs a hand through his hair in agitation. "Listen, I'm sorry about the tabloid. I should have been more careful."

"I'm not upset about that," I respond truthfully.

"Then what is it?"

I hesitate, avoiding his gaze.

"I'm waiting, Ellie," Adrian says firmly. His tone made it clear he isn't budging.

"Why didn't you tell me you were a billionaire?" I blurt.

He raises a brow at that. "I thought you knew."

"I didn't know," I respond quietly.

Adrian seems to think a moment before asking, "Is that a problem for you?"

"No...yes...I don't know..." I shrug. "That's a lot of money."

"It is and I worked hard for it." Cupping the back of my neck he reassures me, "But that doesn't make you less than me, Ellie, if that's what you're thinking."

It's like he just read my mind. "I was...it crossed my mind," I admit.

He relaxes slightly. "So is that it? My money upset you? Because I gotta say, babe, that's a first."

Truth time. I swallow nervously. "Well...no. I had a run in with my mother and sister. They...they saw the tabloid. My mother was furious."

His brows furrow. "How is that any of her business?"

"She's always been very controlling of my life. She expects certain things from me," I confess.

"And she has a problem with me?" His features are both perplexed and a little angry.

"She has a problem with me," I correct. My hands grip his shirt, afraid he'll run away from me. "She said I was an embarrassment and that you would never want me. She told me to stay with Eric. She...w-wants...m-my sister..." Damn it, this is so hard, the words spilling out in a jumbled mess. It's so frustrating. I just want to get this out and over with. "D-Damn, i-i-it."

Wrapping his arms around my waist Adrian murmurs encouragingly, "Take your time, Ellie."

I stare up at him with such strong emotions swelling in my chest it's hard to breath. He's watching me patiently. Without the usual pity or cruelty that often comes with my stutter. It's both empowering and encouraging.

It's amazing how good this man makes me feel.

Taking a deep breath, I rush out, "They want me to introduce you to my sister, Isabelle."

His frown deepens. "Why?"

"So she can...s-she wants you..." I can't even say it, just the thought makes me so angry and upset.

Adrian thinks a moment before stating, "Does your mother think she can hook me up with your sister because of my money?"

My eyes widen in surprise and I nod. "How did you know?"

He gives a wry smile. "Because that is exactly something my step-mother would do. Like I said, the two of them would get along famously."

Fidgeting with his shirt I say anxiously, "I understand if you don't want to deal with that sort of drama."

His arms tighten around my waist. "Drama? Baby, my life is nothing but drama. My family isn't exactly The Brady Bunch."

"But, they can be very destructive," I protest. I have to make him understand.

"You think I should be afraid of them?" he asks, his voice taking on a hard edge. "They upset my girl and make threats? They're the ones that should be afraid of me."

His girl?

My heart does a little pitter-patter in my chest. "Adrian."

"I'll handle them when the time comes." Cupping my chin, he forces me to meet his gaze. "Next time, come to me first. Numbing yourself is never the way." There's a hush to his tone, as if he spoke from experience. His features soften, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. "I didn't like seeing you that way."

My eyes grow misty. He was upset because he cared. "Thanks for staying with me."

"I would never leave you alone like that," he scoffs.

A small smile tugs at my lips. "Even after the...uh...the incident."

"The incident?" he chuckles. "Is that what we're going to call it?"

My smile widens.

He raises a brow, a wicked gleam forming in his eyes. "Don't look so pleased, baby."

"What are you going to do about it?" I tease.

He gives me a wolfish grin.

I gulp.

Bending he scoops me up, hauling me over his shoulder.

"Adrian!" I squeal. "You can't pick me up!"

"I just did." Heading towards the bed he drops me onto the mattress. His hands wrap around my towel, yanking it off and tossing it on the floor.

I rise up on my hands, suddenly breathless.

Standing over the bed his eyes darken, the steel orbs looking me over slowly. "Open your legs."

Peeking up at him from under my lashes I spread my legs for him. He licks his lips, his eyes riveted on my bare sex. The desire I feel for him is coiling in my belly, making me feel tense and achy. I can feel myself growing wet under his gaze.

Rubbing a hand over his chest Adrian groans, "You are so wet for me." His hot gaze meets mine, searing right down into my soul. "I keep my promises, Ellie. You understand?"

His words about fucking me senseless ring in my mind. God, I want him to. It's unbearable. "Please."

"I like the way you beg me." Taking off his glasses Adrian places them on the nightstand. Then he's kneeling between my thighs, his hands slipping under my ass and lifting me up.

My eyes grow wide. "W-wait..."

He glares up at me. "No. I've been dying to taste this pretty pussy." Lifting me higher his tongue laps at my exposed slit. I inhale sharply at the pleasure, opening my legs wider. I hear him chuckle, the rough sound vibrating along my aching clít.

"Don't laugh," I grate, tugging on his hair.

Adrian groans against me, his voice a thick rumble, "I love it when you do that." His grip tightens, his tongue licking my swollen flesh again and again. My hands fist his hair, my hips rocking all on their own. One of his arms wraps around my hips, holding me firm against his mouth while his free hand slides up my stomach. My eyes slide shut as his rough palm cups my breast.

He's holding me up with just one arm. I can't believe how strong he is. I've never been held like this. His strength over me is arousing beyond belief.

I moan, my head falling back on the bed. My inhibitions melt away and all I care about is the pleasure. Holding his head firm, I grind my hips, chasing the orgasm I can feel building with each delicious lick of his tongue. Adrian is teasing my nípple with his free hand, rough hot grunts in his throat. It's so erotic, driving my lust higher and higher.

So close...so close...

Suddenly, he stops, rising up over me.

"Don't stop," I huff in frustration.

He smiles. "What's the matter, baby? You want to come already?"

I shake my head in denial, suddenly embarrassed by my behavior.

Adrian gives me a knowing look, licking his lips. "Mmm...I might believe you if you didn't just pussy fuck my face."

Jesus!

"I...d-didn't..."

"Don't deny it," he all but growls. "You can't imagine how sexy that was." Pulling off his shirt he tosses it on the floor. I'm briefly distracted by the sight of his hard chest and tattooed biceps. My hands itch to touch but I lay still, watching his every move. Taking a condom out of his back pocket he holds it over my mouth. "Open," he orders.

I do obediently, holding the packet between my lips as he undoes his jeans. Never once breaking eye contact he shoves down his boxer briefs and plucks the condom free of my lips. Using his teeth, he rips open the packet, tossing the foil aside.

Unable to resist my eyes dip downward, growing heavy with desire at the sight of his cock. I can't deny it, he's freaking perfect. And big. I watch him roll on the condom, my thighs squeezing on reflex with the thought of him inside me.

"I knew you'd like the look of my dick," he states thickly.

Licking my lips, I look back up at him. "Shut up."

He smirks cockily. "You're gonna really love it when I fuck you with it."

I raise my hips, desperate. "Stop teasing."

His face hardens. Gripping my thighs, he roughly pulls me closer. My breath catches as our bodies connect. His molten eyes are hazed with lust, his dark hair disheveled from my fingers. His tattooed muscles flex as he moves over me, his nípple piercing glinting in the light.

He looks wild.

I don't know what he wants from me. I don't know if this is purely physical. Perhaps my mother is right, and when Adrian grew bored he'd toss me aside. But it didn't matter. I need him, if only just this once. Just to get him out of my system. The ache for him is torture.

"Adrian...I-I w-want..." I stammer to halt, my throat closing up.

"I love that," he snarls. Leaning down on one hand he brings his face close to mine. "I'm going to fuck your tight little pussy until you scream my name."

My face flushes, the images flashing through my head causing my body to shake with need.

Burying his nose into my neck he inhales deeply. I feel the thick head of his erection press against my opening. My hips arch, instinctively trying to take him deeper. He groans, murmuring huskily against my throat, "This is what you want, isn't it, baby?"

"Y-yes." Squirming my hips, I clutch at the back of his head. "I n-need you inside."

Adrian turns his head, his teeth nipping at the inside of my arm. "I know." Gripping the base of his erection he pushes forward, feeding himself inside me with agonizing slowness. My deprived body is tight around his length, unused to being stretched this way. It hurts, but the pain is nothing compared to how good he feels. The pleasure of being filled by him is all consuming.

My fingers grip his hair, my eyes sliding shut.

"Look at me," he orders sternly. My eyes snap open, meeting his liquid gaze. "You look at me when I fuck you, Ellie. I want to see the pleasure I give you in those big brown eyes."

Intense.

"Adrian, please...it hurts," I whimper.

"Ah, baby, I'll make it better," he groans.

Rising over me his hands grip my hips, moving me back and forth against him. Adrian meets me with slow thrusts, going deeper and deeper until he hits my g-spot. The sharp stab of pleasure makes me jump with a moan, my pussy clenching on reflex.

"Shit. So tight," Adrian whispers brokenly. "So. Good. Shouldn't feel this good." Drawing out completely he slams back inside, sending sparks of pleasure over my body. He does it again and again, just hard and fast enough to tease but not to come. It's torture. I need it harder. Faster.

"Please," I beg. "Please. Please."

Drawing in a deep breath he asks, "You want me to fuck you harder, baby?"

"Yes," I choke.

His jaw clenches, his body tense and strained. It's then I realize just how much he's been restraining himself. "Ask me nicely."

I don't even hesitate. "Please!"

"Fuck," he hisses. His fingers dig into my hips, bouncing me off his cock. I shatter, instantly finding my orgasm. Arching my back I cry out. My eyes well with tears, still locked onto his. His pupils are blown, his silver eyes glazed with desire. It's intense, watching each other like this.

"You make such a pretty face when you come," he rumbles. "Did that feel good?"

"Yes," I moan.

His eyes narrow, that familiar hard authority painting his features. "Then what do you say?"

"Thank you," I croak out breathlessly.

He thrusts inside me harder, rocking the mattress. I arch into him, keening with pleasure. Another orgasm takes me without warning. I cry out softly in surprise, my body tensing.

Adrian groans, his eyes closing briefly before snapping back to mine. "Did you just come?"

"Y-yes," I pant, breathless.

He slaps my thigh, the sharp pain melding in with my pleasure. It's shocking to me just how much I enjoy it. "What do you say, Ellie?"

"Thank you!" I gasp mindlessly.

"You gonna fuck that up again?" he asks gruffly.

I shake my head on a moan, my eyes glazed and pleading. I'm completely gone. I love how dominant he is. I love the lust in his eyes. I never imagined a man would look at me the way Adrian does.

"Good girl," he praises roughly. As if in reward his thumb presses against my clít. I buck upward, the sensations so sharp it's almost painful. The pleasure is only intensified by the hard rock of his hips.

It's unbearable.

"Stop, it's too much," I plead, my hand flying down to grip his wrist. I desperately try to pull his hand away, my nails digging into his skin. But he's too strong. Relentless.

"Take it, Ellie," he orders thickly.

I shake my head, my harsh moans filling up the tiny space. My thighs start to shake, another orgasm rushing forward with frightening intensity. I stiffen, bucking my hips in a poor attempt to break myself away from his touch. His other hand presses against my stomach, holding me still, forcing me to take the pleasure he's giving me.

I love it.

I was such a fool to think I would be okay with just sex from him. That I would be okay with him tossing me aside. It would never be enough.

Tears prick my eyes, emotions I don't want swirling inside me, intermixing with my pleasure. "Oh, god."

Adrian is watching me hungrily, his eyes dark grey pools. "Come for me, baby."

I all but sob, the climax tearing through me. My voice is broken and hoarse as I ramble, "Thank y-you."

"That's my girl," he rasps.

My muscles weaken, my body collapsing limply on the bed. My eyes are heavy lidded, my lips parted with soft moans. "No more," I whisper. "I can't take any more."

"Did I break you?" he asks huskily, never ceasing his hard fucking.

"Yes," I moan softly, my nails digging into the bedding.

"Good," he snarls. Hooking his arms under my knees he lifts me up, pressing me closer and opening me to him. The new angle lines him up perfectly, his hips pistoning inside me.

I'm going to break for real.

"A-adrian," I whimper.

"Come," he grunts.

That one word sends me crashing. I cry out his name, my body tightening around him.

"Fuck!" Adrian shouts, stiffening above me as he starts to come. Even in this he's intense. His features don't soften. There's no vulnerability. His eyes continue to bore into mine, low masculine grunts in his throat.

I'm aroused all over again just watching him.

Adrian collapses against me, his lips brushing against my neck. My legs wrap around his waist, holding him to me, unwilling to let him leave me yet. It was foolish but I can't help it.

"Thank you," I murmur, my nails trailing up his slick back.

I feel him smirk against my skin. "Such a good girl."

"Hush," I tease.

Raising his head Adrian's lips claim mine, kissing me hard and deep until I'm breathless. "Did you know you cry every time you come?" he asks softly.

I suck in a breath, my body trembling against him. I was always so thankful after he made me come. I always felt such a strong rush of emotions. The tears were beyond my control. "You overwhelm me," I confess, my voice just above a whisper.

Cupping either side of my face his eyes burn back into mine, dark and stormy. "You're mine now. You know that don't you?"

My heart clenches in my chest. I never expected him to say something like that. "I don't know what you want from me," I admit softly.

His hands tighten, holding me firm so I can't look away. "Everything," he grates.

My eyes swell with tears. I want everything from him too.

I know it's not right to feel so strongly for Adrian. I know I'm falling too fast.

He's consuming me.