Adrian Quinn had always been trouble. He wore it like a badge of honor, carried it in the sway of his hips, in the lilt of his teasing voice, in the devil-may-care grin that made people either want to kiss him or strangle him.
And Killian Wolfe, billionaire, CEO, and master of self-control was no exception.
Killian Wolfe was a man known for his ruthlessness, a billionaire whose cold demeanor kept everyone at arm's length. Everyone except Adrian Quinn, the one person who never cowered before him, the only one who could twist his lips into something resembling a smile.
Which is why Killian should've seen it coming.
Adrian was already sprawled across the plush couch by the window, scrolling through his phone like he had nowhere better to be. Killian exhaled slowly, shifting his gaze back to the quarterly reports in front of him, pretending desperately to ignore the way Adrian's presence always shifted the very air in the room.
It was ridiculous.
It was infuriating.
It was inevitable.
"Adrian, remind me again why I hired you?"
Adrian smirked, stretching lazily, the fabric of his fitted shirt riding up just enough to reveal a strip of smooth, golden skin. His movements were always effortless, teasing without trying. Or maybe he was trying.
Because when Killian's eyes lingered for a second too long, Adrian's smirk widened.
"Because I'm the only one who can put up with your brooding ass and still look good doing it," he quipped.
Killian shook his head, biting back a smile. "Debatable."
Adrian stood and sauntered toward him, a predatory grace in his movements, as if he knew exactly what he was doing. He placed both hands on the desk and leaned forward, bringing them face to face.
"You'd be lost without me."
Killian met his gaze, expression unreadable. "If I fire you right now, would you finally stop tormenting me?"
Adrian grinned, rounding the desk like a cat playing with its prey. "Not a chance." And before Killian could react, Adrian plopped down onto his lap, straddling him like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Killian's breath hitched. His fingers flexed against the leather armrests, a battle waging within him.
"Adrian." His voice was low, warning, but his hands remained at his sides, rigid with restraint.
Adrian smirked, arms draping around Killian's neck as his breath ghosted over his ear. "For a straight man, you sure are reacting."
Killian sucked in a sharp breath when Adrian rolled his hips, slow and deliberate. A hot jolt shot up his spine, muscles locking in place.
His self-control was a steel trap unbreakable, unshakable.
But Adrian? Adrian was a hammer, chipping away at it one teasing grind at a time.
"It's a natural human response," Killian managed, voice tight.
Adrian chuckled, lips trailing down the sharp line of his jaw, the warmth of his breath setting every nerve on fire. "Natural, huh?" He sucked lightly on the sensitive spot just below Killian's ear. Killian clenched his jaw, his fingers twitching at his sides, aching to grab Adrian's waist, to still him to pull him closer.
And Adrian felt it. He knew.
"You're not making much of an effort to push me off," Adrian murmured, rolling his hips again, slower this time, watching, feeling the tension coil in Killian's body.
Killian's grip shot up, fingers digging into Adrian's waist, firm, unrelenting. A warning. A plea. A silent admission neither of them wanted to voice.
"Maybe because you're acting like a damn brat," Killian bit out, his voice rougher than intended.
Adrian hummed in amusement, dragging his fingers through Killian's thick, dark hair. "Most best friends don't let each other grind on their lap like this."
Killian's lips curled, amusement flickering through the storm in his gaze. "Most best friends don't act like an incubus in broad daylight either."
Adrian laughed, low and sultry, fingers playing at the collar of Killian's expensive suit. "You wound me, truly." He punctuated his words by dragging his tongue along the column of Killian's throat, feeling the way Killian shuddered beneath him.
Adrian felt powerful.
Killian, always so controlled, so untouchable, was holding him tighter, breathing heavier, reacting.
"Adrian," Killian's voice was a warning again, but his grip on Adrian's waist tightened.
"Should I stop?" Adrian whispered against his skin. He didn't. He wouldn't.
Killian's breath was uneven now. Too much. Too close.
The tension between them was a living, breathing thing thick, suffocating, undeniable.
Then, the door opened.
Adrian didn't move. If anything, he made himself more comfortable on Killian's lap, arms still lazily draped around his neck. He turned his head, unfazed, to face the intruder.
"Ah, good afternoon, Ms. Carter," he greeted, utterly unbothered by the way Killian's secretary stood frozen in the doorway, eyes wide with shock.
"Mr. Wolfe, I..." She cleared her throat, struggling to compose herself. "I didn't mean to interrupt..."
Killian exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face. "Then don't."
Adrian bit back a laugh, nuzzling against Killian's throat. "Rude," he murmured, voice thick with amusement.
Ms. Carter quickly averted her gaze. "There's a meeting scheduled in ten minutes, sir."
Killian sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Noted. Now leave."
She shut the door so fast that Adrian barely had time to process it before bursting into laughter. "You should've seen her face."
Killian shot him a glare, one that lacked its usual bite. "You're an insufferable menace."
Adrian grinned, tilting his head. "And yet, you still let me sit here." He rolled his hips one last time, slow, purposeful, feeling the way Killian tensed beneath him.
Killian exhaled harshly, his grip firm but careful as he finally pushed Adrian off his lap. "Go before I forget why we're best friends."
Adrian stood, stretching his arms above his head, looking utterly pleased with himself. "Oh, Killian, darling," he teased, throwing him a wink. "You never forget."
And with that, he strutted out of the office, leaving Killian sitting there, his body still burning from the aftermath of Adrian's teasing.
Damn him.
Killian ran a hand through his hair, taking a steadying breath.
This was going to be a long, long day.