The CEO’s Masked Secret Wife

Adrian's POV

I had been trying for days to get Stella to hear me out, but learning that I was at the ranch with Penelope last week only deepened her fury. Sure, I planned to come clean, but her discovering it because she overheard me discussing it just made my impossible situation even more complicated. My day was already heading straight to hell.

Sitting in the Sterling Collective reception area, I racked my brain for ways to corner Stella for a conversation without giving her an escape route and without Chloe threatening to castrate me again.

What the hell was I thinking when I walked straight into Penelope's trap? Complete moron move. Penelope showed up at my door claiming she needed help, and like some white knight wannabe, I let her in. Two bottles of wine later, with her pushing all my buttons and my brain switching off in favor of other body parts, I ended up in bed with a woman I cannot stand. As my mother always says, old habits die hard, and I have always been a player. But Stella is different. I want her, need her more than I care to admit.

"Darling, I caught the earliest flight possible! How is Liam holding up?" That familiar voice cut through my thoughts like nails on a chalkboard. Perfect, my day just reached rock bottom.

"Mom! What brings you here? Weren't you supposed to be at that spa retreat with your girlfriends?" I stood and approached my mother, allowing her to plant a kiss on my cheek.

"Sweetheart, don't be ridiculous. Family comes first, and Liam is family! I came to offer my support," she declared as if stating the obvious.

Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted a lineup of women watching me with barely concealed amusement: Chloe, Thea, Scarlett, Felix, and Stella. Their mocking smiles made my stomach clench. Chloe, being the worst of the bunch and knowing my mother well, stepped forward first.

"Sophie! How wonderful that you are here!" Chloe approached and exchanged air kisses with my mother. "Perhaps with you around, your son might actually behave like a civilized human being."

"Oh, Chloe, I swear I tried my best raising this boy, but somewhere along the way things went sideways," my mother shot me a look of pure disappointment while I just exhaled heavily.

"Sophie, that is not your fault," Thea chimed in, also familiar with my mother, stepping forward with the same greeting ritual.

"Now tell me, ladies. Which one of you is Stella?" my mother asked without missing a beat.

"Mom, aren't you here for Liam?" I interjected, desperate to redirect her attention.

"But I have plenty of time to apologize to this young woman on your behalf!" My mother fixed me with that stern look I remembered from childhood.

"I am Stella, Mrs. Richardson." Stella stepped forward and introduced herself politely.

"Oh my goodness, you are absolutely stunning, dear!" My mother beamed at Stella. "Sweetheart, you better win her forgiveness quickly, because a beautiful young woman like this must have men lining up around the block." My mother's observation hit like a punch to the gut, reminding me of exactly what I stood to lose.

"I would love to know how you found out about this situation," I commented, though I already suspected the answer.

"Oh, darling, your mother and I have lengthy phone conversations!" Chloe smiled at me with pure malice.

"Naturally!" I snorted and turned away, walking off. "So, my dear assistant, you can handle my sweet mama."

I retreated to the emergency stairwell, leaning against the cool wall while contemplating the disaster of my mother arriving while Stella wanted to murder me. That is when I heard Stella's voice through the door.

"Felix, I am just going to get some coffee. I will be right back."

I yanked open the door and in one swift motion grabbed Stella's arm, pulling her into the stairwell. I pressed her against the wall, molding my body against hers. She was so shocked by being grabbed that she froze, staring at me like I had lost my mind.

"Stella, we need to talk," I said, looking directly into her eyes.

"About what, Adrian? About how I found you half-naked at your apartment with that slut? Or about whatever you were doing at some horse ranch with that slut? Either way, I refuse to discuss that woman! And I refuse to talk to you!" Stella's eyes blazed with pure hatred.

"Stella, please," I pleaded. "Let me explain what happened."

"You honestly believe what you did has some reasonable explanation?" She looked at me with complete disbelief.

"Yes. It might not be excusable, but it can be explained. And you need to give me the chance to apologize properly." I was practically begging.

"I do not need to give you anything!" she shot back. "And please, let me go!"

"Are you absolutely certain you want me to let you go?" I asked, pressing her more firmly against the wall. "Are you sure you do not miss me? Miss my kisses?"

I leaned down and captured her mouth before she could respond. I kissed her aggressively, my tongue claiming her mouth completely. She struggled against my hold initially, but eventually she returned the kiss with matching intensity. When we broke apart, both gasping for air, I spoke directly into her ear.

"Are you positive, Stella, that you can resist my touch?" I sucked on her earlobe the same way I used to tease her most sensitive spots, drawing a moan from her lips. "Are you certain it is not worth listening to me, forgiving me, and giving me another chance?"

While speaking, I unbuttoned her delicate cream silk blouse and pushed down her bra cup, cupping her breast in my palm, massaging and teasing her nipple between my fingers.

"Are you sure you will find someone else who can make you feel the way I do?"

I continued my teasing, knowing she was close to the edge. Stella was incredibly responsive, which drove me wild. I tangled my fingers in her hair at the base of her neck and lowered my mouth to her breasts, beginning my assault. I kissed and sucked her swollen nipples, giving gentle bites and long licks. Stella began releasing those soft, low, intoxicating moans I craved.

I could have taken her right there against the stairwell wall, but that was not my goal. I wanted to watch her come undone from my touch, to remember how incredible we were together.

I continued worshipping her breasts while sliding my other hand up her thighs, lifting her skirt just enough to slip my hand beneath her panties. Stella was already moving against my fingers, completely wet and burning with need. She was passionate and intense, sensual and seductive. It made me crazy. Just hearing her soft moans had me rock hard, remembering how amazing she felt wrapped around me.

My fingers worked relentlessly at her entrance and Stella was slick, swollen and ready to explode. I slid two fingers deep inside her tight warmth and circled her sensitive spot with my thumb, while continuing to lavish attention on her breasts. It did not take long for Stella to reach her climax, pulsing around my fingers as her release coated my hand.

She was breathing hard, eyes closed, slumped against the wall. I withdrew my fingers and sucked them clean one by one, savoring her taste. Her eyes flew open watching me lick my fingers.

"You taste incredible, Stella."

I straightened her skirt, fixed her bra and rebuttoned her blouse. I smoothed her curly hair and kissed her mouth gently, pulling her into an embrace that melted our bodies together.

"Nightingale, please give me the chance to fix the mess I made," I begged. My days without this woman had been pure torture.

"You should not have done it." Stella pushed me away, wiped away a tear, and left me standing there alone.

I ran my hands through my hair in complete frustration. How was I going to win this woman back?