ALINA’S POV

“Alright then,” He said, his voice low “Exin.”

I sighed at his cold tone.

Lucian had always been a cold person, and although I knew he cared about me, I wished–just once he could show me an emotion that wasn’t doused in coldness

“Firstly,” I began, Tm sorry bI /bsnuck out.

“How did you even do that, by the way?” He asked curiously. “bBecause /bthe surveince footage never saw you leaving through the front door or the gate.”

1 opened my mouth to tell him, but bshut /bit bagain/b.

1 wanted toe clean, 1 really did. But bwhat /bif I needed to use the secret passage again in the future?!--

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Besides, how was I supposed to exin how I even knew about it in the first ce?

“Fine.” He said after realizing I wasn’t going to respond. “Go on

I shot him a grateful look before continuing. “I went to bsee /bTalia–7

“I’m aware.” He cut in. “She’s a good friend.”

“She is.” I agreed quickly.

Ha! I told Talia Lucian likes her.

“Then, after, I went over to see Adrian–hold on, it’s not what you’re thinking!” I rushed out the words the moment I saw the way his face darkened at the mention of Adrian’s name.

Lucian’s emotions were unstable, and Adrian was like a trigger–so I had to be careful with my words.

His fists clenched tightly at his sides, like he was trying to calm himself. Thankfully, he didn’t say anything.

“I was going there to officially break things off with him, I lied—just slightly. “But bwhen /bI got there, I found Seraphina in the room with Adrian. They were making out and talking shit about me

Lucian looked. pleased at that information. Too pleased if

you

ask

“I was initially going to confront them directly, but then I thought of a better w

-Which is?” He asked.

“I’m going to make then pay for making a fool out of me. But I have to pretend to still be the naive Alina they think they know for that to happen.” I told Jum truthfully

If I wanted Lucian bto /btrust me, I had to let him in–at least a little. That way, he wouldn’t doubt me at the slightestpromising situation he might find me in.

“Is this the truth?” He asked, his eyes on

“Yes, I swear.” I raised three fingers bin /bScout’s honor.

“Okay,” he bsaid /bsimply.

Wait–that’s in?

Iblinked.

“You believe me?“My tone was filled with disbelief.

I was expecting him to give me a harder time, to grill me more but he just said ‘okay!

6:29 AM

want me to?” He asked with a raised brow.

“You don’t want

“No! Of course I do!” I said excitedly as soon as the initial shock faded.

I closed the distance between us and pulled him into a hug. I ignored the way his body tensed slightly.

That was a huge improvement from the way his body would freeze up normally.

“Thank you.” I mumbled into his shirt.

After a few seconds of silently breathing him in like a total creep, I pulled away to look up at his face, my arms

is still wrapped around his

waist.

I smiled up at him.

“Don’t ever lie to me, Dollface.” He said bcalmly/b, cupping my face with both hands.

Though his voice was gentle, it bwas /bheavy with warningced with a seriousness bthat /bcouldn’t be bignored/b.

“I won’t I promised softly.

My eyes flickered to his bruised knuckles, which he hadn’t even bothered to tend to.

“You’re hurt.” I stated, grabbing his wrist band /bpulling him to the bathroom.

In quick movements. I grabbed the first–aid kit and ced it on the counter, taking out a cotton swab and disinfectant.

“It doesn’t hurt He assured me, watching–surprised–as I fussed over him.

He winced slightly the moment the disinfectant touched his open wound.

“You were saying?” I teased, barching /ba brow.

He shot me a re.

I chuckled, then bfocused /bback on the task at hand. As soon bas /bI was done, I packed everything neatly back into the kit and returned it to its original ce.

I turned back around, only to have bLucian /battack me.

Not in the way you’re thinking–in the way I liked.

His hands held my face firmly in ce as his lips crashed onto mine.

The moment his lips touched mine, the rest of the world receded into the background. He didn’t ask–he simply took–it like he had every right to, and God forgive me, I let him. His lips were firm, unrelenting, each move infused with intent, like he was trying to own me with just one kiss.

His tongue touched mine–slow at first, then deeper, more demanding–until my knees threatened to give out beneath me.

I grabbed hold of his hands for bsupport/b, clinging to him as though he were the only dependable thing left in the world. The kiss was passionate, yet possessive, and I hadn’t realized just how badly I yearned for this–craved him–until that very moment.

Lucian’s hand slid down to any thighs, and with one firm motion, he grabbed them Instinctively, I jumped, wrapping my legs around his waist as his bhands /bshifted to support me, gripping my butt without hesitation.

He carried me effortlessly toward the counter, cing me on it without once breaking our kiss. His grip pulled me impossibly closer.

A gasp escaped my lips the moment his erect member pressed against my core. The pleasure that surged through me from that single point of contact was indescribable.

1

His sweatpants–and the boxer briefs I was wearing–were the only things standing between us i

Lucian wasted no btime/b, thrusting his tongue into my mouth, and God, do I love the way he tasted.

He tasted like warmth and danger–a bdark/b, addictive mix of spice and something else. Coffee, maybe. Sin, maybe. I couldn’t tell. I only knew that it was him, and it bwas /bdriving me insane.

4:29 AMolli/li/ol

I clung to his shirt, breathing him in like I’d go mad if I ever let him go. He tasted so fucking great–sharp, intoxicating, and a little bit cruel. Like he knew precisely what he was doing to bme/bb. /bLike he wanted to ruin every kiss that could possiblye after him.

And the worst part?

I wanted him to.

AD