Chapter 853

Rosalind placed her delicate palms against Lucian's broad chest, pushing him back with trembling fingers. "Please... we shouldn't..."

Lucian's lips brushed against her flushed cheek before trailing to her silken hair. "You're breathtaking tonight, my rose." His deep voice poured over her like warm honey.

The compliments made Rosalind's pulse race. She and Lillian had spent hours preparing in their suite, every curl and seam perfected for this very encounter.

"Mr. Graves..."

"Say my name properly, darling."

"Lucian!"

His mouth captured hers again in response.

Rosalind gasped as he deepened the kiss, tasting the expensive whiskey on his tongue. The rich, smoky flavor intoxicated her senses more than any alcohol ever could.

Their luxury sedan sat parked along the moonlit boulevard, the city's noise fading into distant background static. All she could focus on was the intoxicating rhythm of their lips moving together. Heat spread across her skin like wildfire.

When his fingers began inching up the satin fabric of her cocktail dress, Rosalind grabbed his wrist. "Don't!"

Her sudden movement dislodged the silver mask covering his scars. It clattered to the floorboard between them.

Lucian froze. "Forgive me."

He reached for the fallen mask with uncharacteristic haste, but Rosalind intercepted his hand. Her fingers tightened around his. "Why are you apologizing? What exactly requires forgiveness?"

The shadows hid his expression, but she felt his muscles tense beneath her touch. "This ruined face... I know it's grotesque now. I didn't mean to frighten you."

Her heart fractured at the self-loathing in his voice. The man who once turned heads with his striking features now hid behind masks and shadows.

Words failed her, but sometimes silence spoke volumes. Lucian gave a bitter chuckle.

"The specialists say these scars won't fade. I've consulted every expert from Paris to Zurich."

Rosalind raised her hand, fingertips grazing the raised lines marring his cheekbone.

Lucian caught her wrist, attempting to pull away.

She persisted, tracing each ridge with featherlight touches. "You were so handsome at university. All those debutantes would line up just to catch your attention."

He remained silent beneath her exploration.

Rosalind met his shadowed gaze. "Now your face is—"

Lucian moved to replace the mask.

In one fluid motion, Rosalind swung her leg over his lap, cradling his face between her palms. Her lips found the worst of his scars first, pressing tender kisses along each jagged line.

Lucian went utterly still. He'd expected revulsion, not this tender devotion.

"Do you realize what you're doing?" His voice emerged rough with emotion.

"I'm kissing the man I love." She punctuated her declaration with another kiss, this time capturing his lips with fierce possession.

Something primal snapped inside Lucian. All his carefully restrained desire surged forth as he claimed her mouth with bruising intensity.

Rosalind matched his passion, nails scraping through his perfectly styled hair. When his lips trailed down her exposed throat, the strap of her dress slipped off one shoulder.

She tangled her fingers in his dark locks, torn between pulling him closer and pushing him away.

"Rosalind." Her name sounded like a prayer and a curse on his lips.

"Yes?"

"Be mine tonight. Completely."

His hand slid higher along her thigh, bunching the delicate fabric—

Just then, Rosalind spotted Lillian and Nathaniel emerging from the boutique across the street. She gasped, shoving against Lucian's chest. "Stop! They're coming back! Now!"