Chapter 856

The woman clicked her tongue in irritation before storming off, her stilettos striking the pavement with sharp, angry taps.

Rosalind exhaled through her nose, unimpressed.

Lucian observed her reaction, his lips twitching into an amused smirk.

The low rumble of his laughter drew Rosalind's attention. Her almond-shaped eyes, bright and sharp, flicked to his face, unamused. "What's so funny?"

Lucian met her gaze evenly. "You said you weren't coming down."

Rosalind tilted her chin up slightly. "If I hadn't, would you have gone with her instead?"

Lucian arched a brow. "I never said that."

Rosalind shot him a glare. "Jerk."

She muttered the word under her breath and turned to leave.

But Lucian reached out, his fingers wrapping around her slender wrist, and yanked her back with a firm tug. Rosalind stumbled, losing her balance, and landed squarely in his lap.

The car was spacious, but with both of them crammed into the driver's seat, the space suddenly felt suffocatingly small. The abrupt proximity sent heat rushing to her cheeks.

She glowered at him. "Let me go!"

Lucian shut the door behind her, keeping her pinned in place. "You call me a jerk, then try to walk away? I didn't even do anything."

Rosalind huffed. "Yet. If I hadn't come down, you'd be at some bar with her right now, probably booking a suite afterward. That desperate for company tonight?"

Lucian reached up, his fingers brushing her chin as he tilted her face toward his. "I didn't speak to her. But you're right about one thing—I am lonely. Care to fix that?"

He admitted it so shamelessly.

Rosalind scoffed. "You're unbelievable."

Lucian chuckled. "If being shameless gets me you, then I'll take it."

Then he leaned in and kissed her.

Rosalind pressed her palms against his broad shoulders, pushing back. "What are you—? Let me go!"

When she refused to let him kiss her lips, Lucian trailed his mouth along her cheek, then buried his face in her hair. His voice dropped to a rough murmur. "Why do you smell so damn good?"

Of course she did.

She had just soaked in a rose-infused bath, her skin still warm and scented with expensive oils. At her age, she was in full bloom—soft, pampered, and fragrant, like a rose plucked fresh from the garden.

Rosalind shoved at him. "Stop it!"

Lucian pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. His gaze burned, molten and intense, stripping away her defenses. "You really want me to?"

Rosalind opened her mouth to refuse, but the words caught in her throat. "I—"

Before she could finish, Lucian kissed her again.

This time, it wasn't gentle. His lips pressed hard against hers, demanding. Rosalind tried to push him away, but her fingers curled into the fabric of his suit jacket instead.

She closed her eyes and kissed him back.

His lips were cool but firm, and she loved the way they felt against hers. She loved kissing him.

Neither knew who gave in first. Rosalind wound her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as she melted into the kiss. Lucian's body tensed, heat coiling low in his stomach. A rough, muffled groan escaped him.

Hearing it, Rosalind jerked back. Her eyes glittered as she studied him. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

Lucian took her hand and guided it downward, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. "See for yourself. It hurts."

Rosalind yanked her hand away instantly before sinking her teeth into his Adam's apple.

"Ow," he hissed.