Chapter 916

Lucian studied Rosalind's reaction with amusement as he spoke into the phone. "What do you want?"

Genevieve's voice turned shrill through the speaker. "Open your eyes, Lucian! Ms. Fairchild is nothing but a scheming seductress! She's clearly trying to manipulate you."

Rosalind's expression stiffened.

That was completely unfair. If anything, Lucian had been the one pursuing her relentlessly.

She lifted her gaze, shooting him a fiery glare.

Lucian met her eyes. Rosalind had just woken, her raven hair cascading in tousled waves over her shoulders. The thin silk camisole she wore left little to the imagination, her porcelain skin glowing in the morning light. Her delicate features were tilted upward, those wide doe eyes burning with indignation and just a hint of embarrassment.

Desire flared in Lucian instantly. Without hesitation, he captured her lips in a searing kiss.

"Ah!" Rosalind gasped against his mouth, her eyes widening in shock. He was still on the phone with Genevieve—how could he do this?

The sound carried clearly through the speaker.

Genevieve's breath hitched. "What was that? Was that Rosalind? Are you still with her?!"

Rosalind panicked, pounding her fists against his chest in protest.

But Lucian only deepened the kiss, his mouth moving with possessive intensity as if he wanted to consume her whole.

With no other choice, Rosalind bit down hard on his lower lip.

Lucian growled in pain.

Seizing the opportunity, she shoved him away and scrambled from the bed, fleeing the room without looking back.

Gone.

Lucian touched his stinging lip. Blood.

She'd actually drawn blood.

That feisty little hellcat.

Genevieve's voice continued shrilly. "Are you even listening to me? Hello?"

All warmth vanished from Lucian's expression, replaced by icy detachment. "You're overstepping," he said flatly. "We're just friends."

Silence on the line.

Lucian's grip tightened on the phone. "I've made my position clear. I don't have those kinds of feelings for you. You know exactly who holds my interest. Push this again, and we won't even remain friends."

Genevieve rushed to explain. "Please, let me—"

He didn't wait to hear it. Of course he knew better than to fall for Rosalind again.

But the moment she stood before him, all rational thought evaporated. He wanted her with a hunger he couldn't control.

Without another word, Lucian ended the call.

Rosalind nearly collided with Lillian in the hallway. The younger girl blinked in surprise. "Rosalind?"

Straightening her clothes, Rosalind forced composure. "Good morning, Lillian."

Lillian's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why do you look like you just rolled out of bed?"

"I—" Rosalind opened her mouth, but no plausible excuse came to mind.

Just then, the bedroom door clicked open behind them.

Lillian turned, frowning at Lucian. "What happened to your lip?"

Lucian's gaze slid lazily to Rosalind. "Got bitten by a feisty little wildcat."

Lillian stared. "A wildcat? Indoors? That specifically targets lips?"

Lucian poured himself a glass of water, taking a slow sip before smirking. "Perhaps a certain naughty kitten found me irresistible and couldn't help taking a taste."