Chapter 963

Rosalind gasped in shock. Her wide eyes locked onto Lucian as she stammered, "Lucian? What are you doing here?"

Lucian's voice came out rough and low. "Who were you expecting?"

"I thought you were Eleanor..." Rosalind began, then froze when she realized his fingers were still tracing dangerously low on her bare skin. A furious blush spread across her cheeks.

Moments ago, when she'd believed it was her maid massaging her, the touch had felt perfectly normal. But now, with Lucian's hands on her oil-slicked body, every nerve ending burned with awareness.

"Remove your hands this instant!" Rosalind demanded, her voice trembling.

Lucian immediately withdrew and straightened to his full height.

Rosalind scrambled to sit up, hastily adjusting her slipping robe. "Why didn't you announce yourself? I was clearly calling for Eleanor!"

His dark eyes tracked her frantic movements, lips pressing into a thin line. "Why are you so flustered?"

Was he serious? They were alone in her private chambers, the air thick with tension and the scent of jasmine oil.

"You should knock before entering," she snapped. "This is highly inappropriate."

Lucian reached out, tilting her chin up with one finger until their eyes met. "Relax. I have no untoward intentions toward you."

A shiver ran down Rosalind's spine at his words. No intentions?

Her voice turned challenging. "And how exactly am I supposed to believe that?"

"I've told you before," Lucian said coolly, "you hold no temptation for me. Even if you bared your entire body before me, it would stir nothing."

Rosalind's mouth fell open. Any woman would take offense to such a declaration.

Her eyes narrowed. "So if I were completely naked right now, you'd feel absolutely nothing?"

"Correct." His answer came without hesitation.

Anger flared within her. Memories of Isabella's mocking words earlier that day fueled her competitive fire.

There was a time when Lucian couldn't keep his hands off her. Just being in the same room used to make his control unravel. Had Isabella somehow extinguished that desire? Had he replaced her so easily?

Determined to test his resolve, Rosalind allowed a slow, dangerous smile to curve her lips. "Well then... I suppose it doesn't matter if I do this..."

With deliberate slowness, she let one silken strap slide off her shoulder, revealing a tantalizing expanse of flawless skin.

Lucian's breath hitched, his gaze locking onto the exposed flesh.

"Still nothing?" Rosalind purred, watching him closely.

His jaw clenched, but he forced out, "Nothing."

Biting her lower lip, Rosalind decided to push further.

"My, it's suddenly so warm in here..."

With calculated grace, she let the second strap fall, the robe now barely clinging to her curves.

Fire ignited in Lucian's eyes. His entire body tensed, muscles coiling like a predator about to strike.

Though embarrassment heated her cheeks, Rosalind held her ground. "No reaction at all?"

Lucian's chest rose and fell rapidly. Desire warred with stubborn pride as he ground out, "None!"

"Is that so?"

Rosalind's triumphant smirk froze mid-expression—because at that precise moment, a single drop of blood escaped Lucian's nose.