Chapter 7

“Lucian…” I breathed his name half drunk, my voice shaky as his hand moved lower around my waist. His palm boldly cupped my full, round ass through the fabric of my dress, squeezing gently. The touch sent a jolt of heat straight through me. His other hand roamed slowly up my side, tracing the curve of my waist, brushing the underside of my heavy breast. My body felt like it was on fire.

The party noise faded into a distant hum. We were standing near the side porch, away from most of the crowd, but not completely hidden. Anyone could walk by. But right now, with the alcohol making everything soft and warm, I couldn’t bring myself to care.

“Lily…” he pleaded softly against my ear, his breath hot and ragged. “Just a little more. Please. I’ve been dying to touch you again.”

Before I could answer, his lips captured mine in a slow, gentle kiss. It wasn’t rushed or demanding like I expected from someone like him. It was tender his mouth moving softly against mine, tasting the sweetness of the drink on my tongue. I gasped into the kiss. “Lucian…”

That small sound gave him the opening he needed. His tongue slid past my lips, deepening the kiss with a low groan that vibrated through my body. He tasted like mint and something darker. His hand on my ass pulled me closer, pressing my soft, curvy body flush against his hard one. I could feel how much he wanted me the evidence hard against my stomach.

My head spun. Not just from the alcohol, but from him. From the way he kissed me like I was something precious and delicious at the same time. My nipples tightened against my dress. Heat pooled between my thighs. I wanted more. I wanted his hands under my dress. I wanted him to touch me everywhere he had described that day in the empty classroom.

When he finally pulled back, both of us breathing heavily, I almost whimpered in protest.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, resting his forehead against mine. His hand was still on my ass, holding me possessively. “I shouldn’t have… not when you’ve been drinking. But God, Lily, you drive me crazy. Your body… the way you feel against me. I want all of you. Every soft inch.”

I felt hot all over. My body was burning for him. The words were right there on my tongue Don’t stop. Please continue. Touch me more. I opened my mouth to say them.

But the world tilted violently.

“I… I…” Dizziness crashed over me like a wave. The spinning in my head grew worse. The music, the lights, Lucian’s face everything blurred together. My knees buckled.

“Lily!” I heard him call my name, concern cutting through the haze, as his arms tightened around me to keep me from falling.

Then everything went dark.

When I woke up, the first thing I felt was a pounding headache and the gentle rocking motion of a car. I was in the backseat, my head resting on something warm and firm. Lucian’s lap.

“Easy,” he said softly when I stirred. His fingers brushed my hair away from my face. “You passed out. I got you out of there. Your friends said it was okay to take you home. I didn’t want to leave you there.”

I blinked slowly, trying to sit up, but his hand kept me gently in place. The car was quiet, just the two of us and the driver he must have called. My dress had ridden up a little, and his other hand rested innocently on my thick thigh, steadying me.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to drink that much.”

“You don’t have to apologize.” His voice was warm. “But we need to talk when you’re sober. About us. About Mia. I’m tired of pretending I don’t want you, Lily.”

I closed my eyes again, the dizziness still lingering. His touch felt safe. But the fear was creeping back in too. Mia would find out about tonight. She always did.

The car pulled up near my street. Lucian helped me out carefully, supporting my weight as we walked toward my house. The lights were off Mom and Dad were probably asleep. I prayed Mia was already home and unconscious from her own drinking.

Before I could slip inside, Lucian pulled me into one last gentle hug. “Text me when you wake up tomorrow,” he whispered. “Please.”

I nodded against his chest, breathing in his scent one more time.

As I quietly entered the house and tiptoed to my room, I froze in the doorway.

Mia was sitting on her bed in the dark, still in her red dress, watching me with glassy but aware eyes.

She didn’t say a word.