I should probably leave now" says Gemma.
"Stay.... please "
I promise I won't try anything. I'll use the couch.
"Just please stay the night Gemma"
Gemma is confused by his behavior.
"Why am I here Lucien? She asked
"What do you really want from me?
"Why did it take you a week before contacting me?
"I can't....I can't answer your questions yet" he responded.
"Would you believe me if I told you I just wanted to see you? ~He~ asked
Gemma scoffed "no"
His dark eyes met hers, unreadable. "I told you. I needed you."
"For what?" she shot back. "If it's not for a dance, if it's not for sex, then what the hell am I doing here?" She didn't let the fact that she was terrible right now show.
His lips curved slightly, "Do I scare you?"
Her throat went dry.
Did he?
She should say yes. Every rational part of her screamed that yes, he did. He was a killer. A man who could have her dead with a snap of his fingers.
But sitting here with him, seeing the look in his eyes right now, the warmth of his body so close—fear wasn't the only thing she felt.
And that was the real problem.
"I don't know," she admitted quietly.
Lucien nodded, as if that answer satisfied him. He stared at her for a moment before speaking again, his voice softer this time.
"You're here because I wanted you here. No games, no expectations. Just you."
"And the kiss? She asked.
"I'm sorry about that, I couldnt resisted, I promise it won't happen again without your permission".
Gemma swallowed, her mind screaming at her to get up and leave.
But her body?
It refused to move.
"And what if I don't want to be here?" she challenged, trying to regain some control.
The tension in the room thickened,there seemed to be an invisible thread pulling them closer.
She hated how easily he got under her skin, how he made her question everything, including herself.
Lucien reached out, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from her face. The touch was gentle, almost affectionate.
"You're free to leave. But p
lease don't"
And somehow, that both thrilled and terrified her.
---
Gemma hesitated.
"Okay."
The moment she said that, Lucien smiled.
A real smile.
Her breath stopped.
She had never seen him actually smile before. And damn… he had the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen.
She quickly looked away, pretending it didn't affect her. Get a grip, Gemma.
I'll sleep on the couch. You can have the bed," Lucien said.
"Nah. The bed is big enough for the both of us."
The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them.
The second she realized what she had just said, her eyes widened.
Lucien looked just as shocked. For the first time, she saw him genuinely caught off guard.
But he recovered quickly—too quickly. Before she could think of taking it back, he was already lying on the bed, as if afraid she'd change her mind if he didn't act fast.
She just stood there, staring at him.
"Come on, Gemma. Just lie down. I won't eat you… I promise." His teasing voice sent a shiver down her spine.
"Sleeping together was your idea, not mine," he said smiling.
"We're not sleeping together," Gemma corrected "We're just sharing a bed. No big deal."
Lucien narrowed his eyes. "That's exactly what I just said. Oh my God, did you think I meant sex? Ah! Gemma, you dirty girl."
His voice was dramatic, playful.
Her cheeks burned. Damn it.
"Shut up," she grumbled, climbing into bed.
She put as much space between them as possible, keeping her back to him.
Lucien chuckled. "Relax, babygirl. I don't bite… unless you ask nicely."
She groaned. "Go to sleep, Lucien."
He just laughed again, but eventually, the room fell quiet.
Gemma squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to sleep. But she couldn't.
Her body was tense, every nerve on her body was on high alert.
She could feel his presence beside her, hear his steady breathing.
She kept fighting the urge to move closer to him. The urge to be held in his arms. The urge to kiss him and let him do things to her body.
Stop it, Gemma.
She clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay still.
She barely knew this man. He was dangerous, unpredictable.
And yet… she had never
felt safer.
Her own thoughts scared her more than he ever could.