The air between them changed.
It wasn't quiet anymore.
It was heavy.
Dangerous.
Lucy's hand was still in his.
Pressed against his chest.
She could feel his heartbeat.
Fast.
Unsteady.
Real.
Her breathing became uneven.
She didn't know what to do with what he just said.
"I stayed away because I want more…"
Those words kept echoing in her head.
Her lips parted slightly.
But no words came out.
Adrian didn't move away.
If anything—
he moved closer.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like he was giving her time to stop him.
But she didn't.
His free hand lifted.
Brushing gently against her cheek.
Wiping a tear she didn't even realize had fallen.
"Why are you crying?" he asked softly.
Lucy let out a shaky breath.
"I don't even know anymore…"
Her voice was small.
Broken.
Adrian's eyes dropped to her lips.
Then back to her eyes.
"Lucy…"
He said her name like a warning.
Or maybe a question.
Then slowly—
he leaned in.
Lucy felt it.
The closeness.
The warmth of his breath.
The way her heart suddenly started racing.
And this time—
she didn't want to stop it.
When his lips touched hers, it was slow.
Soft.
Careful.
Not rushed.
Not demanding.
Just… real.
Lucy froze for a second.
Then her eyes closed.
She responded.
Gently at first.
Then deeper.
Her fingers tightened against his shirt.
Pulling him slightly closer.
It felt different.
Not like before.
Not confusing.
Not rushed.
This time—
she felt it.
Everything.
Her heart.
Her body.
The way she melted into him without thinking.
A soft sound escaped her lips.
Barely a whisper.
And that was enough.
Something in Adrian snapped.
His hand moved to her waist.
Pulling her closer.
Deepening the kiss.
Lucy gasped softly against his lips.
Her body reacting before her mind could catch up.
But then—
something inside her stopped her.
Her eyes opened suddenly.
And she pulled back.
"Don't…"
Her voice came out shaky.
Breathless.
Adrian paused.
His forehead still close to hers.
"Don't what?" he asked quietly.
Lucy shook her head slightly.
Trying to steady herself.
"Don't kiss me like that…"
She swallowed.
"…when I don't understand you."
Silence.
Adrian stared at her.
His expression darkening slightly.
Lucy's chest rose and fell quickly.
Her emotions still all over the place.
"That woman…"
Her voice dropped.
Quieter now.
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly.
Lucy looked at him directly.
Even with tears still in her eyes.
"Do you want her instead of me?"
That question hung between them.
Sharp.
Painful.
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
And that silence—
hurt.
Lucy pulled her hand away from his chest.
Slowly.
"See?" she whispered.
A sad, broken smile forming.
"You can't even answer me."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"Lucy—"
She shook her head quickly.
Taking a small step back on the bed.
Creating distance.
"Wanting me isn't enough, Adrian."
Her voice steadied this time.
Even if her heart wasn't.
"You can't just come close when you feel like it…"
She looked away.
"…and disappear when it gets too real."
Adrian's eyes darkened.
Something deeper now.
More intense.
"You think this is a game to me?" he asked lowly.
Lucy didn't answer.
That was enough.
In one quick movement—
Adrian pulled her back to him.
Lucy gasped softly.
Her hands instinctively pressing against his chest.
"You're not going anywhere," he said.
His voice wasn't loud.
But it was firm.
Possessive.
Lucy looked up at him.
Her heart racing again.
"Adrian…"
"You said let you go," he continued.
His grip tightened slightly.
"That's not happening."
Lucy's lips parted slightly.
"Why?" she asked.
Barely a whisper.
Adrian leaned closer.
Their faces inches apart again.
"Because you're already mine."
The words sent a shiver through her.
Lucy shook her head slowly.
Still trying to hold onto herself.
"I'm not something you can just claim—"
Before she could finish—
Adrian kissed her again.
This time deeper.
More intense.
Less controlled.
Lucy's resistance lasted only a second.
Then she broke.
Her hands moved to his shirt.
Gripping it tightly.
Pulling him closer.
A soft moan escaped her lips.
Unintentionally.
Adrian froze for half a second.
Then his grip on her tightened.
"Don't make sounds like that," he muttered against her lips.
Lucy didn't even realize what she was doing anymore.
Her body reacted.
Her emotions tangled.
Her mind lost somewhere between confusion and desire.
And for a moment—
she forgot everything again.
But not completely.
Because even while holding onto him—
a small part of her still whispered:
This isn't over.