Aria's wrist was still in his hand.
Warm.
Firm.
Unmoving.
"Let go of me," she said again, her voice softer this time—but no less serious.
Lucien didn't.
Instead, his grip tightened just slightly.
Not enough to hurt.
Just enough to make her aware.
Very aware.
"Say it again," he murmured.
Her brows furrowed.
"What?"
"That you hate me."
Her heart skipped.
Why did he want to hear that?
"I already said it," she replied, trying to steady her voice.
"Say it again."
His voice dropped lower.
Closer.
More dangerous.
Aria swallowed.
"I hate you."
The words came out, but they didn't feel as strong this time.
And he noticed.
Of course he did.
Lucien took a slow step closer.
Closing the distance between them completely.
Now there was barely any space left.
Her breath caught.
"You don't sound convincing," he said quietly.
Her heart started racing again.
That same confusing feeling from before returning—
Strong.
Unwanted.
Unavoidable.
"I mean it," she insisted.
But her voice betrayed her.
Soft.
Unsteady.
Lucien's gaze dropped briefly to her lips.
Then back to her eyes.
And this time…
He didn't hide it.
Aria's breath hitched.
"Lucien…"
His name came out like a warning.
Or maybe a plea.
She wasn't even sure anymore.
"You should push me away," he said softly.
Her brows pulled together slightly.
"What?"
"If you really hate me," he continued, his voice calm but intense,
"you should push me away."
Her heart pounded harder.
Then why wasn't she moving?
"Go on," he murmured.
A challenge.
Clear.
Direct.
Aria's hands slowly lifted…
Resting lightly against his chest.
She could feel his heartbeat.
Steady.
Strong.
So different from hers.
This was her chance.
She could push him away.
Create distance.
End whatever this was.
But she didn't.
Instead—
Her fingers curled slightly into his shirt.
Gripping.
Holding.
Lucien's eyes darkened.
And that was all it took.
His hand moved from her wrist to her waist, pulling her just a little closer.
Not forceful.
Not rushed.
But intentional.
"Dangerous choice," he whispered.
Her breath trembled.
"I know…"
And then—
He kissed her.
It wasn't sudden.
It wasn't forced.
It was slow.
Deliberate.
Like he was giving her time to stop him.
To pull away.
To change her mind.
But she didn't.
Her eyes fluttered shut as the moment deepened.
Her grip on his shirt tightened instinctively.
Her heart racing uncontrollably now.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
Not with him.
Not after everything she had just found out.
Not after everything he had done.
But her body didn't seem to care.
The kiss grew stronger.
More intense.
But still controlled.
Still careful.
Like he was holding himself back.
And somehow…
That made it worse.
Because she could feel it—
The restraint.
The tension.
The line he wasn't crossing.
Lucien pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her.
Her breathing was uneven.
Her eyes slightly unfocused.
"This changes nothing," she whispered.
Like she was trying to convince herself.
His thumb brushed lightly against her cheek, wiping away a tear she hadn't realized had fallen.
"I know," he said.
But his voice didn't sound convincing either.
Silence settled between them again.
But this time…
It felt different.
Heavier.
Closer.
Aria stepped back suddenly.
Breaking the moment.
Her heart still racing.
Her thoughts a mess.
"This is wrong," she said, shaking her head.
Lucien didn't stop her.
Didn't argue.
"Yes," he agreed quietly.
That made it worse.
She turned away, trying to steady herself.
Trying to breathe.
Trying to remember why she hated him.
But her heart—
Her heart wasn't listening anymore.
Behind her, Lucien spoke again.
Low.
Certain.
"And yet… you didn't stop me."
Her chest tightened.
Because he was right.
And that truth?
It scared her more than anything else