I hurled myself toward the door.
Chapter Eighteen
THE BATHROOM DOOR SLAMMED OPEN SO hard, it bounced off the wall.
Lucien stumbled out like he’d escaped a burning building—shirtless, soaked, and steam curling from his skin as if the heat inside him had turned into an inferno. Wet bandages clung to his lean torso, revealing the black stitches where I’d stabbed him. Water beaded along the sharp lines of his stomach, soaking into the waistband of his black trousers.
His chest heaved as he dragged in air like it wasn’t enough. Like it hurt.
The moment his gaze locked onto me, something snapped. He crossed the room in three powerful strides just as my phone rang again.
My fingers fumbled to turn off the volume, but I was too slow. He towered over me, snatched the vibrating device out of my grip, and tossed it over his shoulder. It smashed against the legs of the desk where he’d been operated on, thudding to the floor.
“No—” I scrambled off the bed, but he just planted the heel of his palm between my breasts and shoved me back down.
I sprawled backward, bouncing on my elbows. “Lucien. What are you—?” I gasped as he fell forward, smothering me with his scolding weight.
I scooted away, only for him to crawl after me, pinning me down with his hips. He sucked in a breath as he gave me every searing inch. Pressing his forehead to mine, his breath burned my lips as he panted.
For one suspended second, he just breathed me in.
He shuddered above me and didn’t seem to notice how vulnerable I was beneath him. How he’d overpowered me and caged me, his hips between my legs, his heart thundering and entire body taking me hostage.
Grinding his forehead on mine, he growled, “It has to work. It has to.”
“What has to work?”
His eyes flashed open as if only just realising it was me beneath him and not some medicine he’d come seeking. His nose nuzzled me softly and then...he kissed me.
His lips weren’t gentle or careful—they were raw and desperate as he collapsed completely over me and gave me everything.
I cried out as he once again set fire to my soul.
On the floor, my phone rang—shrill and snippy and full of impatience.
But Lucien didn’t stop.
His hands were suddenly everywhere—gripping my waist, stroking my sides, searching and memorising, claiming and caressing. He groaned as he cupped my breast. His thumb found my nipple, and he squeezed me hard enough to make me whimper.
He shuddered as he swallowed my weak protest, licking my tongue as I fought for air. My fists pummelled his shoulders—
With a guttural grunt, he rolled off me, dragging me with him until I lay on top of him. I turned dizzy as his hands skated up my spine and dove into my hair, yanking me down to kiss him again, hard and deep.
The phone rang for the fourth time.
Too loud. Too urgent.
I tried to speak into his kiss. “The guards...” His tongue hunted mine. “They’ll hear—” He smothered my words, thrusting up from beneath me and making every single thought disintegrate.
“You have to stop it,” he groaned, his tongue slick and far too hot. “I’m burning up.” His breath caught as if he was moments away from losing all control. Rearing up from beneath me, he punished me with yet another wicked kiss just as his hands slid from my hair and followed my curves, down and down until he palmed my bottom.
Grabbing two fistfuls of flesh, he drew me against him until I could feel just how hungry he was. How hard and aching and hot.
I gasped as my dress rode higher, his grip forcing me to rock over him, following an age-old rhythm of sex.
The world narrowed to heat and breath.
My core tingled, tightening and spindling with pleasure.
