Page 14 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

Ignoring him, I step onto the sidewalk on the opposite side of the vehicle.

Within seconds, they’ve flanked me, and we climb the stairs to my second-floor unit.

My fingers shake, and I fumble once before Lucian takes the keys from me.

I don’t thank him when he returns the keys.

Before I can slam the door closed behind me, they’re inside, flipping on the light.

They’re so big that my living room suddenly feels claustrophobic.

I see my place through their eyes—the mismatched furniture I’ve collected over years of living below my means so I could send every spare dollar to the clinic.

They take in the kitchen table that’s stacked with client files and half-read behavioral finance articles.

Heat crawls up my neck as Lucian’s gaze sweeps the room, slow and assessing, while Caleb moves to the window, checking the lock with unnerving efficiency.

Suddenly the weight of the evening crashes around me. “You can leave now.”

Ignoring me, Lucian moves closer, close enough that I feel the heat of his massive body.

He winds a loose lock of my hair around his index finger.

The gentle tug sends tiny sparks racing across my scalp. Despite myself, my breath catches, the sound audible in the silence.

His midnight-blue eyes hold mine, dark with promise, and he leans in until his mouth hovers a whisper from mine.

“I look forward to sampling every inch of you, Ms. Langford.” His voice is velvet over gravel, low and intimate, each word brushing my lips like a caress. “Soon.”

He feathers his thumb across my lower lip, slowly and deliberately, sending liquid heat spiraling through me.

My pulse thunders in my ears, traitorous warmth flooding between my thighs even as horror chases it. No. Not this. Not them.

Not ever.

I lock my hand around his wrist, fingers digging into the fine fabric of his tuxedo sleeve, and push his hand aside. The lock of hair slips free, but the memory of his touch lingers like a brand on my skin. “I said you can leave now.”

My words are not as forceful as I intend, and I hate it. Hate the way my body hums where he touched me. Hate how Caleb watches from across the room, dark eyes intense with the same relentless hunger.

Lucian doesn’t retreat immediately.

He straightens, but his gaze stays locked on mine, satisfaction curving his mouth in a controlled half smile. “Soon,” he repeats. His words are softer this time, like a vow wrapped in silk.

Caleb strides to the door and opens it. I can’t help but notice that he looks around before stepping outside.

Lucian follows, pausing on the threshold to look back at me one last time.

He pulls the door closed behind him.

I hurry over to click the lock into place.

Then, exhausted, I sag against the wall, heart hammering so hard I feel dizzy.

None of this can be happening.

Overwhelmed, I slide down the door until I’m sitting on the cool floor, knees drawn to my chest, my dress pooling around me like spilled hope.

Lucian said we’d be married within a month.