Page 6 of King of Rage

He was looking at her with an expression she knew too well.

She had seen that frown countless times during the three years they had been together.

It was the look he wore whenever he was displeased.

Stella's lips parted.

She blinked once.

Then again.

“Lucius…?”

His gaze swept over her flushed face, lingering on her unfocused eyes.

Stella shifted in her seat, turning her head to look past him.

Her gaze fell on the familiar mansion standing behind him, its grand entrance illuminated by warm lights. The sight made her brows draw together.

He had brought her to his house.

For a moment, she simply stared, unable to decide whether she was dreaming or awake. Everything felt too real, from the cool night air brushing against her skin to the familiar man standing in front of her.

They had been separated for a year.

She hadn't seen him once during that time. And after returning to Manhattan from London just yesterday, she certainly hadn't expected to cross paths with him so soon.

Yet here he was.

Standing in front of her.

Stella's eyes drifted back to his face. She studied the familiar lines of his features, the sharpness of his jaw, and the dark eyes that had once been the first thing she looked for every morning.

Something inside her shifted.

Perhaps it was the alcohol.

Perhaps it was the memories.

Or perhaps it was simply the part of her that had never learned how to stop loving him.

Before she could think better of it, Stella leaned toward him.

Her hand rose instinctively, her fingertips brushing against his cheek. She traced the familiar contour of his jaw, almost as though she needed to make sure he was real.

Lucius went completely still.

His hand, which had been resting against her face, tightened ever so slightly.

“Stella…”

She didn't let him finish.

She reached for him and pressed her lips against his.

Lucius’s hand that was resting against Stella's face tensed slightly, and she felt his fingers tighten around her cheek. For a brief moment, he didn't move, as though he were struggling to decide what to do.

Then he took control.