This was the longest car ride Kelsey had ever endured.
Every second after his shameless words had passed like a slow, torturous. She kept her face turned toward the window, determined not to look at him. Her embarrassment burned hotter than her rage now. How could he speak so crudely, so shamelessly, as if intimacy was a transaction and she was nothing more than his due?
By the time the car slowed down and turned into a grand driveway, she was numb with frustration.
The mansion that rose before them was massive—architectural elegance carved into stone and luxury. Ornate iron gates shut firmly behind them, towering walls wrapping the estate like a fortress.
Upon stepping out, lucien extended his hand foward for her to hold like any gentleman would. But kelsey would associate him to anything but a gentleman.
"I will manage she mattered."
Lucien did not force her, instead, he stepped aside so that she could get out.
Kelsey swung her legs out and tried to step down on her own—but the moment her heels touched the ground, she stumbled slightly. The sudden shift in weight made her lose balance, and before she could fall_..
Lucien's arm wrapped around her waist and as he steadied her, she felt him squeeze her. Something that was too fast. It was like an imagination.
Her breath caught, and for a second, she froze_ his scent, his warmth, the closeness all invading her senses like poison.
"I've got you," he whispered, his voice low and smooth in her ear.
Kelsey jerked away immediately, her face flushed with fury.
His hand lingered a moment longer before letting her go.
"A simple thank you would suffice," Lucien said with a smirk tugging at his lips.
She glared at him, her voice sharp.
"If you hadn't dragged me here like a deranged lunatic, I wouldn't have stumbled in the first place."
"Whatever makes you sleep at night." He waved at her words and unexpectedly, he took her hand in his without a warning. As if it was the most natural thing to do and as kelsey tried to free herself, his grip became firmer.
He led her toward the entrance, their joined hands drawing eyes from the butler waiting by the door. As they came closer to the butler, the uniformed old man offered a bow.
"Welcome home, Master Lucien," the man said, his voice trained and reverent. "We've prepared your room as instructed."
Lucien gave a curt nod, eyes straight ahead. "Good."
Without releasing her hand, he strode past the butler as if she were simply an extension of himself. Kelsey dragged her feet at first but realized quickly she would only be humiliating herself if she resisted in front of strangers.
The inside of the mansion was lavish—vaulted ceilings, sweeping staircases, crystal chandeliers catching soft golden light. Rich marbled floors echoed beneath their footsteps.
Lucien led her silently to the last door at the far end of the lavish hallway. It looked no different from the rest of the house, and when he pressed his fingerprint to the scanner on the side, the door clicked and opened with a soft, ominous hiss.
Kelsey's breath caught the moment she stepped in.
The room was huge!
The king-sized bed sat at the center like a throne, dressed in jet-black sheets with hints of deep red bleeding through the patterns. Thick curtains hung from the tall windows, shutting out any light from the outside world.
Her stomach dropped when she heard the door creak shut behind her. Automatically, she closed her eyes for a moment, needing to gather herself, to suppress the spike of panic crawling up her throat.
When she opened them again, Lucien had let go of her hand.
She stayed frozen near the entrance, arms crossed protectively in front of her.
Lucien walked toward the bed, and without hesitation, began unbuttoning his black shirt with the same composure as if he were unpacking luggage.
"You can make adjustments to the room if you want to," he said casually, eyes focused on the buttons.
Kelsey's eyes widened.
Adjustments?
She didn't even want to be in this room, let alone change it. "Or I could just have a different room," she replied quickly. "Maybe I could even go back to my place and... you could visit from time to time."
She knew the suggestion was stupid before she finished speaking, but it was worth a shot.
"No."
Came his quick response. One that gave no room to discussion.
By the time he finished unbuttoning, he slid the shirt off and tossed it aside.
Getting up from the bed, he slowly made his way towards where she stood without taking up her space.
"You have been away from me for a whole year kelsey. Do you think that I'm about to let that happen again."
There was something about the way her name sounded when he said it. She hadn't noticed it before—or maybe she had, but ignored it. Now, though, she felt it. It clung to the air differently, carried weight. Maybe it was the low timbre of his voice, or the way he spoke. No one else ever used her full name. That alone might have made it feel foreign... or maybe it was because, coming from his mouth, it felt like something else else.
"I am not going to escape again, I promise, but can't we just use different room. At least until..._"
As those words slipped out of her mouth, he came closer. Kelsey took steps backwards but as she was too close to the door, her back collided with it.
With a few inches distance between them, he said, "I am already doing what I can kelssy. Do you know what thoughts are running in my mind right now...? Knowing you are just this close, but not close enough for me to have you?
He looked so serious that it scared her. He lifted his hand, as if he wanted to caress her but he stopped mid air, turned around, and headed to the bathroom.
Kelsey let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Her knees felt unsteady, and had she been more aware of her surroundings, she might have sunk to the floor right then and there.
Hours had passed, and though it was nearing midnight, sleep refused to come. Her earlier exhaustion had faded, replaced by heightened alertness brought on by the night's events. Now in unfamiliar territory, she treaded carefully. If only she had known he'd be waiting in her apartment… she would never have stepped foot in it.