Emily's throat tightened. The threat in his tone wasn't loud, but it was there, teasingly laced under the surface.
She wasn't afraid of him; not really. What terrified her was the thought of someone walking in on them while she was being dragged like some guilty intern caught misbehaving.
The rumour and whispers that would follow she wasn't ready to face.
With the few hours they had spent together, she was clearer about Lucian's personality. He didn't just say things; he did them.
Her heart pounded as she hesitated, then she forced herself forward, each step was deliberate and cautious. It felt like walking toward a trap she couldn't see yet could feel in the depth of her bones.
As soon as she was close enough, Lucian reached out, grabbed her wrist gently, and pulled her closer.
"Wait!" she gasped, nearly losing her balance, but he steadied her with firm hands and pressed her into the cushions.
Before she could even react, he placed the cup of tea in her hands.
