Chapter 4 It happened so fast

She was in his arms-or maybe he was in hers. Either way, it felt too good, too real, too consuming. Aria Lane pulled back from the embrace, cupping his face with trembling hands. His eyes looked darker than before, like they were swallowing her whole. Her heart raced as her lips inched closer to his. For a moment, she was completely lost in those shadowy depths. Then, as if snapping awake from a dream, she dropped her hands and looked away.

This wasn't right.

It wasn't the right time. Not the right way. Was she taking advantage of him? Was this how you helped someone-by blurring lines?

Before she could drift deeper into her guilt, Lucien's hands came up, cradling her face. They were warm. Too warm. One hand lifted her chin gently until she was forced to look at him-into those haunting eyes.

She didn't know how she managed to hold his gaze. Was this lust? The more she stared into those eyes, the more reckless she felt. Her sense of control slipped through her fingers. He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. Her breath caught, her nipples hardened at the contact between their chests, and then-his mouth sealed over hers. She was gone.

Aria was breathless, struggling to form words. "Lucien... Lucien..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. But he didn't stop.

"Please... let me... breathe..."

Only then did he pull back, his eyes still wild, dark with desire. He stared at her, trailing his fingers lightly across her face.

Why were his eyes so beautiful? Why did she make him feel things he had spent years burying? How had she made him forget about Elodie?

She was just a stranger. A beautiful one, yes, with a body that made his restraint collapse-but still a stranger.

"Is your knee okay?" he asked, fingers now stroking slowly over her lips.

"Yeah... yeah, it's fine. Just swollen. No pain... I'm fine," she said, her voice soft.

"I like your eyes," he murmured, eyes locked onto hers.

She opened her mouth to respond, but before any sound came out, his lips caught hers again. He suckled her lower lip, awakening a storm inside her, tasting her hunger, feeding it. She ached.

He lifted her, her back pressed against the wall, his lips tracing a path to the tender curve of her neck. She shivered. His breath warmed her ear, while his hand slid along her thigh, pushing up her nightdress. Then his mouth returned to hers, making her rise on her toes.

Somehow, her nightdress was no longer on her body. He had loosened the strings at her back, and it had fallen without her even noticing.

Then reality hit.

She stood naked in front of him-Lucien, the man who had taken her breath away-and he was staring at her like he'd seen a ghost.

The spell broke. Embarrassment flushed her cheeks. She covered her breasts with her braids and crouched to retrieve the dress, her hands shaking.

Just one second and I'll be out of here, she thought.

But before she could grab it, Lucien took her hand. She didn't look at him.

"Why are you shaking like this?" he asked gently, lifting her chin.

She met his gaze, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Are you okay?" he asked again, voice tender.

She hesitated, then answered in a whisper, "You looked at me like you'd seen a ghost... like you didn't like my body."

"You've got to be kidding me," he breathed. "Do you even know how beautiful you are? Your body... your curves... You're more than perfect."

He let his hand glide from her face down to her breasts.

"Beautiful little breasts," he murmured, "just the way I like them."

His hand traced her belly, pausing at her navel where her belly ring gleamed, then down to her thighs. One hand slipped between them and she gasped. He felt the soft, wet warmth. A moan escaped her lips.

"I'm amazed by your beauty... it's rare, Aria," he said, before capturing her mouth again.

She straddled him now, legs locked around his waist, and he carried her to the bed. He laid her down carefully, never breaking contact. Then he trailed kisses over every part of her trembling body before removing his shirt.

She stared at him. That chest-sculpted like it had been carved from stone. Did he work out every day? Or was this just his natural form? Either way, it stole her breath.

She ran her fingers along his skin, up his torso, and tangled them in his hair.

He shivered beneath her touch. Then he lowered his head and drew her breast into his mouth. She moaned, back arching as ecstasy rippled through her. His tongue teased the taut nipple, his teeth grazing gently. She writhed under him, her moans becoming music to his ears.

His hands moved between her legs, spreading them. She clutched the sheets, trying not to scream. The flick of his fingers across her sensitive folds left her panting.

He paused only to shed the rest of his clothes.

Her eyes opened-and what she saw made her heart stop. His full arousal stood proud and massive. She wished she hadn't looked.

He noticed. He leaned in, kissed her softly, and whispered, "I really can't stop... but I'll control myself. Is that ?"

She met his gaze, hesitant. "I've never done this before.....I'm scared..."

He exhaled, cupping her cheek.

"I'll be careful. I promise. Just let me in... With you, I lose control. Even if I left this room, I'd find my way back to you."

Was he pleading?

She nodded slowly. He kissed her deeply, savoring every part of her mouth.

He gently parted her legs again and positioned himself at her entrance, easing in with great care. His mind was a whirlwind, but he refused to hurt her.

She tilted beneath him with every inch he entered, nails digging into his back. Then, with one final thrust, he was fully inside her, buried to the hilt.

Her body clenched around him in waves of pleasure and release.