Leia pressed a single finger just below Lucien's visible collarbone, tracing a slow line upward along the exposed skin beneath his half-buttoned shirt. Her voice dipped into a whisper. "Then… if I get close to you, will you keep stepping away from me?" She arched an eyebrow, testing him.
Lucien let out a low chuckle, amused by her boldness. "Why would I do that? My intention has always been clear—" his eyes roamed from her lips to her flushed cheeks, then met her gaze again, "—I want you to be mine. But you're the one making this difficult for both of us. Don't you feel anything for me?"
Leia swallowed hard, trying to steady the fluttering in her chest. If she wasn't careful, she'd crumble before him. Her silence gave him the answer he needed.
"Oh?" Lucien leaned in, his voice teasing her. "Did you hear that? Your heartbeat, I can feel it."
Leia's eyes widened. Their chests were nearly pressed together now, and the warmth between them was palpable.
