The sun bathed the yacht in a golden light, reflecting on the crystalline waters that stretched to the horizon. Eliza stood by the railing, her fingers gripping the cold metal while the wind playfully tousled her hair. From a distance, she might have appeared calm, almost serene, but inside her a battle raged that threatened to consume her.
Lucian's presence was a magnet that both attracted and repelled her at the same time. She could feel his gaze fixed on her, intense, scorching, as if he wanted to strip away every protective layer she had. She didn't need to turn around to know that he was behind her, watching her with that mixture of arrogance and desire that made her waver between hatred and surrender.
"How much longer are you going to ignore me?" Lucian finally asked, his deep voice breaking the silence like soft thunder.
