“Well you didn’t think we were going to put you on the couch,” Lucian said, his husky laugh dancing around the room. “Come, you must be tired. You’ve had a hard day, little one.” His cold hand took hers and he tugged her into motion. “Liriana will be finding you some food and we’ll get you tucked into bed.”
His words made her curious. “Can I not eat what the rest of you do?”
Lucian laughed, finding her words vastly amusing. “I’m not sure you’d approve of the source, Kendra. It’s probably just better if you eat what Lira brings you.”
“But … I don’t understand.”
Kendra stared up at him, becoming lost in his blue eyes. He tipped his head closer to hers, inhaling deeply, his hand slowly sliding down her black. He tugged her closer, his lips gently moving over her cheek, slipping down to her lips and clinging there.
Her eyes fluttered closed and she moaned, the sudden heat that sprang from inside of her as a response to those icy cold lips surprised her. She could feel his chest pressing against her breasts and she lifted up on her tip toes to be able to reach him better.
This was so different from the kiss Daniel had forced on her earlier. That kiss had disgusted her. Lucian’s kiss, on the other hand, made her long for more. Her fingers twined in the length of his dark hair, one palm slipping to cup his perfect cheek. He moved closer to her, impossibly close as if he wanted to share the space with her. His hands moved over her, stroking her body, making her arch.
She pressed the tip of her tongue to the hard seam of his lips, her warm breath bathing his face. Then she was free and he was across the room from her, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. He held up one hand, silencing her questions before they could be asked. His hand fell to the small table next to him, his fist almost white, his body shaking.
“L-Lucian?” she whispered.
His head was down and he didn’t look up as she called his name. So she tried again. “D-did … Did I do something wrong?”
He looked up at last, his eyes soft, almost liquid. “No,” he said. He moved slowly toward her and carefully took her hands in his. “No, little Kendra. You did everything too right. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to … to stop.”
Kendra stared up into his eyes, searching their depths. “What if I didn’t want you to stop?” she asked quickly as if she might lose her nerve.
Lucian closed his eyes, his head resting against hers. “You don’t know what you’re asking.” He held her hands against his chest. “You have to know, I’ll protect you from anything, Kendra. Even myself. Especially myself.”
There were a million questions bubbling at her lips but she forced them back. His pale features seemed strained and his hands were just a bit unsteady on hers. “I don’t understand.”
“I know.”
“And you won’t explain it any better than that?”
“I can’t,” he sighed. He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead, his lips lingering. “I wish I could. It would be so much easier if I could.”
She closed her own eyes as frustration beat an angry tattoo on her temples. “Why can’t you?” she asked.
Lucian’s hand cupped her cheek and he held her soft face in his cold fingers. “It’s not just my secret, Kendra. It’s not just my life that I would put into danger. I cannot do that to my family.”
“Your family?” Kendra shook her head. “What do they have to do with this?”
Instead of answering, he picked her hand up again and began pulling her down the long corridor again and then up a flight of stairs. “I’m putting you in the room next to mine. You’ll be safe there.”
“Safe from whom?” she asked shyly.
Lucian stopped in front of a door, opening it slowly. He spread out his hand, ushering her through the door. “Your room.”
Kendra stepped inside and then slowly turned in a circle, her eyes widening. The room was huge, the bed looked like a sea of blue against the soft white carpet. Painting hung upon the walls and a small desk hugged one wall. The room was bigger than the house she lived in with her stepmother and Daniel and she couldn’t believe that Lucian was telling her that this was hers.
“It’s beautiful,” she sighed, turning to find him.
“It’s what you deserve,” he said, then turned toward one of the doors that was in the far wall. “Your bathroom, you closet, and,” he pulled open the last door, his eyes skipping back to hers. “My room.”
She nodded, dutifully peeking her head through the doors he held open for her. “Thank you.”
“There’s nothing to thank me about.” His hand slid across her cheek, his fingers tangling in her curls. It was as if he couldn’t stop touching her and Kendra enjoyed every touch. “There are clothes in the closet that should fit you.”
“It’s too much,” Kendra gasped, her hand coming up to take his. “You’re being too generous and I don’t deserve it.”
“You do,” he argued.
“You don’t even know me.”
“You’re Kendra Smalley. You mother died when you were born, your father just a few years ago. You’ve been living with your stepmother and stepbrother who both treat you like their personal maids. Your stepbrother wants nothing more than to get you into bed and treat you like slut. You’re a good person with a big heart and you hate thinking bad thoughts about anyone. What else do I need to know?” he growled the question, ignoring her start of surprise.
“How…” She couldn’t finish the question.
“How do I know this? I just do.”
His face took on a stubborn expression and he refused to say anymore. Instead, he took her hands and spun her around the room until the back of her knees were pressed against his bed. With a tiny push, she landed upon her back on the soft mattress and he followed her down.