Emily woke with a start, her heart racing. The room was dark, lit only by the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the thin curtains. Her body was warm and comfortable, but the sensations that had pulled her from sleep were far from peaceful. As she blinked awake, she realized she was not alone.
Her breath caught in her throat as she felt the solid, reassuring weight of another body behind her. The heat of someone pressed against her back was undeniable, and the gentle, rhythmic rise and fall of breathing told her that the person was very much alive.
Slowly, she turned her head to glance over her shoulder and was met with the sight of Lucian. He was lying behind her, his strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. His face was partially buried against the back of her neck, his breath warm and soft against her skin.
Her eyes widened in shock. Lucian was not dressed in his usual circus attire. Instead, he wore a simple white shirt, the top three buttons undone, revealing the smooth expanse of his chest and a hint of the tattoos that peeked out from beneath his collar. His dark hair was tousled, adding to his relaxed and almost vulnerable appearance in the dim light.
Emily’s body tensed, her mind racing. She tried to shift away, but Lucian’s hand, warm and firm, rested on her hip, gently guiding her back into place. His touch was surprisingly gentle, but there was no mistaking the strength behind it. He pressed his lips softly to the back of her neck, the sensation sending shivers down her spine.
“Trying to sneak away?” His voice was low and husky, a teasing murmur that tickled her ear.
Emily froze, her heart pounding. “What time is it?” she managed to croak, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Lucian’s lips brushed against her neck again, sending another shiver through her. “It’s only 1 a.m. You’ve got plenty of time to sleep,” he said, his tone smooth and indulgent.
Emily shifted uncomfortably, trying to escape the cocoon of his embrace. “I shouldn’t be here,” she said, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and embarrassment. “I need to go.”
Lucian chuckled softly, the sound reverberating through his chest and into her back. “And why would you want to leave so soon? We’re just getting started.”
His hand tightened gently around her waist, a subtle reminder of the physical closeness between them. “You look so peaceful when you sleep,” he continued, his voice a seductive whisper. “I didn’t want to wake you.”
Emily’s face flushed, her cheeks burning with a mix of shame and confusion. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” she stammered, trying to find the words. “I just—”
“Relax,” Lucian said, his lips brushing her ear. “You don’t have to explain anything to me.”
He pressed a soft kiss to the back of her neck, his touch sending a wave of heat through her body. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been waiting for a moment like this.”
Emily tried to pull away again, but Lucian’s hold was firm yet gentle. “Lucian, please. This isn’t right.”
Lucian sighed, his breath warm against her skin. “Why not? We’re just two people sharing a moment. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
He pressed a kiss to the nape of her neck, his lips lingering just a little longer than necessary. “Or are you afraid of what might happen if you let yourself be with me?”
Emily’s heart raced, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. “I’m not afraid,” she said, though her voice wavered.
Lucian’s hand moved up from her waist to rest gently on her arm, his touch almost tender. “Oh? Then why do you resist me so much?”
He shifted slightly, his body moving closer to hers. “You must know that I find you fascinating. There’s something about you that draws me in.”
Emily could feel the heat of his body against hers, the solid strength of him pressing her into the bed. She could see the way the moonlight highlighted the angles of his face, casting shadows that made him look both alluring and dangerous.
Lucian’s fingers traced delicate patterns on her arm, his touch light and almost hypnotic. “You’ve heard the rumors about me,” he said, his voice a soft murmur. “You know what people say.”
Emily shivered at the memory of the dark whispers she had heard about him. “Yes, I’ve heard the rumors.”
Lucian’s lips curled into a smile against her neck. “And do you believe them?”
Emily hesitated, unsure of how to answer. “Some of them, maybe.”
Lucian chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through his chest. “You shouldn’t. Most of what people say is just that—talk. They don’t know the truth.”
He turned her slightly, so that she faced him, his eyes locking onto hers with a piercing intensity. “What you see here is all there is. I’m just a man, no different from anyone else.”
His fingers traced gently along her jawline, his touch sending electric shivers through her skin. “And if you let yourself, you might discover that there’s more to me than the rumors suggest.”
Emily looked away, her heart racing. “I don’t know if I can trust you.”
Lucian’s eyes gleamed with a dark, seductive promise. “Trust is something that’s earned, not given freely. But I can assure you that I won’t hurt you.”
He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear. “In fact, I might just show you a side of me that you’ve never seen before.”
Emily’s breath caught in her throat, her body tensing at the proximity of his lips. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”
Lucian’s eyes were alight with mischief, his smile wicked and inviting. “Why not? I’m just speaking the truth. I want you to see me for who I really am.”
He pulled her gently back against him, his arms wrapping around her in a protective embrace. “But for now, just relax. Let yourself enjoy the moment.”
Emily felt trapped between her desire for independence and the seductive allure of Lucian. She could feel his warm breath against her neck, his strong arms holding her close. The heat of his body and the intensity of his gaze were almost overwhelming.
As she lay there, her mind raced with questions and doubts. She could feel the gentle pressure of his lips on her skin, the warmth of his touch, and the promise of something more.
Lucian’s fingers gently traced the curve of her waist, his touch both soothing and tantalizing. “You don’t have to make any decisions right now,” he whispered. “Just stay here with me for a little while longer.”
Emily’s resolve wavered as she looked up at him, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of longing and uncertainty. “What if I don’t want to stay?”
Lucian’s eyes darkened, a dangerous glint appearing in their depths. “Then I suppose I’ll have to find a way to convince you.”
He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, lingering kiss. “But for now, just relax. Let yourself be here with me.”
Emily’s heart pounded in her chest, her body trembling with the intensity of the moment. She was caught between her desire for independence and the overwhelming attraction she felt toward Lucian.
As she lay there, her thoughts raced with the possibilities of what might happen next. She could feel Lucian’s warmth and strength, his presence wrapping around her like a cocoon.
Lucian’s hand gently cupped her face, his eyes searching hers with a mixture of tenderness and desire. “You’re so beautiful when you’re vulnerable,” he said softly. “Don’t be afraid to let me in.”
Emily took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to make a choice, but for now, she couldn’t bring herself to pull away from him.
Finally summoning her courage, Emily took a deep breath and met his gaze. “Lucian,” she began, her voice steady but filled with apprehension, “I have to ask you something.”
Lucian’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of curiosity glimmering in their depths. “Oh? And what might that be, Emily?”
She hesitated for a moment, then plunged ahead. “Are the rumors true? About the girls who disappear? I’ve heard people say that you’re responsible for them, that they—”
Lucian’s smile remained but turned colder, a flicker of steel in his eyes. “Ah, those old tales. You mean the stories about how they vanish into thin air?”
Emily nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. “Yes. What really happened to them?”
Lucian leaned back, his gaze growing distant as if searching for the right words. “The truth is much simpler than the rumors suggest,” he said, his voice low and steady. “Those girls didn’t disappear because of anything I did. They left on their own.”
Emily frowned, her confusion evident. “Left? Why would they leave? I thought you—”
Lucian cut her off gently, though his tone was firm. “I’m not the monster the stories make me out to be. Those girls came to the circus seeking something, and when they found it wasn’t what they expected, they chose to leave.”
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto hers with a piercing intensity. “They ran away, Emily. They ran because they couldn’t handle the reality of life here, not because of any dark secrets of mine.”
Emily’s breath caught in her throat as she absorbed his words. “But… why would they say you were responsible?”
Lucian’s smile was almost wistful now, as if he were reflecting on a past he had long since moved beyond. “People always need someone to blame for their fears and failures. It’s easier for them to believe in a villain than to accept the truth.”
He reached across the table, his fingers gently brushing against hers. “The circus isn’t a place for everyone, but that doesn’t mean I’m out to hurt anyone.”
Emily pulled her hand back slightly, her eyes searching his for any hint of deception. “So you’re saying that the rumors are all lies?”
Lucian’s eyes softened, though there was still a glimmer of mischief in them. “Yes, Emily. The only truth is that people leave, and they sometimes leave in ways that are more dramatic than they need to be.”
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper. “But I assure you, there are no dark rituals or hidden dangers behind those stories. Only the choices people make.”
“Just stay with me for a little while,” Lucian whispered, his lips brushing against her forehead. “We can talk about everything in the morning.”
Emily nodded slowly, her heart torn between the safety of Lucian’s embrace and the fear of what might come next.
As she closed her eyes and surrendered to the warmth of his touch, she knew that the path ahead was uncertain and fraught with danger. But for now, she allowed herself to be held by the man who had both frightened and fascinated her from the beginning.
****