Chapter 3 ALINA'S POV Before he could finish his thought , I grabbed his face and pulled him in for a kiss . As expected , his body tensed up for only a split second before melting into the kiss . His large hand , which had been resting around my throat , slid to the back of my neck , pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss . He kissed me like his life depended on it . The kiss was raw and possessive , bursting with an intensity that sent shivers racing down my spine . I had to admit , it was the best kiss I'd ever had . Not that I had much to compare it to . This was my first kiss . I know , I know - a twenty - four - year - old who had never been kissed before . It's not that I didn't want to , but for some reason , in my past life , Adrian never liked to touch me . I get why now , but looking back ? I'm honestly relieved he never did . Right now , I could feel the whole damn zoo in my stomach . Honestly , I could kiss Lucian forever , but then I suddenly remember that I needed to breathe My hands pressed against his chest as I gently tried to push him away . But he wasn't having it . He caught both my wrists in one hand , pinning them against the wall above my head , while his other hand stayed at the back of my neck , keeping me in place . If this keeps up , I'm going to pass out . Thankfully , his lips finally left mine , trailing down to my neck , planting soft , butterfly - light kisses . A shiver ran through me as his mouth found my ear . He gently bit my earlobe before whispering in his deep voice , " Next time , don't forget to breathe through your nose . " Heat flooded my face , turning my pale cheeks a bright shade of red . I buried my face against his chest , completely embarrassed . Before I could say anything , a sudden commotion erupted from downstairs making us both turn our head to the door . My brows furrowed in confusion as I wondered who could possibly be here at this hour ? Then it hit me . Seraphina Of course , it had to be her . Who else would waltz in here like they owned the place at this ungodly hour ? I made a move to leave , but before I could take a single step , a strong hand pulled me back , pressing me against a hard chest . " Where do you think you're going ? " Lucian's voice was icy , singed with annoyance . A deep frown creased his forehead as he looked me over " Seraphina is here . " I tried to keep it vague , but I could tell he didn't like that answer one bit .. " So ? " His arms tightened around me , almost protectively . He knew that Seraphina was bad news . Nothing good ever comes from her visits . " I just go , dismiss her and be right back . " My tone was reassuring , my fingers brushing softly against his cheek . Hh eyes softened a bit , but I could still see that flicker of uncertainty and doubt lingering there . * I'll trust you this time , Doll His voice was soft and gentle but then it turned sharp and cold again . " But don't think for a second that I wouldn't dare to hurt you if you tried to pull a fast one on me . " Damn , I have a lot of work to do if I want to win his trust . Chapter 3 " I won't , I promise . I'll send her away and come right back ." My voice was hasty as my eyes pleaded for his trust . He scanned my face for a moment before finally nodding and loosening his grip on my waist . I pressed a quick kiss to his lips before heading downstairs . As soon as I stepped into the foyer , my gaze landed on Seraphina . She was being blocked by Lucian's most trusted assistant , who also happened to be his bodyguard , while she unleashed a stream of profanities at him , threatening to get him fired . As if she had that kind of power . " Ace , it's fine ." I said , making my way toward them . " But ma'am " Ace began to protest , but one look from me was all it took for him to shut up and back down The moment Ace stepped aside , Seraphina threw herself at me . " Oh my God , Ally ! Are you okay ? Did that bastard hurt you ? " My body tensed at her touch and even though it was all in my head , I could have sworn I smell gasoline on her . I couldn't take her hands on me any longer , so I grabbed her shoulders and pulled her away from me , keeping her at arm's length , literally I'm fine , Seraphina . As you can see , I'm not hurt . " I said flatly , trying hard not to roll my eyes . " What are you doing here ? " " What do you mean , " What am I doing here ? " She retorted sharply , her voice dripping with offense . " I came to check on how my is doing . Is that a crime ? " Anyone listening might think she was the caring sibling looking out for me . But I knew better . She wanted what was mine . Too bad she can't have him . sister " Not at all , " I replied sweetly . " But showing up at a married couple's house this late at night ? People might mistake you for a mistress . Just looking out for you , sis . " A few servants nearby snickered before quickly covering it with a cough and pretending to be busy . Lucian and I were not married yet , but I knew throwing that in there would get on Seraphina's nerves , and I was right . Seraphina's expression darkened . " You- I raised an eyebrow , waiting for her to explode and reveal her true colors . But she was too clever for that . Her gaze darted to the stairs behind me before she spoke again , her voice now sickeningly sweet , " Sis , " She cooed , taking my hand . " I know you're acting like this because you're scared of Lucian . But I know the truth , you love Adrian . Right now . the man you love is in the hospital because Lucian had his men beat him up . And let's not forget, you and Lucian aren't even married yet . You are not even engaged because you didn't show up for the ceremony … I snatched my hand away from here . I had had enough of her bullshit . Before I even realized what I was doing , my hand moved on its own accord , delivering a sharp slap across her face The sound rang through the mansion , followed by the gasps of the servants watching I totally got why they were reacting the way they were . I had always been so timid around Seraphina . They had seen her put me down time and again , treating the like I was nothing . For them , this was just too much to believe . Seraphina's eyes were blazing with anger as she held her cheek in shock , " You slapped me ! " " Still doubting that it happened , huh ? " I teased , tilting my head . " I could always do it again if that would refresh your memory . " I lifted my hand up . She flinched , and God , words can not describe the satisfaction I felt in that moment . " Honestly , you were beginning to get on my nerves . " I shrugged , crossing my arms . " What do I care if Adrian's in the hospital ? If he didn't want to end up there , maybe he shouldn't have tried to steal me from my fiance . " " But you- I raised my hand to cut her off . " I'm not done talking . " Chapter 3 She clenched her jaw , practically seething . " Let me get this straight , you want me to go visit Adrian in the hospital , correct ? " " Yes . " Her response was quick , desperation creeping into her voice . " And why on earth would I do that ? " I laughed . " My incredibly hot fiance is right here in this house . And I should go see that pathetic excuse for a man because ? " Her mouth opened , but no words came out . I know she was trying to figure out what drugs I am on to make me act so defiant . " But you hate Lucian ! " She exclaimed after a moment , her face a mix of shock and frustration . " You called him the devil , said you'd rather die than be with him ! " She so badly wants to be Mrs. Blackwood , huh ? Well too bad . " First of all ," I said , raising a finger , " you will call him Mr. Blackwood . You're not close enough to refer to him by his first name ." Her nostrils flared in response , any more and she would begin to breathe fire . " Secondly ," I continued , lifting another finger , " I might have said those things , but I was young and dumb . Now ? I've learned a thing or two . I shrugged casually . Her eyes narrowed . " That was just yesterday . " She shot back , deadpan . Potato potahto " If there's nothing else , you can let yourself out . I need to get back to my fiance . My tone was sugary . Seraphina's face twisted in rage . " The ceremony didn't even happen . " She spat through clenched teeth . " The ceremony is just a formality . I'm wearing his ring , am I not ? " I raised my hand , playfully wiggling my fingers to flaunt the huge diamond sparkling on my finger . Lucian really spared no expenses . Jealousy flashed in her eyes , and boy was I basking in it . ́ " Ace " I called out " Yes , madame ? " Ace , who had been standing close by , responded instantly . " Could you please take out the trash ? It's starting to mess with the mansion's aesthetics " My tone was bored and utterly uninterested .. Ace's eyes went wide as saucers , and so did Seraphina's as she tried to process what I had just said . By the time her slow brain caught up that I was talking about her , it was already too late . Two guards had grabbed her arms , pulling her toward the exit . Her screams echoed through the hall , but I wasn't phased . " Good riddance . " I simply dusted off my hands and turned to head back upstairs . as soon as I looked up , I froze , But as s Неса Luci