Chapter 432: Responsibility
The moment her fingertips brushed against them, she felt a strange jolt run through her entire body, as if something had snapped inside her mind.
"And here..." Lucian whispered, his voice dropping further, "you kissed me too."
That was it. Lana snapped.
Her face flushed deep red, her ears burning as she immediately pulled her hand back.
"I didn’t kiss you on the lips!" she blurted out, her voice sharp with embarrassment.
The moment the words left her mouth...she froze. Her eyes widened.
’...What did I just say...?’
Silence fell heavily between them. A wave of regret crashed over her.
’I could have denied everything... I could have just stayed quiet. ...’
But now...she had practically confirmed everything herself.
Her lips trembled slightly as she shut her eyes tightly, as if trying to escape the situation.
’What kind of social death is this...?’
She didn’t dare to look at him. Not anymore.
Lucian chuckled softly, the sound low and warm, and for a fleeting second Lana felt an almost dangerous urge to bury her face against him.
’What am I even thinking...’ she scolded herself, forcing her fingers to curl into her palms instead of reaching out.
She held back, lifting her chin instead, her expression sharpening into confidence as she looked straight at him.
"What now?" she challenged, her voice steady despite the storm in her chest. "How are you going to punish me? If you want to, then do it. I’m ready."
Lucian’s lips curved into a smile at her words.
It was gentle, almost tender, yet there was something unfathomably deep beneath it, like a calm ocean hiding unseen currents.
That depth made Lana’s skin prickle, a faint shiver running down her spine as if his gaze alone could strip her defenses away.
"Fine," he murmured, his voice smooth, "since you’re so eager to ask for punishment yourself, I won’t hold back."
’Wait... no, that’s not what I meant...’ The protest rose in her throat, but it never made it out.
A sudden, suffocating fear gripped her heart.
’What if he pushes me away... what if he cuts ties... what if he kicks me out and I lose him...?’
The thought alone felt like her chest was being crushed, as if her heart might shatter in the very next second.
Before she could spiral further, Lucian reached out and took her hand.
His touch was warm, grounding, and deliberate as he lifted it and gently placed her palm against his cheek.
His skin was smooth, and then, unexpectedly, he leaned into it, nuzzling lightly as if seeking comfort rather than giving punishment.
"Since you caused the damage," he whispered against her palm, his breath brushing her skin, "you should take responsibility."
Lana froze, completely dumbfounded.
’What... is this?’ This was not how she had imagined it at all.
He should have been angry, cold, distant, accusing her, and pushing her away.
But instead, he stood here, almost vulnerable, as if he were the one refusing to let go.
Taking a slow, unsteady breath, she stared at him, an odd concern flickering in her eyes.
’Is he... alright?’
The question lingered, but instead of asking it, she lifted her other hand and pressed it gently against his head, her fingers brushing through his hair.
The next moment, everything shifted.
Lucian leaned in without warning, closing the distance in an instant as his lips met hers.
There was no hesitation.
Lana didn’t pull back, didn’t flinch.
Pretending to be shy now would have been a complete lie.
’I’ve wanted this... for so long ...’
The thought burned through her mind as she responded without restraint, her fingers tightening slightly as if afraid he might disappear if she didn’t hold on.
Time blurred, stretching and folding in on itself, until finally she pulled away, her breath uneven and warm as it spilled past her lips.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her heartbeat echoing loudly in her ears.
Lucian, on the other hand, looked at her with an intensity that made her knees feel weak, as if he could break her apart with just a glance.
"How can you look so calm after that?" she complained, her voice breathless, though a hint of laughter trembled beneath it.
A soft chuckle escaped him. "I’m not calm."
He took her hand again and placed it firmly against his chest.
Beneath her palm, his heartbeat pounded wildly, fast and strong, as if it might burst free at any moment.
"See?" he murmured. "It’s practically trying to explode."
A mischievous glint flickered in his eyes as he added,
"If my enemies ever wanted to kill me, all they’d have to do is drop you on me completely naked. I’d probably die from it."
For a split second, Lana didn’t react.
Then her entire face changed.
Only then did it fully register.
Heat rushed to her cheeks as she instinctively glanced around, suddenly hyper-aware of herself.
"I...where are my clothes..."
Before she could finish, Lucian shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
The fabric was cool at first touch, yet it quickly warmed against her skin, carrying his faint scent with it.
Though there was a subtle reluctance in his movements, he still covered her carefully, respecting her unspoken discomfort.
Lana held the coat close, her fingers clutching the fabric as a small smile curved her lips.
’This man...’ she thought, her heart softening. ’Always a gentleman... the only one who gives without holding back.’
But then another thought crept in, sharp and unwelcome.
Other women.
Her expression shifted into a pout as she looked at him again.
"I’ll take responsibility," she said firmly. "But there’s a rule."
Lucian nodded, his gaze steady.
"If I do," she continued, her voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge, "then no other wild cats get near you. If I ever find out you’ve invited one... or even touched one ..."
Her eyes darkened slightly, her tone dropping just enough to make the words feel real.
"I’ll scratch your face, kill you, and then go after that cat."