Chapter 24: Visit
TERESA'S P.O.V.
The silence in Lucian's office could have been cut with a knife, and yet, here I was, rooted to the spot like some kind of awkward plant, pretending I couldn't feel his gaze on me. The warm, earthy scent of the leather chairs combined with Lucian's cologne, filled the room and made it almost impossible to think straight. I could've sworn my heart was beating loud enough for him to hear.
Why was I here? I needed a break. I couldn't stand being near him anymore without being able to live out even a fraction of my fantasies. God, even the simple dream of holding his hand again—like we did on my first day here—was becoming too heavy to ignore. I seriously didn't know what was happening to me. Why the hell was I so drawn to him?
Gathering up some courage, I took a deep breath and blurted it out before I lost my nerve, "I'm, uh, going to visit my brother. Just for two or three days."
Lucian's expression didn't change immediately, and for a split second, I thought maybe he hadn't heard me. But then he cocked his head, one eyebrow lifting as he surveyed me from his side of the massive mahogany desk.
"Alone?" His voice was so flat and casual that it took me a moment to catch the slight, unamused glint in his eyes.
"Well, yes. I mean, it's just my brother. I'll be safe," I said, trying to sound confident while avoiding his intense gaze. "Unless you think my brother might turn out to be some villain who'll hold me ransom." I added, forcing a small laugh that even I could tell sounded...nervous.
To my dismay, he didn't crack a smile. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a look that could only be described as...skeptical amusement. "Teresa, I'd love to be spared the suspense of hearing another barely plausible story of how you accidentally wandered into trouble."
I blinked at him, thrown off. "That was just a couple of times! And besides, I haven't gotten into any trouble lately, well except for that one time I got lost in the market. In my defense, I thought Juliette was following me like she always did, and that's why I let myself wander off." I muttered, feeling my face heat up.
He sighed dramatically, rolling his eyes. "The point is, Teresa, you're going with Juliette. Or your bodyguards. I'd hate to have to rescue you again."
I couldn't help but let out an exasperated groan. "Lucian, it's just my brother! I'll be fine for once," I said, crossing my arms in what I hoped was a convincing stance. But in reality, I was nearly shaking under the weight of his steady, almost calculating gaze.