Chapter 48

What was she doing in his bed?

He couldn't move, staring at her like his brain hadn't yet processed what he was seeing.

With a deep inhale, she rolled onto her back. Her arms were thrown up around her head, her black hair spread out on the bed.

Reaching out, he gingerly shook her shoulder. “Kendall.”

She mumbled something in her sleep, but didn’t move.

“Kendall, wake up.” He shook her shoulder a little harder. How had she even gotten in? He glanced at the balcony.

Muttering a curse, he realised he’d left it open last time. When he’d urgently left after… that.

He gave her shoulder one final shake, and she gasped, frowning as she finally stirred from sleep.

She squinted her eyes open, peered up at him and then smiled, closing her eyes again.

Lucien blinked. “Excuse me.”

“Mmm?” she hummed, her smile filled with bliss.

Suddenly, she snuggled closer to him. “Lucien…” She wrapped an arm around his waist, cuddling him.

His eyes went wide, his chest tightening with a feeling he couldn’t explain. In a panic-fuelled attempt to escape, he leaned away from her, but all it did was push him back into the pillows, giving her better access to cuddle him.

“Mm, I’m cold,” she mumbled, holding him.

This was going very wrong very quickly. What had she just called him?

Lucien?! What happened to her proper little 'Mr Sinclair'? He swallowed hard, reminding himself to stay calm.

Yet, he was so stiff, he couldn’t move. Her body was plastered against his, her cheek pressed into his side, and her lips grazing his skin every time she moved.

“Kendall, wake up,” he said firmly, clenching his jaw to completely ignore the way this felt.

“Hm?” She was starting to sound more conscious.

“Why’re you sleeping in my bed?”

Silence followed his question. Her body went from being melted against him to slowly stiffening with tension. He could pinpoint the exact moment she became fully awake.

Slowly, her head moved away from him, leaning back so she could look up at his face.

Lucien glanced down, his eyes meeting her wide, green ones.

With a shriek, she jerked away from him, clutching the duvet against her chest as she stared at him in a mixture of drowsiness and wide-eyed shock.

“Mr S-sinclair…”

Lucien didn’t move, nor did he look at her. “Why’re you in my bed, Kendall?”

He looked thoroughly unamused, like he wasn’t just disappointed, but also fed up.

She swallowed hard, feeling her heart pound so hard that her entire ribcage was shaking. When had he arrived? Why hadn’t she heard? She’d practiced her escape countless times, if ever he arrived while she was using his room.

Clearly, Kendall had overestimated herself.

“I asked you a question,” he muttered, closing his eyes like he was gathering patience.

She was too close to him, but couldn’t find the courage to move. If he turned his head, they would be inches apart.

The proximity was adding to her horror and further paralysing her tongue. Still, Kendall scrambled to find something to say. Anything.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered pitifully, clutching her hands against her chest.

“That’s not what I asked you.”

“I was scared.”

He paused. The fear in her voice made him look at her, and he instantly regretted it. She was too damn close.

“Scared of what?” his voice wasn’t so icy anymore. She was clearly spooked now that he studied her face.

“My hotel room.”

He straightened. “What happened? Did someone break in?”

She shook her head, looking like she’d cry at any moment.

“Then?”

“I just didn’t feel safe. I know this room is yours, so I thought it would be okay to use it while you’re not around…”

“Without my permission?”

She tried to bravely clench her chin, but all it did was push her lips into a pout. “I’m sorry, Sir.”

“I don’t care. Do you have any goddamn idea how unprofessional this is right now? I’m your boss!”

Kendall flinched, lowering her gaze as her fingers guiltily fiddled. She was terrified. Her heart was pounding, this was the worst possible case scenario. Why hadn’t she heard him come in? She could’ve found a way to sneak out!

She felt her nose get watery and sniffled.

He was frowning at her in mild horror. “Don’t you dare cry.” He had no idea how to handle tears.

It was too late.

She tried to hold back, but she was just far too scared. Waking up in bed with Lucien Sinclair had been the highlight of her fantasies, but in reality? It was straight terrifying.

The tears were sliding down her cheeks before she could stop them, and she sniffled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d be here tonight. I promise it w-won’t happen again.”

She stifled a sob, and Lucien blinked in surprise, seeing her hands tremble. Great, he’d terrified her.

Guilt clogged his throat. “Okay, I forgive you.” His voice was gentle now. “Hey, stop crying, it’s alright.”

She sniffled again, fat tears rolling down her face.

Cursing, he snatched a tissue from the tissue box and handed it to her. “Here.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He watched her blow her nose and sighed.

She wiped her tears, but more came down her face, her hands still shaking.

“Kendall,” he said when she glanced nervously at him. “I told you to stop crying.”

“I’m sorry, I’m just… so embarrassed…”

“It’s okay,” he said softly, turning to face her.

“I wasn’t t-trying to do anything weird,” she weakly tried to explain. “I just feel safe here, I sleep better here. Still, I should've asked for permission. Please, don’t be mad at me.”

“I’m not mad, sweetheart,” he gently said, reaching out to wipe her tears.

His thumb wiped slowly over her cheek, streaking her glimmering tears across her skin. “It’s okay.”

She softly sighed, feeling comfort flood her heart as soon as he touched her.

“Don’t cry,” he whispered.

His large hand cradled her face, his thumb gently rubbing her skin. Lucien didn’t know when it went from harmless comfort to… something else.

But, before he knew it, that look was back on her face. Her teary eyes stared up at him, her lips full and plump as they parted enticingly.

It was like a gut punch. His blood flowed hot and, instantly, he wanted…

He just wanted.

He went still, staring at her. And then, slowly, his thumb traced her skin to reach her mouth, where he gently prodded at her full bottom lip.

A soft sigh blew out of her, making things worse for him.

He swallowed hard. “Kendall…”

Her answer was to lean closer, subtly tilting her mouth up to him.

Lucien's gut clenched as he tried to resist. But the pull was too strong. He couldn’t hold back anymore.