Chapter 101 Too Close to Resist

Chapter 101 Too Close to Resist
Astrid’s POV

Feeling Lysander’s hands gripping me tightly and his gaze fixed on me like sharp daggers was more than I could bear at that moment, and yet I had no choice but to endure it.

Fortunately, the music was much slower, and although I didn’t know how to dance, I thought I could at least manage. All I had to do was let Lysander guide me; though unfortunately, that would not be entirely easy—not when I could feel the deep aggression he harbored toward me.

I could feel how his hands held me tighter than they should, how the heat radiating from his body burned me, and above all, I could feel his eyes following my every movement.

He seemed to want to say something, yet didn’t dare to, which only made things worse.

—What the hell were you trying to do? —he asked suddenly, somewhat unexpectedly.

—I don’t know what you mean by that —I tried to assure him, but it was clearly useless; he didn’t believe a single word I said—he never had.

—Of course you do —he replied without hesitation, just as I expected.

—I don’t know what you were trying to do by dancing with Alaric. Don’t you realize how that makes me look in front of everyone present? —he demanded angrily, making it clear what truly bothered him.

I knew I could simply let him accuse me, especially since I knew it was a lie and that wouldn’t change no matter how much he insulted me. However, in that moment, I couldn’t hold back, and looking him straight in the eyes, I answered.

—I suppose the same thing you were trying to do by dancing with Kara —I said before I could stop myself, which only made Lysander’s anger worsen.

He suddenly stopped dancing, standing right in front of me for a few seconds, only to then grab me firmly by the arm and pull me away by force.

I could feel the people around us turning to look at us with curiosity and morbid interest, but that didn’t seem to matter to Lysander in the slightest, which only frightened me more. Especially when he led me out of the hall and onto a balcony away from everyone else.

As soon as we were there, Lysander stopped abruptly, only to spin me around quickly and leave me facing him.

—If what you intended was to make me jealous, rest assured that won’t work —he assured me, though that was certainly the last thing I would have thought.

To begin with, I had no idea how I could even achieve something like that; besides, to do something like that, the person would have to be interested to begin with. Clearly, that was not the case, as I knew Lysander felt nothing but hatred toward me.

—No, of course I wouldn’t do something like that —I hurried to assure him, but it didn’t convince him in the slightest.

—I don’t believe you —he admitted, just as I had expected.

—I’m afraid you don’t have another option, because that is the truth. I haven’t tried anything—I wouldn’t be capable of it —I hoped to convince him.

—You’ve already proven you’re capable of more than I thought, so I don’t believe you —he declared, quite aggressively.

—It’s clear I won’t be able to change your mind, so just believe whatever you want —I conceded, knowing that would lead nowhere, so I let it go.

I then tried to leave, but he stepped in my way before I could.

—Where do you think you’re going? —he demanded firmly.

—I just want to return to my room, it’s better that way, and then you can go back to Kara. Don’t leave her alone —I suggested.

—You’re jealous —he stated, quite unexpectedly.

—Never! —I replied quickly, perhaps too quickly to sound as convincing as I wanted.

To my surprise, I saw a small laugh escape Lysander’s lips.

—Lie —he declared confidently, which only annoyed me more.

I tried to walk away, aware that I had no reason to endure any more of this. Unfortunately, I found that he was not willing to let me go, as he stepped in front of me again and grabbed me by the arms.

I wasn’t willing to allow it, so we began to struggle, only to meet resistance from his side. Then suddenly, our gazes met, and in that instant, a spark ignited between us.

I have no idea how it happened or even who started it. One moment I was struggling with him, and the next, we were kissing.

I could feel his arms wrapping around my waist with a firmness that made them seem like chains binding me to him, while I clung tightly to his shoulders, not wanting him to pull away for any reason—especially when his lips on mine felt so right.

I had almost forgotten what a good kisser he was, what he was capable of awakening in me. The way my body responded to his was so intense that I could barely bear it.

Soon the world around us ceased to exist, such was the extent to which he affected me. It stayed that way until I felt his back collide with some kind of wall, which made me open my eyes for a moment, only to realize that it was indeed so.

By that point, we had crossed the entire balcony, and I hadn’t noticed it at all. The truth was, it didn’t matter to me in the slightest—not when I felt so right in his arms.

Honestly, I would have followed wherever that might have led, if it hadn’t been for Lysander stopping. This time it was him, and I couldn’t help but feel deeply empty and cold when he pulled away from me.

When he did, he only looked at my face with a mixture of annoyance and confusion before quickly stepping away from me.

—It’s best if you return to your room —he said, before leaving me there completely alone.