Page 133 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

I leaned forward, pulling him towards me as I pressed my lips to his. I wrapped my arms around his neck as I waited for him to kiss me back.

After a moment he did. His hands moved to my hips, his fingers digging in slightly as he pulled me against him. I wrapped my fingers in his hair as his tongue found its way into my mouth.

I snaked my hands under his shirt, untucking the fabric from his trousers, allowing my hands to roam over his skin.

“I need you inside me, now,” I murmured against his mouth.

He stopped, his feet staying firm in place as I tried to move him toward my room.

“Lennox, wait a second.” His hands on my waist held me in place.

I gripped his forearms. “What?” I asked impatiently.

He looked at his feet, causing a lock of now disheveled hair to fall across his face.

“Luka, c’mon.” I reached for him again, only for him to pull his hand away and take a step back.

My stomach fell.

“I can’t do this right now,” he said softly.

“Do what?”

“Be your distraction.”

I forced out a laugh, the sound was bitter in my throat. “You’re not a distraction.”

He took another step back, another step away from me.

“Are you sure? Because that’s what this feels like right now.”

“Luka.”

“No, I—I can’t do this right now. Not after last night.” He turned away, raking a hand through his hair.

“Luka wait.” I placed a hand on his arm.

“I’m serious Lennox.” I flinched at the sternness of his voice as he moved out of my reach.

“I’m sorry. I—you can keep feelings separate Lennox, but for me, it’s a lot harder. Last night—last night you let yourself feel. Now you’ve had time to think about it and you shut your feelings off. I know you, Lennox. I can see it in your eyes. I know how your mind works, and how you act. And you might not admit it, but you know me too. And what I need right now is space.”

Every word felt like tiny slices against my skin.

That’s what happens when you let people see you.

They see past your defenses.

I let go of Luka’s arm. He didn’t look back as he walked away.

Maybe Astria was right, maybe I had less time to sort things out with Luka than I thought.

53

LUKA

The door slammed behind me, rattling the frames on the wall.

“Who got your panties in a bunch?” Nico called from the couch.

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