Chapter 280

Serena's POV

The courthouse steps seemed endless as I stood there, my heart hammering against my ribs like it was trying to escape. People brushed past me, their faces blurring into meaningless shapes. The only face I searched for was his.

Lucas.

Our eyes locked and the world around us disappeared. He looked thinner, his tailored suit hanging slightly loose on his once-perfect frame. The dark circles beneath his eyes matched my own, I was sure. But those eyes-those piercing gray eyes that had haunted my dreams-they still held that same intensity that could make me forget my own name.

My breathing turned shallow as something primal and unstoppable rose within me. I didn't remember deciding to move. My body acted on its own, propelling me forward. People turned to stare, but I couldn't have cared less.

I never imagined that seeing him again like this-both of us free, standing face to face-would unleash such a torrent of emotions. My heart pounded against my ribs so violently I feared I might lose control completely. It had been so long since I'd allowed myself to feel this way.

After what happened with Ian Whitmore, I'd trained myself to view emotions with detachment. I didn't want to be hurt again. I didn't want to trust anyone again.

Yet here was Lucas Harrington-a man I'd known for less than a year-who had somehow managed to tear down every wall I'd built. I had fallen for him completely.

Truly, deeply fallen in love.

I stared at him now, feeling the heat rising to my cheeks as my vision blurred with tears. His face was thinner, shadows beneath his eyes testifying to the ordeal he'd endured, but those gray eyes still pierced straight through to my soul.

Before I could think, before I could stop myself, I rushed forward and threw myself into his arms.

"Hmm," he grunted softly.

My heart clenched. Was I hurting him? I hadn't used much force-I was afraid he might collapse if I did. I'd been so careful, so gentle, but he was still in pain. What had he endured during those months in prison? What hadn't he told me?

My chest ached with regret.

Why hadn't I trusted him? Why had I selfishly pushed him away? If I'd stayed by his side through all of this, at least he wouldn't have had to face it alone. The emotional burden might have been lighter.

Thinking of everything I'd done, all the ways I'd failed him, I tightened my arms around his waist, breathing in his scent. For Lucas, I was willing to compromise. For him, I would risk believing in love once more.

I felt his warmth, his solid presence. We held each other, neither willing to let go. It felt like home-a sensation I'd forgotten existed.

I don't know how long we stood there on those courthouse steps, locked in our embrace. Time seemed to stop, the rest of Manhattan fading into insignificance around us.

Eventually, Lucas suppressed a cough, the sound tight and controlled.

Reality came flooding back. I was being selfish again. I'd become so dependent on the feeling of being in his arms that I was afraid to let go, terrified that if I released him, he might disappear. This ordeal had taught me the true meaning of fear-and of gratitude for second chances.

Reluctantly, I pulled away from his embrace. I knew he needed to return home to rest properly. In his current state, he could barely stand without wavering.

As we separated, I raised my eyes to meet his gaze.

In that moment of eye contact, heat rushed to my face again. I realized I'd never been so impulsive with Lucas before. My sudden emotional outburst now left me feeling strangely shy, vulnerable in a way I wasn't accustomed to.

Lucas looks at me with his smile growing more obvious. "You've seen every inch of me, devoured every part. Why so shy now?"

My heart races, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me. How can he be so blunt? The memory of that night flashes through my mind-his skin against mine, the heat between us. I try to push the thoughts away, but my burning cheeks betray me.

"Who took advantage of whom?" I shoot back, trying to regain some control over this conversation. That night when I climbed into his bed to get photos to blackmail Rachel, I was the one who made the first move, but during everything that happened? I nearly didn't make it out alive. My body still remembers his touch, the way he took command once things started.

"It takes two to tango," Lucas says with a smirk. "Sex is a team sport."

Even with his pale lips, that smile is pure seduction. I silently marvel at this bewitching man lying in the hospital bed. I never realized before how... uninhibited he is. I feel my face growing redder by the second.

"Don't you want to leave?" I ask, trying to change the subject. I figure the reporters outside probably think Lucas has already snuck out the back. They've been waiting for hours with no sign of him.

"Let's go," Lucas says, reaching for my hand.

My fingers twitch slightly, and I hesitate. I'm not ready for this-for us-to be public knowledge. Everything is happening so fast, and I haven't had time to process what we are to each other now.

"What's wrong?" Lucas's brow furrows, his smile fading.

"There are probably still reporters," I whisper.

His expression hardens instantly. "So I nearly died for you, and you still can't let me be seen with you in public?"

I feel a wave of hesitation. I'm just not used to this yet. I hadn't thought about going public so quickly. I still feel like our relationship is in this undefined gray area.

"Serena, are you serious right now?" Lucas's voice drops low, each word deliberate and sharp. "My engagement is broken, I've given up control of my family's assets, and my body is half-broken because of you. Are you planning to abandon me now?"

I want to argue back. The engagement was something he wanted to end anyway. The assets he liquidated still left him with enough cash to last several lifetimes. And his body? A few weeks of recovery and he'll be back to his devastating good looks. What right does he have to play the victim?

"Well?" His eyes narrow when I don't respond. "You're actually hesitating? Serena, what more do I have to do before you truly accept me? Before you'll let me stand openly by your side?"

Lucas grows more agitated, his voice rising.

"Do I need to cut my heart out and hand it to you-"

I can't listen to any more of this. Before he can finish, I rise on my tiptoes and press my lips against his, silencing his tirade.

"Mmph." Lucas's eyes widen in surprise.

I watch as the anger in his eyes melts away, replaced by something softer, warmer. I feel a smile forming against my lips. Lucas is so easily pacified.

I stayed nestled in Lucas's embrace, feeling his intent to deepen our kiss, but pulled away. A mischievous thought crossed my mind-I wanted to tease him a little, to see that rare flash of vulnerability in his usually controlled demeanor. The mighty Lucas Harrington, completely at my mercy. The thought made me suppress a smile.

"So you tease me and then refuse to follow through?" His voice carried an unmistakable edge of frustration.

"That's not it," I quickly denied, then teased after a pause, "I just thought you were talking too much."

"..." Lucas's expression darkened considerably.

I could read exactly what was going through his mind. With others, he was famously reserved, measured with his words. Only with me did he open up completely, pouring out his thoughts and feelings, practically baring his soul. And here I was, complaining he talked too much.

Just as I sensed his anger reaching its breaking point, I quickly interjected, "I was thinking about when we should get married."