Aurora’s POV
His kiss deepened, his tongue gently seeking entrance. My heart slammed against my ribs. Panic flared hot in my chest, and before I could think, I shoved him away, squeezing my eyes shut.
Oh no. What did I just do?
When I dared to open them again, Lucian was sprawled on the sand, looking up at me with a lazy, boyish smile that made my stomach flip.
“I guess I must be a really terrible kisser,” he said, pushing himself up.
“No!” The word tumbled out too fast. Heat rushed to my face. “You’re not… it’s just that I—” I swallowed hard, my voice shrinking. “This… this was my first kiss.”
The confession hung between us like fragile glass.
Lucian’s eyebrows rose, genuine surprise flickering across his face. “Your first kiss?”
I couldn’t bear the way he was looking at me. I scr
