Lucien Pov
“But because I am. And I’m this close to losing it.”
I expect her to flinch. To bolt for the door like any sane girl would. Hell, I want her to run—if only so I don’t ruin both of us in one breath.
But instead…
She blinks—slow, steady—like she’s snapping out of a trance. Then she wipes her cheek, not tenderly... defiantly.
“Professor Lucien...” she says, voice soft but unwavering.
Then she meets my eyes.
“When should I start the tutoring?”
I freeze.
She’s either hopelessly naive… or dangerously bold.
My jaw tightens. I shift my stance, fingers curling slightly at my sides—not to intimidate her, but because my control feels thinner than it has in years.
“You’re seriously asking about tutoring?” My voice dips, darker than I mean it to.
She shrugs, a glint of dare flic
