Serena's thick lashes fluttered, the corners of her eyes lifting slightly.
The heat lingering near her ear, mingled with the man's deep, husky voice, seemed to ignite the very air around them.
She watched Nicholas through the mirror.
He was leaning over her, his shirt collar still parted, his collarbones looking sharp and incredibly tempting beneath the warm light.
His expression was a masterclass in restraint.
Yet, the intense emotion churning in his eyes was so scorching it felt as though it could burn right through the glass.
Suddenly, Serena spun around.
Reaching up, she grabbed his loosened tie and yanked him forward.
Caught off guard, Nicholas leaned into her pull to avoid losing his balance.
The distance between them evaporated completely.
They were so close their breaths tangled together.
Serena sat on her chair, tilting her head up to look at him. Her fingers idly twisted his tie, slowly drawing it taut. "Do you really have that little faith in your provisional fiancée?"
Nicholas braced both hands firmly on the edge of the vanity behind her, ensuring he wouldn't crush her with his weight.
His large frame completely caged Serena in, trapping her between the vanity and his chest.
It was a highly predatory posture.
But instead of making a move, he simply looked down at her face, which was mere inches away.
His Adam's apple bobbed aggressively.
Fresh out of the shower, her features held a dewy, captivating flush that wasn't usually there.
Her lips were tinted a soft red.
The outer corners of her eyes curved upward naturally.
Yet her expression retained that signature cold, indolent edge.
She was effortlessly seductive.
And those cool, luminous eyes of his were stunningly beautiful.
There was a casual dominance in her gaze.
It felt as though with just a flick of her finger, she could completely claim his soul. Nicholas's voice was hoarse. "It's not that I don't trust you."
He lowered his head, gently resting his chin on her shoulder, completely shedding the hardened armor he wore for the rest of the world. "I'm just terrified you'll leave me behind."
Serena's fingers paused on his tie.
His voice dropped even lower. "Whitecliffe Harbor is a nightmare. If you go alone, this title I fought so hard to get..."
His tone carried a trace of genuine grievance, blended with deliberate, teasing accusation. "Wouldn't I be forced into early widowerhood?"
Serena couldn't help it.
She let out a short laugh at his sheer audacity.
Lifting her hand, she gently pressed a fingertip against his Adam's apple. "Nicholas."
His throat flexed beneath her touch.
His breathing turned heavier.
Watching his reaction, Serena smiled, trailing her hand up to rest against his cheek. "I said we're all going together, which means we are going together."
She gave his cheek a light pat. "Don't push your luck."
Nicholas caught her hand.
Lowering his head, he pressed a soft kiss against her fingertips.
One wasn't enough.
He kissed her knuckles, too.
The kisses were feather-light.
But they carried a clingy, desperate intensity. "I've made a decision."
Serena looked at him. "Decided what?"
Nicholas met her gaze, a dark, dangerous amusement swirling in his beautiful eyes. "I've decided that for the next few days, I am going to sneak into your room every single night and sleep next to you."
"Until we board that ship together."
Serena raised an eyebrow lazily. "Sleep next to me?"
Nicholas looked completely serious. "To make sure you don't mysteriously vanish in
the middle of the night."
Seeing him act so remarkably self-righteous made Serena laugh out loud.
Using his tie, she casually pulled him
down just a fraction closer. "Ever it.
said no, you'd probably just lurk in the shadows and spy on me anyway, wouldn't you?"
The amusement in Nicholas's eyes deepened.
He lowered his head until their noses were practically touching. "Yes."
He admitted it without an ounce of shame. "After all, I am your provisional fiancé. It's perfectly justified clinginess."
Serena rolled her eyes.
She had seriously underestimated how shameless Nicholas would become once he officially got his title.
Releasing his tie, she gave his chest a light push. "Do whatever you want."
Her tone was lazy. "As long as you're not afraid of my brothers catching you."