CHAPTER 83: ENJOY YOUR TIME

"Every time you talk about kissing, it irritates me more," Leia said sharply, glaring at Lucien. But her breath hitched as the air around her was once again tinged with his scent, his pheromones teasing her senses.

’Why am I smelling him again? This is strange... it shouldn’t be this frequent,’ she thought, trying to dismiss the warm pull stirring inside her.

Lucien smirked, clearly amused by her frustration. "I love annoying you," he said smoothly. "The same way you love annoying me."

Leia looked away, unwilling to let his gaze weaken her any further. But as her eyes wandered, she noticed several people in the club watching them.

"They know you," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. She tried to take a step back, but his grip on her hand tightened.

"So?" Lucien said without hesitation. "I want you to be my Luna. The sooner you accept it, the better it will be, for both of us."

As he spoke, his fingers traced a slow path down the length of her right arm, sending a soft shiver up her spine. Then, he took her hand, threading his fingers through hers with such ease and boldness that it made her breath catch.

Leia’s brows furrowed. A nervous flutter bloomed in her chest. Her heartbeat began to pound louder. His intense gaze held hers in place. It was so magnetic that it was impossible to look away from him.

’What’s happening to me?’ she wondered. ’I’m losing my mind. First it was Kieran, and now... him? Is it normal to feel something for two people... Not two but three? Why is my heart reacting this way?’

Across the room, Kieran clenched his glass, his jaw tightening as he watched the scene unfold. His blood simmered with jealousy. He wanted Leia for himself. But instead, she stood there, allowing Lucien to touch her, to hold her, to dance with her. And she didn’t resist.

She never let him get this close. Even earlier, she suddenly pulled away from him.

’Why?’

he asked himself bitterly. ’Why does she accept him so easily but pulls away from me? Am I not good enough in her eyes? Not worthy of her affection?’

"Lucien came here just to announce to the world that Leia is his..." Ronan scoffed, amusement curling at the corner of his lips. He downed the vodka shot in one swift motion and stood from his seat. "I’m leaving," he said curtly.

Kieran looked up, brows drawing together. "Where to? And why now?"

Before Ronan could answer, two women approached them. Their smiles were natural and radiant.

"Excuse us," one of them said, tilting her head slightly. "Would you two like to dance with us?"

Ronan didn’t even spare them a glance. He walked past them without a word, as if they hadn’t spoken at all, like they were invisible.

Kieran offered a small, polite smile. "No, thank you," he said.

As the women moved away, disappointed, Kieran’s gaze drifted in the direction Ronan had gone.

"Oh, Ronan’s leaving," Leia said suddenly, her steps faltering on the dance floor.

Lucien turned his head, following her gaze with a slight frown. "What happened?"

Leia’s brow creased with concern. "We should go after him. He’s not the kind to enjoy such crowds. Maybe he felt out of place..."

Lucien gave a small nod in agreement, and they both made their way off the floor toward Kieran, who stood nearby watching Ronan disappear through the exit.

"Why did he leave so suddenly?" Lucien asked.

"I’m not sure," Kieran replied.

"I’ll go check on him," Leia said firmly, already turning to run after him. "You two stay here."

She rushed out of the club, scanning the path ahead. Under the glow of the streetlights, she spotted Ronan’s familiar silhouette walking. Picking up her pace, she ran ahead and blocked his path, her arms stretched out playfully, a bright smile on her face.

"Where are you going?" she asked. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Ronan paused, his eyes flicking over her face before drifting away. "I didn’t like it in there. You can stay and enjoy your time with Lucien and Kieran," he said.

"But I wanted all three of you to be there," Leia said, her voice softening as her arms slowly dropped to her sides.

"I don’t belong in places like that," Ronan said coldly. "I only showed up so you wouldn’t feel bad. You know how I am... I never liked being around people who only know me as the ’cursed child’ of the Calandrino family."

Leia’s smile faded. The joy from a few moments ago slipped away. "No one said anything... or did they?" she murmured.

Ronan looked past her, not answering that question. "You don’t need to worry about me. Just enjoy your life, Leia," he said gently, brushing past her.

Leia stood still for a moment. She slowly pivoted on the boots of her heels. "Then, let’s go where you like, Ronan. I already have my share my fun," she said.

Lucien and Kieran had come out of the bar as well after clearing the bills for the drinks.

Ronan’s feet halted slowly. The chief reason he didn’t want to be near Leia was because he was getting more attached to her with each passing day. Earlier, he liked this feeling, but now, he felt she would become his weakness.

Though he yearned to be loved, but at the same time, he was scared.

"Just leave me alone," Ronan said and walked away from her sight.

"Don’t stop him," Lucien said, resting his hand on her shoulder.

"It would be better if he hadn’t come. Now, I feel I did something wrong," Leia whispered.

"Don’t blame yourself. Brother Ronan does react like this many times," Kieran told her, standing on her left.

"So, should we let him go alone? By himself?" Leia murmured, feeling worried.

"That’s the best way," Kieran replied, but the answer didn’t satisfy Leia.