ADELE’S POV

Derek’s hand tightened on my waist—one hard, deliberate squeeze that made my skin crawl—before he finally let go. He stepped back, smooth as ever, but not before giving Lucien a long, unreadable look. Something dark and challenging flashed in his eyes, gone so fast I almost thought I imagined it. Then he inclined his head, the perfect gentleman, and walked away without a word.

The crowd swallowed him up.

Lucien didn’t wait. His arm slid around my waist in one fluid motion, yanking me flush against his chest so suddenly the air left my lungs in a soft gasp. His body was hard, warm, vibrating with barely contained...