The cabin felt warmer now.
Maybe it was the fire.
Or maybe it was the way Lucien was standing only inches away.
Ava could feel the heat from his body.
Her pulse quickened.
"You're staring," Lucien murmured.
"So are you."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Fair."
For a moment the danger outside seemed far away.
Ava stepped closer.
"I should be angry with you," she said softly.
"You probably should."
"But I'm not."
Lucien's eyes darkened.
"Why?"
Ava didn't fully understand the answer herself.
Maybe it was the way he had protected her.
Maybe it was the way he looked at her now.
Or maybe it was the dangerous electricity that had been building between them since the day they met.
She placed a hand lightly on his chest.
His heartbeat was steady and strong beneath her palm.
Lucien inhaled slowly.
"Ava…"
But she stepped even closer.
"I trust you."
The words hung between them.
Lucien lifted a hand, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
His touch sent a shiver down her spine.
"You shouldn't trust me so easily," he whispered.
"Why?"
His voice dropped lower.
"Because I'm not a good man."
Ava met his gaze.
"Good men don't risk their lives for strangers."
Lucien studied her face for a long moment.
Then he leaned closer.
Too close.
Her breath caught.
The distance between them disappeared.
And finally—
Lucien kissed her.
Slow.
Deep.
Dangerous.
The world seemed to vanish around them.