Chapter 27

When we finally pulled apart, our foreheads rested against each other, our breaths uneven. Lucian cupped my face, his deep brown eyes locked onto mine. "Anna, we've been together for a while now. I don't want to keep us a secret anymore." His words made me tense, but I didn't pull away. I lowered my gaze, staring at the small space between us as a lump formed in my throat. "I just need more time," I murmured, hesitant. Lucian let out a slow breath, his grip tightening slightly. "Time for what? To decide if I'm worth it?" His tone was light, but the underlying frustration and yearning were impossible to miss. I looked up at him, guilt creeping into my expression. "No, that's not it," I rushed to say. "It's just—" I trailed off, struggling to articulate my thoughts. I had been down this road before. When I was with Declan, I had wanted the world to know about us, but he never did. He always had an excuse—people would gossip, it would be embarrassing, the timing wasn't right. And in the e