Page 17 of Galen

Galen didn’t answer with words. Instead, he reached out, his hand cupping her cheek as he drew her closer. The world seemed to hold its breath as their lips met, the kiss searing and intense, a clash of desire and need that ignited a fire deep within them both.

Bianca’s hands found their way to his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath his shirt, her body pressing into his as the kiss deepened, grew more desperate.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathing hard, their foreheads resting together as they tried to catch their breath. The chemistry between them was undeniable, a force neither of them could control.

“Does that answer your question?” Galen murmured, his voice husky.

Bianca nodded, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw.“Yes,” she whispered, her eyes half-lidded as she leaned in for another kiss, unable to resist the pull of him any longer.

“It’s cold, let’s head back inside,” he told her.

Chapter Eight

Bianca hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest, but when Galen suggested they head inside, she nodded, unable to trust her voice. There was something magnetic about him, something that drew her in despite the warnings blaring in her mind.

She couldn’t deny the heat between them, the way her body responded to his presence, to the way his eyes darkened with unspoken promises.

As they stepped back into the warmth of Galen’s apartment, Bianca noticed that Reynard was gone. It was just the two of them now, the space between them charged with anticipation. Galen turned to her, holding out his hand with a small, almost playful smile.

Unexpected laughter bubbled out of her, surprising them both. She hadn’t expected this side of him—a gentlemanly gesture from a man like Galen. It was disarming, almost as if he was offering her a choice, a way out if she wanted it. But she didn’t want out. Not now. His earlier words echoed in her mind, that he’d help her forget about Tom. She would hold him true to his promise.

She met his gaze, curving her lips into a daring smile as she reached out and grasped his fingers. The contact sent a shiver down her spine, an electric current that shot through her veins.

“Come,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble that made her knees weak.

His grip was firm but gentle as he led her down the hallway, toward the bedroom. Every step felt like a descent into something unknown, something dangerous, and Bianca couldn’t tell if it was fear or excitement—or both—that quickened her pulse.

The bedroom was dimly lit, the soft glow of a single lamp casting shadows that danced on the walls. Galen let go of her hand and walked over to the bed, turning to face her with a look that made her breath catch.

The way he stood, the way his eyes raked over her, made her feel as though he was undressing her with his gaze. The dress she wore, the one he’d chosen for her, suddenly felt too tight, too constricting, and she wanted nothing more than to feel his hands on her skin.

But she held back, watching him, waiting for his next move. Galen slowly approached her, his expression unreadable, but the tension in the air was palpable.

When he finally reached her, he stopped just inches away, his hand brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was so light, so tender, that it sent a ripple of heat through her.

“Bianca,” he whispered, her name on his lips like a caress.

His thumb traced the line of her jaw, down to the curve of her neck, lingering at the pulse point where he could feel her heart racing.

“Galen…” she whispered his name back, a plea, a challenge, she wasn’t sure.

Her hands found their way to his chest, fingers splaying over the hard muscles she’d felt earlier. There was something primal in the way he looked ather, a hunger that made her stomach flutter.

He leaned in, his lips hovering over hers, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath. But he didn’t kiss her. Not yet. Instead, he slid his hands down her sides, feeling the contours of her body through the thin fabric of the dress. The heat of his palms seeped through the material, making her skin tingle in anticipation.

“Do you want this?” he asked, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down her spine. He was giving her an out, one last chance to walk away.

But there was no walking away. Not from this.“Yes,” she breathed, her voice trembling with the weight of her decision.

Galen didn’t hesitate. He slipped his hands around her waist, pulling her against him, and captured her mouth in a searing kiss that stole her breath away. His lips were demanding, insistent, as if he was claiming her, marking her as his. Bianca melted into him, her hands gripping the fabric of his shirt as she kissed him back with equal fervor.

The kiss deepened, became more urgent, and Bianca found herself arching into him, needing to be closer, to feel more of him.

Galen responded in kind, his hands roaming over her back, down to her hips, pulling her even tighter against him. The hardness of his body against hers, the way he kissed her, made her dizzy with want.

When he finally broke the kiss, they were both breathless, their foreheads resting against each other as they caught their breath. Galen’s hands were still on her hips, his thumbs rubbing slow circles that made her skin burn with need.

“Turn around,” he whispered, his voice rough with desire.

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