Page 51 of Forever His Favorite
Emily retreated a few steps, her hand gripping her bag like a shield.
“Stop walking into my space. Stand right there,” she warned, her voice trembling despite her effort to sound strong.
But Lucas didn’t stop. He closed the distance, his breathing harsh and uneven. His lips pressed into a thin line as rage and longing tangled inside him.
“Seeing you smile at another man…” His voice cracked into a furious growl. “Seeing you let him hold you, whisper to you… it’s driving meinsane.” His chest heaved, his fists trembling at his sides. “I’ve been trying so fucking hard to hold back, to stay calm, to not panic. But it’s killing me. Every second you sit next to him, I feel like I’m dying.
His hands shook as he raked them through his hair, his composure crumbling. “I thought keeping my distance would stop me from scaring you away. But all it’s done is shove you straight into that fucking bastard’s arms!”
His hands shot out suddenly, seizing her shoulders with a force that made her gasp. He yanked her hard against his chest, his grip like iron, his whole body rigid—shaking with a mix of rage and desire.
Emily’s breath hitched, panic flashing across her face. Without thinking, she shoved at him desperately, her palm snapping up. The sharp crack of her slap echoed through the air as it landed across his cheek.
Lucas stumbled back a step, one cheek flushed, fingertips hovering near his jaw. For a brief moment, the fury vanished from his face, replaced by a strange, hollow calm as he turned toward her.
Before she could pull her hand away, he seized it, forcing it toward his face. “You can slap me here,” he said, voice harsh. “Hit me as hard as you want. Let out all your anger.”
Emily wrenched her hand free and shoved him roughly. “Stop following me!” she snapped, her voice trembling. “Stop pestering me! Just leave me alone, okay?”
Emily ripped her hand free and shoved him roughly. Stop following me,” she snapped, voice shaking. “Stop pestering me. Just leave me alone, okay?”
Lucas’s eyes darkened, sharp as knives, his jaw tightening. “I can’t do that!” His eyes went hard. “Don’t you understand? Stop pushing me away.” He grabbed both her shoulders and hauled her toward him. Up close, his face was frantic, dangerous. “You loved me so madly. How can you just give up because your mood changed? You walked away without letting me apologize. You left me behind. You can’t push me away like this!”
His eyes were wild. He tightened his hold, drawing her in. “You know me better than anyone,” he whispered, every word vibrating with intensity. “You know I always get what I want, no matter the cost!”
Then, without warning, he pulled her into a possessive embrace, pressing her against him with an urgency that left her breathless. His hot breath fanned her neck, his heart thundering against hers. “Emily, give me a chance. I promise I’ll love you more than you’ve ever been loved. I’ll give you back everything I ever took from you.”
Emily struggled, twisting in his arms, her fingers clawing at his shoulders, trying to pull away. But Lucas held her like she was the air he needed to breathe, his grip firm yet trembling with the fear of losing her again.
His chest rose and fell in ragged gasps. He held on like he was choking on the idea of letting go.
Then Sebastian appeared behind them.
He took in the scene—the way Lucas had Emily trapped, the tension coiled tight in his shoulders, the dangerous heat in his eyes.
Immediately, Sebastian strode forward, grabbed Lucas by the collar, and yanked him backward before delivering a sharp, punishing punch. Lucas flew across the room, landing hard on the floor. Blood glistened at the corner of his mouth.
“Touch her again, and it won’t end with just a fucking punch,” Sebastian snarled, his voice low and lethal.
He swept Emily into his arms, pressing her tightly against his side, every inch of him radiating protection and controlled fury.
Lucas scrambled to his feet, fingers brushing blood from his split lip, his chest heaving.
In a heartbeat, he lunged toward Sebastian, fists raised to strike—but then his eyes landed on Emily’s face. Pale, trembling, clinging to Sebastian. Something in him shattered; the anger in his eyes flickered and softened into something raw, fragile, almost helpless.
“Can you stop already?” Emily’s voice cracked, small and strained.
Lucas froze, his expression faltering, hurt flashing across his features for the briefest moment.
Sebastian’s jaw tightened into a hard line. With a single shove and a glare that could freeze blood, he sent Lucas stumbling back. “Didn’t you hear her? Get away from her!”
Cradling Emily securely, Sebastian turned and strode out of the hotel.
Lucas remained behind, staring after them, lips split, knuckles white, chest heaving as he watched Sebastian take Emily away.
***
Harold and Emily wandered through a luxury shopping mall side by side. The lights inside the mall were bright and warm compared to the chill outside.
