Chapter 36. Love, Maybe

A light grunt escaped Lucien’s lips, and Anna froze, only then realizing that he was hurt. A light bandage was wrapped around his head, a pale, healing bruise staining the side of his face.

“Sorry,” she whispered, instinctively pulling away from him, but his arms didn’t let her go.

“Don’t,” he begged, voice hoarse. “Come back here.”

He pulled her gently but firmly into him, his face buried in her chest like he needed to do that to live. His grip around her waist was tight but trembling, like he was scared she’d disappear again.

The soft scent of her—her rose-scented mist—was the first thing that had calmed him since opening his eyes in the hospital room. He closed his eyes. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed her scent until now; until that exact moment.

“What happened to you?” Anna asked qu