Chapter Eight

Emma's heart raced in her chest, the scent of Lucas's cologne filling her senses. It was masculine and alluring, his warm breath caressing her cheek as he pinned her against the wall. Fear gripped her as she waited for his next move, her back pressed against the hard surface.

"I don't appreciate how you speak to me. I genuinely care about you and what you're going through. The scoundrel who betrayed you doesn't deserve you. Only a fool would leave someone as beautiful as you for a so-called friend. Emma, your heart is pure. Don't let him alter who you are," Lucas murmured softly, his gaze shifting from her eyes to her full lips, a dark desire flickering in his eyes

Sensing his intense stare on her lips, Emma seized the moment to push him away. "You don't know me at all. You're trying so hard to pretend you're different. You're not. I won't fall for your sweet-talking ways, Mr. Sugarcoated lover boy. Stay out of my path," she retorted firmly.

"You are drunk, Emma, you have no one to loo