43. Pepper

Lucian's POV

And there she stood, stunning in my favorite color as her skin gleamed with a nature that made me want to caress her forearms so lightly. I watched her intently as she took a look around at the crowd below her. Her voluminous, brown tresses bounced lightly against her shoulders as she rounded the stairs.

Her breath hitched at the sight of the event and I watched as her chest heaved in & out. I felt a tingling sensation run throughout my body and in an instant, I knew she'd be the star of the night. I set my glass of champagne down on a tray as a prompt server passed by perfectly. I made my way to the base of the stairs with an outsretched hand for her to take and she took it gracefully and fell into my chest as she tripped over the last step.

"I shouldn't have come. This is so embarrassing," she whispered as she hid her face in my chest. The warmth of her round face against me sent a silent shiver through my spine and I shook it off quickly.

"There's no need to shy. Sha