"I want you," Lucas whispered.
Grace was stunned for a moment, seeing Lucas's face so close to hers that he could feel his breath gently brushing against her face. In that position, it wasn't warmth that Grace felt, but a coldness that made her feel as if she could see the pain Lucas was hiding inside.
For some reason, Grace's hand reached out and touched Lucas's face, which was as cold as snow.
"Are you in pain?" Grace asked.
She was worried that Lucas might be feeling the same pain that had nearly killed him when he finally stole her first kiss.
Lucas was confused by Grace's question but shook his head in response.
"Your body is so cold," Grace commented.
"But I'm not in pain."
"Then why did you bring me with you if it wasn't to heal the pain you're feeling?"
Ah, Lucas understood. Maybe without realizing it, Grace had started to feel that Lucas had been using her all along for healing. Lucas was aware that his attitude had been so annoying toward Grace, who had been trying to be kind to him.
"Do you think I'm using you?" Lucas asked.
"No, that's not it. When you said you wanted me, it sounded a little strange if it wasn't to heal your pain like—"
Grace's words were cut off when Lucas silenced her with his lips. Lucas' cold skin felt even more apparent as it began to spread to Grace's body. However, the gentle touch of Lucas's lips on hers left Grace completely helpless.
Though initially startled, within the next minute, Grace closed her eyes, savoring the kiss Lucas was giving her. It wasn't the first time they'd done this, but Grace's heartbeat was just as fast as it had been the first time they'd kissed.
Slowly, Grace returned Lucas's kiss, deepening the moment.
When she ran out of breath, Grace tapped Lucas's shoulder several times to signal him, and Lucas, who understood, immediately released her lips, allowing Grace to catch her breath for a moment.
"I'm not hurting you, and I'm not using you for my own gain. I want you because that's what I feel right now." Lucas clarified so that Grace would understand him.
"You only feel that now?" Grace replied.
"Why are you asking that?"
Grace turned her blushing face away. "If you want me, there's no need to hold back."
Lucas's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting Grace to say something that seemed like she was giving him permission to touch her whenever he felt like it.
With her permission, Lucas kissed Grace again, this time a little more wildly, though he still tried to hold back some of his desire so as not to hurt Grace at all. Lucas grew more excited when Grace wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him more access to her body.
Their passionate kiss lasted a long time until Lucas' lips began to explore Grace's neck.
Lucas slowly guided Grace's body backward until her feet touched the sofa, then pushed her until she was lying on top of it.
"Why did you let me do this?" Lucas asked, his eyes glowing red in the darkness.
"Maybe... because I love you," Grace said softly, unsure.
Her hesitation wasn't about her love. She was thinking about what would happen next because she had dared to give her heart to a vampire who should have been a threat in her life.
Lucas, hearing those words, froze. Their love was connected.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't control myself," Lucas whispered, pressing his body against Grace's. "If you don't like this, stop me," he continued.
At first, Lucas hesitated because Grace didn't respond. He intended to stop and get up, but Grace hugged him, asking Lucas to continue.