Lawrence.

I was genuinely excited the moment I realized Theresa wanted to learn more about herself from me.

Of all the people she could have asked, she chose me, and not my brothers.

That alone made something warm and almost restless stir inside my chest. It felt like a quiet confirmation of something I had been hoping for without fully admitting it.

I mean...it could only mean she had a soft spot for me.

Right?

It was only natural anyway. I was her mate.

At least, that was how I kept convincing myself as I watched her carefully.

I swallowed hard and subtly adjusted myself on the bed, trying to compose my expression and hide how excited I actually was. My heart was beating a little too fast, and I hated how obvious it felt, like she could somehow see right through me.

But the more I tried to calm myself, the more impossible it became. Instead of focusing on the conversation, my attention remained stubbornly locked on her.

My gaze kept drifting back to the way she sat on the bed, completely unaware of the effect she was having on me. There was nothing extraordinary about the position itself, yet somehow, every small movement seemed to pull my attention right back to her.

And then there was the way she looked at me—those eyes—the quiet uncertainty lingering within them only made her more captivating than usual.

She looked vulnerable without being weak, and curious without being naïve.

And that combination was dangerously distracting.

I found myself studying every subtle expression that crossed her face, every tiny reaction that appeared and disappeared before I could fully understand it.

Before I even realized what was happening, all the thoughts I had been trying so hard to organize simply slipped away.

Everything blurred together until none of it seemed important anymore.

Everything except her.

The woman sitting in front of me was truly tempting and the worst part was that she wasn’t even trying.

She simply existed, and somehow that alone was enough to make her dangerously irresistible.

I didn’t even know when my control finally gave way.

"...and at this moment," I continued, my gaze fixed entirely on Theresa, my voice lowering slightly without my permission, "you are tempting."

The words came out more honest than I intended, it was more raw.

The second I said it, I felt my throat burn slightly, like I had crossed a line I couldn’t take back.

I watched her closely, and her reaction was instant.

Theresa visibly froze for a fraction of a second, clearly caught off guard by my words. Her expression shifted in a way that told me she hadn’t expected me to say something like that so openly.

And strangely enough, that reaction made something in me swell with pride.

She reacted to me...my words.

I took a small step forward without thinking, closing the space between us again. The pull was too strong to ignore, like something instinctive pushing me closer despite the rational part of my mind warning me to slow down.

Now I could feel it, that the distance was almost gone. I could almost feel her breath against my skin.

"And I am not sure I can overcome this," I added finally, my voice lower now, almost rough with restraint.

And that was it—that was the point where whatever control I had left completely snapped.

Without waiting another second, I leaned in, slowly at first and then with certainty and I gently claimed her lips in a passionate kiss.

It felt like something I had been holding back for too long finally breaking free.

I actually missed this, more than I cared to admit.

For a brief moment, it almost felt like she responded, like she might have been melting into it just slightly.

But then, I felt it—Pain, it was sharp and immediate.

Theresa bit me hard on my lip.

"Ah—!" I pulled back instantly, stumbling slightly as I broke the kiss. My hand shot up to my mouth in shock. "Ouch!" I exclaimed, wincing as I felt the sting fully register. "Theresa, that hurts!"

She straightened immediately, her expression sharp and unbothered, as if she hadn’t just caused me actual pain.

"Oh well," she said loudly, her tone firm and unimpressed, "that’s what you deserve for acting like a jerk!"

I stared at her, still processing what had just happened, my lips stinging as I tried to regain my composure.

And somehow, despite the pain, despite the rejection in the form of a bite, I couldn’t even deny it...she still had me completely off balance.

I chuckled softly under my breath, unable to hide the satisfaction I felt at her reaction.

Theresa had actually smiled, although it was just for a moment, but it was enough. More than enough for me actually.

That small shift in her expression made something in my chest ease in a way I didn’t even realize it needed easing. I found myself watching her a little longer than necessary, as if trying to memorize that brief softness before it disappeared again.

Strangely, I was genuinely happy.

Happy that, even with everything going on around her, I had managed to pull that reaction out of her.

A real one, and for some reason, I wanted to see more of it. I wanted to tease her further and push her reactions just a little more.

Because Alex—The thought of him crossed my mind briefly, and my expression hardened for a split second.

Alex was unworthy of making her sad or angry, even for a second. He didn’t deserve the privilege of drawing any emotion out of her, not even irritation. Someone like him didn’t deserve to occupy space in her thoughts at all.

And if I had anything to say about it...I really couldn’t wait to make him suffer.

The thought lingered at the back of my mind as I focused back on Theresa.

"Don’t you want to hear about yourself anymore?" I asked, my tone lighter now as I took another step closer to her.

The space between us narrowed again, slowly, deliberately.

I could feel my body reacting in ways I was trying very hard to ignore, a heat building that I knew I needed to control. My jaw tightened slightly as I forced myself to keep my breathing steady.

I didn’t want to do anything reckless—especially not when she was actually smiling.

Not when I was finally getting through to her in some way.

Not when she looked like this—unguarded, even if only for a moment.

"No need, Lawrence," Theresa said firmly, her voice snapping me slightly back into focus. She held my gaze without blinking, completely steady, completely sure of herself. "You already lost your chance to tell me! I will ask someone else to tell me!"

My expression shifted immediately.

Hell no.

Someone else?

Who exactly did she mean?

The thought alone made something uncomfortable twist in my chest.

I was the only one suitable for that.

The only one who should be telling her anything about herself.

I exhaled slowly, trying to keep my composure even as irritation and possessiveness stirred inside me.

"Alright then..." I muttered under my breath, but I didn’t step back.

Instead, I leaned into the moment.

"How about we recreate the things we had done before?" I suggested, deliberately ignoring the fact that she had just told me to drop the subject entirely.

I knew I probably should have left it alone.

Any sensible person would have.

But when it came to Theresa, common sense had a habit of abandoning me.

My tone softened slightly, becoming more persuasive than teasing now. I wasn’t trying to pressure her—I simply wanted her to consider it.

"That would surely help you live your old self again," I added, a faint, mischievous smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

The idea sounded reasonable enough in my head.

If she couldn’t remember who she used to be, then perhaps revisiting familiar experiences would help trigger something. A memory. A feeling. Anything.

My gaze remained fixed on hers the entire time, as I watched carefully for every reaction.

Every shift in her expression and every flicker in her eyes. I was searching for some sign that she was at least considering what I had said.

"What do you think?" I asked again.

This time, my voice was calmer and more patient, as I didn’t rush her, nor did I try to interrupt her.

I just simply waited.

Outwardly, I appeared relaxed, sitting there with that same faint smile on my face.

But underneath that calm exterior, my thoughts were racing at an alarming speed.

Would she agree?

Would she immediately reject the idea?

Would she roll her eyes and tell me to stop being ridiculous? 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

I had no idea.

And strangely enough, that uncertainty made me more nervous than I cared to admit.

Still, I kept my expression composed, refusing to let any of it show.

My eyes never left hers as I waited for her answer, curious, hopeful, and perhaps a little too invested in whatever she was about to say.

Because, If she agreed...then it was good, but if she didn’t...I wasn’t entirely sure I would know how to step back.