Hearing Nicholas's name, Julian frowned.

That opportunistic jerk was always finding excuses to stick to his little sister.

At this hour of the night, a man and a woman alone... it wasn't exactly appropriate.

His eyes narrowed slightly behind his lenses.

"Mr. Lancaster?" Black Jack tilted her head, watching him. Her fiery red hair cascaded down, a few strands brushing against the back of his hand.

She shook his arm. "Hurry up, I'm starving to death!"

Julian's gaze dropped to the hand resting on his arm.

It wasn't the manicured hand of a delicate socialite. Upon closer inspection, the back of her hand bore faint scars, and she had calluses lining her knuckles.

Yet, her skin was radiant, and her fingers were long and slender.

Right now, her beautiful eyes were sparkling, her face filled with an undeniable hunger for him... no, a hunger for the food he promised.

That vibrant spark was so bright he couldn't bear the thought of extinguishing it. An unreadable intensity flickered in Julian's eyes.

A few seconds later.

A small smile played on his lips. "Didn't you and Serena just finish dinner? You're still not full?"

"With so many people, how could there be enough food?" Black Jack would never admit that even with two massive tables full of dishes, she had practically inhaled most of it herself.

After all, everyone else had been entirely focused on her precious Demon.

Black Jack tugged at Julian's arm again. "Besides, the cooks there can't hold a candle to a Michelin-level chef, right?"

Julian glanced at her hand once more, masking the deepening intensity in his eyes. "Alright. Let's go."

Sitting in Nicholas's car, Serena stared at the message from Black Jack, feeling a mix of confusion and helpless resignation.

She was confused about when exactly Black Jack had gotten so close to her oldest brother. Sneaking off for a late-night meal together?

And she was resigned because it was glaringly obvious that Black Jack was just stirring the pot, deliberately trying to set her up with Nicholas.

Remembering the night Black Jack had quite literally kidnapped Nicholas and dumped him in her room.

A throbbing ache settled behind her temples.

If Black Jack suddenly got inspired to pull another kidnapping stunt, this absolute peacock of a man...

Would probably just keep strutting his stuff.

She shot Nicholas a sidelong glance.

If she didn't know Black Jack's personality better, she'd honestly suspect Nicholas had bribed her to switch sides!

As she looked over.

Nicholas was already watching her. His striking eyes were deep and alluring, rippling with quiet amusement.

"What's on your mind?" In the enclosed space of the car, his deep, magnetic voice sounded unbearably sexy.

The husky tone seemed to wrap right around her ears.

Serena gave him a flat look. "I'm

wondering why you aren't driving et like a model Content posing

and are instead sitting here

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belongs

Nicholas let out a low, raspy laugh The amusement in his gaze

intensified, making his devastatingly. handsome features look even more captivating.

"Naturally, I want to prolong our alone time together."

The crisp, smoky scent of pine washed over Serena.

His deep, velvet voice was a mere whisper against her ear.

A faint flush crept up Serena's neck, a sudden spark of heat radiating through her.

She turned her head, dodging the

heat of his breath, and raised a

hand, pressing mercilessly against his unfairly attractive face.

She shoved him away. "Drive."

A muffled laugh rumbled in Nicholas's chest, his warm breath spreading across Serena's palm.

She could have sworn she felt the soft brush of his lips press a kiss right into the center of her hand.

Serena was utterly speechless.

This insufferable peacock!

She snatched her hand back, glaring at him with her clear, cool eyes.