"Yes, Pumpkin?"
"Stop calling me that," she muttered, though without the venom she'd managed earlier.
Lucius chuckled, his voice a deep rumble. "Never."
And for the first time that night, despite the storm, Jean allowed herself to relax, resting in the embrace of the dangerously handsome vampire she didn't trust—but couldn't seem to push away.
She loved the comfort and warmth he offered, but her fear was too overwhelming for her to fully process the solace he gave.
The storm outside continued to rage, its ferocity echoing the turmoil within her, but Lucius remained steady—an unwavering presence in her chaos.
He leaned closer, his lips brushing against her hair as he whispered soothing words, his voice a lullaby of reassurance.
With one hand, he drew the blanket snugly over her trembling form, while the other gently stroked her back in slow, rhythmic motions, grounding her in the moment.