The prince extended his hand, his fingers long and elegant, the gesture formal yet charged with an unspoken purpose. Lara hesitated for only a heartbeat before offering hers in return, expecting nothing more than a courteous shake. But Prince Reuben had other intentions.
Instead of a firm grasp, he took her hand delicately—almost reverently then, with deliberate grace, lifted it to his lips. His kiss was not brief. It lingered, warm and slow, grazing her skin.
A shiver prickled down Lara's spine, the fine hairs on her arms rising in alert. Instinctively, she tried to withdraw her hand, tugging with slightly more force than was polite. Reuben's eyes flicked up to meet hers, startled by her resistance. Instead of releasing her, he tightened his grip ever so slightly, the pressure subtle but unmistakable.
