From Ashes of Scandals to His Embrace novel Chapter 480

Lucas called out and Laurinda paused mid-step. She turned around, flashing him a half-smile. “What now? Are you hoping I’ll buy you dinner?”

“Dinner sounds great. Come on, Laurinda, we haven’t seen each other in ages. One meal together isn’t asking too much, is it?”

Lucas strolled up beside her and tossed his arm over her shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world. A second later, pain shot through him and he glanced down at his arm, now hanging limply at his side, looking stunned and a little wounded.

“Seriously? This is your welcome-back?”

“You still want dinner?”

Laurinda arched a brow, staring him down. Honestly, not kicking him out right away was generous. Did he really think he could just stroll up like old times? Maybe he’d assumed she’d gone soft.

“No, I think I’ll pass.”

Lucas backed off, immediately second-guessing his decision to joke around. That was reckless. He’d totally forgotten what Laurinda was capable of. Next time, he was definitely keeping a safe distance.

Seeing how pitiful he looked, Laurinda laughed under her breath. She closed the gap between them, pressed her hand to his shoulder, and with one quick motion, set it right again.

“If you try that again, next time it won’t end with a dislocated shoulder. So, what are you doing here anyway?”

She looked up at him, realizing he hadn’t changed much since they last met in Stonehaven. She had no idea he was in Cabinda now.

“I’ve actually been here for over a year,” Lucas said, rolling his shoulder to check that it was all good. “I’m here as an exchange student.”

Now that his shoulder didn’t hurt, Lucas relaxed and moved a step back, clearly reading the room. He wasn’t about to try anything else. He knew exactly where he stood if Laurinda actually got serious.

Laurinda took note and her voice came out cool and controlled. “Don’t mess around in my territory. If you cause trouble, you’ll never see Stonehaven again.”

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