Lydia and the others ate while enthusiastically recapping the highlights of the day's matches.
They joked about how pale certain competitors got, and which country's player suffered a total meltdown.
They also mocked Phelps Prescott for standing there looking like an absolute fool.
Their excitement only grew the more they talked.
Serena didn't want to ruin their fun, so she sat with them for a while and ate a little.
However, she had never been fond of noisy environments, so after a short while, she excused herself and headed up to her room.
The top-floor corridor was dead quiet.
She swiped her keycard and pushed the door open. The moment she took a step inside, her eyes grew slightly cold.
Someone was in the room.
She narrowed her eyes, just about to raise her hand to strike.
Suddenly, an incredibly familiar scent drifted to her nose.
Crisp and pleasant, like cold cedar.
Serena's movements halted, the sharp edge in her eyes instantly dissipating.
Nicholas?
Wasn't he supposed to be in Vaelion City dealing with the remnants of Obsidian Sun and the money laundering fallout?
In the darkness.
A well-defined hand gripped her wrist, violently pulling her forward.
She was swept into a broad, solid embrace as the door clicked shut behind her.
Serena's back was pressed flat against the door, completely pinned between the wood and the man's chest.
His familiar scent crashed down on her like a tidal wave, entirely wrapping around her.
Serena lifted her gaze, smoothly wrapping her arms around his neck, letting out a low chuckle. “What are you doing here?”
The faint light filtering in through the window illuminated his breathtakingly handsome face.
Nicholas's deep, alluring eyes were burning with startling heat.
The breath fanning against the hollow of her neck was scorching and incredibly dangerous.
Their noses brushed, their breaths tangling.
Nicholas could practically feel the heat of her lips.
She raised her hand, her slightly cool fingertips brazenly tracing his jawline.
Her deep red lips curled into a lazy, radiant smile, like a wicked little cat determined to tease.
“Since you delivered yourself to my door, let's see if you have the stamina to actually collect this debt.”
A dark storm surged in Nicholas's eyes. His large hand forcefully cupped the back of her head, and he swooped down to claim her lips.
But the instant before their lips met.
Serena suddenly pressed a single pale finger against his lips.
Then, she ruthlessly and effortlessly pushed him aside.
Looking at Nicholas's deeply unsatisfied gaze, her smile grew even more radiant and audacious. “Comfort you... I suppose I could.”
“But sadly, now isn't the time.”

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