Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 135

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He looked down, meeting her dewy gaze, and felt an unexpected softness bloom in his chest.

"Yes," he answered in a low rumble, letting her hold onto him.

"So, are we... officially dating now?" Her voice was soft and sweet, the final note dragging out like a tiny, invisible hook scratching at his heart.

Alistair leaned over, carefully tucking the covers around her as his deep voice echoed in the quiet room. "You don't want to?"

"No, I'm just surprised." Vanessa let out a light laugh, looking up at him. "Why do you like me? Is it just... because I slept with you?"

"Do I need a reason to like someone?"

Alistair leaned down further, pressing his forehead against hers. His crisp breath mingled with the intoxicating scent of alcohol radiating from her, his voice rough and incredibly seductive.

"I like you. It has nothing to do with romance tropes. It's just because you're you."

Those words hit her like a stone skipping across a quiet lake. The ripples they caused were filled with her undeniable panic and an overwhelming sense of lost confusion.

The alcohol surged at that exact moment, blending with his incredibly clean and addictive scent, leaving her entire body weak.

She stared blankly at the man's handsome features right in front of her, her eyelashes trembling. "Alistair, how long... will your feelings last?"

Lucas Lowery had betrayed their years of history without a second thought. She and Alistair hadn't even known each other for a month.

A faint smirk touched Alistair's lips. "Time will tell. You can feel it out for yourself."

He was just about to straighten up when a pair of soft arms wrapped stubbornly around his waist, pulling him back with childlike persistence.

"I want to know right now."

He didn't bother answering her again.

A second later, he lowered his head, his lips crashing down on hers.

It wasn't a gentle peck. It was a deeply possessive, near-predatory kiss. Their lips crushed together, carrying a burning, repressed intensity that felt like he wanted to devour her whole.

He stole every ounce of her breath. The alcohol mixed with his scent, leaving her trembling, her mind turning to absolute mush until nothing but blank static remained.