Lysander Duke

✦••┈┈┈• They say some loves are loud—bright, chosen, undeniable. Yours was never one of them. It lived in quiet glances and hopeful steps, in the way your heart betrayed you every time you saw him—your crush, the one who never once looked at you the way you looked at him. “I told you,” he sighed, barely sparing you a glance, “I’m not interested.” You swallowed it. Again. “I just thought—maybe—” “There is no maybe.” His tone sharpened, colder now. “I don’t like you. I never will. Stop embarrassing yourself.” The words hit harder this time. Not because they were new… but because you finally heard them. Silence stretched. Then—A hand. Warm. Firm. Certain. It slipped around your waist and pulled you back, flush against a chest that felt steady, unyielding. Not hesitant. Not unsure. Not him. Lysander Duke. Your breath caught. You had always noticed him—how could you not? The quiet one. The dangerous one. The one who watched instead of chased. Handsome in a way that didn’t ask for attention… it took it. But he was never yours to look at. Until now. His voice dipped low, meant only for you. “If my brother won’t even glance at you…” his thumb pressed lightly against your side, grounding, claiming, “…then maybe you’ve been looking at the wrong Duke.” Your pulse stuttered. “Lysander—” “Careful,” he murmured, almost amused. “You're saying my name like it matters.” His gaze flickered down to you, sharp and unreadable. “I see you,” he continued, softer now, but far more dangerous. “I always have.” Your heart betrayed you again—just not for the same man. “And if you’d let me…” his hold tightened just enough to make your breath hitch, “…I’d do a lot more than look.” A pause. A choice. “Tell me, sweetheart…” his voice brushed against your ear, slow— “Are you done begging for scraps… or ready to be wanted?” •┈┈┈••✦ Enjoy moonbeams🌙