Your own desires

Layla placed her hand on her mouth, thus Lucius' lips brushed her palm. Their eyes met, creating a charged sensation in the air. 

"I haven't brushed my teeth," Layla whispered, her voice soft, her hand still covering her mouth. She couldn't find an excuse strong enough to stop him, her heart racing at the thought of where this kiss might lead—a place she wasn't ready to go yet.

*Buzz! Buzz!*

Lucius' phone vibrated insistently in his pocket, but he ignored it. His focus was entirely on Layla, his intentions clear as he considered carrying her to the bedroom. The phone's persistent buzzing was the only thing keeping him from acting on his desire.

"You should answer your call," Layla urged, sensing her opportunity to escape. "It must be important."

Lucius reluctantly pulled the phone from his pocket, his expression hardening with frustration. As his grip on her loosened, Layla took advantage of the moment and slipped away, quickly retreating.

Lucius chuckled softly as he answered the call, watching her flee.

Layla didn't stop until she reached the outside of the mansion, her heart pounding in her chest. She placed both hands over her heart, still flustered. "He starts anywhere, anytime," she muttered, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Lucius hadn't followed her. 

Her eyes landed on the large swimming pool, its shimmering blue water glistening under the bright sunlight. 

Layla went toward the pool and looked at her reflection in it. "It's surprising. I'm no longer working as a servant. Lucius isn't that bad. Are the rumors wrong about him?" she murmured and removed her heels. Lifting her knee-length dress, she let her legs swung into the water and moved them slowly. 

When was the last time she relaxed like this? She lifted her hand, covering the shining sun from her hand when the diamond ring in her fourth finger shone brightly. 

"How am I going to convince Lucius to help me? But he's right too. The world works on give and take. I need to give him something to take benefits from him," Layla murmured and lowered her arm and looked straight at the wide green fields before him.  

Bang! 

Layla heard a gun shot and her heart rapidly raced in that moment. Did she just hear a gun shot? A real gun shot? Terror seeped through her entire being, she quickly stood up, letting the dress flow down.

"Did he kill someone?" Layla murmured. She wanted to check what was going on, but her feet glued to her place. She was unable to move an inch from her place. 

Still, she decided to check once to calm her nerves. Forgetting to wear the heels, Layla walked in and reached the vicinity of the living room. Her eyes glued to Lucius, who really had a gun in his hand. She noticed that the living room had those men dressed in black, who were Lucius' men. 

Hiding behind a pillar, Layla found someone was on his knees in front of Lucius. He was begging for Lucius' mercy to spare his life.  

"I spared you last time. You again want a chance. That's so greedy of you," Lucius said, rubbing the tip of the gun on his temple.  

"Take him away, Roger," Lucius ordered and put the gun behind his back. He checked his phone again before tucking it inside his pocket. 

Layla remained hidden behind the pillar, not wanting to come into his eyes.

'Where am I stuck? I thought he had that gun just to scare people. Did he really shoot that man? What if he did? I can't be the wife of a killer!' 

"What are you thinking while sticking to this pillar?" Lucius whispered in her ear and she froze at her spot. Her back could feel the heat of his body as his body brushed against her. 

Turning around, Layla looked at him. "Do you kill people? Like for real?" she questioned. 

"Why? Will you hate me if I tell you the truth?" Lucius smirked. 

"Are you taking my question as a joke? I'm serious, so answer me!" Layla demanded. "You see, I'm a normal girl. I don't like violence or harming the others." 

"I thought you wanted to harm Roderick and Orabela for playing dirty with you. I should use the word kill instead of harm." The grin on his lips turned wider. 

"I didn't mean that. I just want to destroy them," Layla said. 

"Be clear, Layla, what do you desire," Lucius said, his body pressed closer to hers. Their chests touched and his hand rested on her waist, caressing it slowly.  

She bit her bottom lip, again feeling the same strange sensation in her body, especially the lower pit of her stomach. "Don't do that," Layla whispered. 

"Do what? I've not even touched you properly yet," Lucius huskily said. His breath fanned her lips. She could feel the flutter of her heart, making it hard for her to breathe properly. 

"Don't tell me you're already feeling something with this closeness. Shall we find out more about your own desires rather than those revenge ones?" Lucius leaned down to her ear, his lips kissed her earlobe. "Also, I need to show you only you can tempt me to do this."

Did she hear it right? 'No. No. This man is playing with my mind.'

Layla couldn't able to push him away. One way she wanted him, but the other way she didn't. She felt his hand reaching up and stopped just below her curve. 'What is this feeling?' she thought. 

Lucius sucked on her skin just below her earlobe, making her eyes go widen. Involuntarily, a moan escaped her mouth, causing her to gape. 

"You smell like the roses in my garden," Lucius murmured against her skin.

Layla's eyes fluttered shut when his lips continued that torture on her neck. Her hand slowly moved to his chest, pressing them on it, but he caught her hand. He caressed her hand to calm her nerves down while murmuring against her skin, "Don't push me away because it will be hard for you then."