The 18th Floor

Chapter Seventy Two

It's been three weeks since Adara has left and Lucien discussing re-modelling plans. In that time, we've had the kitchen re-done and the doors made wider. The builder was even kind enough to re-paint the walls where my chair made some scuffs from hitting the corners or walls. The shelving units have been brought down lower with more draws and cupboards added closer to the floor. We went for a light green marble pattern with gold accents to brighten up the place. Most of it remains the same, but after the race, we spent 4 days at my dad's. Lucien refused to sleep in my bed with me, saying he didn't want it to come across as rude to my dad.

"Don't be ridiculous. He probably knows we're sleeping together anyway", I whispered to him as I watched him get his pillow to sleep on the sofa.

"We won't even fit in your bed."

"We can squeeze."

"I can't be that close and not fuck you Cyrene. I'm sure your dad doesn't want to hear how you scream my name", he teases and it steals the breath right out of my lungs, leaving me blushing and at a loss for words before he kissed me goodnight and slept on the sofa.

At some point during the fourth night, I felt my bed dip before I comforted by a familiar embrace and smell.

"Now you can't resist screaming my name", I had teased him but he told me to go back to sleep, a smile floating across his face.

Coming back to a new kitchen knocked the breath out of my lungs. I started crying at the effort this man has put into me and all the thought and consideration. I had to thank him by testing out the strength of our new tabletops and kitchen islands. Very sturdy indeed.

Lucien's birthday is also coming up. I've never been a birthday person and Simon told me Lucien isn't either when I asked for suggestions on what to do, but it feels wrong to not celebrate it for some reason. He does so much for me, the least I could do is make sure he has a good day.

"We have a dinner reservation at six on Sunday", I tell him as we get ready for work. I'm greeted by Lucien's apprehensive and confused look.

"Why?"

"Because it's your birthday. So, I'm taking you out."

"Okay", he says. It shocks me. For some reason I was expecting a fight on why he should go.

"Okay", I nod back.

"You're not wearing that out the house" Lucien says as I watch his jaw drop taking in the sight of me.

I had to put in my request for a reservation at this restaurant two months ago. It's elite and classy and, considering it's someplace I would potentially never go again, so I bought myself a new dress.

I watch Lucien watch me, starting from my feet up. I'm wearing the black Louboutin heels he thought was randomly okay to surprise me with as a passing gift. My hair is out and curled in contrast to my

usual low bun or pony, but I know he's focused on the dress.

It's black and satin and fits too perfectly. It's showier than something I would normally wear but this isn't a normal dinner. Stopping mid-thigh, I watch Lucien trace my curves, jaw going slack.

"And you think you're not attracting eyes in that made to measure Armani suite?", I ask.

"Cyrene", he breathes out as he comes closer. "You need to wear things like this for me more often", he says as he plays with the straps of the dress. I still feel electric currents pass through my body at our every touch, no matter how many times we've been inside of each other. I grab his tie and pull him down further to eye level. He's started to grow out his hair a bit more after my request and I brush the perfect curl that frequently land above his eyes and kiss him.