"What do you say, bellissima?"
"Stop calling me that, Arius."
"Over my dead body, wife."
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ:˚ ♡ ⋆｡˚･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
Lucian West was in desperate need of a job to pay for her mother's loan. When she finally gets the job, her boss offers h...
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Lucian
"Move in with me."
I blink at him, struggling to process the words that just came out of Arius' mouth.
"That is so nice of you. I just can't believe you'd let me into your house and not feel burdened by my presence. It's just-" I get cut off mid-sentence by Arius.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't start now. You will never be a burden to me, Lucy. Do you understand that?" His voice is firm, his tone leaving no room for arguments.
I nod, but it's not enough for him.
"Words, blessima."
"Yes. I understand," I whisper. If he keeps saying things like that, I might actually start believing it.
"Perfect. Now, you'll move in today since we're practically engaged, ring and all. I'll send my men to pick up your things from your friend's house, if that's okay with you?" He brushes his fingers lightly against mine.
His touch sends a shiver down my spine. I can't focus. I can't concentrate when he's looking at me like that-like there's real care behind those eyes. I know it's supposed to be fake, but damn, it feels too real.
"Blessima? Are you alright?" Arius asks, snapping me out of my trance.
"Yes. I-I'm okay with what you said," I mutter, though honestly, I'm not entirely sure what he said. My mind is somewhere else entirely, wrapped up in how his touch still lingers on my skin.
His hands are now on my wrist, his calloused skin making me feel things I probably shouldn't. I don't make any attempt to pull away.
"Come here," he says suddenly, standing up.
I follow his lead.
He motions his fingers towards me, a silent command to come closer. "Closer," he adds, and I obey, shivering at his proximity.
The scent of his cologne wraps around me as I get closer, and I breathe it in, my senses overwhelmed. He opens his arms and looks at me expectantly.
I stand still for a moment, confused. Does he want me to hug him? This is ridiculous. I've never been this awkward in my life.
"Never hugged a guy before?" he teases, reading my hesitation.
"I-do you want me to hug you?" I ask, cursing myself mentally for asking such a stupid question. Of course, he wants me to hug him.
I need it too, though. I haven't had a real hug in... forever. Maybe this will make things feel less fake.
So, I step closer and wrap my arms around his neck. His hands rest on my waist as I close my eyes and lean into him, feeling his warmth seep into me.
Oh god, this feels so good. So right. I never knew a hug could be this comforting.
"You're so warm, Lucy," he breathes, his voice low as he presses his lips near my hair.
