shadows of deceit by author berryy

CHAPTER 7

She took a bath and went downstairs.
Still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. As she turned the corner, she froze, her gaze locking onto the sight before her. Ryker stood in the kitchen, shirtless, his broad shoulders and chiseled muscles on full display.
He looked like a Dark God. He has a body of a body builder. Muscles so hard that she can feel it- wait...what?

Its 11 in the morning and she's still fantasizing about him....Lila decided she has gone nuts.

He was sipping his coffee, looking so unreal. How can someone look so beautiful in the morning?

Lila's mind was thinking about the cruel Ryker she has seen, warning her to stay away from him. He isn't the man to indulged with, but her body betrayed her, her heart racing and her cheeks flushing with unwanted attraction.

As if sensing her eyes on him,"Like what you see?" he asked, his voice low and husky, with a hint of arrogance as he turned around to look at her.

Lila's instincts screamed at her to look away, but she couldn't tear her eyes off him. "You're... quite full of yourself, aren't you?" she spat, trying to hide her true feelings behind a mask of sarcasm.

Ryker's smile was slow and predatory, making Lila's skin prickle with unease. "I have every reason to be," he said, his eyes never leaving hers.

She rolled her eyes with a "whatever"

Lila tried to brush past Ryker, attempting to ignore the distracting sight of his naked chest that lit her body on fire. But he caught her arm, his grip firm.

"There's a charity gala today," he said, his voice commanding. "You're supposed to come with me."

Lila's smile was laced with sarcasm. "Yeah, right. I'm your dutiful, obedient wife."

Ryker's glare was intense, his eyes flashing with warning. "Don't play games with me, Lila."

She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I don't have a dress."

Ryker's expression turned dismissive. "You'll have one before the party. Don't worry about it."

Lila raised an eyebrow, but before she could respond, Ryker continued, "Be ready at 7 pm. I won't be late."

With that, he strode out of the kitchen, leaving Lila feeling frustrated and trapped. She knew she had to attend the gala, but she dreaded the thought of spending the evening by Ryker's side, pretending to be his devoted wife.

As she watched him leave, Lila's mind raced with possibilities. Maybe she could find a way to escape, or at least make a scene at the gala, but that would cost her Varyl's life. So for now, she was stuck in this toxic game with Ryker, forced to play the role of his obedient wife.

After drinking her coffee, Lila escaped to the library, seeking solace in the musty scent of old books. She devoured the shelves, searching for her beloved "Pride and Prejudice". Finally, her fingers tracing the familiar spine, she settled into a cozy corner, losing herself in Elizabeth Bennet's world.

She was obsessed with that book. In love with Darcy's character.

Time flew by, and Lila was oblivious, until a knock on the door broke the spell. Her dress had arrived. Glancing at the clock, she gasped – 6:30! She rushed to get ready.
She did a light makeup, matched with her nude dress.
It was a long, silk dress, with one slit at the side. One might say it was exactly the "fuck me" dress. Her fingers moving swiftly as she straightened her short, wavy hair.

Just as she finished, Ryker appeared in the doorway, resplendent in a black tuxedo. His gaze locked onto hers, intense and unyielding, for what felt like an eternity – five minutes, maybe more. Lila's heart raced under his scrutiny.