"The night they met after he left her apartment".
Lucien leaned against the cool marble of his shower, eyes closed, the hot water cascading over his body. He couldn't shake the image of her-the way May had smiled up at him, unflinching and teasing, a hint of mischief in her beautiful eyes. She was no stranger to his flirtation; in fact, she had welcomed it with her own, making it a game he had found thrilling. He could still feel her lingering scent, sweet and rich, like sugar and something else, something unique that now seemed to haunt him.
His thoughts drifted to her full, pink lips, how they'd parted in a smile as she'd laughed with him over dinner. And that body... Her curves had stirred something primal in him, her hips swaying as she walked, her confidence exuding from every inch of her.
Lucien's hand moved lower, rubbing himself as he pictured her lips trailing down his chest, her body pressed close. A groan escaped him as he climaxed, his release hitting the shower walls, his head falling back, breathing ragged as he lingered in the aftershocks.
It had been a long time since someone had caught his attention like this. May was unlike anyone he'd ever pursued. Lucien was used to women who fawned over him, who would give in to whatever he wanted without a hint of resistance. But May had held her ground, met his wit with her own, and even made him laugh—a rarity for a man who didn't open himself up easily.
Later, he'd sat at his desk, calling in his assistant to ask what he could send May as a gift. He rarely gifted anything more than flowers or jewels to anyone, yet he knew those alone wouldn't be enough. He was drawn to her genuine charm and knew that cheap gestures wouldn't hold her attention.This intrigue was new for him, and he could feel the pull, like an itch under his skin.
He thought about his journey-his childhood in Italy, growing up with little, driven by the dream of something more. His father had sold their modest restaurant to fund his education, trusting him to make something of himself. That sacrifice had been the foundation of his success, and Lucien had built an empire from nothing, a story of relentless ambition. He hadn't allowed himself many distractions along the way, but something about May made him feel as if the long nights, the work and the wealth had all led him here, to this very moment.
He'd spent the day planning the dinner carefully. Lucien was used to impressing others, yet he sensed May would require something different, something that went beyond the usual display of wealth. Nice things would catch her eye, but he wanted to keep her interest, to let her know he was serious. And that, he knew, would take more effort.
The memory of her modest apartment lingered with him, its lack of security bothering him. He knew it wasn't his place to overstep, so he'd sent a team to discreetly watch over her place. She wouldn't know, but he would feel better knowing she was safe, protected-under his watch. He was possessive by nature; when he wanted something, he committed to it fully. What was his was his, and he was prepared to prove it.
As the car came to a stop, his pulse quickened. He took a deep breath, May's scent still fresh in his mind, stirring something within him once again. Tonight, he'd show her what it meant to be wanted by him.
