The mansion had grown quiet. After dinner, everyone slowly retired to their rooms. The distant sound of footsteps faded down the corridors, leaving only the soft ticking of the grandfather clock somewhere in the hall.
A servant escorted Adrian to one of the guest rooms prepared for him.
Meanwhile, Elena had already showered. She sat cross-legged on her bed, dressed in comfortable sleep clothes — a loose cream-colored shirt that slipped slightly off one shoulder and soft cotton shorts. Her damp hair rested against her back as she stared thoughtfully at the floor.
Lucian.
The thought lingered in her mind. He had brought Adrian here. He hadn't said it openly, but she knew it was his way of trying to make things right between them. And knowing the kind of man Lucian was… he probably had never tried to make things right with anyone in his entire life.
Elena sighed. She had intentionally ignored him the whole day but she wasn't an ungrateful person. No matter how complicated things were between them, he had done something important for her. So she needed to thank him. After a moment of hesitation, she stood up and slipped her feet into soft house slippers.
Lucian's room was on the second floor, not far from his office. The corridor lights were dim when she climbed the stairs.
Her heart beat a little faster as she approached his door. She lifted her hand and knocked. No response. Elena frowned slightly. She was about to leave but then she noticed the door was slightly open. Curious, she pushed it gently and stepped inside.
The room was enormous and unmistakably Lucian. The scent hit her first. A deep masculine fragrance filled the space — sandalwood, dark cedar, and something faintly smoky, like expensive cologne mixed with the lingering warmth of leather. It was intoxicating.
Very… him.
The room itself reflected the same cold elegance Lucian carried. Everything was dark and refined. Black marble floors partially covered by a thick charcoal rug. A massive king-size bed dominated the center of the room, its sheets crisp white against a dark velvet headboard. The bedding looked untouched, perfectly arranged like something out of a luxury hotel. Minimal color and decoration.
A large painting hung on the far wall — abstract and dramatic, deep blacks and silvers blending together.
One wall was entirely glass, overlooking the estate gardens below. Another wall held a sleek wooden bar cabinet and a small seating area with two leather chairs. Everything about the room felt powerful, controlled,and dangerous. Just like its owner.
Elena's gaze drifted toward the bed again. Her cheeks warmed slightly. She had never been inside his room before or even imagined what it might look like.
Then suddenly— The sound of a door opening. Elena turned and froze.
Lucian stepped out of the bathroom, water still clung to his skin. His black hair was darker now, damp strands falling loosely across his forehead. His Adam's apple rose and fell slowly. A droplet slid slowly down the side of his neck to his bare chest — broad, sturdy, and sharply defined. Down his chest, across the powerful ridges of muscle, every line of the muscle was sharp and powerful, his torso sculpted like something carved from stone. His shoulders were wide, his arms strong, veins faintly visible beneath his skin.
His abdomen tightened with each breath, revealing the hard lines of his stomach. Her eyes traveled lower… A white towel hung dangerously low around his waist, her eyes widened before she could stop herself. And then—
Her cheeks flushed deep red.
Lucian stopped walking the moment he saw her.. Surprise flickered across his face. Then his dark eyes slowly narrowed. Elena, was standing in his room. She had been ignoring him for two days now and it irritated him
His gaze slightly darkened at the thought before something far more dangerous appeared in them.
Mischief, he had the strong urge to punish her for ignoring him earlier at the dinning too.
Also, he had noticed the way her amber eyes were still fixed on him. Very slowly… an evil smirk curved his lips. Lucian began walking toward her like a predator. His steps were unhurried, calm and intentional. His gaze never leaving her.
Elena suddenly realized she was still staring. Her heart jumped violently in her chest.
"What are you doing here, Elena?" he asked. His voice was low and husky, rough around the edges.
Her mouth suddenly felt dry, she quickly licked her lips, trying to moisten them.
Lucian's eyes immediately followed the small movement. He bites his lower lips softly trying stop the dark thought crossing his mind. She had absolutely no idea what she was doing to him. Not a single idea.
Elena tried to speak but for a moment… nothing came out.
Her brain had apparently stopped working and her mind has gone blank.
"So…?" Lucian prompted softly, his voice was almost inviting. By now he was standing directly in front of her, the scent of his shower gel surrounded her — fresh, warm, masculine.
Elena finally forced words out. "I… came to thank you."
Lucian tilted his head slightly, studying her. In the dim light, his features looked almost unfairly beautiful — sharp, controlled, and dangerously calm.
"For?"
"For bringing Adrian here." She swallowed trying to steady her voice. "I know that was your way of trying to make things better between us."
For a brief second, something unreadable flashed in Lucian's eyes.
Elena took a small breath.
"Thank you." Then, realizing how dangerously close they were standing… she panicked. "I should go." She turned quickly toward the door but before she could leave— Lucian moved very fast. His hand reached past her before the door shut behind her with a soft click.
Elena blinked. She hadn't even seen it close but before she could process everything she was already trapped.
Lucian's arms braced against the door on either side of her caging her in. Her back pressed lightly against the wood and lucian stood inches away much too close.
Elena's heart pounded wildly in her chest.
Lucian leaned down slightly, his dark eyes locked onto hers. Her scent reached him then — soft and warm. Fresh soap, something faintly floral, and the lingering sweetness of her shampoo. It was light, feminine, and completely distracting.
"You came all the way to my room…" His voice dropped to a near whisper. "…just to say thank you?"
Elena's breathing grew uneven. "Yes." her voice was tiny.
Lucian's gaze slid slowly across her face. Her flushed cheeks, her parted lips, tempting him to shove something inside her pretty mouth, her bright amber eyes. She just got out of the shower herself. He look at her comfortable clothes that was bigger than her making her small while hiding her curves.
A dangerous smile touched his mouth. "You walked into my bedroom, Elena." His voice lowered even further. "While I was in the shower." Heat rushed into her face.
"I didn't know you were—"
Lucian leaned closer. Now she could feel the warmth of his body and his hot breath. "You didn't leave either."
Elena froze. Her mind suddenly replayed the moment she had been staring at him, her face burned.
Lucian noticed it and he enjoyed every second of it. His voice softened into a teasing murmur. "Tell me something…" His gaze dropped briefly to her lips. "…did you like what you saw?"
Elena's eyes widened she looks like she couldn't believe her ears. "You're impossible!"
Lucian chuckled quietly. But he didn't move away. Not even slightly.
And Elena suddenly realized something that made her mind shut down. If he leaned just a little closer….their lips would meet.