The morning sun streamed gently through the sheer curtains, casting golden rays across the velvet-draped bed. Lola stirred with a soft groan, her limbs stretching languidly as she slowly sat up. A yawn escaped her lips as she rubbed her eyes, the events of the previous night still swirling faintly in her thoughts.
She slid her feet into her slippers and padded toward the washroom, her mind still adrift until the door creaked open and out stepped the Emperor, bare-chested, a single towel hanging low on his hips, rivulets of water dripping down his sculpted form.
Lola froze.
Xander, however, looked anything but startled. He raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching in amusement.
Lola let out a startled shriek, whirling around to face the opposite direction. "What…what on earth are you doing here?!"
"I could ask you the same," he replied, utterly unbothered. "But since you seem to have forgotten, allow me to remind you that this is my room."
Still facing the other way, Lola clutched her chest. "You would have woken me before barging out like that! You're indecent!"
He gave a lazy shrug. "You're still here. That's not my doing."
She spun around to glare at him only to regret it instantly. Her eyes betrayed her before she could stop them, dipping low before snapping back to his face. "You could at least apologise and return to the washroom until you're fully dressed."
"Apologise?" Xander placed his hands on his hips, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "And why should I apologise for existing in my own room?"
As if summoned by dramatic irony, the towel gave a traitorous slip and fell to the floor.
Lola's mouth parted in shock. She stared, frozen in place, unable to look away. Xander caught her reaction and let out a slow, knowing chuckle.
"Like what you see?" he asked, his voice a velvety purr.
Her shriek echoed through the room as she turned to flee, but he caught her swiftly, spinning her around until her back pressed against his bare chest. His arms wrapped around her with an ease that stole her breath.
"Where do you think you're going?" he murmured, his voice a tantalising whisper against her ear. He nipped lightly at her lobe, and Lola shivered.
"I… I need to leave," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"I don't want you to," he breathed, trailing kisses along her shoulder, then the curve of her neck. "You drive me mad, Lola."
He gently turned her to face him, his touch reverent. He kissed her forehead tenderly.
"Go now," he murmured, voice husky, "before I change my mind."
She didn't move.
His eyes darkened with mischief. "Unless, of course, you want me to ravish you, right here and now."
That was enough.
With a flustered gasp, Lola tore away from him and practically fled from the chamber, her cheeks aflame. Behind her, Xander's deep, rich laughter echoed like a victory.