Lucien's POV
Who's reckless enough to kiss a stranger just to get out of trouble? Me. I didn't plan to, just needed a cover. But the fire in her eyes, the glare masking fear, pulled me in. I wanted to see how far I could push her.
She resisted, clawing at my grip, and the fight only excited me more. Wrong? Maybe. Thrilling? Absolutely.
This was wrong, who cares? Fast footsteps came running down the stairs.
"Where did that jerk go?" A male voice cursed, followed by a group of blurry bodyguards.
He glanced at me but didn't recognise me.
"He must have fled." Another curse, they were all gathered on the stairs. Their voices were agitated.
"He should be close. Search outside."
After the command was given, they dispersed and left through the closed exit.
A sharp pain struck my lips followed by the metallic taste of blood. Someone was being feisty. How cute. I reluctantly parted with those lips and let go of her hand. A gentleman like me knows his limit
"That's rude," I teased, wiping off the blood stain on my lips.
"Back away jerk," the feisty viper barked.
Her palm struck my cheeks leaving a stinging sensation there. I froze, not from anger...
But the crazy thrill her eyes made me feel. Those jade-like Venomous green eyes had me lost in them. She looked like someone I would let wreck my life for free. Darn it, I must be losing my damn mind.
Being a gentleman, I backed away, my hands tucked in my pockets.
"You should strike harder next time someone takes advantage of you." It was viable advice that left her speechless, her lips parting and closing.
"What the hell are you talking about? Are you a psychopath? A criminal or something." She blabbered out several questions.
Her eyes judging, it wasn't the first time I got that look. I was already immune to it.
She had a very expressive face. While she was ranting, I couldn't help but take a look at her figure from her ink black hair that contrasted with her red dress, taking in every note of the details of her face and curves. Simply put, she was a heartbreaker wrapped in silk. Too pretty to be alone in a place like this.
"My family prefers to call me a menace to society, but a psychopath also works." I clicked my tongue in annoyance.
She had a wedding ring, just when I was getting excited. Figures. The ones worth falling for are always caged.
I left her speechless again.
She sighed in defeat and then stormed up the stairs. "You know what just fuck off. I am out of here."
My business here was done, and I should be leaving, yet my legs ended up following her. Something felt off about her, and it didn't feel right to me to leave her. Where was her husband?
At the top of the stairs, she stopped, her head snapping back with her face twisting in annoyance.
"Why are you following me?" She snapped. I stopped before her, and she stepped back, scared by my towering figure. Hiding her fear behind a glare.
"I am sorry I kissed you. It was a sticky situation, and I genuinely want to make it up to you, or my conscience won't let me." The apology effortlessly rolled off my lips.
It wasn't my style but she genuinely deserved an apology.
"Then leave me alone." She started walking off. I tend to do the opposite most times, and I was still trailing behind.
"Why are you still following me? If you don't leave I will call the cops on you." She threatened, refusing to glance at me. I wish she would let me know her expression.
"Try calling the police, then, but I can't leave you alone in a place like this. Where is your husband?" My voice was laced with concern.
.
This bar in particular was frequented by gamblers and the Mafia, which is what put me in the earlier situation.
I had an eye for details, and the way her hands were clenched at the mention of her husband explained a lot. The scumbag is the reason she is here.
"I will be fine on my own, I just need a drink." She said agitatedly.
Then it clicked, I grabbed her hand, and pulled her into a nearby private karaoke room faster than she could react.
She yanked her hand off after we got into the room.
"What are you doing psycho? I already have a lot going on, give me a break." She barked.
I tilted my head at her. How could someone look even prettier when she was annoyed? I walked over to take a seat in front of the table that already had some drinks set out ahead of time
"You wanted to drink, it's more fun to drink with someone. You look like someone who needs some company." I patted the space beside me.
Normally, she would turn me down, but I had a feeling she wouldn't. She looked like someone who had a lot to say, and I was ready to listen.
Her eyes seemed conflicted, her brain was probably telling her to leave but a part of her didn't.
She crossed her hands under her bosom. "Why should I trust you? After all, you said this is a dangerous place."
An amused laugh snuck out of my lips. She was using my words against me.
. "The room has multiple cameras and you can leave the door open. I won't do anything you don't like, and if I cross the line, feel free to smash a champagne bottle on my head." I assured her.
That seemed to do the work. She reluctantly sat down but made sure to put some distance between us.
. "Aren't you going to ask for my name?" She asked, picking up the karaoke remote to choose a song.
Traitor by Olivia Rodrigo. I guess I was right about her scumbag husband.
I grabbed the bottle of champagne to fill up our glasses, "You don't have to tell me if you feel uncomfortable. Let's just enjoy the night and you tell me about your cheating husband. I am a good listener."
She smiled, then grabbed the glass; Her fingers trembled around the glass, not from the chill of the champagne, but from something deeper, grief, maybe. Or betrayal.
The pain she had been hiding earlier was slipping out.
"The name is Lynn, and yes, that man is a cheating scum." She sneered, her teeth gritting.
I wasn't expecting her to tell me her name, it would be rude if I didn't return the favour. "Lucien."
She nodded, then started sipping her drink while singing Traitor by Olivia.
All I did was listen. She had a lovely voice, and the lights flickering around highlighted her, creating an enchanting illusion.
I could not look away for one second, listening to the pain in her voice. I didn't know her husband but I already disliked him.
She didn't open up first, we drank and sang, sharing some weird jokes that helped her loosen up. Her laugh was soft but laced with pain, which made my heart squeeze lightly. I wondered how a true happy laugh would sound. One that isn't laced in pain.
A couple of glasses later, and several heartbreak songs and songs about bad decisions later. She cracked open, crying into the mic. She was almost drunk. Her voice was weak as she told me part of the story.
Her cheating husband wanted an open marriage to cover up his affair with his childhood bestie, his ' sister' in name.
"It's all my fault, only if.." her voice broke.
I pulled her into a hug and let her just cry on my shoulder pouring out everything. Giving her the only comfort I could offer.
I haven't gotten the entire story, but it was a lot for one girl.
."It's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself." My hand rubbed her back.
Her hand clutched my shirt and she cried harder.
"It is, maybe if we had a child..." Her voice broke, and that was it.
I broke the hug, my hand pressing her chin forcing those green eyes to stare at mine.
"There is no excuse for what he did. Stop blaming yourself, he isn't worth your tears." My voice was firm, barely hiding my rage.
All I needed was a name but she didn't mention his name to the end. Her eyes went wide, her gaze locked. My gaze slowly shifted to her lips. Would it be a sin if I wanted to kiss her pain away? A soft gentle kiss that would melt her.
I drew closer, her intoxicating breath raspy like the wine fanned across my face. Our lips brushed just when I was about to kiss her.
She shoved me away and jolted off.
"Sorry, but I have to get back home before it's too late." She said running out.
Home to her cheating husband. I laughed, then got on my feet to chase after her. She was fast, already at the stairs running like her life depended on it but she was running from the wrong man.
I always loved a good chase. But this one? This one might ruin me, my lips smirked.
Of all the blessed times my phone decided to ring at that moment. It was a call I could not ignore.