The afternoon sun spilled gold over the floor-to-ceiling windows of Lucian's top-floor office. Allison stood near the bookshelf, arms crossed loosely, pretending to browse the framed awards on display but her gaze kept flickering toward the man behind the desk but he wasn't looking at his computer. He was looking back at her. Watching, as if she were the only real thing in the room.
"You keep staring like that I'll start charging you " she murmured without turning around. He didn't answer immediately. The sound of his chair screeching slightly as he leaned back made her heart skip.
"I'll pay in full" came his voice, deep and unhurried, "if you stay here a little longer."
She turned then, her expression soft with playful challenge. "Stay and do what? Watch you tap at your keyboard like an overworked demon CEO?"
Lucian tilted his head. "Isn't that why you're here? To keep the demon from going wild?" She arched a brow, slowly walking over to his side of the desk.
"Actually, I came to drop these off." She set a folder on the edge of the desk… but didn't step away. Neither did he. The distance between them vanished.
"You smell like oranges" he said quietly.
" Might be from the breakfast I had". She shrugged. His hand reached up, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I like it." He leaned in. His palm settled lightly on her lower back, guiding her closer until she was nestled between his knees, facing him.
"Lucian..." she began, but he cut her off gently.
"You've been avoiding me today."
"I had three meetings and one very grumpy HR manager to calm down."
"Still." His voice dropped. "You avoided me."
She exhaled, half-exasperated, half-thrilled by the way his presence always left her slightly off balance. "Maybe I wanted to see how long you would last."
"Dangerous game." His thumb brushed her hip. "You're the only one I ever lose to." Then, with a slow grin, Allison reached for his belt. It clinked softly as she unfastened it, never breaking eye contact. Lucian's breath hitched. She knelt between his legs, her fingers toying with the leather.
"You're not stopping me," she whispered.
"Should I?" He looked down at her, something dark and molten behind his eyes. But his hand found hers, guiding her pace, slower, tender and for a moment, it was just heartbeats and breath. And then there was a knock. A second later, the door creaked open. "President Lucian, I have—" Allison's eyes widened. She moved so fast diving under the desk just as Aaron Li stepped into the office, holding a file. Lucian didn't blink, he just adjusted his trousers behind the desk . He sat there, the picture of composed power only the faint flush near his collar and Allison's red hair when she bent down hinted at what had just happened. Aaron blinked. "Oh. I—should I come back?"
"You should leave" Lucian said, his voice cutting through the air like ice.
Aaron stiffened. "Yes, sir." The door shut again. Allison peeked out from under the desk, cheeks flushed red, completely breathless. "I thought you locked it."
Lucian leaned back, watching her with that infuriatingly calm expression. His shirt was still unbuttoned halfway. "You seemed in a hurry." He slowly said.
She grabbed the nearest thing which was a pen holder and tossed it lightly at his shoulder. "You're evil," she hissed, crawling out from her hiding place. He caught her wrist mid-air, gently tugging her forward until she was standing between his legs again.
"You're carrying my child and you're my woman, " he murmured, voice suddenly softer. Her heart fluttered at the words. But before she could respond, he bent forward and pressed a warm and lingering kiss just below her navel. Allison froze then giggled. "Don't do that here."
"You love it," he whispered against her belly. She did love it and she didn't move. "You—" she stopped, flustered, her cheeks hot. "Do you know what would happen if he saw me?"
He stood and cupped her face, thumbs brushing along her jaw. "He walked in. He walked out. Nothing happened."
"Nothing—" she was about to argue when his mouth caught hers mid-sentence. His kiss was slow. Her knees weakened again. The belt she had undone still hung loosely, and his hands gripped her thighs, lifting her onto the desk like she weighed nothing. "L– Lucian—"
"Say my name again" he murmured, brushing kisses down her throat. "And I'll carry you to the private suite and lock that door for real." She shivered. This man. This devil. Still, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, letting him press her down onto the desk. Her body arched to meet his, her legs tightening around his waist. All the tension, all the push and pull of their office days it burned between them like fire. And when she began to move against him slow and rising, her moans muffled by his shoulder… Click.
"Big brother, you didn't answer my text so I—oh."
"Alexa!" Allison let out a strangled squeak and froze mid-movement, her face practically buried in Lucian's neck. Alexa stood by the open door, one perfectly manicured brow raised, her phone in one hand, iced coffee in the other. "Well," she said, voice bright with mischief. "I see why you're not replying."
Lucian's jaw tensed while Allison was trying to disappear. Her dress was bunched around her thighs, Lucian's shirt was wrinkled open, and her body still trembled from the almost climax. Alexa gave them a casual once-over. "Continue. Don't mind me. Just going into the side room to borrow a serum." She slid past them as she locked the door behind her, heels clicking on the marble, humming some love song under her breath. The door to the private room closed gently behind her. There was silence for some time, Allison felt like dying. Lucian pulled her dress down and helped her slide off the desk. "She has a key."
" She has a key and you didn't think she might come with someone maybe your mom or her friend?" she gasped, horrified, hiding her burning face in her hands.
"Hmmm, I'm sorry baby". He ran circles at her back.
"You're unbelievable" He took her wrists gently and clasped her hands with his.
"You're beautiful when you're embarrassed."
"Arghhh, you're evil."
"You keep saying that." He smirked.
Suddenly, the private room door opened again, and Alexa peeked her head out.
"Oh, by the way," she said cheerily, "next time, maybe try closing the blinds? You're on the top floor, but drones exist." Allison made a noise somewhere between a groan and a whimper.
Lucian's expression dropped to stone. "Out. Now."
Alexa laughed. "Alright, alright. I'm going. Just don't blame me if HR catches a glimpse next time." She winked. "Byeeee." SLAM. The office door shut behind her. Allison slowly slid down onto the couch, covering her face with a throw pillow. Lucian remained standing, eyes narrowed.
Later that night at the Lu Villa, Alexa was sipping from a wine glass on the garden balcony when Lucian appeared behind her, coat off, sleeves rolled up. "You" he said in a dangerously low voice.
She smiled. "Me?"
"You keep barging into my office like you own it."
"I have a key."
"I own the building." Lucian said.
Alexa rolled her eyes. "Allison didn't seem to mind."
Lucian expression darkened. "She was humiliated."
"Then maybe you should move to a secluded place when you have your pretty girlfriend riding you in broad daylight." She snapped.
He stepped closer. "You embarrassed her. You crossed a line." Something in his voice made her pause. He wasn't being overprotective just for the sake of it. He was dead serious. "…You really do care for her" she said softly. Lucian didn't reply. Alexa lowered her wine glass. "Like really care." Still, he said nothing. She turned to him. "I'll knock next time."
"Good." And then, quieter, she added, "She's good for you, big brother. " Lucian ruffled her hair and planted a kiss on her forehead to which she giggled and hugged his waist.
That night, he sat beside Allison as she held Tianlei, pressing his lips softly to the crown of her head. When she whispered, "Your sister caught us".
He answered gently, "She won't again."