Chapter 9 (Something Hard Down There)

“Luna!”

“Come on, get it out of your mouth.”

“Get it out!”

Nick's voice was firm, repetitive, trying not to be panicked. His arms wrapped around Luna's body from behind, his position precise, like someone who knew exactly what to do in a situation like this. Both hands pressed against Luna's stomach regularly, strong but controlled thrusts—not rough, but calculated.

Luna's body tensed. Her breathing was labored, her chest rising and falling irregularly. Her hands reflexively gripped Nick's arms, her fingers clenching tightly as if they were the only thing keeping her from collapsing.

“Come on, Luna. Spit it out!”

“Come on!”

Nick's tone remained low and cold, but behind his calm exterior, there was an undeniable tension.

He didn't like losing control, especially when it came to someone's life—let alone the woman who was now in his arms.

"Luna," he called out briefly.

“Listen to me. Follow my rhythm.”

Luna wanted to respond. She wanted to say she’d try with all her strength. But all that came out was a faint choked sound. Her face still pale, her brows furrowing as she struggled to contain the growing discomfort.

Nick cursed softly to himself.

"Look what happened. I warned you repeatedly, but you ignored me," he muttered, half annoyed, half worried.

"Even the way you choke is a hassle."

He adjusted his position, fine-tuning the pressure. His hand shifted slightly, more confident, more steady. Luna’s body was thrust forward with the force of the movement.

“One more time,” Nick said.

“Now!”

The next thrust was stronger—yet still measured.

And finally…

Thud.

A cherry fell from Luna's mouth, dropping freely onto the marble floor with a small, almost inaudible sound, yet it felt like the end of a long tension.

Nick immediately breathed a sigh of relief, his hands slipping away from Luna's body. He took a step back, reflexively straightening his elegant suit—a movement typical of a man who was always neat and tidy, even in chaotic situations. His jaw tightened for a moment, then relaxed again, as if the recent incident had been nothing more than a minor disruption to his schedule.

Meanwhile, Luna—her face still pale—was finally able to breathe without pain. Her body swayed before she finally sat onto the soft sofa behind her.

“Pfffttt…”

A soft moan escaped her lips, her chest rising and falling irregularly.

“Nick…” her voice was barely audible, hoarse, and broken.

The name slipped out without any pretense, without full awareness.

Nick heard it.

And for some reason, it made her focus grow sharper as he stared at Luna.

“Breathe steadily, Luna,” he replied quickly.

"Don't pass out. I don't like what I have done" he continued.

“Stutterbug,” Nick turned his head, his voice flat again even though his breathing wasn’t completely steady yet.

“Aren’t you a doctor?”

Luna didn’t answer. Her eyes were closed, her focus solely on the air filling her lungs again.

“You should know that stuffing that much cherries into your mouth is a stupid thing to do?” he continued, his tone cold but not entirely harsh.

Luna remained silent. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted, her breathing still not fully steady.

Nick sighed softly, clicking his tongue.

"Hey."

He gently nudged Luna's foot with the tip of his shoe. Not roughly—just enough to make sure she was awake.

“Hey, stutterbug. Are you listening to me?”

Luna remained silent. No reaction.

Nick snorted softly.

“Come on, don’t act like this anymore.”

But the next moment, a frown appeared on the man’s forehead. Something felt... off.

“Hey,” his voice changed slightly.

“Open your eyes, Luna.”

No movement.

“Damn it!”

Nick approached, bent down, and stared at Luna's lifeless face. Her skin was pale, her eyelashes still, without a flicker.

"Luna?" he called more softly.

He grabbed Luna's wrist, lifted it—then let go.

The hand fell back onto the sofa, lifeless.

Nick’s jaw tightened. In that instant, Nick’s expression changed.

“Shit, she’s really giving me a hard time!” he muttered very softly.

Nick approached, gently tapping Luna’s cheek—once, then twice.

There was no resistance.

"Hey, Luna?"

His tone this time was clearly more tense.

He tried again to gently pat Luna's cheek, trying to stay calm even though his mind was racing.

"Luna, wake up."

His voice was cold, but clearly anxious.

No response.

"If you still refuse to wake up," Nick said seriously,

“I’ll give you CPR, there’s no other choice.” He said, hoping the woman in front of him would wake up, hearing that she would be given artificial respiration (mouth-to-mouth).

Still nothing.

Luna didn't respond, not even with a single word.

Nick quickly adjusted Luna’s position, one hand supporting her shoulder, the other ensuring Luna’s head was tilted back slightly.

Without hesitation, Nick leaned forward. His face drew closer, his lips almost touching Luna's. For the first time in his life, Nick Luton—a man accustomed to controlling everything—allowed himself to do something without business calculations.

His lips pressed against hers, giving her some breath.

One breath.

One slow exhale.

And the next moment…

“Pffttt—!”

Luna jolted awake, taking a deep breath, her eyes opened wildly.

Nick quickly pulled his body away.

“Pffftt... Pffttt...” Luna gasped, trying to steady her breathing.

“Finally, you’re awake.” Nick said with relief.

He gave Luna a few seconds to catch her breath.

“Are you feeling better?” Nick asked.

Luna nodded slowly.

“Luna,” Nick looked at her, his expression hard to read.

“Hm?”

“I saved your life twice today, right?” he continued, his gaze different from usual.

Nick leaned in slightly, his voice low.

“Don’t you owe me a favor?”

Luna froze.

“What’s going on? Why does he look different?” Luna thought to herself, looking at Nick uneasily.

“That means I deserve the reward, right?” His smile twisted into a faint smirk.

(Geez.. he’s out of control. Wake up, Nick!)

Nick's face was now so close. Too close to Luna.

His cold aura felt piercing, making Luna swallow hard. Her eyes—without permission—explored the man's face. Strong jaw. Sharp eyes. And sexy lips—never mind, no need to explain in detail.

A warm sensation spreads throughout Luna's body.

Nick catches her gaze. Slowly, his lips draw closer.

And—

“Aaaaaaaa!”

Luna screamed.

With a quick reflex, Nick covered Luna's mouth.

“You idiot! Don’t scream,” he hissed.

“Or you’ll face the consequences.”

His tone sounded teasing—dangerous.

Luna coughed softly, then nodded quickly.

"Y-You're going to kis—." she stammered.

“Just shut up!,” Nick interrupted.

He stared at Luna for a moment longer than he should have. Her face was still pale, but her eyes were open—clear, alive.

Their positions were so close. Too intimate for it to be an accident. Their gazes locked, their breath mingling.

Beautiful. Intense. Dangerous.

Until—

“Ahem…”

They immediately pulled apart.

At the far, Donna stood with a meaningful smile.

"Are you two really that close?" She teased.

"Nick's room isn't far, you know what I mean."

Nick cleared his throat.

“Come on, Mom. I just gave her CPR. She choked for a moment earlier.” He replied, glancing at Luna, who already looked better.

Donna laughed lightly.

“CPR? Pfft, don’t try to fool me, Nicky. Your excuse sounds way more complicated than a kiss.”

Nick snorted.

"Don’t make things up, Mom.”

Donna smiled even wider.

“Look at yourself, Nick.”

“Something stood tense down there."

His gaze dropped briefly.

Nick reflexively covered his private parts.

“Fuck!” he muttered softly.

Donna chuckled contentedly.

"I told you, just continue in your room. I don't mind."

Nick turned to Luna with a troubled expression.

“What are you looking at, Luna?!”

.

.

"I'm a man who always controls everything. And you're the only thing that makes my body move before my mind."

~ Nick L. Lancaster.