CHAPTER FOUR

The heavy velvet curtains kept the morning sun at bay, plunging the massive master suite into a deep, luxurious twilight. When I woke up, I felt something soft beneath me. It was a stark contrast to my usual cold, empty mornings. Two slender arms kept clinging to me, anchoring me to the mattress. I blinked, waiting for the usual surge of irritation that came whenever anyone dared to touch me without permission. But the anger never arrived. Instead, I felt a strange wave of happiness, completely cool with the fact that I wasn't alone.

I looked down at the person wrapped securely in my arms. Last night’s memories came rushing back in a vivid, searing wave—the desperate heat, the quiet whimpers, and the way she had surrendered to my overwhelming strength. A slow, rare smile broke across my face. Looking at her flushed, sleeping face, only one solid thought remained in my mind: this little lady under me was mine forever.

"You're now mine, kitten," I whispered, my voice deep and raspy from sleep.

As if responding to my voice, Irene stirred and moved closer to me, burying her face into my chest. I found the action incredibly cute. I stayed like that for a few more minutes, simply admiring her, before I finally forced myself to slide out of the bed. I walked into the expansive bathroom to take a shower. As I stepped up to the steamed-up mirror and wiped it clean, my eyes narrowed on my reflection. Dark, distinct bite marks were scattered across my neck and chest. A low chuckle escaped my throat. Deep down, I was completely happy and satisfied with the marks of her possessiveness.

A few minutes later, the shifting of the mattress woke me. Every single muscle in my body ached. I woke up sore all over, and especially my pussy hurt like hell from the relentless intensity of the night before. I tried to sit up, but a sharp wince caught in my throat. Just then, the bathroom door clicked open and Lucian walked out, a towel slung low around his waist.

"Still hurting, kitten?" he asked.

His deep voice vibrated straight through my core, and to my absolute frustration, that dark timbre was making me wet again. I immediately tried avoiding eye contact with him, staring intently at the silk sheets before I completely lost my senses to his presence. I simply gave a small, quiet nod.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, determined to force myself to stand. But before my feet could even touch the cold floor, I was suddenly scooped up into the air.

I yelped in surprise, my hands flying up to grip his broad shoulders. My face burned with heat, and I quickly buried my face into his chest to hide myself, causing Lucian to let out a deep chuckle at my intense shyness. He carried me effortlessly across the room and into the master bath. When we got to the bathtub, my eyes widened. I was completely surprised to see that he had already filled the massive, freestanding tub with warm, steaming water just for me to use.

Lucian held me over the edge of the tub, his dark eyes boring into mine. "Are you going to be fine, or should I help you?" he asked sincerely.

The question was entirely innocent, but my mind immediately went south. My dirty mind began to vividly think of all the filthy, wicked things he could do to me inside that bathtub if he joined me. The sheer thought of his veiny hands gripping my hips under the water made my face reach a brilliant shade of crimson.

Lucian caught the sudden shift in my gaze and the deep blush spreading down my neck. A dangerous, knowing smirk played on his lips. "Stop thinking dirty, or else I will help you make them come true," he said.

He dropped me gently into the water. I blushed furiously, letting out a small breath as I quickly slid deeper into the tub, letting the warm, aromatic water cover my aching body. Wanting to hide from his piercing stare, I let myself slide entirely under the surface, letting my hair float around my face.

The moment my head disappeared, Lucian panicked. Seeing nothing but bubbles on the surface, a sudden fear gripped him. He didn't hesitate; he quickly plunged his hands into the water, caught me by the waist, and dragged me forcefully up against his bare, hard chest.

"Are you fine? Did the water choke you?" he asked anxiously, his chest heaving as his eyes scanned my face for any signs of distress.

I blinked away the water, staring at his tense jaw and the genuine worry in his eyes. It was then I realized that I had actually scared the living daylights out of the underworld's most feared man just by hiding under the water.

"I'm sorry to scare you, but I'm fine, don't worry," I said calmly, my voice soft in the quiet bathroom.

Hearing my steady voice, Lucian let out a long, ragged breath, and his erratic breathing finally began to go back to normal. He stared at my lips for a second longer before releasing his grip. "Good—now freshen up and come out," he said as he stood up slowly, stepping back to give me space.

I took my time soaking, letting the warmth soothe the deep ache between my thighs. When I finally rinsed off and came out of the bathroom, wrapping a fresh towel around myself, Lucian was nowhere to be seen. The room was empty, but sitting neatly on the edge of the mattress was a stunning new designer dress accompanied by matching silk undies.

I quickly dressed up, the high-quality fabric smooth against my sensitive skin. As I turned around to check myself, I saw my reflection in the full-length mirror. My eyes drifted to the edges of the glass. I walked slowly up to it, my fingers tracing the frame. I began looking for a door knob or a hidden password panel to open it. I distinctly remember last night; I had seen him open it like a sliding partition, and someone—Julian—had come out from behind it. It wasn't just a mirror; it was a hidden door.

A sharp, polite knock on the main bedroom door brought me back from my thoughts.

"Yes... come in," I replied, stepping away from the mirror.

The door was pushed open, revealing Julian. The assistant stepped into the room, holding a sleek black folder, a knowing smile plastered across his face.

"Good morning, Miss Davis... hope you had a good night," he greeted smoothly.

I scoffed silently to myself, my cheeks warming up. A good night? I knew exactly how hard and mercilessly Lucian had fucked me throughout the entire night, leaving me barely able to walk straight. But I forced a polite expression anyway. "Yes, I did. Thank you," I replied with a tight smile.

Julian nodded, opening the folder in his hands. "Follow me for your payment—my boss said you did exceptionally well, and he will increase your payment," Julian announced, stepping back to clear the doorway.

The mention of the money instantly wiped away my physical exhaustion. Relief washed over me. I could finally save my dad and secure our house. The moment I followed Julian downstairs and got my hands on the money, I didn't waste a single second. I practically ran out of the mansion, rushing toward my destination to pay off the debts.

I stood by the main entrance, watching the gates close behind her speeding taxi. I looked down at the signed paperwork in my hand, then walked back up the grand staircase toward Lucian’s private quarters. A look of sheer bewilderment crossed my face.

"She is the only one that didn't end up in a coma..." I whispered to myself, completely confused by how the brutal, insatiable devil had actually let a woman leave his bed alive and walking.