Chapter 11

Ariella bit her lip hard. She really regretted ever agreeing to that damn rule: "Whenever I need you, you have to show up when I say." They just got back, didn't they say they were going home to check in with family? Pretty good time for him to cuddle up with his sweet wifey, no? Yet here he was, skipping that chance, rushing over just to blame her for something? What a messed-up jerk. Totally makes no sense. "Something wrong?" Ryan asked from behind the wheel, catching her troubled expression in the rearview mirror. "Just pull over here, this is my place." "Already? That was quick." He sounded a bit disappointed-he didn't even get to confirm if she had a boyfriend or not. "Yeah. Thanks," Ariella said, already pushing open the door as the car stopped. Ryan got out too, standing by the sidewalk, and asked, "Can I get your number?" "My boyfriend isn't into me giving out my contact info. Bye!" she said with a polite smile. A gust of wind blew a few strands of her hair across her face. They landed gently, making her look soft and heartbreakingly beautiful. Ryan's heart skipped a beat. She was stunning. He thought back to the wedding at the hotel, the moment she appeared-everyone else was all smiles, but she had this quiet sadness clinging to her, and it hit hard. Did that mean she's really in love? Is that what she was trying to tell him? Ryan didn't buy it. If she was truly happy, where'd all that sorrow come from? "Ariella..." he called after her. Ariella could tell he wasn't done talking, so she gave him a quick "Goodbye," and hurried off. He just stood there, watching her walk away, feeling helpless. He didn't know how to reach her, how to pull her out of whatever sadness she was drowning in. As soon as Ariella was out of Ryan's line of sight, she hailed a cab and went straight to Lucian's apartment. He wasn't home when she arrived. Was this on purpose? Maybe he was scared she'd spend too much time with Ryan-that's probably why he sent that sudden order, right? Maybe by now he was already in bed with Fiona... She let out a long sigh. Since Lucian clearly wasn't coming yet, she figured she might as well step out. That apartment felt suffocating, like a golden cage. But just as she reached the door, she heard the key turn in the lock. The door opened, and there was Lucian, looking cold as ever. "I told you to wait in bed. What are you waiting at the door? You're getting more disobedient by the day." Wait by the door? Please. He really thought he was worth greeting? He must have no idea that the girl who used to rush to meet him... didn't exist anymore. Ariella didn't bother offering him slippers. She just turned around expressionless and walked back into the bedroom. He always wanted the same thing. No matter how much she resisted, it never changed anything. After all, she'd walked into this cage on her own. Kicking off her shoes, Ariella climbed onto the bed and yanked down the zipper of her light purple dress, peeling it off in one smooth motion. By the time Lucian walked into the bedroom, she was already lying there completely bare. Her face looked lifeless, and those eyes were full of resentment-nothing about her sparked any desire in him. Instead, irritation and a bitter anger started bubbling inside him. He leaned in, gripping her chin roughly as a mocking growl slipped from between his clenched teeth. "So eager for me to screw you, huh?" "You're the one who couldn't wait. I'm just doing what I was told," Ariella responded coldly. "Come on, this is what you wanted, isn't it?" Lucian's patience was hanging by a thread, and her attitude was pushing him way too close to the edge. But he had to keep it together-couldn't let her little jabs make him lose it. His eyes swept over her body, then he sneered, "What a shame. Pretty sure I'm getting sick of this body already." "Perfect. Guess it's finally a win for Fiona," Ariella said blandly, no trace of affection in her voice. Nothing about her hinted she cared for him the slightest bit. "You delusional woman. Keep dreaming." He growled low in his throat, tightening his hold on her chin until her face was forced closer to his. Then he crashed his lips onto hers with harsh force. But the second he touched her soft, trembling lips, something inside him snapped-like all the blood in his veins caught fire. Desire hit him like a tidal wave. He started angry, but the moment he tasted her, that boiling rage started to melt into something else. Instead of devouring her mouth the way he intended, he ended up kissing her slowly, almost tenderly. The pressure on her chin eased noticeably. She had shaken hands with his brother right in front of him, and when he showed up just now, she acted like she didn't give a damn. He should be furious right now. If he kissed her until her lips were swollen like last time, Ariella would probably still think it made sense. But the way he was being so careful, like afraid to spook her... like he actually cared about her-it threw her off. Her mind blanked-his soft touches making her light-headed, like he'd drugged her with nothing but a kiss. She'd sworn she wouldn't fall again, but her body wasn't listening. She pushed at him with what little strength she had left, breaking free from the kiss as she panted, "If you want it, just do it. Just... stop kissing me." "Can't take it anymore?" he asked, voice low and husky, eyes locked on her flushed face. Those eyes of hers were glazed over, clouded with longing-something he hadn't seen in forever. That eager spark reminded him of how she used to look at him before she knew he was getting married. And yeah, he missed that-missed how she used to be, back when it was just the two of them.