LUCIAN
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"Stop staring at me," Amelia grumbled as she sat in the chair across from me. I raised an eyebrow, watching the faint blush wash over her face. "Stare at... at those pens."
I glanced at the pens in their holder, refraining from laughing before looking back into her irritated golden eyes. I mean, they weren't technically golden but they were a light enough brown to be considered that. But I still decided to listen, grabbing one of the pens and spinning it between my fingers.
"I know you think I hired you because you're, well, you," I started off, watching as she looked away from me immediately. "I want to assure you that it isn't the case. You truly were the most qualified out of all of the resumes I went through and if I didn't think you would be a good worker then I would have never had my hiring manager call you."
Though I know she didn't want me to see it, I watched as her shoulders slumped in relief and she finally made eye contact with me. I couldn't help but give myself a moment to look over her beautiful features, pursing my lips at the faintest of freckles across her nose and how she had moved her hair to the side of her neck where I had put a nice hickey.
"Lucian."
I met her impatient gaze and raised an eyebrow. I couldn't help the staring; Mel was beautiful and what was even sexier was the fact that she knew that and carried it with confidence—not too much where it was annoying but where she knew she was turning heads when she walked into the room.
And if she wanted me to chase her then I'll do exactly that.
"The staring," she called out.
Despite the irritation of her voice, I could hear the slight breathlessness to it. I bit back my smirk and rested my elbows on the desk, handing her a file instead before I decided to do anything I'd regret. She opened it cautiously and went through the papers, her full lips pursed in concentration.
"Because you're my new personal assistant, it's your job to schedule any appointments I have, answer calls, and help me with simple paperwork that doesn't really concern me," I explained to her, watching her nod slowly to my words. "Oh, and fetching me a coffee sometimes."
When she raised an unimpressed brow, I couldn't help but shrug. "My last PA did it—it always makes my day."
Mia shook her head to herself and ran a hand through her dark hair, then met my awaiting stare.
"Anything else?" She asked, leaning back into her leather seat.
She looks so fucking small in that giant chair.
"Do you have to go for that lunch tomorrow?" I couldn't help but ask before my brain could stop me.
For fuck's sake. My fucking mouth can never just keep shut like yesterday. I didn't mean to follow her, and make out with her in a washroom (we'll call that more of a happy accident though), but my legs kind of dragged me to her.
Even though she wants nothing to do with me now—and it's my fault.
And apparently my brain likes reminding me of the stupid fucking mistakes I've made, too.
"I'm going to the lunch," Mia said, narrowing her eyes. My shoulders fell when she stood up as an indication that she was getting ready to leave my office. "You don't have any sort of claim on me, Lucian, let's not forget that. You lost that chance when you rejected me."
I felt a cringe wanting to make its way on my face at the memory but I managed to keep it down. I looked away from her, sighing to myself before leaning in my chair.
"Ethan seems like a nice guy and there's nothing wrong with spending time to get to know him," she continued. "It's nice knowing a guy who actually wants to hold a conversation with me and not only want me for my body."
My eyes widened in shock and I stood up at her words. Is that what she really thinks? That I only want her for her body?
You haven't made it seem like anything else, jackass, my subconscious spoke.
"If you need me, I'll be at my desk," she finalized, turning on her heel and making her way to the door.
I followed right behind her, closing it with one hand before she could leave. Mia turned around and glared up at me. I had to stop myself from smirking at his small she was compared to me before I tilted her head up using my fingers. Immediately, Amelia's facial features changed as her eyes widened in shock, her back pressing against the door when I stepped closer.
"Let me make this very clear, mia bella," I mumbled, watching her eyebrows push together when I grabbed her jaw firmly. "I have, and never will, want you only for your body—believe it or not, my word stands by that. The problem is that every time I look at you every ounce of self-control leaves my goddamn body—not that I don't see you as anything but one. Do I make myself clear?"
Immediately, Mia nodded her head, every exhale coming out short and breathless. I hummed in satisfaction, pulling my hand away and pressing it to the wall beside her head. Mia began looking at anything but my face, her cheeks flushed in a light shade of red.
I love when she blushes.
"You wanna speak up?" I said quietly, smirking at her breathless huh. "I said, do I make myself clear?"
She nodded again, swallowing. "Yes, sir."
Sir? That's definitely a first.
"Enjoy the rest of your day, Ms. Black," I said, glancing at her parted lips.
I finally pulled away and walked back to my desk. When I sat down, she was still staring at me with an odd expression on her face. I raised an eyebrow and leaned back, crossing my arms.
"I don't get you," she spoke. "You say you don't want a relationship yet you called me almost every week hoping for a response. You say you want more from me yet whenever I see you, all we do is have sex before one of us sneaks out the next day. There's only so much confusion a girl will go through before giving up, Lucian, so why haven't you accepted that I have?"
I stared at her with a neutral expression, watching as her face morphed into something I didn't recognize before she nodded and turned around.
"I don't know," I told her, which got her to stop turning the doorknob. Mia looked back at me, leaning against the door. "I thought I didn't want a relationship, I'll be honest. But I can't stand the thought of someone else touching you, making you laugh, taking care of you. It makes me want to punch a wall... or their face, whichever comes first.
"I was in denial with how I felt," I said. Though I didn't break eye contact with her, I could feel my nerves getting the best of me at how intense she was watching me. "I'm not anymore. I don't care how long it takes, I know what—who I want, and I'm not going to stop until I have you."
Amelia stared at me and I had to break eye contact. I cleared my throat and was quick to look up when her shadow hovered over my desk. Before I knew it, my eyes were roaming down her body, taking in her silky white blouse and the skirt she made look so fucking tight.
Fuck, she looks so good. And those hips...
"You're gonna have to do a lot better than a sappy speech," Mia said, grabbing my jaw and forcing my head up to stop staring. "I'm not like the other women you've slept with."
No, Mel, you truly aren't.
I licked my lips and my lips twitched up into a tiny smirk, feeling her let go of my jaw. She straightened out her skirt and cleared her throat.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Lucian," Mia said, walking out of my office and closing the door behind her.
I shook my head to myself, grinning as I stared at the door. There was nothing wrong with this cat and mouse game she wanted to play and I was more than willing to participate.
***
"Who the hell's got your panties in a twist?" Theo asked as he watched me down another shot. "Hey, slow the hell down. You've been here for ten minutes and you're already out of it."
I grunted, asking the bartender for another shot before turning to face him.
"No wait," Theo spoke up, cutting me off. "Let me guess. Work?"
I rolled my eyes. "No."
"No sex?"
"No."
"Uh... cancer?"
I stared at Theo with a weird expression and he shrugged his shoulders in defeat.
"Alright, alright, just tell me," he huffed. "You're no fun."
I rolled my eyes and took the shot handed to me. When I downed it, I winced slightly at the burn going down my throat until it became nothing but a warm buzz in my body.
"I'm not telling you," I muttered. "It's not like it'll change anything, she won't—"
"A WOMAN!"
Several people glared at Theo's loud declaration, including yours truly. He smiled sheepishly and apologized, then turned his full attention to me.
"I'm your best friend so I have a right to know," Theo spoke, making me sigh and ask for another shot. "I've never seen you so stressed out over a woman before."
"That's because she wasn't in the city when we first met," I grumbled, "and now she is—she doesn't want anything to do with me."
"Ouch," he said. "What'd you do?"
"Said some shit I regret even thinking." I glared at him when he snorted. "What the hell is so funny?"
"You're a fucking idiot is what's funny," Theo said, shaking his head to himself. "If what you said is enough to get this chick to never want to speak to you again then I have every right to drag you in the dirt for it."
I shoved him away and downed another shot. Theo chuckled, straightening up and ordering his first drink since we got here.
"What would you do?" I muttered, closing my eyes and blinking fast when the room started to spin. Oh God.
"You need to prove that you want her, obviously," Theo replied. "She wants to feel as special as you say she is so do what you normally wouldn't do with women: wine and dine, taking her to nice places, opening up about all of you."
I narrowed my eyes at the last sentence. I knew that Theo was right. Despite the fact that he was a fucking dumb ass, he was really nice to talk to when it came to women, or even better, relationships. I knew that if I wanted to vent about anything, he would listen and give me advice worth taking.
"You know I'm right," he spoke up, making me huff and look away from him. "Until the time comes, just try to calm your nerves. She obviously has your nut sack in a twist so just let loose, get drunk, and I'll let you crash at my place tonight while you sleep off your hangover. Okay?"
I thanked him quietly and Theo grinned clinking glasses with me before downing his own drink.
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WORD COUNT: 1938