Chapter 54
Lucius‘ breath carried the heavy tang of liquor, and even his gaze looked faintly blurred.
Valerie had no intention of tangling with a drunk man. She tried to reason with him, keeping her tone calm.
“You’re bearing down on me like some executioner. What do you expect me to do–just stand here and let you devour me?”
When the word “devour” slipped out, Lucius‘ imagination leapt at once. Especially with Valerie perched where she was, right against a place that stirred thoughts best left unspoken.
Fresh from her bath, she emanated a sweet scent. Her skin was soft, like some delicate dessert just pulled from the oven–irresistible and tempting enough to make any man’s mouth water.
Catching the heat flaring in his eyes, Valerie tried to twist free, but his arms only tightened, locking her in place. She glared up at him, gaze sharp. “What do you want from me?”
Her demand seemed to snap him out of the fog of alcohol. He pulled back just enough to search her face before asking, “What’s your relationship with Kieran?”
“We’re friends.”
He clearly didn’t buy it. “What kind of friend would throw away their life for you?”
“He was talking nonsense. Did you really believe him?”
Lucius pressed on, unwilling to let it go, “Then, how did you meet him?”
“Online.”
“How long have you known each other?”
“Six years.”
That number hit Lucius like a punch. Six years–no wonder she and Kieran moved with such perfect understanding.
Lucius‘ eyes hardened. “When you left The Golden Chalice, where did you go next?”
Valerie frowned, her irritation clear. “Are you interrogating me?”
His smile turned cocky, “As your legal husband, I have every right to know where you go and
with whom.”
She laughed at that, sharp with anger. “Have you forgotten? We’re married in name only— nothing more.”
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His gaze darkened as he leaned close, murmuring against her ear, “That can change. We can be husband and wife in every sense of the word.”
His warm breath fanned her cheek, laced with the scent of alcohol. He was like a predator, toying with a cornered wildcat.
Annoyingly, Lucifer was right there, too. The serpent sensed Lucius‘ intent and flicked its tongue at him, a warning in every hiss. Lucius shoved it aside without a thought.
Valerie never allowed herself to stay on the weaker side. Tilting her chin, she mocked him lightly, “Falling for me already, are you?”
Lucius froze for a moment.
She gave him no chance to argue as she continued, “We agreed—no meddling in each other’s private lives. And yet, here you are, prying into my circle and questioning me about Kieran with a jealous edge in your voice.
“Tell me, Lucius. Other than falling hopelessly in love with me, what else could explain the way you’re acting right now?”
He narrowed his cold gaze. “Falling in love with you is the most absurd thing that could ever happen to me.
It had to be the alcohol, making him so unsteady and reckless. Love was the most extravagant, wasteful thing in the world. How could she, of all people, be so certain of something so
ridiculous?
Anyone else might have been stung by the cruelty of his words. Valerie, however, couldn’t
have cared less.
She shoved him aside, rose to her feet, and looked down on him from above. “If falling in love with me is such an absurdity, then learn to control yourself. And stop interfering in my life as if you have the right.”
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Chapter 55
