Chapter 13 Stop Touching Him #2
Over and over, he molded her body into the position he desired. Licking, biting, and fucking. The night wrapped around them, filled with breathless gasps and sultry moans that faded into the darkness.
***
“Do you really think I have time to play these stupid games with the bunch of fucking fools you have as your business partners?” he growled. “You upset my girlfriend, and you expect me to not lose my fucking mind?”
Stella woke up in bed, naked beneath the sheets. The cool air brushed against her bare skin, and she instinctively gathered the covers around herself, pulling them closer to her body.
Her sleep had been disturbed by the sound of Lucius talking on the phone. Blinking against the dim light, she turned toward the noise and found him standing near the large bedroom window.
He stood by the window wearing nothing but his trousers, his broad, muscular back exposed as he stared out at the glittering city below. The faint light spilling through the windows traced the hard lines of his shoulders and back, making his imposing frame seem even more intimidating.
His voice was quiet but edged with restrained anger. The room was so silent that she could hear every word clearly.
“Let me make this fucking clear, Jenkins. I have nothing to do with Catherine Winters. My investment is in Licius. In Stella. That's it. I want Licius and everything else you've fucked up transferred back into Stella's name by tomorrow.”
His tone remained calm.
“If it isn't done within twenty four hours, I'll bury you so deep your own family won't know where to find you.”
Stella stared at him, stunned.
The moment the call ended, she pushed the sheets aside and climbed out of bed. Lucius turned at the movement, and the severity in his expression immediately softened when he saw her. He crossed the room, reached for her face, and brushed his fingers over her cheek.
“You all right?”
Stella pushed his hand away.
“Licius is mine, Lucius. You have nothing to do with it. You don't get to decide what happens to my company.”
He looked at her without flinching.
“I know.”
“Then why are you interfering?” Her voice dropped. “Why are you doing all this for me?”
“Because it's yours.”
He said it as though there were nothing more to discuss.
“You built it. You made it successful. I'm not going to watch someone take it from you.”
She fell silent.
Lucius stepped closer.
“Don't confuse that with me wanting control over your life. I don't.” His voice hardened slightly. “But if someone comes after what's yours, I'll deal with them. That's my decision.”
Stella lowered her gaze, troubled by his words and by the certainty with which he said them.
Lucius watched her for a moment before his expression shifted.
“Did you forget what I asked you last night?”
Her eyes snapped back to his.
He didn't look away.
“I'll ask you again if I have to. I'll ask you tomorrow, and the day after that.”
His voice was low and steady.
“Can I be your husband?”
Her breath caught.
“Let's talk about this later.”
Lucius studied her for a long moment. Then he gave a small nod.
“Fine. But don't think I'm letting it go.”
Stella looked at him.
“I've waited four years for you. I can wait a little longer.”
Her chest tightened as a troubling thought surfaced.
‘The Lucius I lived with for three years was never this kind or gentle. He was always cold and calculating, keeping his distance. I thought that was all there was to him. But now after we have broken up, I never expected him to be this tender with me. Could it be that he really is in love with me?”
She immediately dismissed the idea.
‘How could that be possible? Our relationship began as nothing more than an arrangement without any emotional involvement. Even when we broke up, he didn’t spare me a single glance when I packed my things and moved out of his house.
He had walked away so coldly, as though I were nothing more than a broken piece of furniture he was throwing out. ’
Before she could dwell on it any longer, Lucius leaned closer. His hand rose to her face, his fingers brushing against her cheek as he moved in to kiss her.
But before his lips could reach hers, her phone began to ring.
Stella glanced at the screen and answered immediately.
“Hello?”
Triston’s tense, hurried voice came through the phone. “Shane was attacked last night at your apartment. He’s in the hospital now, but he’s safe. Aunt Darla was at your mom’s house, so she wasn’t there when the attack happened.”
Panic flashed across Stella’s face.
“I’ll be there soon,” she said quickly. “Send me the address.”
She ended the call and scrambled out of bed, but Lucius caught her by the arm before she could take another step.
“What’s going on?” he demanded, his gaze narrowing as he studied her sudden change in expression.
“I need to go to the hospital.” She glanced at him while reaching for her dress. “Shane was attacked again last night at my apartment.”
She quickly pulled on her clothes and hurried toward the door, but Lucius tightened his grip on her arm.
“I’m going with you. Wait a damn second.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I said I’m going with you,” he cut in, his voice leaving no room for argument. His dark gaze held hers. “You’re not going there alone.”
Stella let out an exasperated huff but didn’t argue. Folding her arms across her chest, she watched him get dressed. To her surprise, Lucius was ready and out the door far sooner than she had expected.
An hour later, Stella rushed into Shane’s hospital room at Bristen Hospital. Shane lay on the bed with a bandage wrapped around his arm, a tablet resting in his hands.