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l u c

"So Lucien, Levi... fancy joining me and my daughter for lunch?"

Just kill me now.

The tension in the elevator that followed Dad's invitation was so thick that one could actually cut it with a pair of scissors. Snip snip.

But, of course... Dad was completely oblivious to it.

Levi looks back and forth between all three of us, wondering how to respond to Dad's request without offending anyone.

Levi scratches the back of his neck and murmurs awkwardly, "Sure. We would love to. Only if Nikolina doesn't mind..." He trails off and turns to stare at me cordially.

And that's how I find myself cornered with three pair of watchful eyes staring at me in expectation.

Why don't you guys just point a freaking gun at me?

I huff and cross my arms over my chest and grit out through my teeth, "I. Don't. Mind."

To which, Lucien smiles innocently -too innocently- and raises his eyebrows at me, "You sure you don't mind me just a little bit?"

I clench my fist and glower at him; shooting him with my imaginary bullets. Phew phew. Only if it was that easy.

He just loves riling me up, doesn't he?

Instead of voicing my real thoughts that included a butt-load of curses, I take a deep breath and plaster a sweet, saccharine smile on my face; looking up at him with my big blue eyes, "Of course I don't mind, Mr. Cooper. After all, I would hardly notice your presence!"

Levi chuckles at my remark but quickly covers it with a cough when Lucien glares at him harshly.

Nina - 1 | Lucien - 0.

Hee hee hee.

The elevator stops at a lower floor and five more people enter, just as Lucien steps closer to me; making me squeeze myself to the right against the side of the elevator.

I harrumph in annoyance and cross my hands over my chest again, trying my best to ignore his presence and the fact that his large, warm and ripped body was situated so close to me.

Dear Lord, must you always tempt this poor soul?

Lucien chuckles as if reading my mind and I feel his right hand slowly wrap around my waist, pulling me firmly against his side.

I gape up at him and immediately look around the elevator to see if anyone else had noticed the closeness between us but they didn't; everyone was oblivious.

I feel him lean down and hover his lips over my ear making me close my eyes and sense my breath hitching at his close proximity; my heartbeat accelerating.

"Don't worry, sweetness... I'm sure I could come up with some naughty, delicious ways to make you notice me throughout the whole damn lunch." He whispers huskily just as one of his rough, calloused fingers at my hip slowly dips underneath my shirt and caresses my naked skin over my hip bone sensually; his warm finger tracing intricate designs over my heated flesh, teasingly making me bite my lip to prevent the whimper of disappointment when he pulls his finger away to rest them back over the fabric at my hip.

I gulp. Panties = Wet.

With the feel of just one of his fingers over my skin. Damn.

Score: Nina - 1 | Lucien - 1.

Grr! I really hate this guy.

"No you don't, sugar!" My subconscious smirks slyly, winking at me.

I blow out my cheeks and dip my chin.

What is it with your own subconscious hating your gut?

The ding of the elevator brings me back to the situation in hand.

Lucien slowly retrieves his hand back from around my waist, but not before intentionally sliding his hand from my right hip through the small of my back; back to his pocket in the slowest fudging pace and all the while grinning down at my flushed face.

Damn him and his stupid, sexy grin!

Taking a deep breath, I slowly follow Dad out of the elevator as he leads us to the building garage; with Levi walking side by side with him while they talk animatedly with each other.

When suddenly, we immediately stop in our tracks as if on cue when Dad yells out, "Bullocks!" His English accent becoming more pronounced and thicker.

I roll my eyes and snicker, nudging his side, "You forgot something again, didn't ya?"

Dad smiles shyly and pouts, while nodding sheepishly at me.

I let out a soft sigh and raise my eyebrow, "What is it?"

"The Peterson-Lively contract. I wanted to work on it from home." He says, looking at me with big puppy dog eyes and slightly puffing out his cheeks.

I let out a groan and lean forward to kiss his cheek and murmur, "I'll get it. You guys head home. I'll take a taxi." I shoot Lucien a sly smirk making him narrow his eyes at me skeptically before continuing, "I'll be there. Soon-ish."

Without giving them a chance to reply, I walk back towards the elevator, all the way feeling Lucien's intense gaze on my... butt? Huh.

At least I won't have to tolerate him on the way home.

Nina - 2 | Lucien - 1.

Wa-chow, baby!

I quickly walk towards Charlie and he hands me the file at my request after searching for it for almost fifteen minutes and I return back down to the garage. As soon as the elevator opens up to the said garage, I cross my fingers and pray under my breath, "Please don't be here."

And to my relief - I find no one.

I smile widely, but just for precaution I poke my head around and call out, "Dad? You there?"

When I hear no answer, I grin to myself and mentally fist-bump my subconscious.

Goodie! They all left! Hallelujah!

No more Lucien, till I get back home. Good job, Nina!

I sigh in relief and clutch the contract file against my chest and slowly start walking towards the exit when I hear a soft chuckle, "Going somewhere, sweetness?"

I immediately stop dead in my tracks and shake my head, my shoulder slumping down. So close!

I tilt my head upwards and whine out childishly, stomping my foot, "Why, God?! Why?!"

I run my fingers through my hair and turn around to see him - leaning back against hood of a black SUV with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his pants while he grins at my reaction; his eyes lighting up at my obvious discomfort. 

I blow out a breath and whisper harshly, "I thought you were going home with my dad."

His lips curves into a smirk and his green eyes twinkles when he casually shrugs, "I could've."

I sigh in defeat and feel my shoulders hunching down while I breathe out, "You're coming with me, aren't you?"

Lucien grins wolfishly, his forest green eyes darkens as he rasps out, "I would love to come with you, sweetheart." He puts an extra emphasis on the word 'come'.

My cheeks immediately flushes bright red at the innuendo making him chuckle.

He opens then car door for me and asks, raising his eyebrow, "You coming, baby?"

"Yes." I reply immediately, without thinking and ignoring the flutter in my belly at his term of endearment and wince and sigh; when he lets out a belly laugh at the double meaning.

He places a hand on the small of my back and helps me inside the backseat of his car.

I shift in my seat so that I was sitting on the furthest corner while he climbs in; sitting comfortably next to me making our thighs touch each others'.

I look up at him with narrowed eyes and grumble in irritation, "Haven't you heard of a thing called a personal space?"

He smirks and answers casually, "I've heard about it." But doesn't make a move to pull away.

I shoot him an angry look and turn my attention to the window and glare daggers at my reflection.

The driver swiftly starts the car and pulls out of the garage while I feel my eyes randomly run over the plethora of vivid colours passing by through the window when suddenly, I feel something.

"Lucien?" I whisper hesitantly, turning around to see him already staring back at me.

He blinks at me in surprise and asks, "Yeah?"

"Got a bottle of water? My throat's parched." I whisper, wincing at the rawness of my voice.

He gives me a nod and turns to the driver, "Robert, Miss Stark wants a bottle of water. Now."

The driver or Robert nods in response and quickly parks the car in front of a nearby departmental store and immediately gets out and rushes inside the store to make the purchase.

I look back towards the window and tap my fingers over my thigh rhythmically, waiting for Robert to return back to the vehicle.

"You're mad at me." Lucien states quietly, catching my attention.

I shake my head, but then think and nod, then think again and shrug making him chuckle softly.

I look back out of the window and sigh, letting my mind wander around whilst staring at the world outside the car.

"I'm not mad at you." I whisper after a beat and feel his stare on me, "It's me whom I'm mad at."

I take a deep breath and slowly exhale, turning to look at him and whisper softly, "I hate that my body reacts to you even though my brain doesn't want me to."

Ain't that the truth?

"Why does your brain think it is so bad to be attracted to someone?" He whispers back, looking at me in concern while his eyes quietly observes my body language as if trying to figure me out.

I frown to myself and verbalize my thoughts, "It's not that bad when you're with the right person, I guess." Looking down at my fingers on my lap, I shrug sadly, "It's just knowing how to figure out who the right one is."

He places his hand on my chin and lifts up my face, making me look into his possessive, flaring eyes as he grits out with his jaw clenched tight, "Someone hurt you?"

I slowly wrap my fingers around his wrist and pull his hand away from my face. "A lot of some ones did." I whisper softly and look down - playing and tugging his large hand with my comparatively smaller and delicate, feminine fingers. "That doesn't matter any more, Luc. It's in the past."

When he doesn't say anything for a minute, I look back up to see him staring down at me with softened eyes glimmering with warmth.

"What?" I whisper in confusion.

His lips curves into a slow, gentle smile, "That's the first time you called me Luc."

I scrunch up my brows and think back, "I did?" I shrug and look up at him, "It's not weird, is it?"

He shakes his head, his expression all warm and fuzzy, "No. I like it. Call me Luc any time you want."

I nod in response and smile back at him, shyly.

The driver returns and holds out a bottle for me which I gratefully take from him with a soft thank you to which he gives me a curt nod in response.

I quickly open the cap and lift it to my mouth and gulp down the cold water; inwardly sighing happily just as the driver starts the car and takes off again.

Emptying almost half the bottle in one go, I quickly close the cap over it and suddenly stiffen when I look at Lucien; seeing him staring at my moist lips and the slender curve of my neck with darkened eyes filled with raw heat and hunger.

Why is he staring at my neck like that?

Holy crap, is he a vampire?!

I stare at him wide-eyed and gasp out loud.

Lucien looks down at me with the corners of his eyes crinkling and smirks, "I'm not a vampire, sweetheart."

I gape up at him with wide, alarmed eyes.

Holy shit, can he read minds too?

Lucien chuckles softly and whispers, "No, sweetness. I cannot read minds."

Then how do you know what I'm thinking about?

I narrow my eyes at him, looking at him suspiciously.

He bites the inside of his cheek, trying his best not to burst out laughing, "Because you're saying your thoughts out loud."

I gasp out loud as understanding crosses my face and I feel my cheeks turn bright red.

I duck my chin down trying my best to calm my cheeks, while Lucien -unable to control himself- bursts out laughing.

I glare at him and punch his arm, "It's not funny, you potato."

He keeps on laughing, clutching his flat stomach and wiping his tears. Finally after a minute or two, he holds his hand up in surrender gesture and smiles sheepishly at me.

I look at him and feel my eyes softening as I whisper, unable to stop myself, "You have a great smile. You should laugh more often." I raise my index finger and gentlytap the corner of his curved lip.

And just like that - his eyes darkens and dilutes with carnal lust; his jaw clenching as he stares at me with a scorching look on his face.

I immediately duck my chin and wave my hand around shyly and blush hard, "Never mind. That sounded kinda creepy."

"Real smooth, bruh. Real smooth." My subconscious snickers and face-palms herself.

That's when Lucien roughly grabs my elbow and pulls me into me, making me fall face first against his hard chest while I feel his heart beating rapidly underneath my touch.

I gasp out and tip my head up from his chest to look at him.

Tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, he leans his face closer and whispers against my lips, "Fuck me, I fuckin' love your blush."

He leans even further and whispers huskily, his eyes trailing down to my body, "Makes me wonder where else does this redness spreads to."

I gape at him and pull away, abruptly; blushing furiously and shriek out, "Stop saying things like that!" I turn to look at the driver to see him pretending not to notice us; though the knowing grin on his face clearly stating otherwise.

I blow out my cheek and cross my hands over my chest and look away; making him chuckle at my childishness.

A few second later, I feel him gently tug a strand of my hair to gain my attention. When I completely ignore the act, he tugs my hair again.

"What?" I turn around and glower at him in irritation.

Lucien raises his eyebrow and smirks down at me, "A question."

"Shoot."

"Why does your dad call you Snowbella?" He cocks his head and stares at me with curiosity.

My mouth forms an O shape at his question and I answer truthfully, "'Cause that's my middle name."

He furrows his eyebrows and asks further, "Your middle name's Snowbella?"

I shake my head in dissenting, "Snowee."

I hitch up my leg and shift my body to face the green-eyed man; my back to the window while he leans his elbow over the head of the seat and turns into me.

That's when I start talking or more accurately - rambling, "When Mum was pregnant with me, she had this weird craving for everything Italian: food, movies, delicacy, songs. Everything. You name it. Maybe it's because they conceived me during their third honeymoon in Milan."

He gives me a gentle nod as if urging me to continue while his hand slowly make its way towards me when his large, masculine fingers twirls itself around the soft strands of my hair and starts tugging them playfully.

"Anyway, when finally Mum gave birth to me, Dad's brain was filled with all the Italian vocabulary, all thanks to the movies they watched for nearly six months. I guess that's the reason he started calling me Snowbella. Because in Italian, bella means-"

"Beautiful." He whispers softly and smiles at me.

"Exactly. Hence, Snowbella. His beautiful Snow." I smile back up at him just as his eyes suddenly widens and those green orbs start glimmering with hidden knowledge.

"What?" I eye him skeptically and narrow my eyes at his smirk.

"Nothing." He shrugs casually, his smirk still intact over his plump lips as he states, "Just realised that maybe it wasn't your mother who was craving Italian. It was you. You inside her. And guess what, sweetheart?"

I furrow my eyebrow at the husky undertone at the end of his sentence, "What?"

He grins down at me, "I'm half Italian."

I gasp out loud and look at him in awe with wide, hopeful eyes, "You are? Really?"

At his nod, I let out a girlish squeak and start hitting his hard chest with my hands in excitement and bounce on my seat and chirp out cheerfully, "That's awesome!"

He wraps his wraps around both of my wrists and brings them to his chest, chuckling at my reaction, "Whoa babe, easy there."

I feel my cheeks flush, partly in embarrassment and partly at his use of the term of endearment and I smile apologetically, "I'm sorry. This whole obsession with Italy started even before I was born so it's only fair, that I turn out like this. Fangirl and all." 

He grins in response and nods at me, "That's understandable."

I smile back at him before my eyes widens and I clap my fingers excitedly, "Ooh! Say something in Italian."

He chuckles at my enthusiasm and whispers, "What do you want me to say?"

"Anything."

He grins down at me and raises his eyebrow, "Only if you give me a hug."

I frown to myself and cock my head, quietly observing him, "A hug? That's it?"

He nods in agreement. "For now."

What does he means 'for now'?

Trying not to over-think it, I immediately lean forward and throw my arms around his broad shoulders; closing the gap between us and notice his eyes darkening as he wraps his hands around my waist and lifts up my smaller body and drops me into his lap, sideways and I take this as a opportunity to bury my flushed face into his neck and inhaling his intoxicating, potent smell into my lungs just as my eyes roll shut and a soft moan escapes past my lips.

For God sake, even an innocent hug doesn't seem innocent when it's with Lucien.

He seems to make everything... addictive.

I feel my heart hammer against my ribs when I sense his large body slowly cocooning me into a warm embrace; feeling his heat radiating into me as goosebumps rises on my skin, making me clutch onto him even tighter.

His chest vibrates against me when he groans appreciatively as I distinctly feel wetness pooling against my knickers at the low rasp of his voice. Burying his nose into my hair, he inhales lazily and growls out, "Never knew green apples could be so fuckin' exhilarating."

"It's my shampoo." I whisper lamely, feeling my blush darken at his growl.

"Mmh." He rumbles out, nuzzling my hair and leisurely inhaling my scent again and quietly grunting, "Thought it was your body wash." 

The deep sound of his low rumble slowly caresses my skin; making me bite my lip and breathe out breathlessly, "Both. I like the smell of green apples."

He lets out a soft groan at the sound of my breathless voice and whispers huskily, "I fuckin' love the smell of green apples."

I let out a soft sigh and rub my cheek against his shoulder; loving the feeling of being so small and feminine against his rough, muscular body.

My breath hitches when he suddenly curls his large, warm hand over the back of my neck in a possessive gesture while his thumb slowly traces my scalp above his hand deliciously as my eyes roll shut and I shudder against his hold just as he growls out, "Is it edible?"

I do a slow blink and try to clear my head out the sexual fog and whisper against his neck in confusion, "Is what edible?"

"The shampoo or the fuckin' body wash."

I slowly pull away and stare up at his gorgeous, alluring profile and narrow my eyes, shooting him a wry look, "Um... no."

"Damn. I would've fuckin' loved to lick it off of your naked skin." He rasps out huskily, licking his lips sensually and staring down at me with heated eyes.

I blink twice and gape at him.

Pulling away quickly, I sit back beside him; immediately missing the feel of his ripped, strong body against mine and shoot him a mock-stern look and squint my eyes at him, "That's it, buddy! No more hugs for you."

He chuckles and shakes his head smiling as if expecting this reaction from me.

"Well, from the bottom of my humble heart - I thank you for the hug." He whispers charmingly and takes my hand in his and places a lingering kiss over the back of it before looking into my eyes and purring out, "Si sente così fottutamente incredibile."

My tongue darts out to lick my lips and I breathe out with gooey, dreamy eyes, "That was so sexy."

"Why, thank you, amore mio." He gently runs his knuckles down my jawline and winks at me.

I blush furiously and tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear, self consciously and ask, "What did it mean?"

"It meant, 'You feel so fucking good'." He whispers tenderly, staring into my eyes with a look of adoration and warmth.

I never knew a sentence which included the F-word, could ever seem so sweet and melodious.

"Oh." I breathe out and smile at him, shyly making him grin at my reaction.

I let out a sigh and turn around to look outside the tinted window to perceive that we were still a few blocks away from my parents' apartment.

I groan painfully and wrap my hands around my growling stomach, "What's taking so long? I'm famished."

I'm so hungry that I could eat my hunger.

Shoot! Now my stomach's messing with my brain.

Wrapping his arm around my shoulder, he pulls my body into him, making me rest my cheek against his shoulder as I breathe in his intoxicating scent - the faint mixture of a musky cologne along with his body wash and citrus. 

I let out a soft sigh and think about how I could grow used to his enticing smell.

Crap! Where did that thought come from?

I feel him lean down and gently kiss the top of my head and mutter, "Don't worry, sweetheart. We'll be there soon."

I sigh to myself and grimace when I feel my stomach growl internally. 

"If I don't eat anything in the next five minutes, I swear I'm gonna starve to death." I whisper earnestly with a serious look etching over my face.

Lucien lets out a low chuckle, making me lean into him further.

"I think it would be a record of some kind. A woman starved to death by not eating for about five hours." He whispers back, teasingly; his voice carrying subtle hints of amusement.

"Five hours?" I scoff indelicately. "Try twelve." I groan out loud and whine, "I knew it was a bad idea to skip breakfast."

Stupid, stupid Nina!

"You skipped breakfast? Why didn't you mention this before?" He narrows his eyes at me, furiously and proceeds to give Robert another look to which the latter man replies with a firm nod in acknowledgment.

"You didn't ask." I whisper softly in my defense.

He lets out a sigh in disapproval and asks, "Why did you skip breakfast, tesoro?"

"It's a long story." I whisper in response, waving my hands dismissively.

"I'm not going anywhere."

I tilt my head to see him looking down at me pointedly; awaiting my reply.

I exhale slowly and start talking, "When I woke up this morning, I found my shower broken, so I called the super who told me he couldn't repair it till the evening. Yay me! Then I went over to my neighbours' when I suddenly realised that no one lives next door, ever since the tenants moved away a week ago; so obviously there was no water there." I take a breather and look at him to see something flash through his eyes.

I shrug it off.

"Then I rushed to Rachel's house, where she told me the only way I could use her bathroom is if I bathe her nine-month-old son Ben before me."

Feeling my eyes softening at the mention of the baby, I whisper smiling, "Which didn't go exactly like I planned because I was distracted by how cute and chubby he was and I went all ooh and ahh over the little guy, before realising I was gonna be late for work. Yay again!"

I let out a sigh and continue, "So I rushed back home, because being a knuckle-head that I am - I forgot to bring a change of clothes. And just as I was about to leave the house, Prince attacked me and started nuzzling and licking my neck, trying to convince me to stay and it took me fifteen minutes to untangle myself from him. As a result I had to run to work immediately. Hence, no breakfast." I wheeze out a breath, finally completing my rant and unknowingly not realizing that Lucien had gone all still and tense.

"Luc?" I whisper softly, looking at him in concern.

He turns to me and does a slow blink and growls out, "Prince nuzzled and licked your neck?"

I frown to myself and nod truthfully, "Yeah. He really likes to do that. Well, that and cuddling with me. Even when I'm not in the mood, I just can't seem to resist his charms." I smile to myself while mentally picturing Prince's cute face in my mind.

I shake my head to clear my thought and turn to look up at Lucien to see him staring blankly into space with his brows knitted, his body tense and his expression hard.

"Oh! Luc!" I gasp out loud at the realization that I forgot to mention the most important thing.

When he doesn't pay attention to my gasp, I lean forward and place my hands over his cheeks, feeling his rough, stubbled skin under my fingertips. This gets his attention as he looks down at me with a flicker of worry still plastered across his face.

"Did I mention Prince is my dog?" I blurt out.

He does a slow blink, "Huh?"

"A dog, Luc. Prince is my dog. Dog, canine, dingo, mutt, hound, bow-wow, tail-wagger." I blabber out, staring into his green orbs.

He blinks twice, processing this information before finally letting out a loud sigh; his body relaxing immediately as he slumps in his seat.

Holy crap... was he jealous?

Why does that make me feel so good?

Finally he turns to look at me and smirks in amusement, his eyes glimmering with humour, "You named your dog Prince?"

"It's short for Prince Charming." I state with conviction and shoot him a look; daring him to verbalize his obvious thoughts.

He doesn't.

Smart guy.

Dear God! I'm seriously starting to like this guy. And it totally sucks.

'Does it really?' My subconscious asks, cocking her head.

Our bonding moment ruptures when my stomach growls out loud and resounds throughout the car causing the windows to vibrate for a millisecond.

You really have a great timing, Tummy Bear.

A soft chuckle reaches my ears making me cover my blushing face in my hands in embarrassment and groan out loud.

That's when I hear someone clear their throat.

I look up to see Robert staring at us through the rear-view mirror and giving us a curt nod, "We're here."

Lucien shifts beside me and chuckles out loud, "Come on, sweetheart; let's feed your Tummy Bear."

I immediately stiffen and turn to look at him with wide eyes, "I only call my stomach Tummy Bear in my thoughts. Dear God, did I say that out loud too?"

"Maybe." Lucien whispers in amusement.

"Damn it! I've got to think before thinking." I blurt out before wincing to myself.

That line doesn't even make sense.

He laughs out loud making me realize I have again spoken my thoughts out loud.

I'm so screwed.

"Yes you are, sweetheart." He shake his head at me with his eyes flickering with humour.

I don't even bother.

I let out a sigh and follow him out of the car. Way to go, Nina!

"Um... Lucien? I didn't say any other things out loud, right?" I look up at him hesitantly, mentally hoping the answer to be in the negatory.

He doesn't reply for a minute and quietly studies me before responding slowly, "Yes you did. Throughout the entire ride."

My eyes widens and my hand reaches up to cover my mouth.

Oh fudge.

That means, he heard all my thoughts about how I felt about the hug to how I thought he was a really sweet guy to the part about how I'm starting to like him. Shit.

This is not good.

This is so not good.

I have to get away from him.

Before it's too late.

Before he breaks what's left of my heart.

Because every fudging one eventually stomps over my heart and shatters it; leaving me all alone to pick the pieces back up. If I could pick the pieces back up.

And something tells me I won't survive my heart getting broken by Lucien.

And that's why, I've gotta lift my shields back up.

Keeping my expressions blank, I mutter in observation with my nose scrunched up, "Weird. Normally it just takes only ten minutes from Dad's office to here. It took twenty minutes today."

"Mmh. Weird. It's like someone intentionally planned it." Lucien replies with hints of mischievousness laced in his voice while he stares at me with humour-filled eyes. 

I just roll my eyes and shake my head at him, smiling to myself.

We enter the apartment building and quietly walk into the elevator where I swipe the key across the key-reader causing the doors to the metal box close shut and swiftly start to make its way to the penthouse.

Calming my heartbeat, I exhale softly; trying to ignore the pang in my chest, which had formed since the minute I had decided to stay away from Lucien.

I just know that Lucien could feel the unreasonable change of my heart.

The elevator opens up to the penthouse and I see Dad and Levi sitting on the plush, champagne-coloured couch that was placed in the middle of a majestic living room; talking amongst themselves in hushed whispers.

Everything in the behemothic living room screamed money. From the drop-dead gorgeous chandeliers hanging around the room; to the floor to ceiling windows which was covered with silky, glittering curtains in the shades of canary yellow to butterscotch. The soft goldish rug was placed amidst the carpet. Some framed photos of the family was hanging on all the three walls on the far sides of the room; capturing many beautiful moments of our lives.

I walk towards Dad and drop my bottom on the couch beside him and ask, nudging his side, "You ordered yet?"

Dad nods in response and holds out a box of a large pizza for me and grins cheekily, "Barbeque Chicken Pizza with extra cheese."

I squeak happily and kiss his cheek loudly, "Gosh! I love you so much!"

I grin at him before quickly opening the box and start shoving the pizza into my mouth and moaning in appreciation.

Oh God, so good!

I look up to see everyone staring at me weirdly to which I grumble around the food, "What? Me hungry." Then I shove more food into my mouth.

Their lips twitch simultaneously.

I let out a sigh before narrowing my eyes and threatening earnestly, "If you don't starting eating in the next five seconds, I'm gonna gulp down all of your food too."

They immediately start eating their food as if on cue making me smile inwardly.

"So, Snowbella... how's your job going?" Dad asks quietly before taking a bite.

"Like it was going on yesterday." I answer, shrugging casually, "Nothing much changes in a small company like that."

"Nina." Levi calls out.

I look at him and blink in question. He takes a huge bite and asks around the food, "Where do you twerk?"

"Say what now?"

He smiles shyly and swallows the food and asks again, "Where do you work?"

Ah. "At Reed & Co. It's a small company. You may have not even heard of it." I reply truthfully, smiling at him.

"Oh."

"Why don't you work with your Dad?" This comes from Lucien who cocks his head in observation.

Dad rolls his eyes and snickers, "Because Snowbella went all high and mighty on me and said that she'll work for me only when she'll be able to prove that she belongs in my company."

"Daddy, I told you before, all of your employees have worked hard to be able to be recruited in your company. So it's only fair I work just as hard as them." I answer softly, turning to him.

Dad looks back at me and smiles happily, his eyes filled with pride and adoration.

I duck my chin and fidget with the slice of pizza in my hand and squirm in my seat. 

Being praised about has always made me uncomfortable.

Dad noticing my discomfort, quickly changes the topic to some extent and asks carefully, "How's your boss, Asher?"

From the corner of my eyes, I notice Lucien suddenly looking at me intently from his seat on one of the smaller couches to my right.

"Oh you know." I wave my hand around casually, "Like always - pretty and sexy!"

Dad chuckles.

Lucien does not.

"So... Snowbella. Do you um... like Asher?" Dad asks hesitantly, nudging my side.

I roll my eyes and answer, "Who doesn't like Asher?"

I hear Lucien cough and grumble, "I don't."

I let out a sigh, rolling my eyes again.

"So... what are your thoughts about dating him?" Dad blurts out quickly as if he couldn't wait to get it out of his chest and looks at me in expectation.

Lucien gapes up at my dad while Levi coughs out loud and immediately looks around the room awkwardly; probably wishing he was anywhere but here right now.

My mouth hangs open and I blurt out, "Beg pardon?"

Dad shrugs and scratches the curve of his eyebrow with his index finger, "He's a good guy from what I've noticed. He always looked up to me whenever I was around. And he's a friend of your brother. So I thought - why not?"

"Why not?" I repeat trying to process this information.

Dad adds quickly, "Only if you don't mind."

Once again, I find myself cornered with three pairs of expectant eyes. Woo-hoo!

"Um... of course I don't mind dating him." I whisper slowly and look at Lucien to see his whole body turn as rigid as a rock.

That's when I roll my eyes and snicker, "But I'm a hundred percent sure, his boyfriend would mind. A lot."

Dad's shoulder slumps down and he pouts, "He already has a boyfriend. Pooh. Hmm... never mind."

I stare at him, waiting for a reaction that's about to happen.

Immediately, Dad straightens up and looks at me wide-eyed, "Wait! He has a boyfriend?!"

I giggle softly and nod.

Dad places his hand over his mouth and whispers out loud, "He's one of those guys."

I let out a sigh.

Forgive my dad for being old fashioned.

"Yes, dad. He's gay." I state in conviction.

From the corner of my eyes, I notice Lucien's body relaxing immediately and he takes another bite of the pizza; sighing happily to himself.

That's when Dad stares Lucien and Levi apologetically and blurts out, "Oh! I'm sorry. You two are not gay, right?"

Their reaction... hilarious.

I bite the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from laughing.

They both look at my Dad wide-eyed. And if I'm not wrong I actually see a pink blush tainting both of their cheeks.

"I'm engaged!" Levi blurts out, accidentally dropping his pizza from his hand.

Then he winces and murmurs in his normal voice, "To a girl. A female. So... in conclusion, as a result, hence, therefore... not gay!"

Dad bobs his head in acknowledgment and turns his eyes to Lucien.

I've never noticed Lucien looking as uncomfortable as he did right now.

Trying to put the poor guy out of misery, I roll my eyes and mutter, "Dad! Would you be cool? He's straight. They're both straight. Jeez, can't you see you're making them uncomfortable?"

Dad shifts in his seat and looks up at them apologetically. "I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable."

That's when Dad's cell rings and he looks at us with a sheepish smile, "Excuse me for a moment." He quickly picks up the call and proceeds to walk towards his home office.

I let out a sigh and close the pizza box in my arms and place it on the couch beside me.

"So, Nikolina..." Lucien drawls out, looking at me mischievously and wiggles his eyebrows, "How'd you know I'm not gay?"

Levi snickers at him.

I snort at him and state, "Because you've been ogling my arse every chance you get."

Doesn't he know I've noticed that?

He grins at me slyly, "Mmh... that is one luscious ass." He drawls out, playing out the word 'ass' slowly.

I huff out loud and look at him in frustration, "Forgive me for being a quarter British!"

He holds up his hands in surrender but not before I see him smile secretly -smile, not smirk- as if he's accomplished something.

It takes me a moment to realise keeping up my shields around Lucien is going to be very tough.

Especially when he knows exactly what to say to rile to me and get me frustrated.

Damn him.

Dad saunters back to the living room and whispers softly, looking at Lucien and Levi apologetically, "If you don't mind, I'm heading down to take a nap. You can stay here and feel free to do whatever you may fancy."

Levi stands up along with Lucien and smiles back at Dad, "We should be heading back too, I guess. Thank you for the lunch. It was a pleasure meeting you."

They both take turns shaking Dad's hand politely.

Dad turns at me and asks softly, "Are you staying or going back to your apartment?"

I hesitate.

Levi comes forward and offers courteously, "We can drop you off by our car. We don't mind."

Do I really wanna do that?

I could feel Lucien's concerned eyes staring at me.

He knows something's wrong.

Something has changed within me. And that I'm trying to avoid him.

I fake a yawn and mumble sleepily, "I'm a bit sleepy, I guess. I think I'll just stay here today."

I feel Dad looking at me suspiciously because he knows I had never stayed overnight ever since the moment I had purchased my own apartment.

"Welp! I better go nap!" I say cheerfully, trying to make them believe me. "Goodbye." I wave at the brothers and quickly start walking away.

When I reach the top of the stairs, I see Lucien murmur something to Dad to which the latter man points his index finger to the first floor.

Oh! He may have to use the restroom.

I quickly walk through the hallway, towards my old room and open the door tagged 'Nina's property. Enter with caution' and shut the door behind me; walking towards the bed and plopping down on it, sighing out loud.

A few seconds later, I hear the floor-board creak outside the door. I quickly close my eyes and breathe deeply, pretending to be asleep.

The door opens and closes and I hear footsteps walking across the room towards me.

I smell his scent and know it's him even before opening my eyes.

Keeping my expression relaxed, I continue breathing deeply.

I feel him bend down on the floor beside me. His warm hand touches my forehead and he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear tenderly and leans forward and kisses my cheek softly.

He places his lips against my hair and inhales softly before whispering, "You can try to get away from me all you want, sweetness. But I promise... I'm never giving up on you."

He kisses my cheek once again and pulls away and I hear footsteps walking away from me.

Finally the door opens and shuts behind him.

I open my eyes and sigh, turning around and burying my head into the pillow.

I know I've gotta stay away from him.

But the small part of me can't help but hope that he doesn't give up on me either.

Little did I know that this was just the beginning.

Damn you, Luc! Damn you!

***