"I figured I could… speed things up if I used a smidge of my ability. You know, to make it burn faster…" Calum trailed off weakly as he lowered his head in shame. He had been so careful this time, too! He had only used a teeny tiny bit of ability to ignite the fuel. In the end, it still exploded. He couldn't understand just how this had happened. Kieran had done the same, and everything turned out fine! So, why did it blow up when he was the one doing it? Lucien's face twitched when he heard Calum's explanation. He inhaled sharply before gritting his teeth and hissing, "Marshal, are you seriously using Kieran as an example?" Honestly, he couldn't believe that Calum, of all people, had done something so foolish. Had he forgotten what Rank he was? What Rank Kieran was?How was Calum so freaking oblivious? A droplet of water slid down Lucien's forehead as he glared at Calum darkly. He was so done with Calum. Calum knew that he'd f*cked up. So, he didn't dare to argue in his defense. Emma, who'd come over upon hearing the commotion, squeezed the drenched Lucien's hand when she saw how upset he was. "Lucien, calm down. Calum could barely make heads or tails when it came to cooking. He didn't do it on purpose. Anyway, you should wash up. You're a total mess right now." Emma had expected Calum to set the grill on fire, but she had never imagined he'd make it explode into smithereens. Thank the Beast God that he hadn't taken the house down with that explosion. Then, she turned to the guilty-looking Calum and said, "Calum, you should go to your room and wash up as well." After that, she swept her gaze across the area and continued, "The rest of you can clean this place up. Silas, there's another grill in the garage. We can use that one instead." She never thought that having a meal would get this complicated. Only then did Emma lead Lucien back to the room and into the bathroom. She twisted the faucet, letting the water pour before removing the tattered and scorched clothes from Lucien. There was barely anything left of his neatly pressed white shirt. Now, the white shirt was soaked and covered with soot as it clung tightly to his lean yet well-built figure. She'd barely brushed her fingers across the button on his chest when Lucien's hand closed around her wrist. "Emma," he murmured lowly as he gazed into her eyes. "Yes?" Emma instinctively raised her head to look at him in befuddlement. "What's wrong?" "I can do it myself."Then, he let go of her wrist and began to unbutton his shirt. He moved with deliberate slowness, unfastening one button after another with his slender fingers and revealing his sculpted collarbones. Steam filled the bathroom, fogging the mirror and blurring the emotions roiling in his eyes. Emma bit her lip as she continued to watch. She couldn't tell whether it was just her imagination, but she heard a gulp… coming from her. Fortunately, the sound of the water splashing against the tiles was enough to muffle it. "Allow me," she whispered as she reached for his buttons. He was moving far too slowly. His fingers paused on the button he was working on before letting go altogether. His eyes never once left her face as the aloof look on his face softened with a barely noticeable smile. She could feel her heart begin to race when she caught that look on his face. So, she lowered her eyes and placed her fingers on the button he was last working on. Her fingers inadvertently brushed against a sliver of skin. The buttons soon came undone one by one. Emma finally looked up to regard the man standing before her, drinking in his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His figure was so perfect that it almost made him seem inhumanly beautiful. She couldn't resist it any longer. So… she leaned forward and pressed a kiss on his chest. The kiss was soft, fleeting. Yet, a mere brush of her lips against his warmth was enough to make her flush crimson. Eventually, it got too much for her, and she tried to pull away. Alas, an arm tightened around her waist before she could get very far. Lucien had slid an arm around her waist, pinning her in place. "Emma…" he whispered huskily, his usual composure gone as it was replaced with something more primal. He lowered his head, his dark eyes locking onto hers. The desire in them was so intense that it threatened to burn her alive. Her heart started to drum against her ribcage when she saw the look he was giving her. She could feel his heart race under her palms, pounding wildly in pace with hers. "If you're going to kiss me, Emma. How could you leave after giving me just one kiss?" He brushed his thumb across her waist, caressing her there. "Emma, won't you give me more kisses?" Earlier, Lucien had nearly been consumed with jealousy when he saw Marcus asking for a reward so shamelessly. The ticklish sensation on her waist made her slightly shift away from his hand. "You should take a shower first," Emma reminded him. He glanced down at his bare chest before looking back at her and saying, "I've already rinsed off." Then, he suddenly lifted her up and placed her on the bathroom counter."Did you miss me while I was gone, Emma?" She met his gaze and nodded firmly upon seeing the hope glimmering in his eyes. "Yes. Lots." She had been thinking about him every single day while he was away. She'd been worried about him. His eyes blazed with joy, nearly burning her with their intensity. She hadn't just been thinking of Marcus. She thought of me, too! "Emma…" he murmured, bracing her arms on either side of her as she sat on the counter. "I missed you, too." Then, he lowered his head and brushed his nose affectionately against hers, his hot breath fanning across her lips. "Every day and every night."