He doesn't take any real action. Is it that my methods are too weak, or is Lucien just too patient? "I'm going." Afraid Emma might change her mind, Lucien scooped her up without a second thought. He carried her into the bedroom with careful, effortless strength, then gently laid her down on the bed. "Wait for me, Emma. I'll be back soon." He said it softly, then spun around and headed straight for the bathroom. Emma watched the bathroom door swing almost shut. She lay back on the bed and reached up to tug at the chain around her wrist. The next second, the bathroom door flew open, pulled back by the chain itself, revealing Lucien's broad, wet frame. He whipped his head around, those stormy eyes glistening through the mist. His gaze locked precisely on Emma, lying there on the bed. She propped her head up with one hand, lying on her side on the soft mattress. The collar of her robe had slipped slightly, showing the delicate curve of her collarbone and a patch of pale, flawless skin. Her eyes followed the water sliding down Lucien's defined muscles. Every drop traced his sleek lines, making the black plumage mark on his brow look even more intense against the damp skin. "Emma…" He froze mid-shower. He pressed his thin lips together, his Adam's apple moving as he swallowed, completely caught off guard. Since when did Emma get so bold? "You keep showering. I'll wait right here." Emma looked Lucien straight in the eye without a hint of guilt. You little thing, let's see if you can handle the teasing. At those words, Lucien pressed his lips together and looked away, pretending nothing had happened as he kept washing. The warm water poured over his head, washing over his slightly chilled skin. From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the person on the bed. Lucien reached for the shower gel beside him. His long fingers traced the bottle lightly before working the foam into a lather. Slowly, deliberately, he rubbed it over his solid chest and abs. He finished his shower. His body was still damp when suddenly the chains on his wrists tightened.With a splash, he was yanked out of the bathroom. Lucien stumbled, his body pitching toward the bed before he could react. When he finally registered what was happening, he had landed sprawled across it. Water trickled down his chest. Emma reached out and lifted his chin. "Next time, don't take so long in the shower." What a waste of time. She spoke, then bent down and pressed her lips to Lucien's. "Mm…" Lucien barely had a chance to respond before he found himself pinned to the bed. Watching Emma take control like that, Lucien's dark eyes flickered. He stayed put, lying there obediently, letting her call all the shots. My Emma, so she can be this forward too? Lucien closed his eyes, just about to reach out and steady Emma's waist, when the warmth of her lips suddenly pulled away. He blinked instinctively and looked at her. His eyes were hazy with desire, but there was a flicker of confusion in them, too.Emma propped herself up, letting her fingertips trail slowly down his lips, landing on his Adam's apple. She leaned close and whispered in his ear, "Do you still want to keep going?" Lucien stared at her, his Adam's apple bobbing heavily. Does she even realize how irresistible she looks right now? "I want to!" Lucien's voice came out rough, almost hoarse, each word a struggle. He could feel himself slipping, the urge clawing at him, and yes, he wanted it. Emma heard that and her lips curved into a sly little smirk. "Then give me my storage band." Her words hit him like a bucket of ice-cold water. Every flicker of fire in Lucien's eyes died instantly. The obsession, the longing, it all vanished, leaving only a raw, bone-deep chill and the sting of betrayal. His beautiful phoenix eyes locked onto Emma. The warmth that had been swirling there just moments ago evaporated completely. Ha!Lucien let out a bitter laugh. "So all of this, everything you've done, was just to get your storage band back." She doesn't actually want me. She just wants to use my desire to hit me with her demands when I'm at my most vulnerable. The crushing weight of loss and the sting of betrayal wrapped around his heart like a poisonous vine, tightening so fiercely he could barely breathe. The air around Lucien seemed to drop in pressure, and the black plumage mark on his forehead felt alive, its color deepening, tendrils of shadow curling around it. His hand dug into the sheets, fingers clawing white, as if he was one second away from flipping the person on top of him and making her pay for what she had done. Is he about to lose control again? Emma took one look at how he reacted and brought her hand down with a sharp smack. Her palm landed right on his butt. Lucien went completely rigid. I… just got smacked. I actually got smacked…Smack, smack. Emma had slapped him twice before he even recovered. Lucien just stared at her, stunned. Emma squared her shoulders and glared at him, her eyebrows pulled tight, and her cheeks puffed with anger. "Don't you dare lose control." Her voice snapped out sharply. She leaned in closer, poked a finger against his tense chest, her tone fierce with a soft edge. "What kind of nonsense are you cooking up in that head of yours? Hurry up and take out the storage band. If you keep dragging your feet, I swear I'll start crying right here."