CHAPTER NINE

Lyra's pov

His expression was blank for a moment, then a smile found its way to his lips.

My breath caught in my throat. His hair, trimmed, fell onto his face in a mess…strands scattered down to his eyes then to his neck.

It gave off a certain allure that made my stomach flip….an allure that made her want to question his age …except she was here for something else.

“ Good morning princess” he said and descended the stairs, “ slept well?”

She smiled. A smile I spent the entire night practicing in the bathroom mirror. Perfecting it to near flawless. Masking it with layers of sincerity that I didn't have to give.

“ Yes. Coffee?” I asked and reached for the coffee machine. I filtered it, letting the liquid drip slowly to the glass I had placed under the funnel.

He nodded, then pulled a chair and sat on it. Eyes sharp. He was doing it again …trying to see my very soul. Except he would always fail.

The coffee drained into the cup, scorching hot. “ Sugar?” I asked.

“ No”

I carried the cup, placed it on a tea tray. Small only for a little cup.

“ Tell me, how is your husband?” He asked, taking the coffee from her, gaze fixed on her.

There was this softness in his eyes. Different from the previous day.

I smiled, then sat beside him, “ fast asleep” I responded, fingers slowly tapping on the table.

He nodded–stiffly, sipping the coffee.

“ I was thinking..” i spoke up, a bright smile still tugged at the edge of my lips. “ Why don't we establish rules of my captivity?”

He paused, gaze falling on me, then his brows furrowed, “ captivity?”

I scoffed, the smile never leaving my face, except it's feigned sincerity was faltering. “ Given the number of cameras in my room and bugs. don't you think it would be better if we established it?”

His expression faltered, confusion replaced with interest. Not like I cared.

“ There are cameras ?” He asked.

I feigned surprise and confusion, “ oh! There aren't? I must have been mistaken then. Seeing red dots flickering everywhere, it must have been nothing” I dropped, words dripping with sarcasm.

He smiled. Then placed the coffee down on the table.

“ It was to keep an eye on Kieran. It was his room before it became yours too” he said, clasping his hands together, staring at me intently.

I lowered my eyes. His gaze–she couldn't speak.

“ I see,” I managed to say, my smile faltering. But he didn't break off his gaze. Instead, it grew intense with every passing second.

“ You dismantled the bugs didn't you ?” He asked and she stiffened.

She stopped tapping the table. Then lifted her head to meet his gaze.

“ I did?” I asked, neither admitting nor denying.

He said nothing, just stood up and walked ahead.

“ Perhaps I can do something a wife does?” I voiced. It was my reason for being here this early morning.

He paused but didn't turn, “ follow me” he said and walked ahead.

I clenched my fist. Ofcourse, I'd follow, how else could I make him trust me?

Gaze fixed on his sculptured back. He led me into a structured building, empty and bare of humans.

A gym?

I wasn't here to train but I was sure as hell here to cripple his empire.

I forced a smile, “ you still work out?”

He turned, his gaze trailed from my face down to my body. It lingered, then he picked up a dumbbell with a single hand.

“ Your father stopped?” He asked and I went mute.

Of course my father didn't, I just wanted to resume a conversation that had died down from walking a few blocks to this place.

I smiled then he dropped the dumbbell, reached for his shirt and slowly pulled it away.

My breath caught in my throat. Eyes darting around, looking everywhere other than his singular build..

I shouldn't be mesmerized, I was here for a mission and I was going to accomplish it.

“ Killian doesn't work out like you” i began, “ perhaps he needs to be reminded” I added, my words obviously ambiguous..

He paused, threw his cloth on the rack, then glanced at me. “ Reminded?”

I nodded, walked closer, although it was very much regretted as I got a closer view of his abs.

I looked away, eyes placed on the rack where he had placed his cloth, “ I'm his wife and part of this family now. It's only right if I help Killian discern his priorities” I said and he raised a brow.

Almost like he didn't believe me..but his ears were perked up.

“ priorities?” He asked.

I nodded, smiling.

“ No bigger priority than the family business” I said.

His brow raised, a smile curling at his lips. He was intrigued.

Then he outstratched his hands.

“ Do you work out too ?” He asked.

My nails dug into my palms. Lashes flickering but I pressed a smile.

“ Sure,” I said. Anything to accomplish my aim.

I placed my hand in his and he led me to the ( runner). I paused.

Enough princess act. It wasn't my forte after all.

I flung an arm on him and he caught in one swift motion.

Noted. He was fast and–strong.

“ Careful princess, not to break your bones” he said, a smirk dancing on his lips.

How I wished to scrape it off his face.

“ It's called a bone for a reason” I dropped.

“ Yes. Not a metal” he returned, his smirk deepening. My frustration heightens.

I can't let the entire day slip off my hands without achieving this one goal.

“ If you want an heir worthy of your empire, let me help,” I said, throwing a punch.

He slapped my hands off like it was feather and slammed me against the wall. Not too harsh but I couldn't move.

His breath grazed my skin. A shiver ran down my spine but I kept my gaze on him, my soft facade shattering to the wind.

I was slowly stripping my mask and that was bad news.

“ Are you implying I'm not a good father princess?” He asked, his voice low and tight.

I would have whispered a yes but…I knew better. I can't gain anyone's trust by making them annoyed.

“ You are” I said and he smirked, eyes squinted as if searching for the truth in her.

I'm certain he won't find any but layers of lies.

“Sometimes a father can't get to a man as much as his wife could” I whispered as his lips inched closer.

His breath grazed my skin. I shivered as his cologne hovered in the air, the scent overwhelming me

“ You mean the same husband you complained about?” He asked, voice so low, my body trembled.

His gaze was alluring, ordering me to give in to them.

I pulled away. More like he let me pull away.

I straightened my hair. I was here for something else. “ Couples argue” I dropped, he smirked.