Chapter 96: Am I Ovulating?
There was only one reason Ashley wouldn’t ask Lucian if she looked pretty. His answer would be the same whether she was wearing rags or an expensive designer dress. He was practically her validation machine.
On their way, she paused as she thought about something.
"Lucian, now that I think about it, I haven’t asked you—" she halted, turning her head to the side, only to see him already staring at her.
Or rather, his eyes had never left her.
Lucian’s composure remained intact, calm as if nothing could break it. His lashes lowered ever so slightly, intrigue evident in his gaze as he tilted his head.
"Haven’t asked me what?" came his low voice, stunning her for a brief second.
When she arrived in the lobby earlier, he had been the first person she saw. This man simply stood out too much — and for many reasons, the sight of him had validated Reina’s advice days ago.
Standing next to him truly had a way of boosting one’s confidence.
Not to mention, having him as her husband was not just a bragging right.
But there was something different about him tonight. Perhaps it was how his hair was styled, or how neat his ribbon looked. Or maybe it was the glimpse of his wrist between his watch and sleeve. Or was it his aura?
With her unfinished question hanging in the air, the two of them gave each other more reason to keep their eyes locked. Genuine wonder gleamed in their gazes, like people seeing something out of this world for the first time.
"Master, we are—"
Suddenly, Gustav’s voice broke the silence from the front. He glanced back, only to stop when he saw the two in the back engaged in a silent staring contest.
Lucian arched a brow while Ashley snapped out of her trance, quickly looking away.
"What is it, Gustav?" Lucian asked calmly, though this time, there was a subtle displeased undertone.
Meanwhile, Ashley let the two of them continue their usual exchange. She turned her gaze to the window, lips pressed into a thin line, her cheeks faintly pink.
Just now... it felt like I had been under a spell.
A spell where she couldn’t look away, where her heart wasn’t racing but pounding steadily against her chest. Where her body felt warmer than it should, even with the air conditioning, as if it craved something else.
Staring at Lucian wasn’t new. But tonight, he looked too handsome.
The usual bags under his eyes were gone. His face looked clearer than ever, and he no longer carried that constant exhaustion that had once defined him.
She knew he was good-looking. With that face and body alone, many women would have reasons to climb into his bed. His wealth, his name, his influence, and his power were merely added perks.
Again, Ashley shifted her gaze slightly, sneaking another glance at him.
Is that what they call seduction? Was he trying to seduce me just now?
She frowned faintly and turned back to the window.
Get yourself together, Ash. This is not the time to think about sleeping with him... am I ovulating?
While she battled her thoughts, Lucian had already finished speaking with Gustav. The latter raised the partition between the front and back, understanding his master’s silent command.
Lucian turned his gaze toward her.
Was she seducing me?
His eyes trailed down her exposed shoulder blades, her collarbone, then to her chest, rising and falling steadily, and further down to her curves that were far too visible for his liking. A glint flickered in his eyes before he slowly lifted his gaze to her side profile.
She was just too tempting tonight.
"Lucky," his low baritone broke the silence, enough to catch her attention.
Her brows furrowed. "Lucky? Me? Of course!" she grinned.
But all she received was a brief sidelong glance.
"Lucky you, you were the invited guest."
Ashley tilted her head slightly, her neck stretching just enough to catch his attention. Without taking his eyes off her slender neck, he added,
"Otherwise, I’d cancel it."
Meeting her gaze for a split second, he shrugged faintly before looking away.
"What does that mean?" she mumbled, sinking back into her seat as she stared at his side profile. "Are you saying this party isn’t worth your time?"
She frowned, clicking her tongue as she narrowed her eyes at him. Without looking at her, he clarified,
"You wouldn’t have enough time to redo all of that."
Ashley blinked, completely lost.
"Why would I need to redo—" she paused, her eyes widening in shock, her jaw slackening as she turned to him in disbelief.
Did he just say that if he had been the one invited... he would’ve canceled it because he’d ruin her makeup and tear her dress?
That wasn’t impossible.
Lucian’s appetite for that sort of thing was... insatiable.
It made her recall certain moments from their previous life. Things that had happened even in the car... even with Gustav and the driver sitting just beyond the thin partition.
It was already surprising enough that he hadn’t done anything lately, despite them sleeping in the same room—in the same bed.
Her shock slowly shifted into realization... then confusion... and finally, curiosity.
To be honest... we haven’t really done that under normal circumstances, she thought, blinking as she stared at him. In our previous marriage, either he forced himself on me... or I forced myself on him. Not because I liked it, but to mock him, hurt his ego, and make him look pathetic.
It made her wonder what it would be like if...
Lost in her thoughts, Ashley unknowingly lifted her hand and reached toward him. She only snapped out of it when he caught her wrist before she could touch him. The first time he had ever stopped her.
Lucian turned to her.
This time, his expression wasn’t just cold.
It was dangerous.
For a fleeting moment, she caught a glimpse of the man she used to secretly fear.
"You’re playing a dangerous game tonight," he warned. "Stop... before you regret everything."