Chapter 25: A quiet hunger
The next morning, Lucius awoke to find the bed beside him empty. Layla wasn’t there. Glancing at the clock, he realized it was already nearing nine.
"I slept a lot," he muttered, running a hand through his tousled hair. After freshening up in the washroom, he made his way downstairs, curious to find out where Layla had gone. As he descended, the enticing aroma of something sweet filled the air, causing his stomach to rumble in anticipation.
"Is something special being prepared?" Lucius inquired, looking at the maids who were tidying up the drawing room.
"Madam is cooking, Master," one of the maids responded with a respectful nod.
Surprise flickered across his features. It was rare for Layla to be in the kitchen, as the household staff typically took care of the cooking. Intrigued, he decided to see for himself. Approaching the kitchen entrance, Lucius stopped short, his breath catching in his throat at the mesmerizing sight before him.
Layla stood at the counter, her hair swept into a loose bun with a few tendrils falling gracefully around her face. She wore an apron, its strings tied neatly at her back. Her delicate hands moved with practiced ease, carefully filling cornetto pastries with creamy filling while softly humming a tune. The morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow on her, making the moment almost surreal.
Lucius felt an inexplicable pull toward her, his heartbeat quickening. He watched her while being captivated by her beauty. As she turned to check on the espresso, her movements were fluid and graceful. She inhaled the rich aroma of the freshly brewed coffee before pouring it into two small cups, then returned to her task of preparing the cornettos.
His gaze was riveted to her every action, unable to look away. When Layla finished filling the last pastry, she brought her finger to her lips, delicately sucking off the excess cream.
The sight made Lucius swallow hard, his throat suddenly dry. A rush of heat spread through his body, and he had to resist the urge to close the distance between them, the desire to have her now and there filled his mind.