Chapter 8: The Hidden Game
Luca's POV
I shut the door behind me, my hand lingering on the knob for some seconds. Something about Seraphina felt…off. She had been startled earlier, her wide eyes giving her away when she greeted me. Since when does she say hi to me like that?
She looked fine this morning. I shrugged my shoulders, and headed to my study. My nose caught a different scent immediately I walked in.
My hands reached for the switch, turning the lights on. Something was off. What was the new smell? It was feminine. My mind immediately went to the possibility of someone coming into the room.
My eyes scanned the room, moving from the bookshelves to the corners. Everything seemed normal. Still, I walked around, letting my gaze flick over every surface.
As I moved to leave, my steps slowed. My desk caught my attention. Something wasn't right. The files on top were arranged too neatly. I never kept them like that. One file was always slightly out of place, a habit of mine to know if anyone touched them.
I stepped closer, my fingers brushing over the desk's surface. Leaning down, I crouched next to the drawer, running my hand along its edge. It was locked, just as I had left it.
The key was still in its usual spot, hidden under the corner of a small paperweight. I looked closely and noticed the paper had a tear. Someone had touched it. I picked up the key and inserted it into the lock, the drawer sliding open smoothly.
Inside, the files and documents were in their usual order. Nothing seemed missing, but the nagging feeling in my gut didn't go away. I locked the drawer again, sliding the key back into place.
But that wasn't enough. I grabbed the key and moved to the table, lifting one leg slightly. The underside had a hollowed-out section where I pushed the key. Sliding it into place, I made sure it was secure. No one would find it unless they knew exactly where to look.
Rising up, I sat on the chair and opened my laptop. My finger pressed the power button and I logged into the house's CCTV system.
My fingers moved swiftly, clicking on the room's video footage.
"Let's see who was here earlier," I mumbled and clicked the open button.
The first few minutes showed nothing. Then, the lights came on. Seraphina peeked in, before closing the door.
I should have known. What other female would dare enter my private space?
She walked carefully and slowly, looking around.
What did she want?
I looked at the door, realising I had forgotten to lock it.
My jaw clenched watching her as she moved to my desk. Her hands touched the surface, searching the files, but finding nothing. She looked devastated and continued going through the files.
She crouched down, pulling at the drawer, but it wouldn't budge. Then, she paused and found the key.
I smiled, watching her from the laptop. She became faster, searching through the papers and files in the drawer and her eyes widened when she saw a file.
I knew she must have seen the file carrying her name. She read through it and her face turned sad.
She dropped the file and started to search for others when something caught her attention. She stood up, walked to the window and peeked.
I smiled, watching her rub across the room setting everything in order. She pushed all the files back into the drawer and locked it.
She picked the file on the floor and ran towards the door, turning off the lights before she left.
I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my chin thoughtfully. She had done well, I'd give her that. She had been careful, precise. But not careful enough.
My eyes shifted to the far corner of the room, where a small, hidden camera was tucked into the shadows. How had she not noticed it?
I turned my attention back to the screen, replaying the footage. Watching her move, her determination, her boldness, it was impressive. But she had underestimated me.
"You're not so gentle after all," I murmured, my voice low and steady.
Closing the laptop, I sat in silence for a moment. A plan was already forming in my mind. If Seraphina wanted to play games, I'd make sure she learned the rules. And in my world, the house always wins.
I stood from my chair and left the study. I walked into the room and found her sleeping in the bed.
She lay curled on her side, soft breaths escaping. I stood in the entrance a moment too long, enjoying my newfound position.
She was vulnerable, looking like she couldn't do anything damage.
I walked into the room, feet sinking into plush carpet. My eyes assessed her body, the sheets rustled as her leg brushed the side of the bed, and her lips puckered into an 'o' as she dreamed.
I smiled to myself. "Sleeping so sound after sneaking around, darling?" I said softly.
I knelt beside the bed and reached for her, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. She was warm, her skin soft as I glided my fingers down her cheek.
She remained asleep and I repositioned myself more comfortably, my mouth beside the shell of her ear. "You think you can get away with things I'm not supposed to know, huh?"
She shifted, her brow furrowing, but when she didn't move otherwise, I guessed she'd succumbed to a deeper sleep.
I brushed my fingers along her arm, barely touching her. Instantly, her entire body tensed up, and I chuckled to myself.
She could sense me all this time while sleeping . I let my hand continue its journey, gliding over her waist down her hip as I pressed my palm against her.
She squirmed, her breath hitching, as if she were in a panic.
"Luca…" she mumbled, still half-asleep.
She started to flutter her eyes open slowly.
They looked blurry and hazy, but once they focused on me, they widened in surprise.
"Luca," she rasped, even more surprised this time.
"Hello, darling."
"What are you doing?" She asked.
I laughed, still sprawled across her hip.
"Waking you up. You missed dinner," I said, biting my lip as I watched her.
Her cheeks turned bright red; she tried to sit up, but I was quicker, easily pressing her back down.
"Get off me," she demanded, her voice quaky now.
I whispered over her, my lips barely touching hers. "Not a chance. You didn't think I was letting you go that easy, did you?"
Her hands pushed at my chest, trying to move me away from her. "Luca, stop. I'm not…"
"Not what?" I cut her off.
"Not in the mood for your nonsense," she warned.
"Nonsense?" I asked. "What were you doing in my study?"
She froze, her mouth opened, but no words came out. I closed them, gently touching her jaw.
"I…I…" she stuttered.
"I was just walking and went in," she continued.
"Hmm, I see," I said nodding and leaned closer.
"What are you doing?" She asked, moving backward.
"Making you talk," I answered.
"Luca…I…I am on my period," she breathed, turning her head away.
"Really? Or is that the excuse to avoid me," I breathed.
"Luca, please, don't try anything funny," she begged.
"Funny? You're my wife," I replied.
"I'm not ready," she breathed and tried to run.
I grabbed her, pinning her to the bed. "Either you tell me why you were in my study or…"
My face moved closer, aiming for her lips.
"Luca…" she said. My lips met hers before she could respond. She shook, protesting, her muffled sound dying in my mouth.
She struggled and finally stopped. Her body melted under my touch as I deepened the kiss.
I released my grip, her hand moving gently on my chest. Her hands flickered on the buttons of my shirt.
I had to stop. I wouldn't take her until she gave herself to me completely. I pulled away from the kiss, staring into her eyes.
"Luca," she moaned.
Her eyes called for more, and I leaned in.
"Brrr," My phone suddenly rang. My hands moved to my pocket, picking the call.
"Yes, Clark. What's the matter?" I asked.