Substitute love

So how did your shopping go?" Lucien asked. He had dropped his work just to welcome her. The action warmed her heart, making her feel more free and comfortable around him.

"I couldn't buy anything," Maya said while pouting sadly. "So I came to return the card."

"Why didn't you buy anything?" Lucien noticed her bad mood and asked her.

"I ran into my ex-fiance and my stepsister," she replied, her mood dropping even more.

Lucien could sense that she wasn't happy. "Did they give you a hard time again?"

Maya pursed her lips before nodding. "She wanted to hit me, but…"

Lucien immediately grabbed her chin. "Where? Where did she hit you? Which hand did she use? I'll make sure to break it."

His worry for her made her smile. "I didn't allow her to hit me. Instead, I struck her cheek hard."

Maya waited for Lucien to judge her and pity Stephanie like everyone else did, but instead, he stroked her hair gently.

"Good girl. That was a good one."

Maya looked at him. He actually encouraged and supported her. He didn't side with Stephanie like everyone else did. Tears formed in her eyes as she hugged him while sitting on his lap. Her sudden action caught him off guard, but he relaxed and embraced her tightly.

As they stayed in that position, Maya began to feel something hard poking her thighs. She released herself from his embrace and was about to get up when Lucien pressed her down.

"Don't move!" he said as his hands pressed her onto his lap tighter.

Confused, Maya stared at him. She could feel something hot and hard pressing against her. Just as she was about to question him, her face suddenly turned beetroot red.

Could it be that… The thought made her blush even more. She shifted slightly to adjust herself, but unknown to her, her actions made the man lose his mind. He suddenly stood up and carried her onto the desk, locking her in a passionate kiss.

Maya was startled. She wasn't expecting him to lose control in his office. What if someone suddenly walks in? What if… Her mind spiraled with lots of questions, but being in his arms, inhaling his masculine scent, made her relax into the kiss.

She felt his hands slide into her dress. His warm hands roamed around her thighs, eventually brushing against a sensitive spot.

"I miss you!" his husky voice whispered into her ear as he moved to kiss her neck.

Maya sighed and tilted her neck up, giving him more room. Lucien sucked hard on a sensitive spot on her neck, leaving a red mark. Satisfied that he had marked what was his, he moved back. He looked at the flushed, out-of-breath, beautiful woman sitting on his desk.

Indeed, she was really beautiful. Her skin was smooth and clear; her red, plump lips looked moist and swollen from their kiss. He stared hard at her half-buttoned shirt, which exposed her cleavage.

Oh my, what does this woman have on me? Just a glance at her and I'm already losing my mind. I just want to bury my face into that deep cleavage and… argh, Lucien thought, his expression darkening.

He moved closer to her and raised her chin. Then, he pressed his lips against hers again. His hand moved toward her breast and gave it a soft squeeze, making her gasp. He continued doing so, his actions stirring up Maya's emotions until she felt a pool of heat forming between her thighs.

"Lucien…" she called out.

Knowing his effect on her, he smiled as he continued teasing her. "Yes, my love?" he replied.

"Ah!" Maya moaned softly.

At this point, he had her full breast out in his hand, teasing her nipple. Even Lucien could hardly control himself, but he needed to know how much she wanted him first.

What is this man up to? Maya questioned in her mind. Every time he pinched her nipple slightly, she would yelp softly.

"Tell me you want more, my love. Tell me," he said while biting her ear softly.

"Umm..." she replied.

"Words, Maya. Words. Tell me."

"I…"

Just as she was about to speak, a call interrupted their session.

"Just a minute," Maya said as she slowly got off the table to answer the phone. "Yes, Dad?" she said as she walked over to a corner in the office.

"Where are you?"

"I'm working on something at the office. Is there anything wrong?" Maya replied.

"I heard what you did to your sister at the mall. Come home immediately. Looks like you've forgotten your place," James scolded.

"My place? What exactly is my place?" Maya asked. Her question made James choke on his words.

"You know what I mean! How dare you humiliate your sister in public? Come home immediately so we can discuss this, or else the outcome won't be good." With that, he hung up.

Maya stared at the blank screen for a moment and sighed. My place? I should know my place.

She blinked away the tears that were threatening to fall and practiced a smile before turning to face Lucien, determined not to let him catch that something was wrong.

"Is everything alright?" he asked as she approached him.

"Yes, I have to go home now," Maya replied as she began to put her things together.

"Is everything alright at home?" he questioned.

"Everything's alright."

With that, she grabbed her bag and was about to walk out when Lucien held her wrist. "I hope they won't give you a hard time. Do you need me to accompany you?"

His question made Maya’s heart skip a beat. As much as she would love for him to accompany her, she could not risk Stephanie finding out about him—or even her parents. She feared that they might try to give him to Stephanie just like they did with Marcus.

She gave a slight smile and slowly pulled her hand back. "I would love that," she said, "but they won't give me a hard time."

Just as she turned away, Lucien spoke up again. "So you won't need me to at least drop you off?"

Maya watched his cold, expressionless face. For some reason, he always kept that look on his face, yet he always cared for her. Just watching how he wanted to make sure she was safe made her feel extremely touched.

Soon, Maya arrived at the Ewell family house. She tried to open the front door, but to her surprise, it wouldn't open. She knocked and called out, but no one answered.

Then, through the huge glass window, she saw the family of three sitting at the dining table, happily enjoying a nice dinner without her while the door remained locked tight.