He’d expected to feel elation at this moment.
Instead, his eyes met his reflection in the mirror and he growled a low, slow, agonized, “Fuck.”
* * * * *
That night when he arrived home promptly at ten, he opened the door from the garage to the kitchen and found her there, waiting for him in the kitchen.
Her hair was swept back from her face to tumble in a mass of curls down her exposed back. She wore no jewels because she didn’t have any.
She didn’t need them.
The dress was spectacular, elegant and enticing. The spike-heeled, aubergine satin, strappy sandals were delicate, sexy and significantly lengthened her already tall frame, making her striking and, he suspected, to any other man but Lucien, even intimidating. Her makeup was smoky and dramatic, heightening the mystery behind her stunning but expressionless face.
Her eyes caught his and there was no flash, no dancing, they were completely blank.
“Hello, darling, how was your day?” she asked as if she was a robot and this was a prerecorded message set to play at appropriately programmed times.
Suddenly angry, he stopped five feet from her and commanded, “Come here, Leah.”
Without hesitation she moved to him.
His body tensed at her uncharacteristic acquiescence.
“Put your arms around me,” he went on.
She did as he demanded but her eyes remained at his throat.
“Look at me, pet.”
She immediately tipped her head back and caught his eyes.
Trying to read her mood, Lucien sought patience, wrapped an arm around her and cupped her jaw with his other hand.
“You’re angry with me,” he murmured and she shook her head.
“No, darling, why would you think that?”
His patience slipped. “Leah, stop it,” he ordered.
Her head tilted to the side in an unnatural movement. “Stop what?”
His eyes narrowed as her intent came clear. “So, this is your game now?”
“My game?” she asked with what sounded like genuine confusion.
He watched her carefully empty face. Then he decided, so be it.
He could work with this.
In fact, he had a feeling he’d enjoy it.
“I need to change,” he informed her and she made to move away but his arm tightened and he said, “No.”
She stopped and regarded him.
“Kiss me before I go upstairs.”
Without delay she got up on her toes, pressed against him and touched her parted lips to his.