CHAPTER 170: THEIR OFFICE ARGUMENT

Ashen had just gotten back from the palace. The door to his office clicked open, and he stopped mid-step when he saw Lumina sitting quietly on the couch.

A soft light from the tall window fell across her pale face, a medical book resting in her lap.

He froze for a moment, torn between surprise and the anger he had been holding since morning.

"Why did you come here?" His voice came out low, almost cold.

Lumina lifted her head toward him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "That’s a bit rude. You don’t usually question your wife that way."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I thought I would find peace here, but it seems trouble follows me everywhere."

Her smile faded. She could hear the exhaustion in his tone, the wall he was trying to build between them. "You have refused to come home," she said softly. "So I figured I should come to you. We need to talk."

"So what exactly do you want to talk about?" he muttered, moving toward his desk.

"You can’t keep acting like this because of a small argument, Ashen."

"It’s not just a small argument," he said, his frustration finally surfacing. "Don’t piss me off please."

Lumina stood, her hands reaching out to him, but he avoided her and walked past, pretending to search for something on his table.

She swallowed her hurt and tried again, her voice trembling slightly. "I know you are angry, but you can’t shut me out. We are in this together."

Ashen didn’t reply, his eyes fixed on the papers before him. He didn’t want her to see how her voice was already softening him. Her presence alone made his control slip.

Lumina, refusing to give up, began to move toward him carefully

"Don’t come here," Ashen spoke up, trying to keep his distance, but he couldn’t help but feel the tug of her concern as she paddled toward him.

As she moved closer, her steps were slow, noticing the table might be a barrier for her he used his telekinesis to move the table slightly ensuring she wouldn’t bump into it.

Lumina’s gentle stretch was a siren’s call, drawing Ashen’s attention despite his attempts to remain aloof.

Lumina had almost gotten to where he sat but her gown caught her leg and she stumbled, making her lose her balance but Ashen’s reflexes proved quicker, his strong arms darting out to catch her, guiding her onto his lap with a tender firmness.

A sly, triumphant grin spread across Lumina’s face, her eyes sparkling with the knowledge that Ashen’s anger couldn’t douse the flame of his care for her.

"Stand up," he growled, his voice a low, husky rumble, but she ignored him, her hands weaving gently around his neck as she settled more comfortably onto his thigh.

"No," she whispered, as she swept away the blindfold, enabling her eyes.

"You said you love looking at my eyes to see my true feelings," she reminded her.

Ashen’s eyelids fluttered shut, his composure strained to the breaking point as Lumina shifted, her movements sending shivers of pleasure coursing through his body.

"We are in the office, mind your movements," he cautioned, his voice strained, but she merely smirked, her lips curving into a provocative smile as she leaned closer, her warm breath whispering against the curve of his neck.

As she blew a gentle, tantalizing breeze against his ear, followed by the soft, tender nip of her teeth, Ashen’s resolve crumbled, his heart pounding.

Ashen tried to push her back but her hold around his neck was tight.

"Are you going to let me in, or keep pushing me away?" she whispered beside his ear as he gulped down again at how sensitive his wife was making him feel.

Ashen sighed, knowing he couldn’t keep the distance. "I am just sorry. I just... there’s a lot I haven’t told you." She apologized this time.

Ashen pulled her hands away from his neck making him see her eyes right now... he glared at her like she could see him.

His hands moved toward her waist as he pulled her closer making her eyes widen... noticing she just sat so close to his bulge any more movement from him she would be on it, and this brought a victorious smirk on Ashen’s face.

"Wh... what are you doing?.."

But Ashen ignored his right hand moving right from her back up till he got to her neck, it moved forward down to her cleavage.

"You don’t play games with the player himself," he whispered closer to her lips as she shut her eyes and he grinned.

Then his hand moved toward her neck as it encircled it, making her eyes flutter open.

"Stop cho.." Lumina’s words broke off when Ashen’s hand tightened around her neck pulling her closer.

He leaned in, his breath brushing against her lips. Startled, she pushed at his chest, but the motion only brought her lower body against his.

Her eyes widened when she felt the hard press beneath her, and heat rushed through her cheeks. Ashen drew in a sharp breath, pulling her closer he kissed her lips.

Lumina didn’t bother pushing him away, as she enjoyed the kiss but it was short-lived when he bit her lower lip, she tried to adjust but this time it was directly on his bulge as he turned suddenly still, his hand loosening.

She tried to take the chance to stand, but before she could move, he caught her waist and pulled her back, placing her firmly on his bulge again.

"His hand... right around your neck. Which part did he touch?" His voice came low and rough against her ear.

Lumina blinked rapidly, her mind struggling to focus. "Wh... what?" she let out in surprise that he knew this already.

"Answer me," he growled, his tone more command than question. Something in his voice made her respond without thinking, her lips trembling as she whispered, "My neck... and my... cleavage."

Ashen’s breath grew heavier. Before she could say another word, she felt the sharp graze of his fangs against the side of her neck.

"Stop..." she gasped, her hands gripping his arms. His hold only tightened, and the bite sank deeper. A faint tremor ran through him, as though he were fighting something inside.

"I’m sorry..." she whispered, her voice breaking knowing he wouldn’t let go of her if she didn’t apologize.

At once, he released her, his body trembling. She saw his claws begin to emerge, glinting faintly in the dim light.

"Ashen... your claws..." she said softly, reaching for his hand, but his fingers only brushed her neck again, careful now, but tense.

"I am trying so hard to control myself," he muttered, his voice rough and hoarse. "Don’t make it your first time being right here... in this office."

Lumina froze, she didn’t move, afraid one wrong motion would break his fragile restraint.

Ashen lowered his head again, his nose brushing down the curve of her neck, then tracing lower until it rested in the hollow of her cleavage.

His hands shifted to her shoulders, steadying her as his head pressed softly against her chest. He breathed her in deeply, like a starving man finally finding peace, his hands moved down to her waist.

A small smile touched Lumina’s lips. She should have felt uneasy, but instead, warmth spread through her strange, comforting warmth. Her body didn’t recoil from him the way it did with Adam. Instead, it relaxed, accepting his nearness, craving it even.

Slowly, she lifted a hand and ran her fingers through his hair. Normally, no one dared touch him like this, especially his hair. But she was his wife and in that moment, he left her.

Ashen’s breathing slowed. The tension in his body eased, and before she realized it, he had fallen asleep against her.

Lumina sat quietly, her hand still in his hair, her heart softening at the weight of his trust. She didn’t move or speak. She simply stayed there, letting him rest, knowing how much her husband needed this peace.