Chapter 263 Extra Sway in Her Hips

Chapter 263 Extra Sway in Her Hips
MARITA

“Get these files to Cassandra and ask her to cross-reference them with the Q4 reports,” Lucius said, handing Marita a thick folder. His voice was calm and professional, but his eyes lingered on her a little longer than necessary. “Tell her I want it done before lunch. No excuses.”

Marita took the folder, tilting her head with a small, playful pout.

“Mi no her assistant, Lucius. Why mi have to go to her every time? She always look at mi like mi stole from her.”

Lucius leaned back in his big leather chair, one eyebrow raised, but the corner of his mouth twitched in that tiny almost-smile she was starting to recognize as amusement.

“Because she’s faster with the system than you are right now,” he said bluntly, though his tone was softer than it would have been with anyone else. “And because I like watching you walk across the office in that dress.”

Marita’s cheeks warmed. She looked down at the fitted cream sundress she was wearing today, one Lucius had picked out for her that morning and then back at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Yu just want to see mi walk so yu can stare at mi bum,” she accused, whispering it so only he could hear.

Lucius didn’t even deny it. He simply leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, and looked at her with lust filled eyes.

“Guilty.”

Marita bit her lip to hide her grin, but it didn’t work. She turned on her heel with dramatic flair, making sure to put a little extra sway in her hips as she walked toward the door.

“Mi going now, Mr. Bossy,” she called over her shoulder. “But only because yu asked so nicely.”

She heard Lucius’s soft chuckle behind her as she stepped out into the main office area.

Cassandra was already at her desk, typing away with perfect posture and perfect nails. The moment she saw Marita approaching with the folder, her smile turned sugary-sweet in that way that always felt like a hidden knife.

“Marita,” she said, voice dripping honey. “Back again so soon? Let me guess, he needs me to fix something?”

Marita kept her own smile bright and unbothered, placing the folder neatly on Cassandra’s desk.

“He said cross-reference with Q4 reports. Before lunch and no excuses.”

Cassandra’s perfectly arched eyebrow twitched. She flipped open the folder and scanned the first page, then looked up with that condescending little tilt of her head.

“I’ll handle it. You can go back to… whatever it is you do over there.”

Marita didn’t move. She folded her arms under her chest and gave Cassandra a sweet, innocent look.

“Mi do whatever Lucius needs mi to do. And right now, he needs mi close to him. Mi think yu already know dat.”

Cassandra’s smile faltered for half a second before she recovered.

“Of course. How nice for you.”

Marita leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“By the way… dat lipstick color no really suit yu. It make yu look a little pale. Try something warmer next time.”

She turned and walked away before Cassandra could respond, hips swaying even more, a satisfied little smile on her face.

When she got back to Lucius’s office and closed the door behind her, she found him watching her with appreciative eyes.

“You’re going to make her quit one day,” he said, voice filed with amusement.

Marita walked over and perched on the edge of his desk, crossing her legs.

“Good. Then mi can be yu only secretary.”

Lucius reached out, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her onto his lap in one smooth motion.

“You already are,” he murmured against her neck, kissing the sensitive skin there. “My only one.”

Marita giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck as she settled comfortably against him.

“Den stop sending mi to dat woman. Mi no like how she look at mi.”

Lucius’s hand slid up her thigh under her dress, squeezing possessively.

“I’ll think about it,” he said, nipping at her earlobe. “But only if you keep wearing dresses like this to the office.”

Marita smiled, tilting her head to give him better access.

“Deal.”

The rest of the afternoon passed in a haze of work, teasing, and stolen touches. Lucius kept Marita close sometimes on his lap, or perched on his desk while he made calls but eventually the city lights began to sparkle outside the windows.

Lucius glanced at his watch and closed his laptop. “Enough for today.”

Marita looked up from the couch where she had been curled up answering emails for him, tilting her head curiously. “Home? Or yu have other plans?”

He stood, pulling her up with him and kissing her forehead. “We’re going to a restaurant. Somewhere nice and quiet. You’ve been cooped up long enough… I want to take you out properly.”

Marita’s eyes lit up, but she still poked his chest. “Finally! Mi thought yu really planned to keep mi locked in your penthouse forever. Mi want real food, Lucius. No tiny fancy portions.”

Lucius chuckled, helping her into a light jacket. “You’ll get real food. And if you behave, maybe dessert.”

They left the office together, taking the private elevator down to the underground garage. As they settled into Lucius’s sleek black car, Marita’s phone buzzed in her lap. She glanced at the screen and smiled brightly.

Theo: Hey little troublemaker. Hope you’re fine and how’s the big bad wolf treating you?

Marita giggled softly and typed back quickly, thumbs flying.

Marita:Mi behaving… mostly, he taking mi to restaurant now. Mi tell yu everything later. Miss yu face!

She sent it with a heart emoji and put the phone away, still smiling. Lucius raised an eyebrow as he started the engine.

“Theo?” he asked, not truly jealous, more curious.

“Mmm-hmm. Just checking on mi. Yu know he’s like big brother.”

Lucius hummed, reaching over to squeeze her thigh as he pulled out of the garage. “Good. As long as he remembers you’re mine.”

The drive was peaceful, city lights blurring past. Lucius kept one hand on the wheel and the other on her leg, thumb stroking lazily. Marita chatted about the food she wanted to try.

They arrived at an upscale but cozy Italian restaurant tucked away in a quieter part of the city. Lucius parked smoothly, then came around to open her door, helping her out like a gentleman. His hand settled possessively on her lower back as they walked toward the entrance, the warm evening air brushing against them.

Marita was still smiling, excited for the night out, when a strange prickling feeling suddenly crawled up her spine.

She slowed, glancing over her shoulder. The street looked normal, a few pedestrians, passing cars, soft restaurant lighting spilling onto the sidewalk. But the feeling was unmistakable.

She felt eyes on her back, heavy and intent and not the casual glance of strangers.

Marita shivered and pressed closer to Lucius’s side, her hand gripping his arm a little tighter.

“Lucius…” she whispered, voice uneasy. “Mi feel like… someone watching us.”

Lucius’s body tensed instantly. His arm wrapped around her waist like steel, pulling her flush against him as his sharp gaze scanned the street, the shadows between buildings, even the rooftops. His expression shifted from relaxed to predatory in a heartbeat.

“Stay close.” His gaze sweeping the street, every trace of warmth gone from his face.

The feeling lingered as they reached the restaurant doors, the weight of unseen eyes still pressing on her.