Chapter 35 You are perfect
The mall was a glittering palace of wealth and light crystal chandeliers cascading from vaulted ceilings, marble floors reflecting endless rows of designer storefronts, the air thick with the scent of fresh leather, expensive perfume, and the faint sweetness of espresso from hidden cafés.
Elena walked ahead, ponytail swinging with every excited step, her hand clasped tightly in Lucas’s like she feared the crowd might swallow him if she let go.
Sriya and Viktor trailed a few steps behind Sriya chattering nonstop about dessert options and which shoe store had the best sales, Viktor silent but ever-present, eyes scanning every face, every shadow, every exit.
First stop: menswear.
Elena dragged Lucas into a sleek boutique with dark wood paneling and soft ambient lighting that made everything feel intimate and expensive.
He scanned the racks with the enthusiasm of a man facing a firing squad, finally pulling out a simple black t-shirt and dark jeans nothing flashy, just clean lines and quiet power.
When he emerged from the changing room in them, Elena’s breath caught in her throat.
The shirt clung to his broad shoulders and inked chest just right, sleeves hugging his biceps, jeans sitting low on his hips, emphasizing the V of his waist.
He looked dangerously handsome casual, lethal, utterly hers.
“God, you’re unfair,” she muttered, stepping close to smooth the fabric over his chest with both hands.
“You look like sin in normal clothes.”
Lucas smirked, catching her wrist and pressing a slow kiss to her palm.
“Your turn, butterfly.”
Elena disappeared into the women’s section, emerging twenty minutes later with a mid-thigh baby blue dress draped over her arm.
The color was soft, dreamy exactly the shade of the sky right before sunset, the fabric light and flowy, promising to hug her curves without clinging.
She gave him a teasing wink.
“Wait here. No peeking.”
She slipped into the changing room, door clicking shut behind her.
Lucas waited exactly four seconds.
Then he followed.
The changing room was spacious three full-length mirrors reflecting endless versions of Elena, a small plush bench in the corner, soft lighting that made everything feel intimate and forbidden.
Elena had just slipped out of her jeans when the door opened behind her.
She spun, eyes wide.
“Lucas what are you doing? Get out! I need to change!”
He stepped inside anyway, shutting the door with a soft click, leaning back against it like he owned the space.
Which, technically, he probably did.
“Go on,” he said, voice low and lazy, eyes raking over her slowly.
“Change. It’s not like I’m seeing you naked for the first time.”
Elena’s cheeks flushed crimson.
“Are you crazy?” she hissed, clutching the dress to her chest like a shield.
Lucas pushed off the door, closing the distance in two steps.
“Yes,” he murmured, voice dropping to that dangerous velvet tone that always made her knees weak.
“Crazy for you.”
He reached out, fingers brushing the strap of her bra, eyes locked on hers.
“Turn around,” he whispered.
“Let me help.”
She hesitated heart pounding then slowly turned, breath hitching.
His hands were warm on her back, unhooking her bra with practiced ease, sliding the straps down her arms.
The lace fell away.
He pressed a slow, open-mouthed kiss to the nape of her neck, hands gliding around to cup her breasts from behind, thumbs brushing her nipples until they hardened instantly under his touch.
“Lucas…” she breathed, head falling back against his shoulder.
“Shhh,” he murmured against her skin.
“Just trying on a dress, baby.”
His fingers dipped lower, hooking into her panties, sliding them down her thighs with torturous slowness.
She stepped out of them, completely bare now, every inch of her reflected in the mirrors flushed cheeks, parted lips, the way her body arched toward his touch.
He turned her to face the mirror, standing behind her, hands roaming freely now over her breasts, down her stomach, between her thighs.
“Look at yourself,” he whispered, voice rough.
“Look how fucking perfect you are.”
Elena’s breath hitched as his fingers found her clit, circling slowly, teasing.
She watched in the mirror the way his dark eyes devoured her, the way his jaw clenched with restraint, the way her own body responded, hips rocking against his hand.
“Luca…” she whimpered.
“Try on the dress,” he said, voice strained.
“Or I’m fucking you right here.”
She laughed breathless, shaky then slipped the baby blue fabric over her head.
It fell like water, hugging her curves, the hem brushing mid-thigh.
She looked like summer itself.
Lucas’s breath caught.
“Fuck,” he growled, hands sliding under the hem, cupping her bare ass.
“You’re killing me, butterfly.”
Elena turned in his arms, hands on his chest.
“You like it?”
“I like you,” he said, voice raw.
“And I’m going to spend all night showing you how much.”
He kissed her then deep, hungry, possessive until they were both breathless, foreheads pressed together.
“Ready for our double date?” she whispered.
Lucas smirked, adjusting himself with a groan.
“Only if you promise to wear this dress… and nothing underneath.”
Elena laughed softly, wicked and in love.
“Deal.”
They stepped out of the changing room her in the blue dress, him still trying to calm his racing pulse looking every bit like the dangerously beautiful couple they were.
Sriya and Viktor were waiting, oblivious, arguing over cupcake flavors.
Elena slipped her hand into Lucas’s.
“Ready, husband?”
He squeezed her fingers, eyes burning.
“Always, wife.”
The golden hour had already bled into twilight by the time the four of them left the mall.
Elena’s baby blue dress fluttered against her thighs as she walked hand-in-hand with Lucas, the soft fabric catching the last dying rays of sun and turning her into something almost ethereal.
Sriya bounced ahead with Viktor, her laughter ringing out every time he grunted in response to her endless chatter about gelato flavors and which rooftop bar had the best view.
The group had piled into two black SUVs Lucas insisting Elena ride with him, of course and now they were winding along the coastal road, windows down, salt air whipping through the car, the sea glittering dark and endless on their left.
Elena leaned her head on Lucas’s shoulder, fingers playing with the hem of his new black t-shirt.
“You look stupidly hot in normal clothes,” she murmured, voice low enough that only he could hear.
Lucas smirked, hand sliding higher on her thigh beneath the dress.
“You’re not wearing anything underneath,” he growled back, thumb brushing the sensitive skin at the top of her leg.
“I’m barely holding it together.”
She bit her lip, cheeks flushing.
“Good.”
Sriya twisted around from the front seat.
“Okay lovebirds, save it for later. We’re almost there!”
The restaurant was perched on a cliffside terrace overlooking the sea white linen tables, fairy lights strung between olive trees, candles flickering in glass holders, the sound of waves crashing far below like a heartbeat.
A small live band played soft jazz in the corner, the notes floating on the warm evening breeze.
They were led to a private table right at the edge, the best view in the house.
Lucas pulled out Elena’s chair, fingers lingering on her back as she sat.
Viktor did the same for Sriya, who blushed and muttered something about “gentlemanly gangsters.”
Elena looked around, eyes shining.
“It’s perfect,” she whispered to Lucas.
He leaned in, lips brushing her ear.
“You’re perfect.”
Dinner passed in a haze of shared plates fresh seafood pasta glistening with olive oil, bruschetta piled high with tomatoes and basil, tiramisu so rich it melted on the tongue.
Sriya and Elena talked nonstop, gossiping about classes, laughing until tears pricked their eyes.
Viktor mostly listened, but every time Sriya looked at him, his ears turned faintly pink.
Lucas barely touched his food.
His attention was fixed on Elena the way she laughed, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the way her dress slipped slightly off one shoulder when she reached for her wine.
Every few minutes his hand would find her thigh under the table, possessive, grounding, reminding himself she was here, safe, his.
As the sky darkened to velvet and the stars came out, the band switched to slower songs.
Sriya dragged Viktor onto the small dance floor, giggling as he awkwardly tried to keep up with her steps.
Elena turned to Lucas, eyes bright.
“Dance with me?”
He hesitated public displays weren’t his thing.
But the look on her face hopeful, happy, alive cracked something inside him.
He stood, offered his hand.
She took it.
They moved to the edge of the dance floor, away from the others.
Luca pulled her close, one hand on her lower back, the other cradling her hand against his chest.
They swayed slowly, bodies pressed together, her head resting on his shoulder.
“You’re happy,” he murmured against her hair.
“So happy,” she whispered back.
“Thank you for letting me have this.”
He kissed the top of her head.
“I’d give you the world if you asked.”
She smiled into his shirt.
“I only want you.”
The song ended.
They didn’t stop dancing.
Later, when the night grew cooler and the others were ready to leave, Lucas wrapped his jacket around Elena’s shoulders.
She looked up at him, eyes shining under the fairy lights.
“Best date ever,” she said softly.
He kissed her slow, deep, right there in front of everyone.
When he pulled back, his voice was rough with emotion.
“First of many.”
They walked back to the cars hand in hand, Sriya and Viktor trailing behind, the four of them laughing under the stars.
For one perfect night,the threats, the shadows, the empire all of it faded.
There was only them.
To be continued…