Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: A quiet hunger

The next morning, Lucius awoke to find the bed beside him empty. Layla wasn’t there. Glancing at the clock, he realized it was already nearing nine.

“I slept a lot,” he muttered, running a hand through his tousled hair. After freshening up in the washroom, he made his way downstairs, curious to find out where Layla had gone. As he descended, the enticing aroma of something sweet filled the air, causing his stomach to rumble in anticipation.

“Is something special being prepared?” Lucius inquired, looking at the maids who were tidying up the drawing room.

“Madam is cooking, Master,” one of the maids responded with a respectful nod.

Surprise flickered across his features. It was rare for Layla to be in the kitchen, as the household staff typically took care of the cooking. Intrigued, he decided to see for himself. Approaching the kitchen entrance, Lucius stopped short, his breath catching in his throat at the mesmerizing sight before him.

Layla stood at the counter, her hair swept into a loose bun with a few tendrils falling gracefully around her face. She wore an apron, its strings tied neatly at her back. Her delicate hands moved with practiced ease, carefully filling cornetto pastries with creamy filling while softly humming a tune. The morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow on her, making the moment almost surreal.

Lucius felt an inexplicable pull toward her, his heartbeat quickening. He watched her while being captivated by her beauty. As she turned to check on the espresso, her movements were fluid and graceful. She inhaled the rich aroma of the freshly brewed coffee before pouring it into two small cups, then returned to her task of preparing the cornettos.

His gaze was riveted to her every action, unable to look away. When Layla finished filling the last pastry, she brought her finger to her lips, delicately sucking off the excess cream.

The sight made Lucius swallow hard, his throat suddenly dry. A rush of heat spread through his body, and he had to resist the urge to close the distance between them, the desire to have her now and there filled his mind.

Just then, Layla’s gaze met Lucius’s. She could feel the intensity of his stare, as if he had been watching her every move for quite some time.

“Good morning,” she greeted softly, offering him a gentle smile. “You can wait for me in the dining room. I’ve just finished preparing breakfast for us.”

But instead of leaving, Lucius crossed the kitchen in a few swift strides, drawing her into his arms. “Good morning, Layla,” he murmured in a husky tone. Their eyes locked, the world around them fading as he held her close.

His gaze drifted to her lips, lingering on the faint trace of cream that still clung to them. Without thinking, he leaned in and gently licked the remnants away, feeling her shudder beneath his touch.

He pressed his lips to hers, the kiss tender yet filled with a quiet hunger. Layla’s eyelids fluttered shut as she melted into the kiss, her fingers tightening around his arms as if anchoring herself to him.

When he finally pulled back, Layla’s cheeks were flushed, her pulse was racing. “The breakfast will get cold,” she murmured, her voice a little breathless. She bit her bottom lip nervously before turning around to remove her apron, trying to steady her thundering heart.

Gathering the freshly prepared cornettos onto a platter, she carefully placed them on a tray. She added the cups of espresso, her hands steady despite the butterflies swirling inside her stomach. When she turned back around, Lucius was still there, his eyes fixed on her, filled with admiration and something deeper that made her breath catch.

“Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to join me for breakfast?” she asked, a hint of teasing in her voice, though her cheeks still carried a delicate blush.

Lucius chuckled, a soft, genuine sound that seemed to fill the space between them. “I can’t help it,” he said, his voice warm. “You’re too beautiful to look away from.”

Layla’s heart skipped a beat at his words. She picked up the tray and made her way to the dining room, aware of his presence following her.

Setting the tray on the table, Layla gracefully served Lucius first, who thanked her with a warm smile. She then took her seat beside him, quietly beginning to eat.

“Did you always cook such delicious meals at home?” Lucius asked, his eyes studying her with curiosity.

“How do you know it’s delicious? You haven’t even tasted the cornetto yet,” Layla responded with a playful smile, taking a small piece of the pastry and eating it.

“The aroma says it all,” Lucius replied, lifting the espresso cup to his lips. The coffee was rich and robust, its flavor unlike any he’d had before. It wasn’t just the ingredients; it was the love and care she put into making it.

As he watched Layla eat, memories of their late-night conversation drifted through his mind. She had shared how she used to dine alone despite being surrounded by family, and now, seeing her here, sharing this moment with him, filled him with an unfamiliar sense of contentment.

He took a bite of the cornetto and found it delightful, the cream filling perfectly balanced with the crisp pastry. “I’ve never eaten cornettos before. I never liked them,” he suddenly confessed.

“What? Why didn’t you tell me before?” Layla’s eyes widened in surprise. Setting her cup down, she quickly rose from her seat. “Tell me what you prefer for breakfast. I’ll make it for you.” She sighed, murmuring to herself, “I should have asked the maids about your preferences. I thought everyone liked these.”

Before she could move further, Lucius gently grasped her wrist and pulled her down onto his lap, positioning her so her legs rested on one side of his. “Calm down,” he said softly, his gaze locking onto hers. “I found them tasty. I started liking them because you made them.”

His fingers traced light patterns over her thigh, making her heartbeat quicken. She tried to get up, feeling a mix of emotions, but his hold remained firm. Lucius picked up a small piece of cornetto and brought it to her lips. Reluctantly, she opened her mouth and took the bite, hoping he would let her go afterward. But he showed no signs of releasing her.

“Uhm!” Roger’s throat-clearing interrupted the moment, drawing Layla’s attention to the doorway. He stood there, his gaze respectfully downcast, clearly uncomfortable with the intimate scene.

“Roger is here,” Layla whispered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

“Roger, you should come later. I’m with my wife,” Lucius said firmly, his eyes still on Layla, his voice brooking no argument.

“It’s an important matter, Boss. But I can come back later,” Roger said, turning on his heel to leave, but Layla’s voice stopped him.

“What is it?” she asked, desperate for a distraction.

Lucius chuckled lightly, sensing her eagerness to escape his embrace. “Speak, Roger,” he commanded.

“Boss, your mother is in Italy. She has summoned you home,” Roger informed him.

Layla was shocked to know that and glanced at Lucius to check his reaction.

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