Falling in Love with my Husband

Spa Day

Luke's expression was unreadable, a mask of cool detachment as he weighed the consequences of the deal he was about to make. The ambiance thick with the weight of unspoken agreements and under-the-table transactions. Finally, he gave a small nod.

“Set up the deal on the black market,” Luke said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Across from him, Eric, his fingers flying over his phone as he made the necessary arrangements.

Luke, satisfied that the wheels were now in motion, turned to another man in the room—Pierre, his personal assistant, a man who carried himself with the effortless grace of someone born into refinement. His suit, crisp and unwrinkled, complemented the sharpness of his features, and he stood patiently awaiting his next command.

“Pierre,” Luke said, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt, “book us a spa day. I need to think.”

Pierre, ever the professional, merely inclined his head. “Yes, sir.” With that, he slipped out of the room, already making the necessary calls.

The moment he was gone, an incredulous voice cut through the tense atmosphere.

“A spa day? You’re kidding me, right?” Gemma’s voice was a mixture of disbelief and barely-contained fury. She took a step forward, hands clenched into tight fists at her sides. “My sister is in danger, Luke, and you want to take a break? Have a good time? Are you serious?”

Luke barely spared her a glance, his demeanor unchanged. “I think best when I’m relaxed,” he replied evenly, his voice a stark contrast to her rising frustration.

Gemma's hands shook with anger. “Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.”

Luke turned back toward Eric, his gaze darkening. “Eric, don’t disappear on me.” It was more than a warning—it was a command.

Eric, unfazed, simply smirked. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Without another word, Luke turned on his heel and grabbed Gemma by the arm, dragging her toward the door.

“Hey!” she protested, jerking against his grip. “Will you stop doing that? I am not a child! Let go of me!”

Luke sighed but didn’t release her immediately. Instead, he pulled her along until they were outside the room, away from Eric and the lingering scent of power plays and underground deals. Only then did he loosen his grip, though he didn’t step back.

Gemma yanked her arm free and spun to face him, fury blazing in her eyes. “What the hell is your problem, Luke? You act like you own the world! My sister is missing, and you want to go get massages and facials like it’s just another day in your perfect, privileged life!”

Luke exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temples as if she were giving him a headache. “You don’t get it, do you?” he muttered. “If I go in stressed, I make mistakes. I don’t make mistakes, Gemma.” He gave her a pointed look. “If I make mistakes, your sister doesn’t come back. Is that what you want?”

Her breath hitched, and for a brief moment, she faltered. He saw it—the tiny sliver of doubt creeping into her anger—but it was gone just as quickly.

“You think you’re the only one who can do something about this?” she shot back. “I can handle myself. I don’t need you dictating how I should feel or what I should do. If you don’t care about my sister, then fine. But don’t pretend this is about your focus or whatever bullshit excuse you’re telling yourself.”

Luke was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to her absolute frustration, he smiled. It was infuriatingly smug, the kind of smile that made her want to punch him square in the jaw.

“You really don’t like me, do you?” he mused, tilting his head slightly.

Gemma glared. “You’re a selfish, arrogant asshole who thinks he knows best. So no, Luke, I don’t like you.”

“That’s a shame,” he said smoothly. “Because whether you like me or not, you need me.”

She clenched her jaw so hard it hurt.

“Now,” Luke continued, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve like he hadn’t just turned her entire world upside down. “You can either keep screaming at me, which accomplishes absolutely nothing, or you can come with me, get your head on straight, and help me bring your sister back.” He gave her an expectant look.

Gemma wanted to fight him on this. God, she wanted to. But she knew he was right, and that only made her hate him more.

“Fine,” she bit out. “But I swear, if you waste even a second of time that could be spent finding her—”

“Relax, Gemma,” Luke interrupted with a lazy grin. “That’s the whole point.”

She exhaled sharply, resisting the urge to strangle him.

This was going to be a long day.

The spa was luxurious, filled with the scent of lavender and eucalyptus. Gemma crossed her arms as she stared at the massage table.

“You’re serious about this?” she asked, scowling.

Luke smirked. “Either you do this without complaint, like a good little wife, or I stop looking for your sister.”

Her nostrils flared. “Fine.”

Without hesitation, she stripped in front of him, daring him to look. Luke turned abruptly, stumbling over his words. “There is a dressing room, you know.”

She smirked. “Too late.”

Luke walked stiffly to the dressing room, mentally cursing himself. She had legs for days, curves in all the right places, and he was already aroused. He needed a minute—or several—before walking out with a towel around his waist.

Gemma stole a glance at his abs, then scolded herself. “I’m engaged to Shaun,” she muttered, forcing herself to look away.

Luke smirked, noticing her reaction. This spa day was going to be very interesting.

Gemma climbed onto the massage table, determined to keep her focus. The masseuse's hands were firm, working into her tense muscles, but her mind remained on Luke, just feet away. Every shift, every exhale, she was painfully aware of him. Luke, on the other hand, seemed just as affected. The air between them was thick with unspoken tension, their every interaction an unsaid challenge. Neither wanted to give in—but both felt the pull.

A satisfying sound escaped Gemma's mouth. Her eyes were closed, so she didn't notice Luke was looking at her.

I am going to have to find a way to make her stay in this marriage. A way to make her want to stay. I need time to make her want to be my wife. Not just for five years but forever.

Luke could not believe his own thoughts, questioning how he fell in love with a woman that he just met.

He clenched his jaw, watching her with an intensity that startled even himself. How had this happened? How had she—loud, stubborn, frustratingly headstrong Gemma—slipped beneath his carefully constructed walls? He had built his life on control, on calculating every risk before making his move. But this? This was chaos. She was chaos. And yet, somehow, he found himself craving more of it, more of her.

His gaze lingered on the way her lips parted slightly as she exhaled, completely unaware of his scrutiny. He wanted to touch her, to trace the delicate line of her jaw, to press his lips to the spot just below her ear and feel her shiver beneath him. The thought made his stomach tighten.

This wasn’t just desire. That, he could have ignored. This was something deeper, something dangerous.

Damn it. He was in trouble.