Lycus quietly offered to clean up the dishes as they finished their meal. His gaze held a steady determination, his cold expression softened by his intent to make things easier for her. As he moved through the kitchen, Barbara couldn’t help but watch him, a mix of admiration and weariness swirling within her. Lycus’s figure was captivating; broad shoulders flexed slightly with each movement as he rinsed the plates, his lean muscles accentuated by the snug fit of his shirt. Even in his most straightforward actions, there was an understated sensuality—a controlled power beneath his calm exterior. His jaw was set in concentration, his brows drawn as he focused on every tiny detail of his task.
Barbara hesitated, feeling the weight of his silent attentiveness. The tension between them was thi
