Her Sinful Mate

chapter thirteen

n a v e a h

I stare down at my bloodied hands and sigh . I didn't even realize I'd been going at the boxing bag for more than two hours until my gaze swept to the clock in the gym . Now , my hands are completely bloodied and extremely sore . Standing up from my crouched position on the floor , I grab my water bottle and wipe the strands of hair that fell out of my ponytail from my forehead . I exhaustedly make my way out of the gym and to my room , wanting to clean my knuckles .

Entering the room , I throw my bottle on the bed and go straight to the bathroom . Padding to the sink , I open the faucet and reluctantly push my bruised and bloodied hand under the water . I clench my jaw in pain as the water rushes down on my sensitive skin . There's a loud knock at my door and I roll my eyes . I'm in no mood for whoever is at the door . I stay silent in hopes that whoever it is will go away and start gently washing off the blood , the water turning a faint red as it drifts down the drain .

"What happened ?" I don't even have to glance up to know it's Lucian standing in the doorway of the bathroom , I can feel his presence surround and calm my heart . I sigh , intently staring down at my hands to avoid touching the sensitive , ripped skin on my knuckles . It really just looks worse than it feels . "Naveah ," He growls , stepping into the bathroom , stopping right behind me . I exhale a shaky breath , a slight shiver running down my spine at his close proximity .

"Nothing , I just didn't wear tape around my hands . " I murmur , going to wash my other hand . "That's stupid . " Lucian scoffs . I whip my head up and shift my gaze to his in the mirror . "What's stupid is the fact that you have a boxing bag but no tape . " I snap , glowering at his tall figure in the mirror . It's amusing how tall and broad his form is to mine , he looks huge standing behind me . As if his whole body could swallow my petite one if he were to wrap his arms around me .

"No , Naveah , you could've come and asked me ." He rolls his eyes and I raise both my brows at him . It's an amusing sight to see this tall , broad and intimidating man roll his gray eyes . He stares down at my reflection in the mirror and I immediately avert my eyes , knowing full well that I'd fall into a captivating trance if I stare into his eyes for too long . "Come on . " Lucian says after a moment . My eyebrows draw together as I look back up at him . He tilts his head toward the door and turns , sauntering out of the room . I stare in confusion at his retreating back , go where ?

With a defeated sigh , I follow him out of the room and down the hall , trying to keep up with his long strides . He turns down the hall , toward his office and I glance into Alexander's as we pass , seeing him on his bed with a book in hand . We come to a stop at the door as Lucian unlocks his door and swings it open , walking in before striding toward his desk and sitting down on his leather swivel chair . He looks at me , before gesturing toward the door . "Close the door . " He says dismissively , before opening his drawers . Please ? I roll my eyes at his lack in manners but obey , closing the door behind me . I make my way to the chair in front of his desk , opposite him before plopping down . I rest my hands on my thighs , looking down at the bruises on my knuckles .

"Give me your hand ." He murmurs , opening the tube of ointment between his gloved hands . Is he seriously going to put ointment on my knuckles with gloves on ? I shift forward on the chair , placing my hand on the desk , watching Lucian warily as he reaches for my hand with his gloves still on . He lifts my hand , wrapping his fingers around my palm . His hand completely swallows my tiny one and I can't help but stare at the comparison in the size of our hands . The warmth of his hand radiates through his gloves onto my hand and I shiver . I look up at Lucian and he smirks at me , having seen my reaction .

"This is going to sting ." He informs me . He intently stares down at my knuckles , gently spreading the ointment over my knuckles . I tighten my grip around his hand as the stinging runs straight through me . He continues gently spreading the ointment over the ripped skin as I focus on his angelic , yet sinister face . There's a slight furrow between his eyebrows as he concentrates on my knuckles and his perfectly plump lips are slightly agape . A strand of his raven hair falls over his eyes and my hands itch to run my fingers through his hair .

He finishes putting ointment on my one hand and lets go , and gestures with his fingers to my other hand . I slowly bring up my hand , sliding it into his palm . He presses his tongue into his cheek before inhaling a deep breath and slowly spreading the ointment onto my knuckles . I don't even register to the pain as I focus on Lucian , watching his every move and expression . Being this close to Lucian has me clenching my thighs everytime his breath brushes over my skin .

By the time he's done with my hand , my breath is labored , my thighs sore from clenching them and my grip on his hand so tight that my knuckles nearly turn white . He doesn't let go of my hand as he looks up at me , his eyes hooded and his pupils visibly dilated . Lust swirls in his eyes and a gasp gets caught in my throat as he pulls my hand , forcing me forward . He's so close his minty breath fans over my lips , a shiver running down every part of my body at the proximity . The pain on my knuckles are long forgotten , replaced by sinful desires running through my mind of Lucian .

The loud knock on the door has me jolting back in my seat , the trance I was in broken as Lucian lets go of my hand . I snap my head toward the door and watch as Alexander strolls into the room with a confused look plastered on his face as he flicks his eyes from Lucian to me . "Did I interrupt something ?" He asks with a furrow of his brows . "No ." I blurt out before Lucian can say something . I feel his heated gaze on me as I abruptly stand from the chair and hurriedly make my way out of his office . I rush down the hall , my subconscious scowling at me as she sits in a chair with a glass of wine in hand .

Maybe I'm reacting like this toward Lucian because I haven't eaten properly recently . Yes , that's why . I've been craving food and that resulted into me craving ... Lucian . Lucian and his luscious lips , God-like body and intimidating eyes . I shake my head , trying to rid myself of these sinful thoughts . As I round the corner , I stop dead in my tracks when my eyes fall onto a woman . She stares back at me with a frown , her doe-eyes roaming over me in complete distaste. Her red hair flows down her shoulders in waves contrasting against her pale skin that's covered in freckles and her pink-coated lips press into a thin line . "Well, who the f**k are you ?" Her sultry voice booms through the quiet hall and I raise a brow, refraining from wincing at her tone.

"Maya ." The deep voice comes from behind me and before I can so much as turn around to question Lucian, the woman's pink coated lips spread into a seductive smile that nearly blinds me and her dark eyes gleam in what seems to be happiness as she darts forward, nearly pushing me into the wall as she jumps into Lucian's arms. Lucian stares at me over the woman's -- who must be Maya -- head , his arms still hanging by his side, as if he doesn't know if he should hug her or just stand there. I blankly stare back at him , all the emotion draining from my face and eyes, which he must notice because he frowns slightly. Maya unwraps her arms from around him , standing on her toes to reach Lucian's face. Before she can press her lips to his, he tilts his head to the side and her lips meet his cheek with a smack. A pink smudge covers his cheek and I mentally grimace at the sight.

"I've missed you so much , Lu !" She beams , her voice sounding more like a squeal of excitement. Lu ? Is she his girlfriend ? Lover ? I immediately shut down the thoughts . It has absolutely nothing to do with me . I don't care and whatever petty attraction I felt for this man who now has a red-head practically on him, is long gone. I watch with a clenched jaw as he lifts his arm and slowly, reluctantly, wraps it around her waist. With his gaze still pinned to me , I turn around and saunter down the hall , pushing open the door and slam the door closed behind me .

He's nothing to me .