Chapter 922

The office staff gasped in unison. "Mr. Graves! Mrs. Graves!"

Rosalind felt her cheeks flame crimson at the title. She squirmed in Lucian's arms. "Put me down this instant! Everyone's watching!"

Lucian continued striding through the lobby effortlessly, his muscular arms holding her securely. A wicked grin played on his lips. "Let them look. I'm not stopping their eyes from working."

More employees began gathering, their whispers growing louder. "Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Graves!"

Rosalind buried her face against Lucian's broad chest, her ears burning. The office chatter only intensified.

"Sweet heavens! Is that really Mr. Graves carrying his wife through the office?"

"I thought Dr. Genevieve was Mrs. Graves?"

"Don't be ridiculous. That's clearly Miss Fairchild in his arms!"

"Wasn't she his ex-fiancée? They look absolutely stunning together."

"A true power couple if I ever saw one."

Rosalind wished she could vanish. Every whispered word made her skin prickle with embarrassment.

Lucian glanced down at her flushed face and chuckled darkly, his chest vibrating against her cheek.

Without breaking stride, he carried her straight into the executive suite and deposited her gently onto the plush leather sofa.

She immediately tried to scramble away.

But Lucian caught both her wrists in one large hand, pinning her effortlessly. "And where do you think you're escaping to, darling?"

"Release me! I don't belong here!" Rosalind snapped, twisting in his grip.

"How rebellious," he murmured, his grin turning predatory.

Then he captured her lips in a searing kiss.

"Mmph!"

Rosalind's thoughts scattered. His mouth moved over hers with devastating precision, igniting fires along every nerve. She writhed beneath him, panic rising. "Lucian, don't—ah!"

He nipped at her earlobe, his voice rough with desire. "Keep making those delicious sounds and see where it leads us."

Even she recognized how wanton her moans sounded, echoing through the professional space like something from an erotic fantasy. She bit her lip hard to stay silent.

But Lucian simply claimed her mouth again, more insistently this time.

Rosalind dared not utter another sound. She could only endure as he plundered her mouth with relentless intensity, his kiss demanding complete surrender.

His dominance left her weak and pliant in his arms.

When his free hand slipped beneath her blouse, she gasped and grabbed his wrist. "Stop this!"

Lucian's smoldering gaze locked onto hers. "Stop what, precisely?"

"You ordered me to take emergency contraception! So keep your hands to yourself!"

His lips curved dangerously. "You've no intention of taking that pill. Might as well enjoy ourselves thoroughly before you do."

Rosalind's palm connected with his cheek with a soft smack.

It was more surprise than force—her delicate hand barely left a mark. The gesture felt more like lovers' play than actual anger.

Lucian stilled, then slowly ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek, eyes darkening. "Remember our agreement, sweetheart? Each slap equals another round."

He leaned in to reclaim her mouth.

Just then, three sharp knocks sounded at the door. Nathaniel's voice followed. "Mr. Graves?"

Rosalind seized the interruption like a lifeline. She shoved against Lucian's chest. "Your assistant is here!"

"I can send him away," Lucian said casually, nuzzling her neck.

She gaped at him. "This is your office! A professional workspace!"

She was trying desperately to remind him of propriety. Right now, he behaved like a starved beast who'd finally cornered his prey—single-minded in his hunger.

Lucian studied her flushed face for a long moment before finally releasing her and standing.