Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 73: Fire Exit

Chapter 73: Fire Exit

Initially, the stairwell lit up as we moved, but the lights slowly died down as Lucian stopped in one place.

My back was against the wall, and there was nowhere to go unless I kneed my husband on the groin, and I don’t really think that would be a wise choice.

I probably looked odd as I stared at his torso, but that was a far better option than staring at his face.

"What are we doing here?" I grumbled. It was not really the most brilliant question at a time like this, but the atmosphere was too charged not to say anything.

"To interrogate fugitives." Lucian’s fingers traced my jaw, ultimately landing on my chin, as he got me to look up at him.

I didn’t know what to expect; it was relatively dark, and the only light we got was from a single-step light.

He looked like an angry cat to me, but I couldn’t help but notice how there was a tinge of worry. The same way cats would paw at you but take a second look to confirm that you’re still alive.

Lucian had that look, and I couldn’t help but stare. I missed the cue when he swooped down, gunning for my lips.

Hmph!

I gasped in surprise, not expecting any sort of kiss from what I thought would be an ugly confrontation.

Lucian arched me against him, an arm around my waist and his palm behind my head.

He was deepening his onslaught, and all I could do was sigh in his arms, melting as he focused on my lower lip.

I didn’t know what to do with myself. My hands had nowhere to go. It was as if I had forgotten how to kiss; it was just a week, and I had already forgotten how that felt.

That would have been the lie I’d tell myself.

Oh, how far I’ve really fallen.

Lucian probably realized this because he paused, not leaving my mouth but creating a gap to instruct me.

"You’ve got hands to use, Eli." He urged, dropping a kiss on the side of my mouth.

"Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten." He added, and my knees weakened.

I just didn’t want to respond because then I’d have to acknowledge him. And I might have to open gates. I specifically closed them, so I held onto my fists against his chest, like they were the last bastion of my sanity.

"Baby." He called, and God, how was this even fair?

I buckled and clenched my fists tighter.

"There is no escaping this. No one is leaving until this is fixed."

"There’s nothing to fix." I stood on my ground.

It’s not like it could be fixed; it is more of the case. He felt that I was burdensome, while I felt hurt by that.

I’ve always believed that feelings and emotions couldn’t be judged as being right or wrong. We don’t really get to choose how we feel, so that’s not something we could just "fix."

If anything, what could be judged is how we acted upon such feelings. I could feel insanely angry, like wanting to just stab someone- that kind of anger. There’s no changing how I feel, but it would be wrong the moment I actually act on it.

So, I’ve been consoling myself. Easing my hurt by having free reign to act all petty. At least it’s the productive type. He shouldn’t even be saying anything when he’s a far worse workaholic.

Could you please not dredge up things I’m trying so hard to fix? Way to be insensitive

"You say one thing but act another way? If you’re going to insist on that, at least look me in the eyes." He said as he guided my head with his hand, forcing me to face him.

"At least convince yourself of your lie."

"Why are you even doing this? How would this even benefit you?" I tell him off angrily. I really don’t understand why he’s doing this. Is it to humiliate me?

His thumb was on my cheekbone, and I flinched as he caressed me, feeling like a fish out of water.

"I don’t know, and I’m pretty sure there’s no benefit to doing this." His tone mellowed as if he was telling himself instead of me.

"Then you should stop it. Don’t waste my efforts in exchange for something you don’t even understand." I told him off, starting to get annoyed at how this was turning out.

"Your efforts? Bolting for your life was part of your efforts?" Lucian scoffed, and I really wanted to step on his toes.

"Don’t make light of someone who’s just following instructions." He was the one who told me to stop being burdensome. I was merely following it to the tee.

"And which instructions had anything to do with you sneaking around like this?" He looked like he wanted to test me. But sucks to be you because you really did say something, you asshole.

Haaa...

I closed my eyes before going on my tirade. If this guy has a memory of a goldfish, then let me remind him again.

"It is not my fault that your memory sucks. You clearly told me to stop being burdensome, and now you’re walking around like that never came out of your goddamn mouth!"

Oh, I am pissed. I’m so pissed that I could feel precipitation forming around my eyes.

This shit better be rain and not tears. I refuse to cry over this.

And this idiot dared to look fucking surprised.

Don’t you act like that right now.

Lucian just stood there for a while, unmoving, and I pushed against him.

I need space from this guy. But he’s too much of a wall.

"What? Cat got your tongue?" I sneered at his reaction. Rather than just standing there, he could at least release me.

"I see." He murmured, and I couldn’t see his eyes from where I stood.

"If so, then can you release me now? There’s no need for something so unnecessary." I told him that because there’s really no need for all this skin ship and nothing Earth-shattering happened this week, that might even be a good call.

But instead of the space I thought I’d have, I was hoisted up instead and carried with my legs straddling his waist.

"What the! Are you crazy?! Put me down!" I hit his back with my palm.

"So, you went out of your way to avoid me because I told you to stop being burdensome?"

Did he really have to reiterate it like that? I glared at his insensitivity.

He dragged us over to the steps, triggering a few of the step lights as he climbed, then just plopped down on one of them while setting me on his lap.

I had to keep on straddling him because the fear of falling backward was very real.

"This isn’t safe, just put me down like a normal person!" I beat against his chest with my closed fist.

"Seems like I’m not normal. Answer my question."

"What do you even want me to say? What words would satisfy you?"

Did he really expect me to be some masochist? Purposefully excavating the hole I just covered for his perverted entertainment.

"Tell me the truth."

He had no intention of stopping, and I was just getting increasingly frustrated as he continued his line of questioning, so I gave in.

I’ll just eat and sleep this off later.

"Yeah, sure. That’s why. Are you happy now? Can I eat now?" I nearly screamed in exasperation. And even my eyes were up there getting irritated.

"No. I’m not happy at all, my burdensome wife."

Oh, hell nah.

Now, this bastard’s just doing it on purpose!