Chapter 3

　　Lucian's words echoed in Jade's head over and over again as her feet remained rooted on the floor.

　　She walked back into the room and shut the door behind her, her fingers tightening around the handle.

　　Right.

　　How could she have forgotten?

　　Her body was his for the three years. She'd made this choice months ago.

　　FIVE MONTHS AGO

　　"I have a request, sir."

　　Jade's legs trembled as she stood before her new boss behind the marble table, her fingers twisting together behind her back.

　　He was her very last hope.

　　"The prison called this morning. My mother, sh-she's dying," her voice cracked.

　　Lucian raised a brow as his expressionless eyes lifted to meet hers. "And I am a doctor?"

　　"Her kidney failed. The prison staff wouldn't let me visit her…" she muttered desperately. "I need your help.I-I promise, I can work for as long as possible without pay. Please, sir."

　　He set down his pen.

　　"I see," he said, leaning back on his chair. "Considering your father died saving mine, I can consider providing you with financial assistance and arrange for someone to take care of your mother."

　　Jade expelled a breath of relief.

　　"But if we do charity to everyone because they did a good deed to us, wouldn't the company go bankrupt?"

　　Her heart dropped.

　　He rose from the chair. Crossing over to her side, he towered over her.

　　"We don't do charities, sweetheart."

　　She stared at him in disbelief. Years ago, she'd looked up to him like an older brother. Now, she barely recognized the man standing before her.

　　"Please, " she whispered. "She can't die. I'll do anything."

　　"Anything?"

　　She nodded frantically.

　　Lucian smirked and leaned in.

　　She instinctively stepped backward, but his hand swiftly circled her waist. "Then you'll become my sexual partner for three years."

　　"Wh-what?"

　　"I will provide your mother with all the medical assistance she needs. In return, you make yourself available whenever I want for 3 years. If you agree, we'll sign a Sexual Service Contract."

　　Jade blinked as the warmth of the room rushed back over her. Releasing her hold from the door handle, she turned to meet Lucian's eyes.

　　"You're right," her voice echoed. "I should fulfill my part of the contract."

　　Without another word, she swept forward and began to unbutton her blouse. She pushed her pants down, and then her underwear, until she was naked.

　　Climbing into the bed on her hands and knees, she straddled him and roughly started to pop his buttons off. His lips fell on her neck instantly, and his hands gripped her thighs before he switched their positions.

　　Lucian pushed his pants down, and his cock sprang free.

　　"Stop pretending, baby. You want me just as much." His hands found her breasts. His mouth followed. Hot and wet, his tongue ran over each nipple hungrily until he got to her face.

　　When he leaned up to drag his lips across hers, she sharply turned her head away.

　　"Still playing hard to get, I see."

　　His lips found her neck, this time sucking on her delicate flesh as he guided his length against her entrance.

　　"Still?" He buried himself into her in one hard thrust.

　　Lucian watched her as her spine arched upward only for her to force her muscles to go slack again. He hooked her leg around his waist and lowered himself, letting out a grunt as he again thrust into her.

　　He tried to kiss her for the second time, but she turned her head to the opposite side.

　　His brows drew together.

　　Another thrust. "Look at me, Jade." He held her jaw.

　　She didn't blink. She only plastered her gaze to the white ceiling above them. It was as though he wasn't even there.

　　The lines on his forehead deepened. Usually, she'd cling to him so tightly, moaning into his ear or maintaining intense eye contact throughout. She wasn't doing any of those now. Only the sound of his ragged breathing and the wet sound of their bodies connecting filled the room. Was she doing this on purpose? To frustrate him?

　　Gripping her thigh tighter, he pulled out slowly and then drove into her in a sharp, aggressive motion. He expected a cry, a gasp, anything. Even so, all he received was silence as she twisted her head and buried her face flat into the pillow.

　　Her unresponsiveness infuriated him.

　　Not even when he drove in rougher did she let out a single sound or meet his gaze.

　　His jaw hardened. Releasing her leg, he reached up and gripped her cheeks with one hand.

　　"You know what you're doing. This is how you want to behave?" His voice was strained, anger laced in it. "Is it because I've been too indulgent with you?"

　　Finally, Jade met his eyes. He'd never seen those looks in them before.

　　"The contract covers only my body, " she bit out. "If you want feelings included, it will cost you extra."

　　Lucian's jaw grew so rigid the bones on his cheeks became visible. His eyes flashed with something cold before he tore his gaze away, pulled out from her and

　　rolled out of the bed.

　　"Leave," he ordered.

　　Opening the bedside drawer, he pulled out a box of cigarettes and then picked up his phone before strolling to the balcony.

　　So that was what it was? The fact that she was right irritated him more than it should. Her body was what they signed up for.

　　Behind him, he heard Jade gather her clothes before the bedroom door slammed shut.

　　As he was about to light a cigarette, his phone vibrated.

　　"Father," he greeted, lifting the phone to his ear.

　　"Come see me. Now." The line went off.

　　As if his mood wasn't bad enough.

　　When he arrived at the ancestral mansion, he passed the servants and reached the second floor, where his father's private living room was located.

　　His eyes fell on the man seated on the head couch, a newspaper over his face.

　　"Sit," he ordered without looking up.

　　Lucian strode to the long couch by his right and sat.

　　"You called."

　　Finally, Ashford laid the newspaper on the table, lifting his gaze to meet Lucian's.

　　"What are your plans for Victoria?" He asked.

　　"No plans yet."

　　Lucian's father passed him a disappointed look.

　　"Your wedding with the Sterling daughter would strengthen our empire. I won't tolerate any distractions."

　　He picked up the teacup on his table and sipped from it. "Your mother told me she found women's clothing in your car. Who is she?"

　　Almost immediately, Lucian answered. "No one important." His fingers curled around the armrest of the couch tightly.

　　"Are you sure?"

　　Forcing his usual playful smile, he chuckled. "Father, you know me. There are too many. I can't tell who owns those."

　　"You can just have some fun. But you can't truly fall for another woman." Ashford took another sip. "You're about to become Victoria's husband. Your only duty is to her. If I ever find out that someone has made you forget that…"

　　His eyes settled heavily on Lucian's. "I will remove that person myself."