Chapter 1085: Honored or Terrified

Chapter 1085 – Honored or Terrified

She stepped inside and closed the door behind her with her foot.

Lux immediately narrowed his eyes. "Why are you closing the door?"

"Because pheromones. It will also explain why I came."

Lux stared at her.

Gula looked oddly calm. Not her usual wide-eyed appetite wearing a pretty face.

Her gaze still had hunger, yes. Gula always had hunger. But this one was not for cake. Not exactly. It was softer around the edges, warmer, more aware. Her eyes moved over his face first, then his shoulders, then quickly back up like she was trying to behave and failing with dignity.

Lux noticed. "Gula."

She clasped her hands behind her back and swung her body a bit like a guilty innocent kid. "Yes?"

"Are you affected?"

"Yes."

"At what level?"

She thought about it seriously. "Enough that I left food."

Lux’s brows rose. "That severe?"

Gula nodded gravely. "Very."

A tiny laugh escaped him despite the situation.

"Should I be honored or terrified?"

"Both." She moved closer, then stopped a few steps away.

The scent in the room shifted as his pheromones brushed against her. Gula inhaled softly. Her lashes lowered. Her lips parted, and for a second, her expression changed from playful hunger to something heavier. Darker. More feminine.

Lux’s body reacted again, because apparently betrayal had multiple departments.

He held up one hand. "If you don’t want this, we can stop here."

Gula blinked up at him. "Who said I don’t wasn’t this."

She came closer again, this time entering his space. Her scent mixed with the room, sweet, warm, edible in a way only Gluttony could be. Not food exactly. Something like ripe fruit, cream, and danger wearing soft skin.

She looked up at him.

"For you, it is body reaction," she said.

Lux’s expression softened slightly.

Gula was not as foolish as she acted.

Actually, that was unfair. Gula was simple in some ways, but simplicity was not stupidity. Her instincts were honest. Brutally honest. She understood hunger better than anyone in the house. Not just food. Need. Craving. Denial. Satisfaction. The ache of wanting something and being ashamed of wanting it.

She pointed at his chest.

"But if you keep holding it in, the mansion will smell like dessert and sin."

Lux sighed. "Poetic."

"I’m hungry. This hunger is different."

His gaze darkened. "Gula."

She smiled, but her cheeks colored. "I know. You won’t do it if I just come because of pheromones."

"Correct."

"I came because of pheromones," she admitted. "But I stayed because it is you."

Lux went still.

The room quieted.

Gula looked away, suddenly shy in a way that did not fit the girl who once asked whether they should eat the ancient sorcerer cat.

"I know the difference," she said. "Smell makes me want. You make me choose."

Lux’s expression shifted.

That line landed.

Harder than expected.

He reached out and gently touched her chin, tilting her face back toward him. "Where did that come from?"

Gula’s blush deepened. "I can be romantic."

"Rarely."

"Apparently." Her eyes lowered again. "Does it hurt?"

Lux paused.

The honest answer was yes.

Incubus arousal under suppression was heat with nowhere to go, pressure wrapped in restraint. He could endure it. Had endured worse. But the body still demanded attention like a greedy shareholder.

"It is uncomfortable."

Gula’s gaze softened. "Then let me help."

Lux studied her face.

Hungry, honest, blushing, wanting him because she wanted him.

His thumb brushed along her chin. "Are you sure?"

Gula nodded. Then raised one finger.

"But after, I want snacks."

Lux laughed. "There it is. Contract terms."

She nodded seriously. "Important."

"What snacks?"

"Sweet."

"Specific."

"Many sweet."

Lux smiled. "Approved."

Gula’s eyes brightened.

Then she stepped closer and pressed herself against him, arms sliding around his waist. She was soft, warm, eager but not frantic. Her cheek rested against his chest first, as if savoring him before anything else.

Lux closed his eyes for one second.

The burn inside him shifted. He wrapped one arm around her back. His fingers slid through her hair, then lightly massaged the nape of her neck.

Gula gave a soft hum.

He could feel her heartbeat, steady and strong, the rhythm a little faster than normal. Her body heat soaked through and into his skin. The scent of her hair, clean, slightly sweet, made him want to press his face into it.

Lux breathed.

His heart thudded.

Gula pressed her face harder into his chest.

She had to be able to feel it, the tension, the ache, the throbbing beat that was not his blood.

Gula tilted her head up. Her lashes fluttered, dark, delicate.

Lux watched her. "A question, Gula. Do you have a feeling for me?"

Her blush deepened. Her brows pulled down, and she made a small, distressed sound. "Do not ask that!"

"Answer me."

"Yes." She pressed her forehead against his chest.

"Is this because of pheromones? Instinct? Wanting to help?"

"No."

"Then why?"

"You’re Lux. You are good. You care."

He gently cupped her chin and tilted her head back, so he could see her face. Her blush was bright pink.

Lux’s expression shifted.

Her gaze darted away.

Lux leaned down and gently kissed her. It was tender. Loving. Slow.

Gula made a small sound and leaned into him.

Lux lifted her off her feet and carried her to the bed.

Gula giggled and held onto him.

When Lux laid her on the bed, his body was over hers. His weight rested on his arms, and his lips left hers and trailed down her throat, the skin soft and smooth.

Gula moaned, fingers digging into his shoulders.

She was wearing a dress, loose, light. Her legs curled around his waist. She tried to pull him closer.

Lux lifted himself up.

Gula blinked.

Lux undid the buttons and peeled the shirt off his body.

Gula’s blush spread. She pressed one hand over her mouth and nose and made a muffled squeal.

Lux’s gaze flicked down. He had an excellent body. His torso was hard muscle, lean and elegant, but the proportions were masculine, strong, a healthy, athletic body that would never be mistaken for female.