Thalia tried again to pull her arm free, cheeks aflame. "Victor! People could see us!"
Vicious didn't release her. Instead, he leaned slightly closer, his dark eyes fixed on hers. "And… what if they do? Let them wonder. Let them imagine."
Her heart skipped a beat. "Imagine what? That the boss is… crazy?"
He smirked, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "That I can't stop thinking about you. That I want to hold you… even when we're supposed to be proper."
Thalia pressed a hand to her lips, exasperated and flustered. "Victor, we are supposed to be proper!"
"Proper," he echoed softly, leaning so close that his breath warmed her cheek. "You want proper with you… but only a little."
She tried to pull back, but his grip at her waist was firm yet gentle. "Victor… please. I… this is… ridiculous
"You love it," he whispered, voice low and intimate, so close she could feel his pulse.
"I do not!" she protested, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her.
"You do," he murmured, smiling faintly. "And you know it."
Her gaze darted nervously to the maids, busy clearing the last plates. "Someone might—"
"Don't care," he interrupted, pressing a soft kiss along her temple. "Not now. Not this moment. This… is ours."
Thalia's breath hitched, and she tried to pull away again. "Victor! We can't—"
"Shh," he soothed, tilting her chin gently toward him, enough that her lips were just inches from his. "I brought back everyone because of you. Because you were worrying. Because you deserve… care. And now… I get a few minutes."
Her pulse thundered. "I… I can't believe you."
"You love that I can," he said, his voice teasing but low. "Now… just relax. Here. With me."
She hesitated, then slumped slightly into his hold, cheeks burning. "This is insane," she whispered.
"Yes," he murmured, brushing his lips just beside hers, along her cheek, so faint it was almost invisible. "And perfect."
Thalia bit her lip, exhaling sharply. "Victor… we're still in the dining room!"
"And no one is paying attention," he said, eyes glinting. "Except me."
Her heartbeat raced, caught in the warmth of him, the intimacy of his gaze, the subtle power in his hold. "You… you're impossible," she whispered.
"And you," he said softly, "are irresistible."
She tried to argue again, but the words caught in her throat as he leaned slightly closer, letting the brush of his fingers along hers linger, the tension electric, private, unspoken in front of the others.
For a long moment, they simply sat like that—her hands lightly pressed against his chest, his hand steady at her waist—sharing a quiet, charged intimacy that neither dared speak aloud.
Finally, he whispered, teasing yet soft, "You can get back to your work… soon. But for now… stay here. With me. Just a little longer."
Thalia exhaled, half in surrender, half in exasperation. "Victor… this is so… infuriating."
"And you love it," he said, smirking, leaning back just slightly but never letting go completely.
Her blush deepened, and though she tried to hide it, the corner of her lips lifted into a small, reluctant smile
Her cheeks burned, "You're impossible."
"And you," he whispered, leaning just a bit closer, "are irresistible."
She swallowed, trying to resist, but the warmth of him, the subtle pressure of his hand at her waist, made it impossible. "Victor… we can't—people—"
"They're busy," he murmured, voice low, a playful edge in his tone. "Besides… I brought back everyone for you. All the maids. Because you were worrying about chores and Lily. Now… you don't have to think about them Only me. and less work for you"
Vicious leaned closer again, hand brushing hers lightly. "I've learned my lesson. Now… a little time like this. Just us."
Her heartbeat quickened. "I… I should continue my work."
"Not yet," he murmured, tilting her chin toward him ever so slightly. "Just stay. Just for a few minutes. Please."
She tried to pull away, "Victor! This is… embarrassing!"
"Only for you," he whispered, brushing her hair behind her ear. "For everyone else, I'm just the boss. But with you… I want this… close. Right now."
She tried to resist, but the subtle warmth of his presence and the soft weight of his gaze made her pause. "You… you're impossible," she whispered.
"And you," he said softly, leaning so their foreheads almost touched, "are irresistible. Do you feel that? Even here, even now… it's only us."
Finally, Vicious leaned back slightly, releasing just enough of her hand. "Alright. You can sit properly soon you will be mine
Thalia swallowed hard, cheeks flaming, "Victor…"
"Yes?" he murmured, voice low, intimate, a whisper meant only for her.
"Don't… don't make this harder than it already is," she said,
"Never," he replied softly, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Not for you."
And with that, he finally leaned in kissed her and cupped her cheeks before leaving.