My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin-Chapter 69: I’m Okay, You Didn’t Hurt Me.

Ashley stared at the ceiling, not moving an inch. Then her eyes slid to the side, catching Lucian lying on his back like a vampire. All he needed was a hand resting across his chest to complete the look.

"Sleep."

With his eyes closed, he spoke. Only after the word left his mouth did his eyes crack open, his head turning slightly toward her.

Ashley pursed her lips. "You can’t fall asleep?"

He didn’t answer.

"I’m about to sleep," she hummed, pulling the blanket up. "I was just wondering if you were asleep or not."

A shallow breath escaped him as he closed his eyes again. "I’m sleeping."

"You don’t look like it," she said, yawning. She rolled onto her side to face him. "Do you want me to sing you a lullaby?"

"I’m alright," he replied, his eyes still closed.

She blinked, her eyelids growing heavy. "Mhm," she hummed again, yawning once more before her sleepy voice followed, "Good night, Boo."

Her soft voice echoed in the quiet room, lingering before fading into silence. Soon, only the ticking of the clock filled the stillness.

Moments later, Lucian opened his eyes again. When he turned to look at her, her breathing had already deepened—fast asleep, just like that.

Back when she was drunk, he thought she fell asleep so easily because of the alcohol.

But tonight... watching her drift off so effortlessly with him beside her sent a ripple through his usually unmoved heart.

Lucian turned onto his side to face her. His eyes studied her sleeping face, and the longer he stared, the more his body seemed to relax.

[Let it marinate.]

Her voice echoed in his mind. It was the first time they had truly spoken about their marriage, and the words had been replaying in his head ever since, keeping him awake.

[Trust the process.]

Another shallow breath escaped him. He lifted his hand, gently brushing his fingertips against her cheek, tucking stray strands of hair behind her ear. His eyelids drooped as his gaze fell to her lips.

But just as his thoughts began to wander, her arm and leg suddenly slipped over him beneath the blanket, pulling him close.

"Nom nom nom..." she mumbled softly, squeezing herself against him.

Lucian glanced down, her face nearly buried in his chest. His body stiffened slightly under her tight embrace, hearing her faint giggle as if she were dreaming something mischievous.

His arm hovered awkwardly in the air, unsure where to go—until he realized there was only one place it could settle.

"This... is a horrible idea," he whispered, slowly lowering his arm around her, his hand resting on her back.

He lowered his head until his nose hovered just above her hair, catching the soft scent of her shampoo.

In her sleep, she pulled him even closer, as if the small space between them was still too wide. He agreed. The distance was unacceptable.

Indeed, sharing a room was a horrible idea.

After all, he didn’t know how long he could hold himself back with her lying right beside him—so defenseless.

But another part of him, despite knowing how terrible an idea this was... would still choose this without hesitation.

How complicated.

*****

The next day came like any other.

Lucian opened his eyes to the soft morning chorus of birds. Warm sunlight hit his back, shielding Ashley’s face from it. As his vision cleared, she was the first thing he saw.

Ashley was still asleep, clinging to him—her arms and legs wrapped tightly around him.

And he? Still holding her.

I fell asleep again, he thought quietly.

He glanced toward the window, noting how bright the sun already was. Usually, Lucian woke before the sky even began to lighten. On some nights, he barely slept at all—two hours at most, sometimes just one.

And on worse nights... not at all.

But this was the second time he had slept like everyone else. And both times... it was because of her.

Shifting his gaze back to her, Lucian carefully tried to slip out of her hold. But the moment he lifted her arm, Ashley groaned and pulled him closer.

"Mhm..." she mumbled in protest. "I want to sleep more."

"...."

He blinked, staring at her. She still looked deeply asleep, yet she clung to him as if her life depended on it.

He tried again, but she didn’t budge.

In the end, he gave up.

With Ashley still asleep, Lucian remained still, listening to the quiet rhythm of the morning. His eyes, however, never left her. His hand drifted to the back of her head, gently stroking it. She wouldn’t even know if he stopped before she woke.

But instead of keeping her asleep, his own eyes began to grow heavy once more. As if his body was reclaiming all the rest it had been denied, he drifted back to sleep.

Another hour passed before Ashley stirred awake.

Her brows knit together before her eyes slowly opened. The first thing she saw was his firm chest beneath his shirt. She blinked a few times before looking up—his arm still wrapped around her, his hand resting securely at the back of her head.

"...."

She blinked again before glancing toward the window, catching the bright sunlight streaming in. Thankfully, his body still shielded her from the glare.

"I overslept..." she murmured, glancing at him before attempting to slip away quietly.

Ashley almost succeeded because his hold had loosened. But just as she began to sit up, a hand caught her arm and pulled her back onto the bed.

"Ack—!" she yelped, landing back against his arm. Her eyes widened as she watched his slowly opening gaze.

Lucian said nothing. His eyes remained half-lidded, fixed on her. The look alone felt like a warning.

Then, as if still half-asleep, he closed his eyes again.

Even half-asleep, he’s scary, she winced inwardly.

Ashley pursed her lips, thinking. Then she leaned forward slightly. A second later, her lips brushed against his cheek.

The soft touch made his brows crease. Her fingers followed, smoothing the faint line between them until his eyes opened again.

The moment he fully woke, she beamed just as bright as the sunlight behind him.

So bright, he thought.

Ashley rested her temple against her palm and greeted him, "Good morning, Baby Boo."

"...."

He stared at her, as if questioning whether this moment was real.

Then, as if reading his thoughts, she leaned in again. This time, her lips lightly touched the tip of his nose before she pulled back, wearing a mischievous smile so early in the morning.

"I said, good mor—"

Her words were cut off when he suddenly flipped her over.

Her eyes widened as her back hit the mattress, his knees braced on either side of her legs. Her wrist was pinned above her head.

"Lu—Lucian?" she stammered, stunned.

He lowered his head, studying her expression.

She didn’t look afraid.

If anything, she just looked surprised.

Lucian shut his eyes briefly, shaking his head. When he opened them again, his gaze was clearer.

"...."

He released her wrist as if burned and was about to pull away when her hands suddenly shot up.

Ashley cupped his cheeks lightly, holding his face in place. The gesture stilled him, surprised him even.

"I’m okay. You didn’t hurt me," she said with a reassuring smile. "And I said good morning."

Her words snapped him back. His breath caught at the beautiful sight beneath him.

Slowly, his body relaxed. One hand rested gently at her side as he lowered his head, his voice low and rough as he finally answered,

"Morning."