Chapter 5 – Movie Night & Unspoken Things
Lavender lingered in her hotel room longer than necessary, standing in front of the mirror with her arms crossed over her chest. Mara had packed her suitcase with ruthless efficiency and apparently zero sense of modesty. The silky camisole clung to her curves, while the shorts barely brushed her upper thighs. She tugged at the hem. Pointless. No amount of pulling was going to make the outfit less suggestive.
It's fine, she told herself. Just pajamas. He probably won't even notice. He's Rhydian Hart. Billionaire. CEO. Totally professional.
Still, she lingered another full minute, debating whether to throw on one of the oversized hotel robes and call it a night. Pride won, finally, and she stepped out of her room.
Rhydian was already on the couch, jacket off, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, laptop closed beside two bowls of popcorn. The massive flat-screen glowed with the opening credits of Doctor Lawyer.
When he looked up, his eyes flicked over her, quick, subtle, but deliberate, and a small, amused smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Comfortable?"
Lavender felt heat rush to her cheeks. "Don't start."
"Start what?" His tone was teasing and playful, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity that made her heart skip a beat.
She rolled her eyes, plopped down on the opposite end of the couch, and curled her legs beneath her, clutching a pillow like a shield. "Play the show before I change my mind."
"As you command," he said smoothly, clicking the remote.
The theme music filled the room, and Lavender sank into the familiar world of Doctor Lawyer, courtroom drama, clever legal twists, and the sharp-witted doctor-lawyer duo she had memorized after countless viewings. She felt herself relax... until she realized Rhydian wasn't really watching the show. His gaze was on her, subtle but unrelenting.
"You really love this show, huh?" he asked casually, voice low, but pointed enough to make her blush.
"More than I probably should," she admitted, curling tighter around the pillow. "Don't judge me."
"Judge?" He tilted his head, eyes glinting. "I like seeing you like this. You don't smile like that for anyone else."
Her chest tightened. She quickly looked back at the screen, hoping her flushed face wasn't obvious. "That's... ridiculous. I smile all the time."
"You smile politely," he corrected, "for friends, for strangers, for appearances. This," he gestured subtly toward her, " is different. It's real."
She shoved a piece of popcorn in her mouth, trying to hide her flustered expression.
The movie progressed, and they fell into an easy rhythm. Lavender fangirled over the clever legal maneuvers, whispering half-excited, half-annoyed commentary at the TV. Rhydian leaned back, watching her more than the screen, occasionally stealing popcorn or giving dry, sarcastic comments.
"So he's bluffing? He's bluffing, right?" she hissed at a particularly tense courtroom scene.
"Or he's about to destroy everyone," Rhydian countered calmly, taking another kernel of popcorn from her bowl.
Lavender threw her head back, groaning. "You're impossible. How can you be so calm when everything is about to explode?!"
He smirked. "Experience. And patience. Two things you clearly don't have."
Her cheeks heated. "I have plenty of patience! I just... care more."
"Clearly," he said softly, his smirk softening as his blue eyes met hers.
Halfway through the episode, dessert arrived, saffron ice cream and pistachio pastries, delivered discreetly by hotel staff. Lavender's eyes widened.
"You planned this?" she asked, already grabbing a spoon.
"Jet lag is best cured with sugar," he said casually, though the glimmer in his eyes gave him away.
Lavender popped a bite into her mouth and then held the spoon out toward him. "Try it. If you're going to comment through my show, at least share the snacks."
He leaned in, taking the spoon, lips brushing hers ever so slightly. Lavender felt her pulse spike, cheeks aflame. "Sweet. But I prefer yours," he murmured.
Lavender choked back a laugh. "The dessert," she clarified weakly, trying to play it cool.
"Of course," he said smoothly, reclining again, that infuriating smirk tugging at his lips.
By the time the episode ended, Lavender was curled sideways on the couch, half-exhausted, half-distracted. Rhydian clicked off the TV and turned toward her, studying her in the dim hotel light.
"You're quiet," he said softly. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
Lavender hesitated. Words crowded at the tip of her tongue: I'm starting to like this too much. You make me feel things I shouldn't—but I can't stop thinking about you.
"Just tired," she said finally.
He didn't push. Instead, he brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. A small gesture, almost chaste, but enough to send shivers through her body.
"Go to bed, Lavender," he murmured, voice low. "Tomorrow will be... interesting."
"Interesting how?"
"You'll see," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Goodnight."
As she retreated to her room, pillow clutched to her chest, she realized something: this bargain, this strange, luxurious arrangement, was starting to feel less like a contract... and more like a dangerous, exhilarating game she was already losing.
And she had a feeling Rhydian Hart was enjoying it just as much as she was.