Spoiled By My Nine Beast Husbands (Emma Tibarn) novel Chapter 416

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live**
by Nora Vale Kingsley

A kiss, electric and fervent, landed on Emma’s lips the moment Lucien’s words echoed in the steam-filled bathroom. The air around them was thick with warmth, the kind that enveloped them like a soft blanket, while the mirror fogged over, transforming their reflections into indistinct shapes lost in a haze of desire.

Time seemed to stretch infinitely as they melted into each other, lost in the kiss that felt both timeless and fleeting. It was only when Lucien finally drew back, his forehead resting gently against hers, that reality began to seep back in. Their breaths mingled in the warm air, and Emma could feel the weight of his gaze, heavy with yearning and something deeper.

Lucien’s eyes glimmered with unshed moisture, revealing the intensity of his emotions, while his usually calm demeanor was punctuated by a blush that crept across his cheeks—a subtle yet undeniable testament to the passion that had ignited between them.

“Emma,” he breathed, his voice a low rasp that sent shivers down her spine as he gazed at her kiss-swollen lips, “That’s not enough.”

The atmosphere in the bathroom thickened, the steam swirling around them, wrapping them in a cocoon of warmth and intimacy. Outside, the day had slipped into night, the sky darkening into a deep indigo by the time they finally emerged from their private sanctuary.

As they stepped into the living room, the soft, golden glow of the lights welcomed them, casting a warm ambiance that felt almost surreal. The kitchen, once a chaotic whirlwind of activity, now stood immaculate, the remnants of their earlier culinary adventure tidied away.

In the kitchen, Edric and Drake were busily preparing dinner, their laughter mingling with the scent of spices that wafted through the air. Meanwhile, Marcus, Silas, and Kieran lounged on the couch, each engrossed in their own world, while Callum stood by the fish tank, absentmindedly feeding the colorful fish that swam lazily within.

Yet, an unusual tension hung in the air, a palpable shift that seemed to ripple through the room as the sound of footsteps on the stairs drew the attention of every man present. Their gazes snapped to Lucien, who had donned a fresh black silk robe, the belt loosely tied, revealing the sharp angles of his collarbones and a hint of his toned chest beneath.

The sight was undeniably striking, and as their eyes roamed over the unmistakable red marks adorning his chest, a collective wave of envy surged through the room. Lucien’s demeanor was soft and tender as he held Emma’s hand, his deep eyes never straying from her face, radiating a warmth that made her heart flutter. The way he looked at her was so filled with affection that it felt as if she could drown in it.

But the satisfaction mingled with a hint of provocation in his expression struck a chord of discomfort among the other men. It was as if he had unwittingly wielded a lance, piercing through the hearts of those who watched.

Marcus, who had been seated comfortably, abruptly dropped his foot to the floor with a sharp thud, his silver-gray eyes narrowing dangerously as he regarded Lucien. He resembled a lone wolf, fierce and protective of his territory, and the cold hostility radiating from him was unmistakable.

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