Page 154 of Malicious Claim

But the silence that followed wasn't empty. It was charged, humming between them with unspoken need.

Leila faced forward, her grip tightening slightly on the reins. His answer should have unsettled her. The way he did things without explanation, without asking permission. But with the steady rhythm of the horse beneath them and his warmth at her back, she let it be. For now.

The horse's pace slowed as they approached the stable, its powerful strides easing into a steady walk. Leila exhaled, only now realizing how much tension had left her body during the ride. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she felt—if not free, then at least unburdened, if only for a moment.

Makros dismounted first, landing with effortless grace. He turned and extended a hand to her. She hesitated, not out of defiance, but because his presence had left something behind, something she wasn't ready to let go of just yet. Still, she placed her hand in his. His grip was firm and steady, his fingers lingering around her waist a fraction longer even after he had helped her down.

He let go of her waist. "Not bad for a first ride."

Leila scoffed, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "I've survived worse."

Makros smirked. "I've got a joke."

She gave him a wary look. "This should be good."

"What's harder than riding a horse?" He let the pause stretch just long enough before adding, "My dick."

Leila blinked, then let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "You're insufferable."

Makros only shrugged. "But I'm not wrong. The horse didn't make you scream the way I do."

Leila's breath hitched. "You son of a—"

She never got to finish. Makros caught her off guard, his lips pressing firmly against hers, deliberate and unyielding, stealing the rest of her words.

For a split second, she tensed, instincts screaming to shove him away, to reject the way he shared without asking. But her body betrayed her. Her fingers curled into his shirt, caught between pushing and pulling.

Then, just as suddenly as he'd kissed her, he pulled back, his smirk lazy, knowing.

"I bet you were screaming inwardly just from that kiss," he murmured, his thumb grazing her lower lip before he took her hand and led her back to the waiting car.

Leila barely registered the crunch of gravel beneath their feet. Her mind was still reeling, her lips tingling with the lingering taste of him.

She forced herself to look away as they settled into the car.

The drive was quieter this time, Leila sinking into silence, lost in thought. Makros wasn't a man of idle indulgence. Every move he made had a purpose, and she refused to let herself get swept up in it without knowing why. This wasn't real. It wasn't anything.

The car slowed to a stop on an empty stretch of road. Up ahead, another vehicle idled, its tinted windows concealing whoever was inside.

Leila's brow furrowed. "What's going on?"

Makros checked his watch, then unbuckled his seatbelt. "I have business to attend to."

She stiffened. "And you're just leaving me here?"

His lips twitched as if amused. "Only for a little while."

The door clicked open, but before stepping out, he turned to Nicolai. "Take her home."

He didn't wait for a response. In a few strides, he was already in the waiting car. The door shut behind him, and just like that, he was gone.

Leila exhaled slowly as she watched the taillights disappear into the distance.

It didn't matter where he was going. It didn't matter what he was doing.

She needed to focus on ensuring she was still in control.

Chapter Fifty Six