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Lumine pushed back on the quiet sense of trepidation she felt as she entered the Mahjong Parlour, the heavy doors swinging open to beckon her inside. The familiar sights and sounds of a dozen or more matches being played met her ears, but the parlour of Yujing Terrace was vastly different from the ones she had visited before in Chihu Rock. The scent of fine tobacco mixed with the gentle effervescence of expensive tea, tickling at Lumine’s senses as the door closed behind her with a weighted click. Even the clacking of the tiles as they landed on the table sounded expensive to her ears, their delicate sheen captured by the dim lighting of the candles. Made from ivory or even jade, the sets they used to play in this parlour were nothing like the plastic tiles she kept at home.
It was a place Lumine never would have visited of her own volition, and yet here she was, weeding her way through the tables in search of the two women that had simply begged for her to join them.
Damn Ningguang and Yelan, where were they?
Lumine could feel sly eyes on her as she weeded her way through the occupied tables, and she nervously pulled at the skirt of her white qipao. It was such a pretty white dress, beautiful in its simple silhouette, but it had been one of those spur of the moment purchases she was quickly coming to regret. A lace flower decorated the silk halter, holding up the sweetheart neckline. Slim fitting across the curves of her body, it was the sides of the dress that made her all the more conscious of her predicament– despite the little white shift she wore beneath the qipao, broad parts of her upper thighs were exposed between the threaded ribbons that laced the dress together at the open seams.
Far too daring a choice for any of her usual haunts, she had figured a night on the town would have been her only chance to wear it, though she knew she’d feel far more confident if she could only find her friends.
“Come on guys, where are you?” She murmured to herself, half tempted to turn around and head back to the entrance.
Nervous energy getting the better of her, she fished her phone out of her clutch and opened their group chat, hoping to see a message on their whereabouts.
Nothing.
I’m at the parlour. Are you here yet? She typed out as she hovered between the tables.
Lumine’s feet were already starting to ache from the heels she had decided to wear. She wanted a seat, she wanted a drink, and she wanted to find her friends before the whole night ended up a bust.
Deciding to head back to the reception of the parlour to wait, she spun on the spot and almost face planted herself into a man's chest. A firm hand wrapped around her wrist as she stumbled backwards, holding her upright and saving her from an embarrassing tumble.
“Ah, I’m so sorry!” Lumine apologised quickly, taking a step back.
Her mouth dropped open as she stared up at the fellow that she had clumsily fallen into. Deep blue eyes stared back at her from underneath a mop of unruly ginger hair, a wide smile split across his lips. Everything about him was relaxed and genial, and from a distance she might have found him rather handsome with his boyish charm.
Boyish charm that might have seemed genuine, if he would only let go of her wrist.
“Hey, no need to apologise,” He shook his head, locks of red hair falling to frame his face in a fashionable tussle. She blinked, surprised by his accent. Was it Snezhnayan?
“Still,” Lumine gave him a weary smile as she lightly tugged at her wrist, “It was my mistake. I should have looked where I was going.”
“Well, if you’d like to make it up to me,” He laughed lightly, “You could start by telling me your name.”
Lumine chewed on her lower lip as she considered his request, a sense of unease pooling in the pit of her stomach as she watched his blue eyes blatantly run up and down her figure. His thumb swiped back and forth against the inside of her wrist in what would have been a comforting gesture, but it only made Lumine more concerned for the situation she had found herself in.
“It’s Lumine,” She answered hesitantly as she tried to discreetly scan the room for an escape.
“A beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” He complimented, “It’s lovely to meet you, Lumine. I’m Ajax.”
“Well it is nice to meet you, Ajax, but I really have to g–”
“Y’know, I only just arrived in Liyue, and I’m still learning about what the locals do for fun around here. I’m still a little confused about how this Mahjong game is played.”
Lumine tried to hold her smile steady as she took another discreet step back, “Some parlours have tables set up to help teach novices how to play. Maybe you should start there.”
Something glittered in his deep blue eyes. Something hungry, predatory. A shiver passed through Lumine’s spine at the sight, every nerve set on edge as she listened to the clear intent in his next words.
“Come on girlie, a foreigner like me needs a little personal tutoring. Won’t you help me out?”
Lumine swallowed down the beginnings of panic, glancing around the parlour for any signs of her friends, an attendee, anything . No one seemed to care about the two of them, distracted by their games and their drinks, and she could not see the hide or hair of either Ningguang or Yelan.
Just as she began to formulate the best way to land a knee in Ajax’s groin hard enough to make her escape, her eyes were drawn to the cordoned off area towards the back of the parlour. The small section was set upon a raised platform, only a few tables set within it as attendees flitted between them to serve alcohol and cigars to the guests. It was likely the VIP area of the parlour, where expensive gambles were met with expensive libations. Richly dressed men and women filled the space, ignorant to the going ons outside of their domain.
All, except for one.
Darkly dressed, the man almost blended in with his surroundings, yet his amber eyes almost seemed to glow under the gentle warmth of the candlelight, the merry wick reflected in his gaze as he silently observed her from across the room. Long fingers circled the edges of his crystal glass before he raised it to his mouth, watching her from over the rim.
Lumine’s eyes widened as she silently pleaded with the man, the insistent tug at her wrist almost pulling her away. In one last ditch effort, she mouthed the words ‘help me’ and prayed that she wasn’t about to start a scene.
The man set his glass down with measured grace, his lips curving into a small smile. His eyes returned to his game, moving to pick up another tile for his hand.
Lumine’s hope dissipated like a bucket of water tipped over her head. Her lips curled into a scowl as she readied herself for a quick and dirty exit, hoping that she would be able to gain enough speed in her heels before things got messy.
She turned towards Ajax, a false smile plastered on her lips-
“Ah- qīn ài de , there you are,” The man's voice rang out from across the room as he stood from the table, drawing the surprise of his opponents.
The tension in Ajax’s grip fell slack, and Lumine quickly snatched her wrist back from him as his attention was directed towards the man descending from the platform to make his way towards them.
In a single moment, it felt like the whole world fell still for this man. Tall and elegantly dressed in a finely tailored brown suit, he commanded the attention of every person within the parlour. The sounds of laughter dulled, the clack of tiles dissipating. Lumine held her breath, and so did everyone else.
“Sweetheart, I was afraid you’d gotten lost, but I see you were simply waylaid by this young gentleman,” He said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.
She let out a shocked gasp as he plucked up her hand, bringing it up to brush his lips across her knuckles. Those captivating eyes peered at her from beneath enviously dark lashes, a hundred words unspoken in his gaze. Yet Lumine did not feel afraid, for there was a warmth to this man, a gentle smile and soft brows that peaked through the ends of his dark hair.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” She played along as she gave him a grateful smile, “This is Ajax, he’s a tourist in Liyue.”
“Zhongli,” Her saviour said in greeting, “Welcome to Liyue, young master.”
Ajax shook Zhongli’s hand with a flinty smile, the blue ocean of his eyes having turned almost glacial. Taking the opportunity presented to her, Lumine shuffled over to Zhongli’s side, determined to put as much space between herself and the Snezhnayan man as possible.
Zhongli’s hand settled on the curve of her waist, gentle pressure bringing her closer to his body.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. Miss Lumine was actually just offering to show me how to play Mahjong, if you don’t mind lending her to me.”
Offering! Lumine inwardly scoffed at the thought.
Zhongli laughed softly, the rich sound plucking at something within Lumine’s core, “I must apologise, but I am in the middle of a match myself and I will need my lucky star with me to help turn the favour. Another time, perhaps?”
“You can’t win a game without me, can you, dear?” Lumine simpered, laying it on thick with such ease that she surprised even herself.
Her saviour spared her a sideways glance, his brow quirked upwards at her daring behaviour.
“I’ll have to hold you to that,” Ajax chuffed, his voice a cheery dismissal as his hands twisted into tight fists, “Catch you later, Lumine.”
Lumine bit back a grimace as she gave the young man a wave goodbye, feeling awash with relief as Zhongli began to turn her away with him. She dared not look back as she walked in step with him, the heat of his palm at the small of her back driving her forward.
“Thank you for saving me back there,” Lumine sighed as the tension left her body, “I was afraid I was going to have to cause a scene.”
She heard him chuckle lightly as he led her up the stairs and towards the game he had abruptly left, “Do not thank me yet, my dear. Your little Snezhnayan friend is still watching.”
Lumine tried to peer back of her shoulder as subtly as she could, the glimpse of red hair she saw in the corner of her vision enough to confirm Zhongli’s words. She chewed on her bottom lip as she contemplated her next moves, when Zhongli seated himself back down, his hand proffered towards her.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Lumine took the offer and let him pull her close. With more finesse than she possessed in her entire body, Zhongli manoeuvred her to stand between his legs, his free hand patting the expanse of his left thigh. She blinked, looking down into his face for any sign of his intent, but he only met her with that placid smile of his.
Ignoring the fluttering sensation in her belly, Lumine turned to the side and settled herself on his lap. The warmth of his body suffused through her as he pulled her in closer, lifting the hand he still held up to brush his mouth across her knuckles once more, putting on the act of an enamoured lover to perfection.
Lumine felt her cheeks begin to burn.
“You’ll have to excuse me, my friends,” Zhongli finally addressed the other people at the table, “Miss Lumine will be joining us for the rest of our game. I hope you won’t object to me having a second pair of eyes on the tiles.”
The young man opposite them, with dark hair streaked with teal, rolled his eyes at Zhongli’s appeasements, while the woman dressed in pale blues gave her a timid little wave.
Their fourth player, an old woman who stood out in stark contrast to the rest of them, merely cackled to herself in response.
“I’ll have you losing before she can even give you a second opinion, Master Zhongli,” She said, skin wrinkling around her mischievous eyes.
“Can we just get back to the game now? We can’t be here all night,” The man huffed, his arms folding over his chest.
“My apologies, Xiao. Let us continue,” Zhongli said as he picked up a bamboo tile and discarded it to the centre of the table.
“O-oh! Pung!” The blue haired woman exclaimed, picking the tile up and revealing her three of a kind.
Lumine watched silently as they played, feeling like an unfortunate bystander intruding in their game. She quickly learnt their names as they conversed with each other - the young woman was Ganyu, and it sounded like she worked in government. Other than Xiao, who seemed to be the silent and deadly type, there was Ping, who’s snark seemed to match only her age. They all appeared so vastly different from each other, and yet they exuded a sense of exorbitant wealth that left Lumine feeling vastly inferior. From the clothes they wore to the bottle of aged whiskey that sat to the side, she imagined more mora had passed between their hands in one night than she’d ever seen in her bank account.
The thought alone had her tugging unconsciously at her dress, what she had once thought of as fine silk feeling like sandpaper in comparison. Her eyes had wavered, trying to spot if Ajax was still loitering in the parlour, when she felt Zhongli’s hand cover her own. He gently pried her grip from her qipao, his fingers massaging the spaces between her knuckles, back and forth.
Something unfurled inside of her under the weight of his attention. Warmth pooled in her belly, responding to his heat, to the way he held her hand. The fine hairs on the back of her neck rose at the sound of his laughter, his deep voice doing things to her that she abjectly tried to ignore.
This was silly, she thought. She couldn’t shirk off one stranger’s attentions only to fall into the hands of another, surely! She should just… just focus on the mahjong!
Zhongli went to pick up his single mora tile, and Lumine stiffened in his lap as she realised what he was planning to do.
“No?” He queried, his hand still hovering over the piece.
Lumine chewed on her lower lip, considering her next words carefully.
Her fingers combed through the hair framing his face, hooking the soft strands behind the shell of his ear. Leaning in a little closer, she whispered, “Miss Ganyu hasn’t discarded a single mora tile in this entire game. If you give up that tile, she will likely poach it.”
The tip of his nose traced the softness of her cheek, the warmth of his breath casting a flush upon her skin, “A defensive stance, I see… But I would also risk my own opportunity to take a more offensive position. Are you sure?”
Goose flesh broke out across the bare skin of her arms as Lumine felt his fingers trace the crease of her hip, slipping under twined lace to smooth over fine silk. She could feel his heat through the material, the warmth of his thighs beneath her, the brand of his palm against her hip. Some part of her brain fired off a warning, reminding her that provoking a sleeping dragon was never a good idea.
But Lumine had never been one to back down before, and she certainly wasn’t planning to start now.
“I’m sure,” She stayed firm.
A challenge flashed in his amber eyes.
“Shall I propose a little contract between ourselves then?” Zhongli suggested, his gaze dropping to her lips, “If you prove yourself to be my lucky star tonight, I’ll grant you a little reward, hm? But I’ll need to win all four rounds for your fortunes to prove fruitful.”
“And if you lose a round?” Lumine asked, feeling breathless.
“If I lose a round, then you will have to repay me for my kindness earlier,” He purred.
A shiver raced down her spine. She knew what he was offering, and knew how dangerous this game could be. But the temptation tasted sweet upon her tongue, words spilling forth before she had realised she had even begun to speak.
“You have a deal, Master Zhongli.”
“Excellent,” Zhongli smiled, tipping back the last dregs of his whiskey before turning his stunning eyes back to her, “So what will be my next play, qīn ài de ?”
Lumine flushed at the endearment as she eyed Zhongli’s hand. With one pung laid flat on the table and another still concealed, the rest of his hand was half way formed to a winning set. Close, but not close enough.
And discarding his mora tile might end the game altogether.
“This one,” She said, tapping the top of the number tile.
“As you wish,” He murmured into her ear, reaching to discard it to the centre of the table.
No one called. The game continued.
Success.
Lumine gave her input as requested, watching as Zhongli’s hand formed with such ease it almost felt like the game was playing tricks on her. Before long, she heard his voice call out sik wu as he folded his winning hand flat on the table.
And then it happened again, and again. By the fourth game Lumine felt the gambler’s high race through her body, staring down at Zhongli’s starting hand. She counted the individual dragons in hand, and the pair of north winds. Giddiness filled her as she planned her attack, the idea that she could win this silly little bet just seemed too easy.
“Do not get ahead of yourself,” He laughed lightly as she plucked up one of his bamboo tiles and discarded it for him, “This is a game of both skill and luck. One can measure their skill, but their luck is left in the hands of Celestia.”
She felt the heat of his breath against the back of her neck, his words spoken so intimately close she almost felt them pressed to her skin.
Greed was a funny thing. It was easy for Lumine to set up his hand, calling as the green dragon tile was discarded by Ping, completing her triplet. She aimed for a hand filled with winds and dragons, discarding all other tiles easily.
Just one more tile. That was all she needed and–
“Sik wu,” Xiao’s dispassionate voice cut through Lumine’s euphoria, shock settling in as she watched him lay his hand flat.
But how? She stared down at Zhongli’s hand, one tile away from a winning hand. Realisation sunk in that she had lost the match, her cockiness having gotten the better of her that she had scarcely paid attention to the moves of the other players.
“Congratulations, Xiao,” Zhongli spoke, his hand slowly curling over her thigh in a quiet declaration.
She had lost.
One fell swoop, and she had lost.
And yet, underneath the disappointment, her competitive side smarting from the failure, a thread of excitement tugged at her core. Curiosity sparked– thoughts of her friends, of Ajax, of the game before them forgotten as she wondered to herself, what came next?
Pleasantries passed between the old friends as they wrapped up their game, chips cashed in for mora. Despite the sizable winnings Zhongli returned with, it had not been the money that their little contract had been set on. The other three turned to leave, the hour drawing late.
“Next time, my friends,” Zhongli bid them farewell as they left the parlour behind, and Lumine tried to ignore the knowing look on Ping’s mischievous face.
“It was lovely to meet you all,” She waved, receiving similar words of goodbye.
She watched as the group dissipated, the chill of the late night breeze curling over the skin of her bare arms. Zhongli stood by her side, silent and still like stone itself. The anticipation still lingered, static electricity fissured through the air.
“My apartment is not far from here, if you’d care to join me,” He said lightly.
Lumine turned towards him, seeing the sincerity in his expression. The offer to decline was there, if she wanted, but if she didn’t…
Lumine had never felt a thrill like it.
Taking his hand, she tried to give him her best attempt at bedroom eyes. His eyebrows rose, chest expanding with a quick intake of breath. His fingers wound through hers, a confirmation of their contract.
“Well then, follow me.”
Lumine didn’t even think to check her phone as she left with the man that had enamoured her so easily, letting him lead her through the backstreets of Yujing Terrace. True to his word, it was only a matter of minutes before he pulled her towards an apartment tower that screamed of opulence and wealth. It even had a doorman to greet them as they entered, the concierge calling the elevator for their arrival.
In short, totally different from Lumine’s more ‘hands-off’ apartment complex.
She barely registered the idle chatting Zhongli kept up, her heart beating heavily in her chest as she watched the elevator numbers climb up until they reached one of the highest floors.
Lumine could see piles of golden mora filling a bathtub, no, a pool, in her mind’s eye. Surely this man could have anyone he wanted, and somehow, she had caught his eye?
He let go of her hand only to unlock the door to his apartment, ushering her inside. It was open plan, with a full kitchen running down one side and a comfortable lounge area set along the other. Decorated in shades of red and warm brown, the apartment matched the owner to a tee.
She heard the door click behind her, the swish of the lock turning into place. A warm hand on her shoulder, turning her, begging for her attention.
And Lumine let herself fall.
Caged against the door, Zhongli claimed her mouth with a passionate kiss. With her head cradled within his hands, Lumine began to experience a side of him that she had only glimpsed during the throws of his Mahjong game, a hungry man who wanted nothing more than to claim his reward.
Gentle thumbs massaged her jawline as he suckled at her lower lip, pulling her further into the roiling waves of desire. He groaned softly into her mouth when their tongues brushed together, his fingers curling against the base of her skull. Lumine had never heard anything like it, had never experienced the thrill it sent through her entire body.
She wanted to hear it again. And again. And again.
“Mmh… Lumine,” His deep voice hummed against her lips before he kissed her once more. “How do you wish to repay me, hm?”
“Anything you want,” She mewled back, her mind slipping into distraction as his thigh forced her legs to part. White silk crinkled as the skirt of her qipao was pushed up, her pelvis tilting forward in a plea for more pressure.
“Anything?”
“Anything,” She repeated.
Her head dropped back against the door with a thud, leaving the expanse of her throat exposed to his wandering mouth. Zhongli’s tongue curled across her skin, leaving a wet path that turned to a chill as his breath fanned over it. Soft, languid, like he had all the time in the world. She writhed against his thigh when his teeth tugged playfully at the collar of her dress, the blunt sensation sending fissures of pleasure through her.
His fingers traced the edge of her bodice, teasing her soft skin until she felt her nipples peaking against the thick fabric. She wanted nothing more than for him to take her clothing off, to take his clothing off. With that marvellous thought in mind, Lumine attacked the little buttons of his shirt, plucking at them until she caught a glimpse of the marble skin that lay beneath.
His suit jacket dropped to the floor, his cufflinks torn off before his shirt met the same fate. Lumine’s heart raced as her hands greedily mapped out his torso.
Dear Archons, the man was a work of art. Every inch of him looked like it had been made for her eyes alone, from the heavy set of his shoulders to the shape of his pectorals, down the defined muscles of his abdomen. Her hands plastered themselves against his skin, a jolt racing through her each time she felt his muscles contract beneath her palms.
It made Lumine feel utterly soft in comparison.
A whimper of dismay left her as Zhongli drew away, the chill of his apartment smarting against the dampness he had left on her skin. He stepped backwards until his heel hit the base of the lounge chair, time seeming to slow as he sat down, leaning back into the soft cushions with his legs spread wide.
His index finger tapped rhythmically against the chair’s arm, counting the seconds that passed as she stood before him.
“Down on your knees.”
Her legs buckled beneath her, and she dropped to the floor.
“Come closer, now,” Zhongli murmured. Her fingertips met the plush carpet as she crawled towards him, nails digging deep as a newfound feeling began to well up inside of her, sparked by his quiet commands.
Pausing when she found herself a space between his thighs, she sat back and looked up at him, taking in the way he rested his chin on a raised fist, his dark eyes shuttered as he stared right back. All the while, his index finger continued to tap… tap… tap…
“Well?”
Kneeling between his legs like this, Lumine sensed something incredibly powerful within him. He was almost languid in the way he reclined into his seat, the low light of the room glancing off the crests and divots of his torso, shifting with every breath he took. Her own hands trembled as she smoothed them over his thighs, feeling expensive wool and powerful muscles beneath her fingertips.
And all the while, his amber eyes did not waver. They did not close. They watched her, curious, the sparkling embers of desire reflected back at her.
This man could rule the world and she wouldn’t even know it.
The thought alone had her squirming in her seat, her core growing damp in her excitement.
Her hands found the buckle of his belt, felt the firmness of his arousal against the bend of her wrist.
“Look at you..,” He murmured so quietly she barely heard it over the sound of her own pulse, rushing through her veins. “My little lucky star.”
“Not so lucky,” Her own voice distant to her ears, “You lost the last round.”
“That may be true, but there was a prize far more valuable than a simple mahjong game that caught my eye.”
Her fingers trembled as she began to unbuckle his belt, threading the leather band loose before she moved to the zipper of his trousers. Her heart raced away in her chest, the adrenaline spiking.
She gasped as she felt Zhongli’s fingers traced along the curve of her cheek, sweeping back the lengths of her blonde hair behind her ear. He moved down along her jaw until her chin was perched on the crook of his finger, his thumb pressing down on kiss bruised lips.
“You’ll be a good girl for me, won’t you?”
Her lips parted, the tip of her tongue brushing against the pad of his thumb. Words that hardly felt like her own spilled from her, unbidden.
“Yes, sir.”
His trousers fell slack, her fingers curling into the waistband of his briefs, pulling them down with such aching slowness she saw a glimmer of frustration bloom in his expression. But desire won out as she revealed each inch of his erection, her heart racing in her chest as she took in his sheer size. Anxieties were pushed aside by her hunger as she wrapped her hand around the base, giving him a few measured strokes before she shuffled forward until her shoulders were pressed to his inner thighs.
Lumine gazed up into his face, hyperfocused on the minute ways he reacted. The way the corners of his eyes creased as she kissed the flushed head of his cock, the furrow of his brow as her tongue flicked kittenish licks down his length. The way his lips parted, ever so slightly, a soft breath caught in his throat as she took him into the shallows of her mouth, her fingers teasing the soft skin of his testicles.
He swallowed heavily, a huff of pleasure rumbling through his chest, and Lumine found herself emboldened to push him further. She willed her jaw to relax, focusing on the silken feel of his cock on her tongue as she took him as deep as she could comfortably manage, her hand working the parts she could not swallow.
The palm of his hand cupped the back of her head, fingers carding through her hair as he guided the pace she took. Her tongue swirled around his length as she made her way back up, teasing the little slit when she gently suckled on the head of his cock. Zhongli’s stomach contracted, a groan of pleasure ringing through her ears.
Her core throbbed from the sound, clenching around nothing. She couldn’t take it, the burning was too much.
She bowed her head, taking him to the back of her throat. She tried to stymie her body’s reaction to gag, breathing heavily through her nose as her own saliva ran slick down his length. She could feel the thick vein that ran along the base of his cock throbbing against her tongue, counting his fluttering pulse. Her jaw ached, her eyes watered, but as her cheeks hollowed out to match the strokes of her hand, his moans grew louder and louder.
Zhongli’s fingers suddenly coiled tight, her scalp stinging as he wrenched her off of his cock. Lumine gasped for air as she stared up at him, oxygen racing back into her lungs and leaving her lightheaded.
She barely had a moment to react before his hands hooked under her arms, hauling her up onto his lap and lurching forward to capture her mouth in a depraved kiss. She whimpered as his tongue glided over her chin, capturing the slick that glistened on her skin. Lumine was certain she was about to combust on the spot, and he’d barely even touched her.
“Zhongli!” She squeaked when she felt the ribbons of her dress being pulled taut by his questing fingers.
“Take the dress off before I do it myself,” He said, the words a dark promise that sent a thrill down her spine.
Her hands trembled as she struggled to undo the ties behind her neck, Zhongli’s hands working to ruck the skirts of her dress up over her hips. Her qipao met the same dismal fate as his shirt, crumpling into a pile on the carpet and leaving her bare to the elements.
His hands came up to palm her bare breasts, his sinful mouth closing over one of her nipples. Lumine shivered as he suckled, her hips rocking as her body cried out for more sensations, more of everything. The soaked material of her panties clung to the contours of her sex as she ground down against his naked erection, doing little to dull the sensations as she felt the head of his cock rub back and forth over her clit.
She reached down, her fingers hooking the seat of her panties to the side. Her back arched, he was so close. The sensation of skin gliding against skin had her muscles tensing in anticipation, all she needed to do was sink down–!
“Get up,” He demanded, his amber eyes blazing with desire.
Lumine squirmed, the bratty side of her she hadn’t known existed wishing to refute his command, to push his buttons until he snapped. But his teeth nipped at her shoulder as his hands forced her hips away until she was hovering obstinately over his lap, and she finally drew herself back up onto shaky legs.
Zhongli guided her to the opposite wall of his living room, where a beautifully framed mirror leaned against the wall. The mirror was taller than her, displaying the entirety of her nude body to her eyes. Instinctively, her hands came up to cover her breasts, realisation hitting as she saw every imperfection on full display.
“Hands on the mirror.”
“What?” She squeaked, her head whipping to the side to gape up at him.
Zhongli gripped her chin between his forefinger and his thumb, holding her gaze as he repeated himself in that deep, bone rattling drawl of his. “I want your hands on the mirror, understand?”
Her head dipped in a little nod of assent, nerves overlaid by the heat wicking through her entire body. He withdrew from her, and Lumine turned towards the mirror once more. Her hands trembled as she reached out, the cold surface of the mirror causing her to flinch as she spread her palms flat against it. Unable to stand the sight of the embarrassed flush spreading down her neck and chest, Lumine stared at the carpeted floor and waited with bated breath for Zhongli’s next action.
Goosebumps prickled across her skin as one hand cupped her breast, kneading the warm flesh and plucking at her nipple until it peaked. The other found the space between her shoulder blades, pushing her body down into an arch. She heard the shuffling sound of fabric, the quiet thud as his trousers dropped to the floor. Her heart skipped a beat when the tip of his finger traced the edge of her panties, dragging the lacy material down over the curve of her ass with such slowness that had her whimpering.
“Zhongli, please,” She whispered to the ground, her back arching deeper in a silent request.
He huffed out another laugh, the sound causing her core to throb in anticipation.
“Needy little thing, aren’t you?”
Both hands landed on her bottom, giving her cheeks a cheeky little squeeze before he finally pushed her underwear down her thighs, gravity taking them the rest of the way to the floor. Lumine swallowed heavily as she weedled one foot out, the edges catching on the tip of her stiletto. Trying to get the other foot out was a lost cause entirely, embarrassment bringing her blush back to a bright burn on her skin.
Zhongli’s hands found purchase on her hips, stilling her movements. She bit back a gasp as she felt the heat of him draw close, felt the changing pressure as he settled his entire length against the seam of her sex.
Her greedy eyes peered down the slope of her body, watching as the head of his cock spread apart her labia, glistening with her arousal as he rocked leisurely back and forth. Spooling tension cried out for her to spread her legs a little further, a little wider, the titillating sensations enough to drive her to madness.
Gods, if he kept this up she would surely combust from the suspense alone.
“Look at me, qīn ài de ,” He commanded softly, his hand wrapping around her neck to draw her attention upwards.
She found the reflection of her own golden eyes, half mast and hazy with lust, the sight of her debauched appearance brightening the redness of her cheeks. But she did not linger long, as the knuckle of his index finger traced her jawline, silently requesting her attention.
Lumine swallowed heavily as she turned her gaze towards him, the banked fire in Zhongli’s amber eyes tempting her to jump into the flames just to see if she got burned.
“I want you to watch me as I fuck you, Lumine . Do not close your eyes, do not hide away from the pleasure. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” She whispered, her voice trembling with anticipation.
“Good, good, ” He laughed, and warmth flooded through her body at the sound, “Then I shall fulfil my end of the contract.”
She felt it then, the mushroomed tip of his cock sitting at her entrance, an insistent pressure that called for her to move. But Zhongli made no moves himself, his hands simply kneading at her waist as he waited, and waited.
She couldn’t take it anymore!
Lumine could not bite back the moan that bubbled up inside of her as she sank back onto his cock, the sinful stretch of her body accommodating him enough to make her swoon. He murmured his praise to deaf ears, strong arms wrapping around her waist to hold her close. The sharp little love bites sucked onto her shoulder stung as she slowly undulated against him, working her up too quickly.
The spring inside her had become so tightly coiled that it only took a few moments for the heavy grind of his erection to send her over the edge, her core fluttering around him. But the pleasure offered her little relief, her body still burning for more.
And so did he.
“My turn.”
With a sound that she could only describe as a growl, Zhongli hauled her hips back as he thrust into her. The sound of skin slapping against skin echoed through his apartment, and Lumine cried out at the sensation.
His chest pressed down on her sweat slicked back, bending her into an even deeper arch. Hungry kisses marked along her jaw to her ear, he murmured dirty words of praise to her, dragging her down deeper and deeper until all she could do was submit herself to the pleasure.
Lumine struggled to keep her grip on the mirror, her sweaty palms slipping on the surface as each thrust rocked her entire body. She stared at her own reflection, cheeks flushed red as each gasping breath left her in a fluttery moan. The way her breasts swayed, the way his greedy hand followed the contours of her body until his fingers met the slick flesh between her thighs, stimulating her clit in a way that nearly left her sobbing.
“That’s it,” Zhongli hissed as the coil snapped once more, her entire body turning rigid in his arms, “Look at how beautiful you are when you come.”
His amber eyes almost seemed to glow as he watched her tremble through the throws of her orgasm, the edge of white teeth glistening in the candlelight as he snarled into her ear.
“Let me see it again. Come for me one more time.”
He gave her no reprieve as he resumed, stirring up the embers of desire as he began to move once more. Lumine wailed out his name as he teased, pulled and plucked at her body, the pleasure bordering on pain. Every nerve, every muscle pulsed as he took from her overstimulated body, the wet sounds of their depravity echoing through the room. His thrusts became ragged, sharper, more demanding.
The peak felt impossibly close and yet so far away, a fence she could not climb over. Her moans matched the sound of Zhongli’s harsh, panting breaths, both lost in the throws of drugging ectsacy.
“I can’t, I can’t–” She gasped, her head falling back against his shoulder.
“You can. ”
Lumine caved at his command, stars sparkling in her vision as the euphoria threatened to overwhelm her. Her core clenched down on his length like a vice, the white noise ringing in her ears nearly blocking out the sound of Zhongli’s pleasured moan as he found his own release, the heat of it flooding through her body.
Her climax continued to ebb on, pulling at the last dregs of that fire Zhongli had stoked within her, leaving her wired as little waves of pleasure continued to race through her while he twitched and rocked against her.
Lumine sagged against the glass in exhaustion, fine tremors passing through her limbs as she struggled to keep herself upright. Her entire body ached from the aftershocks, draining what little energy she had left until even holding her head up felt like too much effort. If it weren’t for Zhongli’s hands supporting her belly, Lumine was fairly certain she would have already collapsed into a heap on the floor.
His hot breath fanned across her shoulder blades as he caught his breath, his hips still undulating against her as his cock softened and slipped from her body.
“Hold on, sweetheart,” He whispered one last command, and Lumine drew on her last strength to remain standing as he kissed a path down her spine.
Zhongli lowered himself to his knees behind her, nipping at the round cheek of her bottom as his hands worked themselves down the quivering muscles of her thighs and calves. With a meticulousness that felt out of place within the haze of her afterglow, she felt him pull the straps of her heels loose, freeing her aching feet from their cage. One at a time, he cradled the soles of her feet until she was curling her toes within the plush carpet, relief she didn’t know she needed making her moan out loud.
“If only I had known taking your shoes off would make you moan like that for me,” He chuckled to himself, still nuzzling against the backs of her thighs.
He straightened up, his arms looping around her knees and shoulders to lift her effortlessly into his arms. Lumine sank into his embrace, her tired hands toying with the ends of his hair as he brought her to his bedroom. Zhongli lowered her to the mattress, his fingers sweeping back the locks of tangled hair from her face.
She grumbled when he left her there, only to return a moment later with a damp washcloth. He wiped her down, the cloth blessedly cool as he tended to the swollen folds of her sex. Lumine nearly fell asleep under his attention, the sweet words he hummed softly like a lullaby to her pleasure-addled mind.
Perhaps she did doze off, because when she next opened her eyes it was to the sensation of the duvet being pulled over her, Zhongli’s warmth settling into the space beside her. His arm found the dip in her waist, pulling her in until they were skin to skin once more.
Lumine traced the shape of his face with the back of her fingers, memorising the way he looked at her now. Thoughts of her friends and the mess that had been her evening were a long distant memory as she marvelled at what was in front of her. How had the fates decided that she would end up in the arms of this beautiful man?
When he took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, Lumine felt those little, tiny butterflies begin to flutter their wings once more. He kissed her knuckles, softly, sweetly, and something inside of her compelled her to admit the truth.
“I’ve never done anything like this before,” She whispered, her words almost swallowed by the silence.
“Done what?” He asked back, just as softly.
“Had a one night stand. I’ve never… I’ve never wanted to, before.”
Something in his eyes sparkled at her admission. Slowly, he turned her hand in his, nuzzling against the base of her palm until her fingers slowly unfurled. It was there that he placed another soft kiss, directly to the centre of her palm.
“And who,” He murmured against her skin, “Ever said this would be a one night stand?”
“It isn’t?”
“Only the most tragic of fools would find their lucky star, only to let them go,” He smiled, “That is, if she would like to stay, of course.”
Lumine knew so little about this man. She didn’t know anything about his likes or dislikes, what he did for work, anything about his life. All she knew was what her gut was telling her - that he was a good man.
And he loved Mahjong.
“I think she would,” She smiled back.
—
Bzzzz
Bzzzz
Bzzzz!
Lumine groaned miserably as the sound continued, jarring her out of her sleep. Trying to hold onto the last threads of sleep, she buried her head deeper into the luxuriantly soft pillows, her elbow hooking the duvet up over her head.
Her phone stopped buzzing, and Lumine let herself sigh in relief. Now half awake, the aches and pains in her body became more pronounced, the memories of last night coming straight to the fore.
Unbidden, Lumine’s cheeks began to burn at the thought.
“Your friends are quite persistent,” Zhongli’s voice broke through her musings. “That’s the seventh time they’ve called in the last forty minutes. Perhaps it would be best to call them back and let them know that you are fine.”
Rolling onto her back, Lumine peeked over the edge of the duvet to find Zhongli leaning against the doorframe, a steaming cup cradled in his hand. His physique was even more beautiful when backlit by the glow of the morning sun, her guilty eyes dropping to the fluffy white towel wrapped around his waist.
Her core ached, muscles smarting from overuse, and yet…
Lumine caught the fire in his amber eyes.
She reached for her phone, not bothering to read over the panicked messages as she sent one through to the chat.
Don’t worry guys, I’m fine. I actually won big last night, will tell you about it later.