Chapter 417: Chapter 13 Evening Preparations
Lila’s POV
Zoe picked up immediately with her characteristic enthusiasm.
"My little protégé! I was just counting down the minutes until you’d call!"
"How did you know I would?" I asked with a laugh.
"Lila, I have a sixth sense about these things. Now tell me straight - when is that gorgeous inspector finally going to claim you completely?"
"You don’t beat around the bush, do you?" Her laughter echoed through the phone. "Actually, he’s picking me up after my evening law seminar and—" But Zoe cut me off before I could finish.
"Evening seminar? Forget that! I’m collecting you shortly. We have serious preparations to make for tonight. Tell that handsome detective I’ll deliver you to his penthouse at eight."
"Zoe, I can’t just—" It was pointless arguing when Zoe set her mind to something.
"Be at the Thorne building entrance soon, Lila! Got to run!" And with that, she hung up.
"But I’ll still be handling contracts when you arrive. It’s still early in the afternoon," I muttered to my silent phone.
I was still reeling from Hurricane Zoe when Ivy materialized at my desk in the Thorne Group legal department.
"Lila! Today’s the big day, huh?" Ivy’s eyes twinkled knowingly. "Pack up your case files and go meet Zoe. You’re officially off for the rest of the day. Have you told Daniel about skipping your law seminar?"
"Not yet..." I stared at her, puzzled. "How are you involved in this?"
"Zoe called me to make sure you’d follow orders," she explained with a conspiratorial smile.
"But Ivy, I can’t just walk out on work," I protested.
"Actually, you can." Caleb’s voice drifted over as he passed my desk heading toward Xavier’s office. "It’s all arranged."
"You told him?" I whispered to Ivy, feeling my face flush crimson.
"He’s my husband and Daniel’s closest ally," she whispered back like we were sharing family secrets.
"Just kill me now," I groaned, dropping my head onto my desk as Ivy laughed.
I called Daniel to explain I’d be skipping my evening seminar and that Zoe would drop me off at his penthouse by eight. Of course, he couldn’t leave it at that.
"Is everything okay, little one?" His concern was evident even through the secure line.
"Everything’s fine, she’s just helping me with something," I replied, trying to stay vague.
"What something?" he pressed with that authoritative tone that made my pulse quicken.
"Can’t you just be happy I’ll be there earlier?" I attempted to redirect the conversation, unsure how to explain Zoe’s mysterious pre-evening preparations.
"Of course I’m happy, very happy. But I’m curious. You were determined not to miss your constitutional law seminar today."
"I know," I sighed. "Look, apparently I need to prepare for tonight."
"Ah, now I understand!" Daniel’s chuckle was warm and knowing. "Tiny one, I can’t wait."
"Me neither," I admitted, smiling at his confession.
Soon after, Zoe was waiting at the Thorne building entrance, looking determined enough to orchestrate a hostile takeover.
"Ready, Lila? First stop is the exclusive boutiques, then the private spa. By tonight, that inspector won’t know what hit him." Mischief danced in her eyes.
"Zoe, I just wanted advice on what to do, how to act... You didn’t need to leave your intelligence work early for this."
"Oh, Lila! You need a complete transformation to devastate him tonight. That’s why I’m here. I’m going to make you absolutely irresistible." She laughed. "As for what to do, just relax, follow your instincts, and enjoy. If he does anything you don’t like, tell him to stop. Simple enough?"
"Not really," I sank deeper into the leather car seat.
"What’s confusing? Even being inexperienced, you understand the basic mechanics, right?" She used colorful metaphors that made me burst out laughing.
"I can’t believe you just said that!" I gasped between fits of laughter.
"I was trying to be playful to save you from embarrassment, Lila," she explained, laughing alongside me.
"Zoe, I understand the biology. What I want to know is how I should behave, what I should do."
"Oh," Zoe looked puzzled. "What do you mean exactly?"
"I’m terrified he’ll think I’m terrible and lose interest. I asked my roommate Gemma about it, and she told me to relax, that it doesn’t work like that, but I can’t stop worrying."
"I see. Lila, intimacy is incredible when you’re with someone who truly cares for you. It’s not like following a tactical manual—every couple is different. Just relax, keep an open mind, and let him guide you. Over time, you’ll discover what you both enjoy or don’t enjoy. The key is communication—tell him if something doesn’t feel right, and let him know when something feels amazing. Make sense?"
"Yes, he already told me to speak up if I don’t like something or want to stop."
"Points for the inspector! That’s excellent—he’s building trust between you. You hit the jackpot, Lila! A gorgeous, experienced man like that from one of the most powerful families... You might become addicted."
"I think I already am," I confessed with a smile. She squeezed my hand reassuringly.
"That’s wonderful, because from the way he looks at you, he’s completely captivated. That man would move heaven and earth to protect you." Her words conveyed absolute confidence.
"But I want to know what I can do to please him." I pushed further.
"You want to know how to drive him wild?"
"Yes," I admitted, feeling my cheeks warm.
"Now I understand! Let me explain a few things..." Zoe’s face lit up with excitement as she launched into detailed advice that made even me—a grown woman from a mafia family—blush to the roots of my hair.
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