The Male Lead Hidden Talent

When Vivian woke up that afternoon, sunlight streamed lazily through the heavy curtains, warming the sheets tangled around her. She stretched, feeling refreshed for the first time in what felt like days. But as soon as she turned her head, she noticed the empty space beside her. Leonard was gone. Again!

A small frown tugged at her lips, but it vanished quickly. It didn't take her long to spot him. Across the room, seated at a large wooden table cluttered with papers, Leonard was working intently. He wore a plain white shirt now, sleeves rolled to his forearms, two buttons left open, giving her a glimpse of his sculpted chest and the strong lines of his collarbone.

As usual, Leonard was effortlessly magnetic. There was something about the way his brow furrowed slightly when he concentrated, the tension in his jaw, the relaxed dominance in the way he leaned back slightly in the chair, focused yet comfortable. Vivian let herself linger on him a bit longer than she should have, soaking in the sight.

Men really are most dangerous when they're serious, she thought, heart betraying her as it thudded faster. She hated how easy it was for Leonard to steal her breath away like this. No armor could defend against a man who could combine strength and elegance so naturally.

Leonard, without even looking up, spoke with that smooth, knowing tone of his. "Just yesterday, I was worried my lady might have tired of my looks, maybe even found herself a new favorite to admire."

Vivian's eyes widened slightly. Caught.

"But seeing how you're staring at me like I'm your next meal," he continued, dropping the paper he was holding onto the table with a soft rustle, "I'd say I still hold a special place in your heart." His smirk was wicked, eyes glinting with amusement as they finally met hers.

Vivian's cheeks flared red. Shameless man. She turned away, pretending to study the folds in the blanket, but there was no denying the embarrassment tightening in her chest.

It's not fair. How could she hate him and still feel this pull toward him at the same time?

Vivian reminded herself that Leonard was the man who made the original host of this body suffer, the same Leonard who, in the novel, had been the cold, unapproachable husband who neglected his wife. And yet… here he was now, teasing her like an insufferable flirt, treating her with affection that made it harder to anchor her resentment.

She had promised herself this second life would be different. Back on Earth, Despite her beauty, Arthur was the only one who ever courted and dated her and despite how much he loved her, part of her had always regretted not exploring beyond that one relationship. Her illness had clipped her wings. But here, in this new life, she wouldn't chain herself down again, not to Leonard or anyone.

Besides, they were divorced. Officially. She owed him nothing, despite how this body remembered him and how dangerously warm his attention felt.

Still, Leonard had her cornered in this house for now, but Vivian knew it couldn't last. The emperor, her uncle, would soon come looking for her. They had a public divorce to announce. Leonard wasn't bold enough to challenge the emperor, was he?

As she mulled it over, Leonard approached quietly, closing the space between them like a hunter approaching prey. His hand was warm against her cheek as he bent down to press a soft kiss there.

"What's going on in that little head of yours, my lady?" he asked softly, eyes sharp yet fond.

Vivian rolled her eyes. "I'm not little, and you know that."

"Oh, I know," Leonard chuckled, voice dropping lower as he leaned into her ear. "I measured every part of you myself last night."

Her blush deepened instantly. She shoved him lightly in the chest, scowling. "Ew! Since when did you become such a pervert?"

Leonard chuckled again, clearly enjoying how flustered she was. "I've always been one. Just never had the opportunity to display my talents." His voice was playful but edged with sincerity. "Besides, now that certain people are looking at my wife, I've realized being a gentleman isn't enough."

Before Vivian could retort, he stole a kiss from her lips, quick, teasing, yet possessive.

"You were never much of a gentleman to begin with," she muttered, remembering how cold and distant he'd once been. The frustration bubbled up again, and before she could stop herself, she bit his shoulder.

But Leonard only laughed. "That's cute," he said, as though she were a kitten trying to claw a lion.

Infuriated, Vivian started pounding weakly against his chest with her fists, but her hits didn't faze him. Instead, he smiled wider, as if watching her tantrum only fueled his amusement. His gaze softened as he took in her reddened cheeks, misty eyes, and slightly swollen lips from where she'd been biting them out of habit.

"You're adorable when you're mad," he said.

"Stop teasing me," she huffed.

Before she could pull away, Leonard's mood shifted. His playful demeanor gave way to something darker, hungrier. In a flash, he grabbed her wrists and pinned her down to the bed. His strength was absolute, and Vivian found herself breathless as his body hovered over hers.

His lips crashed into hers, this time deeper, more intense. When he finally broke the kiss, he buried his face against her neck, inhaling the scent of her skin as he left slow, lingering kisses.

"My dear wife," he whispered with a growl in his voice, "please… have mercy. I'm barely holding myself back."

Vivian blinked, stunned by the sudden heat in his words. "W-what are you talking about?" she managed, voice shaky.

He nipped lightly at her neck, his voice low and teasing. "You look like that… act like that… and you still don't know what you're doing to me?"

How is me being angry seductive? Vivian thought, mind spinning.

Leonard's control, usually rock-solid, now felt frayed at the edges. His body radiated heat as he fought to restrain himself, yet his grip on her wrists remained gentle, careful not to hurt her.

Vivian's breath came faster as she stared up at him, caught between the storm of emotions she refused to name and the undeniable pull between them.

What exactly am I getting myself into?