Labyrinth: A Jeremiah Valeska Story *COMPLETED*

Chapter 54: The Temptation (Part 1)

Following my attack on Ecco, Jeremiah allowed me to keep him company as he worked on locating the criminal who wanted him dead. I considered this a fast improvement from him ordering me out of his sight just the day before. I sat down in a metal chair, resting my elbows on one of his large desks as I watched him map out every part of Gotham, calling fellow criminals to see if they had any information on who this hitman could be. I could tell he was getting frustrated that it was taking so long to uncover who it was that had threatened both his and my safety. He knew I was watching however, and he attempted to hold it together for my sake. He was taking deep controlled breaths, his hands clenched in fists at his side, his posture stiff. But the worst parts of me found his temper very attractive and I desperately wanted him to unleash his rage. Perhaps it was because we hadn't had sex in a very long time, but it seemed that everything he did turned me on. After a while, he noticed my longing stare and his eyes locked on me. I bit my lip, crossing my legs to dull the ache between my legs. "Lilly... What are you doing?" He asked me, but I knew that he could read me like a book. I slowly stood up from my seat and walked up to him. I stopped once I was directly in front of him and I could feel this energy drawn tight between us. The tension was unbearable as I met his wild green eyes. "It must be so incredibly frustrating running in circles... It makes your blood boil to not be in control." I said, the words dripping from my tung like honey and I saw something change in his eyes. "So that's what does it for you?... You want to see me angry?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow as he took a step closer to me. His lips were only inches from my own and I felt myself leaning in to him, a magnetic pull like gravity to Earth. "Your so fucking hot when your angry." I whispered as I stared at his red lips. He leaned in, my eyes fluttering closed as I awaited the sweet release of his kiss. "Then I guess you'll just have to sit back and watch... The last time we were about to do this, you betrayed me. This is your punishment." He whispered, his lips grazing mine with every other word. Just as I was about to lung up at him and force him to kiss me, he pulled away with a devious grin on his face. "Are you serious?" I sighed frustratedly and he crossed his arms, looking amused at how wanton I was as I stared at him incredulously. He had never denied me before. "Sorry Lilly... You've got to learn your lesson somehow." He said with a shrug and I glared at him. "Fine, whatever!" I exasperated as I stormed off. I spent the rest of the day in my room trying to figure out how to seduce my husband as I was incredibly turned on. It was as if all the months I spent without his touch built up inside me until I was completely wrecked for him. Within a hour, Jeremiah entered my room, leaning against the door frame. My jaw practically hit the floor. He had just come out of the shower, a towel covering his lower half but his sculpted chest was on full display. I could literally see water droplets trailing down his stomach and I so badly wanted to join them with my fingers. What a low blow... "I have a guest coming over later. We are all going to have dinner." He smirked as he handed a dress bag to me. "Don't worry. This one is brand new." He assured me, clearly hinting at my distaste for wearing Ecco's clothes. I was thankful and took the dress. "See you at dinner." Jeremiah winked, fully understanding that I needed him but he enjoyed torturing me. Two could play at that game. I formulated a plan for dinner, putting on the black silk dress that he had given me. I smoothed on red lipstick, and dawned a darker eyeshadow than I was normally accustomed to. I twisted my hair to lay over my left shoulder, securing my look with bobbypins. I would tempt Jeremiah just as he had tempted me until one of us broke. I couldn't loose. With a smile, I stepped into a pair of red heels and left my room. I wasn't aware that this warehouse held a dinning room but with some wandering I found it. There was a long oak table accompanied with velvet chairs. Damn even his tables had to be all dark and sophisticated. Why was that such a turn on? I willed myself to calm down as I acknowledged the people in the room. Jeremiah was shaking hands with a much shorter man. The man's hair was spiked
and his nose was sharp. Jeremiah then noticed me and he stared for a moment before he stifled a cough and forced a smile. "Welcome my love. This is Mr. Oswald Cobblepot... Also known as The Penguin." He revealed and I gasped. All throughout college I would hear news about the various crimes and murders in Gotham that gave credit to his name. "Oswald, this is my wife Lilith Valeska." Jeremiah finished reaching for my hand, which I gave to him. I was reluctant as he gave my hand to the criminal who then proceeded to kiss it. "Don't fear Ms. Valeska, I could never hurt someone as beautiful as you." He flirted and I didn't miss the slight narrowing of Jeremiah's eyes at his words. "Let's take our seats, shall we? Dinner will be in shortly." Jeremiah pressed. The penguin released my hand then hobbled over to the other side of the table and took his seat. Jeremiah took his seat on the other side of the table and they were left directly facing one another. I sat next to my husband, fearful of getting to close to the criminal just across from us. Jeremiah must have sensed my unease, or perhaps it was because I scooted my chair even closer to him, as he held my hand in his. Ecco then came in and served us our food. I noted that she kept her head down when she placed my plate in front of me. I looked down at the food before me, steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Despite my discomfort caused by the criminal across from us and the delicious food in front of me, I was only hungry for one thing. I bit on my lip as I looked to Jeremiah, but his focus was on Mr. Cobblepot. "I-um... Hope you're not still mad about the whole, trying to get money from you and stealing your core relay thing?" The man said as both a question and a statement. I wasn't knowledgeable on engineering terms but I assumed that Penguin tried to interfere with Jeremiah's plans to blow up the city. Once again, Jeremiah's eyes narrowed slightly. "Water under the bridge..." He said simply and I sucked in a breath, knowing that this wasn't going to end well. I figured that I might as well have my own fun in the situation and I let my leg graze his under the table. Jeremiah didn't let it waiver him as his eyes were glued to our guest. "I brought you here because you know what goes on in Gotham... No one makes a move that you don't know about." Jeremiah articulated his gaze growing darker. "Who wants me dead Oswald?..." Jeremiah asked his face deadpan. The Penguin began to laugh nervously and shake his head. "Jeremiah how would I-" He began but then the murderous look on Jeremiah's face sunk in. "It was Barbra! I told her not to, you know, but she insisted that Gotham would be better without you." The man rushed out, fear evident in his voice. The coward. Jeremiah gestures to Ecco before he began cutting into his meat. "Find Barbra Keen and kill her. Make it slow." He ordered and Ecco nodded before she left.