Page 10 of Lucas

“If I beg? I’m not some desperate woman looking for a man, and I’m not one of your whores. I’m the new VP of Gant Group. And you’re?—”

“No, you’re not one of mypartners,” he says, leaning in just enough to make me feel his presence, his voice dropping to a predatory whisper. “Because if you were, I’d take my time with you. Start slow. I’d make you ache with need before you even realized what was happening. By the time my mouth’s on you, you’d already be shaking. I’d tease every inch of you until you’re begging—until your body can’t stand it anymore, and then... I’d make you come. Again. And again.”

His eyes darken, his gaze searing into me. “I don’t stop until she’s spent, until she’s too weak to even ask for more. That’s what my women get. But you aren’t one of them, are you?”

I swallow hard, the spot between my legs throbbing.

I hate him.

Enough.

“God, you’re vulgar.”

“I’m more than vulgar, baby. I can be crude in other ways too. And I definitely know how to satisfy a woman in bed. There’s nothing I won’t do.”

I purse my lips and press my thighs together tighter.

“Based on how flushed your cheeks are and your hard nipples, you’re definitely into my crudeness.” His gaze isglued to my chest. “But if you think all it takes to close a deal is flashing some cleavage, you’ve got it all wrong. You want to play in the big leagues? That takes more than just showing off your tits.”

I cross my arms over my breasts. “You’re insufferable. I should sue you. How can anyone even negotiate with a repulsive jerk like you?” I stand, my chair scraping across the tiled floor.

Lucas remains seated, leaning back with a smug expression. “That’s your mistake, Miss Gant,” he says in a low, dangerous tone. “I had no intention of negotiating.”

Chapter Four

LUCAS

The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a stunning panorama of the glittering downtown skyline, but I barely spare it a glance. My focus is solely on the Valeur executives gathered around the long table.

“The latest updates to the Sapphire Towers project,” I announce, pulling up the revised schematics with a few deft taps. “We were able to optimize the layout and squeeze in twenty additional units. Projected profits are up by twenty million.”

I expand the 3D rendering so it fills the screens, the gleaming azure glass structure revolving slowly. Murmurs of approval ripple through the wood-paneled room as I highlight the key changes.

“Impressive work, Lucas,” Zachary, the CFO, praises. “You’ve taken this project to the next level.”

Pride suffuses my chest, but I keep my expression neutral. I incline my head in acknowledgment.

“Thank you, Zach. I’ll have more to report next month when I present the quarterly earnings. I’m confident we’ll exceed all benchmarks.” I allow myself a small smile. “That concludes today’s agenda. Meeting adjourned.”

I power down the screens, plunging the room back into the muted gray light of the afternoon. The assembled executives rise from their leather chairs, gathering up briefcases and tablets.

“Great job,” Sean says to me on his way out the door.

Zachary grins at me. “We’re glad to see you settling down.”

Settling down?

Benjamin Stone, one of the board directors, approaches me. “I think I speak for everyone when I say how delighted we are to see you’ve found a suitable partner.”

“Suitable partner?” What the hell is he talking about? What are they all talking about?

“Choosing Ava Gant is surprising given your parents’ history, but I must say, it’s a brilliant move. Combining forces with Gant Construction? Burying the hatchet with the enemy and forging an alliance? Frankly, it’s the kind of cutthroat strategic thinking we like to see from our future CEO. We’re all thrilled to see you moving away from scandals and settling down. When we discussed your candidacy to replace your father at the end of the year, there was significant concern about your ability to lead the company while you were...well, you know.” He claps a hand on my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re taking this seriously. I’m confident if you stay the course, you’ll have our full support.”

He winks and claps me on the back. “Landing a big fish like her... I’m impressed, Lucas. She’s quite the catch. Beautiful, whip-smart, and connected. I have to hand it to you. You don’t do anything by halves.”

I laugh, my mind racing.What the actual fuck?Me and Ava Gant? There’s no reality in which that frigid bitch and I would ever be a couple. I’d rather fuck a cactus.

I fish my phone from my jacket pocket and open up the tabloid article that pinged on my alerts just as I was walking into this meeting. The obnoxious headline glares up at me.