Page 106 of Lucas

I watch her go, already missing her warmth, the feel of her soft curves against me.

I know I made the right choice, though, even as my body screams in protest. If I want a real chance with her, I have to prove I’m not the man she thinks I am.

I have to prove I’ve changed, that I’m worthy of her trust, her heart.

Even if it means denying myself the pleasure of her body, the ecstasy of losing myself in her heat.

“Can I ride with you to the office?” she asks as we reach the cars, the morning sun glinting off the polished metal. “Where’s Kaia?”

I freeze in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat. I offer her a ride every morning, and she always refuses. Hope blooms in my chest, warm and effervescent.

“Kaia left earlier. She caught a ride with someone fromthe team. Why do you want to join me? Ah, admit it, you’re in love with my car.” The Jaguar is back from the shop, gleaming in the front driveway.

“No, I just have a few important things to do on the way, and I prefer not to drive.”

She looks troubled, not even bothering to rib me like usual, despite the perfect opportunity I gave her. “Is it something I can help with?” I ask, studying her face for clues.

She narrows her eyes. “Can you get me the Pearl Garden project?”

I open the car door for her, and she slides in, her skirt riding up to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of her thigh.

I slip into the driver’s seat and start the engine, savoring the powerful purr for a moment. I missed this car. She may not love it, but I sure as hell do.

“Actually, yes. I can.” I shift into gear and pull out of the parking lot, the tires crunching on the gravel.

“Really?” She places her hand on my arm, her fingers warm through the fabric of my suit jacket.

“But why would I do that, Wifey?” I arch an eyebrow, the corner of my mouth lifting in a half-smile.

“God, I forgot for a second what an insufferable ass you are. Let me guess, you want a blowjob in exchange?” Anger sparks in her green eyes, turning them into chips of jade.

I grin. There she is, my feisty spitfire with the smart mouth I want to silence with my own. She’s fucking glorious when she’s pissed off.

She reaches for my belt buckle, her fingers fumbling with the clasp.

“What are you doing?” I grab her wrist, stopping her. She can’t be serious.

“What you wanted, right? You want a blowjob, so let’s get it over with.” She wrenches free of my grip and tries to undo my pants again, her movements jerky and rushed.

“Get it over with?” I slam on the brakes, and the car screeches to a halt, throwing us both forward.

Ava stares at me, eyes wide. “Are you trying to kill us?”

I scrub a hand over my face and exhale, trying to rein in my temper. “I knew you thought badly of me, but I didn’t realize how much.”

Fuck, that hurts.

It really fucking hurts.

I’m in love with her, and she thinks I’m scum. It’s not just a joke or teasing banter. She genuinely believes I’m a real bastard.

“I don’t think badly of you,” she says, but it rings hollow.

“No? Because you think such good things about me that you’re trying to give me a blowjob for a project? I don’t even know what to say. I was sure that after all the time we’ve spent together and after this weekend, you’d know who I am.” I turn my face to the window, blinking hard against the sudden sting in my eyes.

The tightness in my throat intensifies, threatening to choke me. Maybe I deserve this. Falling for a woman who will never love me back. God knows I’ve walked away from plenty of women when they told me they were falling for me. I did the exact same thing.

So this is how they felt.