Page 116 of Lucas

“I’m going to tell you about this amazing party I’m throwing at my place tomorrow, and you and Lucas are coming, of course.”

“We’re what now?”

“Say you’re coming because you love my parties, and then I’ll casually throw out to Noah, ‘Hey, wanna come too?’”

“And how is that different from just asking him?”

“Because it’s not a date, it’s a party. I’m inviting everyone, not just him. And you’ll be there. He’ll feel comfortable showing up.” She turns and leans her back against the pool wall. “Come on, be a friend and help me out here.”

“I think he’d say yes even if you just asked. He’s clearly into you, you two haven’t left each other’s side since he got here fifteen minutes ago.”

“Ava,” she scolds, narrowing her eyes at me.

“Fine, fine, invite me to the party. But I’m not sure Lucas will want to come. He probably already has plans.” I hope he has plans or some other excuse to get me out of going. I’m not thrilled at the prospect of being with her friends again.

“What plans are more important than you? You’re his wife, aren’t you?” She smiles and waves her hand, signaling Noah and Lucas to come over.

The men approach us, and Noah grins, his attention fixed on Michelle.

He’s a very handsome man, no doubt about it.

Lucas stands behind me and wraps his arm around my waist, tugging me back against his chest. My whole body softens against him, molding to his shape.

Michelle shoots me a pointed look. “You’re coming to my party tomorrow, right?”

“Of course.” I paste on a fake smile. “I wouldn’t miss one of your parties.”

Lucas looks thoughtful. “I didn’t know there was a party. I already made plans.”

“Am I invited too?” Noah asks Michelle with a charming smile.

“Sure.” Michelle beams at him, then flicks her gaze to me.

“See? I told you.” I mouth the words to her silently.

Lucas’s grip on me tightens, his fingers digging into my hip. “Okay, we’ll be there.”

Wait, what? “I thought you had plans, baby.” I turn my head and smile at him sweetly, trying to hint that I want to bail, but he doesn’t take the bait.

“I’ll cancel them,” he says, his tone brooking no argument. “I don’t want to miss a party thrown by your friend.”

I deflate. Everything was all set. Noah already agreed to go to her party, and I could have gotten out of seeing her annoying friends again, but no, Lucas always has to do the right thing, and now I have to endure another evening of them laughing at me behind my back.

I climb out of the pool and wrap a towel around myself, chilled despite the warm sun.

Lucas follows me out. He doesn’t bother toweling off, and water pools at his feet. Rivulets run down his chest, tracing the ridges of his abs, and I can’t tear my eyes away.

“...to the party tomorrow?” His voice penetrates the fog of lust hazing my brain.

“What?” I snap my head up to find him grinning. I guess I got caught staring, but I can’t bring myself to care. I’m turned on, desire thrumming through my veins.

“I asked if you want me to book the limo to go to the party tomorrow,” he repeats, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Umm... yeah,” I mumble, then place my hand on a drop of water on his chest, tracing its path down his sternum, overthe sexy dip between his abs, to the waistband of his swim trunks with my fingertip.

Fuck. I’m wet, and not from the pool.

“What are you doing, Ava?” His voice is low, gravelly, plucking at my nerve endings.