Page 155 of Lucas

“We need to head back,” Lucas says. “Thanks for your time, Marcus.”

“Thank you,” he bids us farewell and disappears into the building.

I turn to Lucas. “What was that? Are you jealous?”

“What? Of who?”

“The second he touched me, you materialized like some phantom.”

“Phantom? Don’t you think that’s a bit dramatic?”

“Don’t change the subject. Are you jealous?” I should be annoyed, but I’m not. I kind of like it.

“I told you before, I don’t share.”

“We just met. He was only thanking me.”

“He can thank you from a distance. No need to get handsy.”

I snort. “You remember I’m not your property, right?”

He narrows his eyes. “You’re still my wife, Ava. You haven’t let anyone else touch you, have you?”

I lift my chin. “What if I have?”

“Then I’ll find out who it is, and his days are numbered.” He steps forward, and I step back until I’m pressed against thecar door with nowhere to go. My chest rises and falls as I pant for breath.

“His days or mine?”

“I would never hurt you, Ava.”

“Would you kill for me?” I whisper.

“I’m willing to do anything for you, haven’t you figured that out yet?” he whispers back, his face mere inches from mine.

“Why did you bring me here?”

“Because I love you, and I wanted to give you this gift. Because since you left I’ve been wandering around in a daze, not knowing what to do, how to get you to forgive me. I gave you Gant Construction. I’m willing to give you everything I have, even my life. Take it all. I have nothing if you’re not in it.” His eyes blaze.

“Kiss me, Lucas,” I plead.

His lips close over mine and he kisses me, brushing my lips, tasting me like he’s afraid to hurt me.

I run my teeth over his bottom lip, urging him to give me more, showing him what I need.

The kiss ignites, and I surrender to it, to him, letting the feel of his body against mine consume me. When he does that thing with his tongue, my knees go weak.

He pulls back. “Let’s get out of here.”

I nod, and he opens the car door for me. He starts the engine and peels out onto the dirt road.

The moment we’re off the sanctuary property, anticipation coils low in my belly. I reach over, taking Lucas’s large hand in mine. His skin is warm, sending tingles up my arm as I guide it to the front of my jeans. He sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes darting to mine, darkening with desire.

My body screams, every nerve ending begging for his touch, his possession. The ache between my thighs is almost unbearable, the damp heat making me squirm in my seat.

He fumbles one-handed with the button of my jeans. I help him, popping the button and lowering the zipper. Damn it, why did I choose to wear such tight pants today of all days?

His hand slips inside, skimming over the lace of my panties. I can’t stop the whimper that escapes as his fingers brush against my covered mound. I shift, pressing closer, trying to direct him to where I need him most.