Page 22 of Lucas

I lean back in my chair, interlacing my fingers behind myhead, affecting an indifferent expression while my cock twitches in my pants.

“I received your contract.” Ava waves the stack of papers in my face.

Ah. So that’s what this is about. “Yes, my lawyer sent it to you as instructed. Is there a problem?”

“It says here I have to live with you?” Her chest rises and falls as she exhales the words. Wow, she’s stunning when she’s angry, even if I have no idea why.

“We need to live together, Ava or the paparazzi will figure it out in a second. The marriage has to look believable.”

“I thought we’d live at my place. In the city.” She bites her lower lip.

“I’m not going to live in that hole of yours.”

“My ‘hole’ consists of 7,348 square feet of living space. It’s far from being a hole.”

I wave a hand. “Doesn’t matter. I don’t intend to move into the city. I like my space.”

“Where exactly is your house? I tried searching for this address on maps, and it shows up in the middle of nowhere. Do you live in a forest or something?”

“Or something.” I grin. “What’s the matter, afraid of a little nature?”

She scoffs. “Hardly. I just prefer civilization. You know, things like restaurants, shops, people. Life.”

“Oh, I have plenty of life at my place. Wildlife, that is. Maybe a bear will eat you and solve all my problems.” I smirk.

“You wish.” She rolls her eyes. “I don’t want to live far from the office.”

“It’s not that far. I work in the city, too, you know, and Icommute every day. Your office is close to mine, so it’s definitely not an issue. If you’re worried about the place, my house is bigger than yours. I have enough rooms, and you won’t need to sleep with me. Unless you want to, of course.” I wink.

“Eww. Of course, I didn’t mean sleeping in the same room with you.” She strides over to my office window and gazes out.

“Your loss. I’ve been told I’m quite...skilled in the bedroom.” I let my gaze sweep over her body.

She turns to face me, a look of disgust on her face. “I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.”

I clutch my chest in mock pain. “You wound me, Ava. And here I thought we were having a moment. Anyway, I’m not going to give up that clause. The residence will be at my place. End of story.”

She purses her lips. “And what about this clause?” She points to something in the contract. “It says here that during our marriage, you have decision-making power over Gant Construction. I’m not okay with that.”

I straighten. “Gant Construction is on the verge of bankruptcy. I’m going to spend two hundred million to rehabilitate your company. Do you think I’ll give you all that money without any decision-making ability? The moment we’re married in the public eye, all eyes will be on me. I don’t want you losing my money on more failed deals.”

“I haven’t lost?—”

“These are my terms. Take it or leave it, I don’t care. You need this deal more than I do. I can marry anyone. I’m sure there will be plenty of takers for the deal. I’m quite the eligible bachelor.” Yes, it would make it harder for me todismantle Gant Construction if the company isn’t mine, but I’m confident I could find other ways if I had to. However, I’m sure she won’t refuse—my deal is good. At least on the surface, and her dad agreed. I know these old-school families. I grew up in one, after all. She has no position of her own. She’ll do what Daddy says.

“What about the confidentiality clause?” she asks.

“What about it?”

“I’m not allowed to tell anyone about the terms of the contract?”

I narrow my eyes. “Apart from immediate family, no one can know this is a marriage of convenience, or the investors won’t buy the story. I don’t trust your gossipy friends. People sell their own mothers to make money, and our wedding is going to be very high profile. The newspapers will pay a lot for anyone who’ll give them juicy details. I’m not willing to take that risk.”

“So why does this clause only apply to me? You’re allowed to tell anyone? That’s not fair.”

“I’m not going to do anything to hurt myself.” I lean back again. “You, on the other hand, have no such interest.”

She sits in the chair across from me and crosses her legs. “I want to add a condition of my own.”