Page 26 of Lucas

“That’s not going to happen, Mr. Valeur. You’ll need a lot more than a bottle of wine to convince me there’s good in you. You are, after all, part of the notorious Valeur family.”

She licks her lips, drawing my gaze to her full, parted mouth. How would those lips feel around my cock, her sharp tongue…? I stop that train of thought. This needs to stay professional.

“Don’t even think about it,” she says, catching me.

“About what?” I feign innocence. “I was just thinking that I’m hungry.”

The server arrives and places the carpaccio and bread in front of us. “Bon appétit.”

She tears off a piece of bread and dips it in the olive oil on her plate. “This bread is divine.” She purrs and throws herhead back. “Wow.” She takes another piece, and her hand wanders on her neck, moving down toward her cleavage. She moans softly.

“Stop that.”

“Stop what?” She returns her gaze to me. “I was just thinking how delicious it is.”

“Okay, you made your point,” I say, my cock hard now and painfully straining against the zipper in my pants. I restrain myself from trying to adjust it so as not to attract attention. Luckily, I put a napkin on my lap earlier. “So, what do you want to talk about?”

“I’m not interested in talking to you.”

“I don’t mind if you’re quiet in the car or at home, but we’re in public with paparazzi around. You can’t ignore me the entire meal.” I plaster on a fake smile. “Everyone is watching us.”

She looks thoughtful for a moment. “Okay, then let’s talk about the wedding. I want a small event.”

“Not going to happen.” I finish the carpaccio and put down the fork.

“What do you mean, it’s not going to happen? It’s my wedding.”

“Mine too. And I need a big, high-profile wedding for appearances.”

“So, I have no say at all in planning my wedding?”

I shrug. “Not in the venue or guest list. But if you want to be involved in the design, you can talk to Cora.”

“Cora?”

“My sister. She’s the best wedding planner there is, and I’m not saying that because she’s my sister.”

Ava smiles widely, but the look in her eyes tells me she’sfurious. “So, I’m supposed to plan the wedding with your sister, who probably hates me, too, because she’s a Valeur, but that’s okay because she’s the best?”

“Exactly.”

The server brings our main courses, and we fall silent. Ava maintains her smile, but her posture is stiff as a board. She’s angry, and it shows.

“You need to relax a little, Ava. It’s just business. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Relax?” Her jaw tightens. “That’s your solution to everything? Just relax, and it will be okay?”

“My solution to everything is an orgasm. If you want, I’m willing to give you one.” I wink. “Or three.”

“You’re unbearable.”

I notice a man standing right behind the window, trying to hide behind a bush. “There’s a photographer right in front of us.”

“Where?” Ava turns her head.

I reach out and grab her chin to stop her from turning. “Don’t look. We need to give him a show.”

“A show?”