Page 12 of Lucas (The Valeur Billionaires #2)

Chapter Nine

AVA

“ Y ou kissed me.” I arch an eyebrow, trying to appear unaffected despite the heat coursing through my veins. “Without permission.”

Damn it, my body feels like it’s on fire, every nerve ending tingling. I run my tongue over my lips, tasting him there, the rich flavor of the wine blending with his unique masculine essence. Even that brief brush of his lips against mine has me quivering, craving more.

“Next time, you’ll learn that no means no. Or do you always force yourself on women?” I challenge, meeting his gaze head-on.

He narrows his eyes, leaning back in his chair with a casual grace that belies the tension in his jaw. “Again, with this? I do not need to force myself on anyone. They’re the ones who jump on me.”

I’m sure they do. If this is how a mere stolen kiss with him feels, I can only imagine how a real one would consume me. But I can’t forget that he’s the big bad wolf, not Prince Charming.

“Not me.” I smile, batting my lashes in mock innocence. “I won’t be jumping on you.”

His lips press into a straight line, and he fixes me with a stare. “I already told you, it’s just business. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s a game.”

I look down at my plate, cutting into my steak with more force than necessary, trying not to get lost in those penetrating blue eyes that seem to see straight into my soul.

I press my legs together under the table, trying to ease the pounding ache and growing pressure, but it only makes it worse.

I’m just horny because it’s been so long since a man touched me, that’s all. Nothing personal.

“I told my father about the contract,” I blurt out, needing to change the subject to distract myself from the heat building between my thighs.

“Great.” He continues eating, not even glancing up from his plate.

“Don’t you want to know what he said?”

Do what you need to do to get the money.

I blink, trying to dispel the tears that threaten to form. He’s my only family, and he sold me without batting an eye, without a second thought.

“No. You signed, and that’s all I care about. You read the breach of contract clause. You know what’s at stake. His opinion is irrelevant.” Lucas shrugs and takes a sip of his wine .

Yes, I read it. If I don’t go through with the wedding and the two years he demands from me in the contract, if I don’t pretend we’re in love, I’ll have to pay him back two hundred million.

Two hundred million that I don’t have, because right now I’m drowning in the huge loans Father took out.

How the hell am I supposed to spend two years of my life with this terrible man?

This is a huge mistake.

I blink again, holding back the tears that threaten.

“Are you okay?” He stops with the fork halfway to his mouth, a slight furrow appearing between his brows.

“Yes. Of course,” I answer in an angry tone, one that will cover the slight tremor in my voice.

I stab a piece of steak.

It’s just a contract. Just two years. Contrary to what Father thinks, because he didn’t even bother to ask, I’m not even supposed to sleep with Lucas.

There’s no clause like that in the contract, and we’ll sleep in separate rooms. We’ll keep our distance from each other, and everything will be fine.

I’m committed to one event per week and one extra each month. It’s not a lot, I can handle it.

I look at Lucas again, studying him. He’s engrossed in eating, the candlelight casting shadows on his chiseled features, accentuating the sharp line of his jaw, the fullness of his lips. His blue eyes are hidden by dark, long lashes, unfairly long for a man.

I hate how attractive I find him, how my body reacts to his slightest touch. It’s a weakness I can’t afford.

I need to remember why I’m here, for whom and what I’m fighting for. My company, my father’s legacy, his life’s work. I can’t let Lucas Valeur destroy everything, no matter how tempting he might be.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” His deep voice startles me out of my thoughts. He smirks at me, a knowing glint in his eye.

Heat rises to my cheeks at being caught staring. “Don’t flatter yourself. I was just thinking how unfortunate it is that you’re my only option.”

“Ouch.” He places a hand over his heart in mock hurt. “You really know how to wound a man’s ego, Miss Gant.”

“It’s not the only thing I know how to do to a man.” The words slip out before I can stop them.

His eyes darken, his gaze dropping to my mouth. “Is that so?” He leans forward, his voice lowering to a purr. “I might have to put that to the test someday.”

My breath hitches, my pulse quickening at the blatant suggestion.

Get a grip, Ava . I mentally shake myself. I can’t let him fluster me like this.

I force a laugh, the sound brittle even to my own ears. “In your dreams, Valeur.”

“Every night, darling.” He winks, that infuriating smirk still playing on his lips.

I grit my teeth, my fingers tightening around my fork until my knuckles turn white. He’s baiting me, trying to get under my skin. And damn him, it’s working.

I need to regain control of this situation, of myself. I can’t let him see how much he affects me.

“I think this is the one.” Cora stares at me with wide eyes, her hands clasped together in excitement. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect. Lucas is going to die on the spot.”

We’re standing in the middle of the bridal salon, and I gaze at myself in the mirror, taking in the sight.

She forgets Lucas doesn’t care about me and we’re not in love. I can barely stand him, and the other fake dates we had didn’t improve the situation between us. But I don’t say anything to correct her.

I inspect myself. The dress, tight in the bodice and the skirt puffy with a long lace train, hugs my body like a second skin. The details on the bodice are a work of art. Stones and lace have been delicately interwoven, giving it an enchanting look.

“There’s also an overlay.” Cora places a layer of sheer fabric heavy with lace over my shoulders, tying it at the neck.

I’ve already chosen an additional dress for the reception. Form-fitting all the way down, and another lighter one in a shade of gold for the pre-event.

I nod, a smirk playing on my lips. “Yes. This is the one. If anything can make your brother’s cold, dead heart skip a beat, it’s this dress.”

Cora laughs, shaking her head. “I still can’t believe you two are getting married. I mean, the way you talk about each other.”

“With barely concealed loathing and disdain?” I raise an eyebrow, my tone dry .

“Exactly. It’s like watching a verbal sparring match every time you’re together.”

“What can I say? It’s a gift.” I shrug, smoothing my hands over the silky fabric of the dress. “Your brother just brings out the best in me.”

Cora snorts. “More like he brings out your claws.”

We both dissolve into laughter, the tension breaking.

“But seriously,” Cora says, “you look stunning, Ava. Like a princess. Poor Lucas won’t know what hit him.”

“Poor Lucas, indeed,” I murmur, my mind drifting to my infuriating future husband. Arrogant, annoying, ridiculously attractive Lucas.

I shake my head, dispelling the thought. I can’t afford to think of him that way, can’t afford to feel anything but contempt for the man who holds my fate in his hands.

“So, have you thought about your something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?” Cora asks, breaking me out of my reverie.

“My something old is my hatred for your brother, my something new is this dress, my something borrowed is the two years of my life I’m giving up for this sham of a marriage, and my something blue...” I pause, thinking. “My something blue is the color Lucas’s balls will be when I’m done with him.”

Cora’s mouth drops open before she bursts into laughter, clutching her stomach. “Oh my God, Ava, you can’t say things like that.”

“Why not? It’s true.” I shrug, fighting back a smile.

“You’re terrible.” She shakes her head, still laughing .

“I know.”

“What am I going to do with you?” Cora sighs, but she’s smiling.

“Support me and help me hide the body when I finally snap and murder your brother?”

“Ava!” she scolds, but she’s laughing again.

“Kidding! Mostly.” I wink.

Cora just shakes her head, her shoulders still shaking with mirth. “Come on, let’s get you out of this dress before you plan any more homicides.”

“What about you?” I ask, tilting my head. “Don’t you want to get married?”

“Actually, I’m dating someone, but we haven’t talked about such things yet.” She places a hand on my arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “It’s okay, I’m only twenty-five. I have time. My eggs aren’t screaming yet.”

I smile.

“Oh, look at that cute dog.” She points to a puppy walking with its owner outside the window, her face lighting up. “Do you like dogs?”

“Yes. But I can’t get a dog because I have a parrot.”

“You’re serious?” Her eyebrows shoot up.

“Yes. I adopted him after he was in an awful state, almost featherless, and I rehabilitated him. He’s fine now, physically, but he swears a lot.”

Cora’s mouth drops open. “Swears?”

“He cursed out Lucas.” I grin at the memory.

“Damn, I would pay to hear that.” She laughs, her eyes sparkling.

“Maybe you’ll get the chance because he’s moving with me, and they’ll meet again.” I smile, imagining the scene.

“Listen, Ava, I’m starving. Do you want to go eat together? Or do you prefer we eat separately and meet up later to continue?” she offers, her tone casual. “I know I’m his sister, and you didn’t want my help, so I’ll understand if you’d prefer not to sit with me. I won’t be offended.”

I fall silent for a moment, considering.

I spent the morning with her, and contrary to what I expected, I’ve enjoyed the day so far.

She’s nice, funny, caring, and she went along with every silly request I made.

Maybe it’s all an act to get me to trust her, but something about her feels real. Authentic.

“I’d love to eat together. Do you know any good places close by?”