Page 14 of Lucas (The Valeur Billionaires #2)

Chapter Ten

AVA

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, my chest heaving, hands clutching my body. I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe it’s been two months since I signed that contract. Is it too late to run away?

The sounds of the crowd outside seem like a loud buzzing in the closed room.

My wedding day.

“What’s going on out there?” I ask Cora, who’s giving instructions to the makeup artist and stylist, fluttering around me with last-minute adjustments.

“Outside? Hmm... Nothing special.”

“You’re such a terrible liar.” I smile at her.

Since that first day, we’ve spent long hours together planning the wedding.

I gave her a lot of freedom of choice once I saw she understood me so that I could focus on my real work at Gant Construction.

But I have to admit, right now, she’s someone I’m glad to have by my side.

I asked Michelle to stay with the other guests, and I’m pretty sure she was offended. We made up since our last fight, but still…

I gave her small tasks like checking that the flowers were in place, even though I knew Cora already took care of everything, but I couldn’t tell Michelle the truth about this marriage, and in these last moments before the storm hits, I prefer not to pretend how in love and excited I am for my fake wedding. I can’t pretend. Not now.

“Yes, you’re right,” Cora agrees with a chuckle. “Well, there are about two thousand guests outside in evening gowns and jewelry that could sustain a small country.”

I cough, choking on the air trapped in my lungs.

“Remember, you asked.” She laughs.

I try to take deep breaths, but the corset prevents me. My heart is about to break through my rib cage, and it’s beating so hard that I’m sure everyone will hear it when I walk down the aisle. “Has Lucas arrived?”

“I don’t know. Do you want me to go check? Are you worried?”

“No. No need,” I hasten to say because I don’t want her to go. I don’t want to be left alone here. I know Lucas will come because he’d lose the money and his honor otherwise, and I know that both are much more important to him than me.

Cora pulls the curtain aside a bit and peeks out. “Looks like the antique statues are attracting a lot of attention. They were a good idea.”

“It was your idea to include them. ”

“That’s why I said it was a good idea.” She grins. “I’m sure a lot of clients will request that after today.”

A lot of clients? Those fucking statues cost tens of thousands each just to rent them for one evening. I would never spend that kind of money on wedding decor. But Lucas’s money? Definitely. I’ll waste as much of the Valeur money as possible. The money obtained by fraud on the back of Gant.

We’re so different, Lucas and I. He loves this splashy and indulgent lifestyle. He lives for the impression, and I would give anything in a second for a family that loves me. Nothing in this splendor attracts me.

The makeup artist places the veil on my head, and I swallow. If I want to run, this is the moment. Not that I can run with this heavy dress. Now I understand why they make them like this. It’s so the bride can’t escape.

Cora looks at the screen of her phone. “Lucas is here. Everything is ready. Are you?”

No. “Yes.”

Cora nods. “I’m going out to check that everything is in place. You know your cue.”

I grab her arm, and she blinks at me. I release her.

“You’ll be fine,” Cora assures me. “I know this isn’t a marriage of love,” she whispers so the makeup artist and the stylist who are just leaving the room don’t hear, “but Lucas is a good man. He will take care of you. You’ll be okay.”

I nod and leave the room moments behind Cora to find my father waiting outside.

The venue looks amazing. Masses of white flowers fill the aisle on both sides. Above us, a climbing plant with green leaves and lavender flowers hangs on a decorated iron trellis. Through the trellis, you can see the dome of the sky. All eyes turn to me, and I tighten the grip on my father’s arm.

Two young girls from the extended Valeur family walk in front of me, scattering white petals.

I freeze, my legs refusing to carry me forward.

I raise my eyes and focus on Lucas, dressed in a black tuxedo.

He’s not smiling, but his eyes are fixed on me, his head tilted.

I take a deep breath, and without looking away, I walk forward.

The moment I find my place beside him, I only look ahead and detach myself from the situation. I don’t need to hear the speech, the marriage vows. The fakery. I just need to survive. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale...

“…You may kiss the bride.”

I turn to Lucas, shaking myself from my thoughts. Already? His blue eyes look dark, his pupils dilated. He’s clean-shaven, without the stubble that usually adorns his jaw. And the tuxedo suits his broad body, hugging his arms.

I’m shaking. I don’t even know if it’s stress, excitement or just a letdown. I got through this wedding without fainting, but right now, I’m very close to it.

Lucas closes the small distance between us and wraps an arm around my waist. I take one more breath before his lips descend on mine, tasting me. I can barely hold myself up, and I’m grateful for his body against mine, preventing me from falling.

Heat. Comfort. His lips are scorching and soft, and I open my mouth to allow his tongue to enter and explore. I let the moment take over my thoughts, to empty me. The shaking in my body subsides as I surrender to his kiss, to his taste, and my pulse jumps to new heights.

He raises his hand and cups my face, his thumb rubbing my jawline for one last second before he pulls away from me and turns to the audience. Fuck. For a moment, I forgot everyone was watching us and that this wasn’t a real kiss.

I smile, and based on the burning in my cheeks, they must be red as a tomato.

“Relax,” Lucas murmurs so only I can hear, then he takes my hand in his and squeezes, his thumb drawing small circles inside my palm.

Circle, circle, circle.

Small, soothing movements. I focus all my attention on that little spot. He did it on purpose, kissed me like that to calm my frayed nerves, and now he’s holding my hand. I didn’t expect such a gentle gesture from him.

I force a smile on my face, hugging everyone and smiling at all the well-wishers coming toward us.

After the ceremony, we transition to the reception hall.

The space is transformed, bathed in soft golden light from the chandeliers above.

The centerpieces Cora and I chose adorn each table—antique silver vases overflowing with white roses and lilies.

It’s all stunning, elegant, and yet not overly exaggerated.

A perfect blend of my taste and what’s expected of a Valeur wedding.

The band plays a soft, sensual tune, and Lucas leads me to the center of the dance floor for our first dance as husband and wife.

As we sway to the music, his hand slides lower on my waist, pulling me flush against him until there’s no space left between us.

The heat of his body seeps through the layers of my gown, and it sends a thrill racing through me.

“You look exquisite,” he murmurs, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “I’ve been imagining peeling this dress off you all night. ”

I shiver, my skin prickling with awareness. “Lucas...” It’s meant to be a warning, but it comes out breathy and needy.

He chuckles, the sound vibrating through me. “Relax, wife. It’s just a dance.” But the way his hand splays across my back, his fingers tracing patterns on my skin, feels anything but innocent.

We move together as one, our bodies in sync, generating a heat that has nothing to do with the crowded room.

He spins me out and then back in, dipping me low.

I cling to his shoulders, my breath catching as he drags me back up, my body sliding against his.

Our faces are inches apart, his eyes dark and intense as they bore into mine.

“Do you feel it, Ava?” he whispers, his breath hot against my lips. “This fire between us? It’s only a matter of time before it consumes us both.”

I swallow hard, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs. I do feel it, much as I wish I didn’t. This unwanted, undeniable attraction that simmers beneath the surface every time we’re near each other.

“You’re delusional,” I say, but my voice wavers, betraying me.

He smirks, his hand sliding down to the small of my back, pressing me even closer. “Am I? Your body tells a different story.”

I flush, equal parts aroused and angry. How dare he presume to know what I want, what I feel?

The song ends, and he dips me again, even lower this time, supporting my weight easily.

His lips graze my collarbone, trailing fire in their wake before he claims my mouth in a searing kiss that steals the breath from my lungs.

It’s hot and hungry and full of unspoken promises, and I melt into him, forgetting for a moment where we are and who might be watching.

When he pulls back, releasing me from the spell of his kiss, I’m left reeling, my lips tingling and my head spinning.

“Just giving the people what they want,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. “The picture of a happy couple, madly in love.”

I blink, the reality of our situation crashing back over me like a bucket of ice water.

Right. This is all a show, a performance. None of it is real, no matter how my treacherous body might react.

“Congratulations!” Cora appears at my side, enveloping me in a hug. Over her shoulder, I catch sight of my father, standing alone at the edge of the dance floor, a glass of scotch in his hand. Our eyes meet, and he nods, raising his glass in a silent toast. I nod back, a lump forming in my throat.

I know he thinks he did what was best for our family. That this marriage will save us. But looking at him now, I can’t help but wonder at what cost. If I’m going to survive this.