Page 35 of Lucas (The Valeur Billionaires #2)

Chapter Twenty-Three

AVA

I sit by the pool, basking in the warm rays, when Lucas walks past me clutching a water bottle, clad in tights.

Holy hell, that’s hot.

I force my gaze away from the tantalizing bulge at his crotch. Shit, those pants are so tight I can make out every ridge and contour of his impressive package. My treacherous body perks up in eager approval.

“Hey, where are you off to?” I ask, striving for a neutral expression.

He pauses mid-stride, glancing over at me. “Mountain biking. I ride every weekend.”

“Oh. I didn’t know you were into cycling.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Wifey.” His lips quirk. “It’s one reason I refuse to live in the city. I like being able to take off at a moment’s notice, get out in nature and eat up the miles. ”

I have to admit, despite the tedious commute, I’ve grown rather fond of the estate. The fields and greenery surrounding us are nothing short of enchanting.

“Want to come with?” His blue eyes glint with invitation.

“What?” I jerk upright, almost toppling off the lounge chair. “No. No way. I can’t.”

“Give it a shot. You might enjoy it.” His grin widens. “They say you should try everything at least once.”

“I...” Ducking my head, I pick at a loose thread on my shorts. “I don’t know how to ride a bike.”

“Come again?” His jaw goes slack as he blinks at me. “You never rode as a kid? Not even with training wheels?”

“I tried, but I couldn’t get the hang of it.” I leave out the part about the broken arm and Father’s furious shouting. I never got back on a bike after that.

Lucas studies me for a long moment, something unreadable flickering across his chiseled features. “I could teach you. If you want, that is.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Why would you want to do that?”

“Why not?” He shrugs. “Unless you’re chicken.”

Indecision wars within me. I’ve always regretted never mastering this basic childhood skill. But what if I’m just not capable? What if I make a fool of myself in front of him?

“C’mon, Wifey. I can see you’re tempted. Don’t let fear run your life. What happened to that bravery we were just praising the other day?”

Great, now he reads minds?

Worrying my lower lip between my teeth, I give a slow nod. “Okay. I’m in.”

A huge, boyish grin splits his face, making him look years younger. “Go throw on some activewear and meet me back here. We’ll grab a bite after your lesson.”

“I don’t have any biking clothes.”

“Doesn’t matter. Just wear something comfortable that you don’t mind getting dirty. We’re not hitting the trails on your first ride out.” His eyes dip to my bare legs before darting away. “We’ll take it nice and slow. Like in sex.”

I roll my eyes and fight back an answering smile. Somehow his outrageous flirting has gone from annoying to charming.

“I love you when you smile.”

I freeze, my heart stuttering in my chest.

He loves me smiling?

Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Lucas waves me toward the house. “Meet you back here in ten. I’ll go grab us some gear.”

I go and change into workout clothes, my mind awhirl as I tug on form-fitting black leggings and a stretchy tank.

By the time I return to the pool, Lucas is hauling a large duffle out of the shed. He stumbles when he catches sight of me, his gaze raking over my figure with blatant appreciation.

I cross my arms over my chest, fighting the urge to tug up my neckline.

Lucas smiles. “Relax. You’re going to do great.”

I trail after him as he leads me to a small outbuilding I’ve never noticed before. He opens the door and reveals what looks like a miniature bike shop, complete with gleaming top-of-the-line mountain and road bikes of all styles.

“Why do you have so many?” I tilt my head.

He shrugs. “Some for spares in case one needs repair. Some are for the road, some for trails. Plus, Liam sometimes comes over and rides with me.”

I nod, trying not to let a flare of hurt show on my face. In the weeks since our agreement, I’ve had no contact with his family beyond polite chitchat at the wedding rehearsal. I know Liam’s come to the house a few times since then, but Lucas never invites me to say hello.

It seems the Valeurs prefer to pretend their new daughter-in-law doesn’t exist. I may bear the family name now, but they’ve made it crystal clear that, in their eyes, I don’t belong. I don’t belong anywhere.

Maybe I never will.

“Earth to Ava.” Lucas waves a hand in front of my face, startling me from my melancholy musings. “You with me?”

“Sorry.” Shaking off the fog, I refocus on his face. “What were you saying?”

“I was just explaining the different bike types and features, but I guess it wasn’t riveting stuff since you zoned out.” He flashes me a crooked grin. “First things first—safety gear.”

Crouching down, he unzips his mystery duffle and starts pulling out various pads and straps. “You’ll want to wear these. I had some smaller sizes lying around from God knows where.”

My breath hitches as he kneels before me, long fingers skating over the bare skin of my calf as he secures a protective pad in place. Even that light, impersonal touch sends my nerve endings haywire.

“This might be overkill for a quick spin around the grounds, but better safe than sorry.” His warm breath washes over my thigh as he adjusts another strap. “I’m not taking any chances with you.”

I nod, not trusting my voice. The sight of my imposing, strong-willed husband crouched at my feet, so careful and protective of me, has unsettling flutters taking wing in my belly.

In short order, I’m trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey in kneepads and elbow pads.

“And, of course, a helmet.” He collects a sleek white helmet from a hook and holds it out, sizing me up. “I think you’ll need the small.”

My cheeks flame as he steps close, fitting the helmet over my ponytail. His knuckles skim the hinge of my jaw as he fiddles with the chin strap, his woodsy, male scent filling my nostrils.

“There. All set.” He takes a step back, arms crossed over his broad chest as he surveys me. “How does everything feel? Not too tight?”

“I feel like an overstuffed sausage, but I’ll live.” I wrinkle my nose, sticking out one massively padded leg. “This isn’t exactly flattering, though. Even my worn old sweats are more attractive.”

Something hot and assessing flares in his vivid blue eyes as they make a slow sweep down my body. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” he murmurs, his tone sending a shiver down my spine. “There’s nothing wrong with the view from where I’m standing.”

I swallow hard, my mouth desert-dry. What is he doing? It’s unnerving. And thrilling.

Part of me wants to bask in this new, fizzy feeling unfurling in my chest. To flirt back and see how far I can push him.

But the other part, the dominant part hardened by a lifetime of conditional love and abandonment, shies away from his intimate tone and heated looks. I take a step back, needing distance.

“Well, I feel ridiculous,” I mutter, avoiding his penetrating stare as I fiddle with the strap of my helmet. “Let’s just get this over with before I change my mind.”

Thankfully, he allows the charged moment to pass without comment, handing me a lightweight silver mountain bike with a smile. “Your chariot awaits. Let’s take her for a spin, hmm?”

The next hour passes in a blur of fumbling, false starts, and no small amount of frustration as I struggle to master the simple task of pedaling in a straight line without wobbling.

Lucas, to his credit, remains patient, calling out encouragement and pointers as he jogs alongside me.

“That’s it. Keep your head up and look straight ahead. Trust your body to find its balance.”

Biting my lip in concentration, I make it a few more feet before losing momentum and putting my foot down to stop from toppling over. Again.

“Damn it!” I smack the handlebars, tears of frustration pricking the backs of my eyes. “This is hopeless. I’m hopeless.”

“Hey. None of that defeatist talk.” Lucas places a staying hand on my shoulder, ducking his head to meet my gaze. “You’re doing great, Ava. Really. No one picks it up right away. It just takes practice.”

“Practice,” I echo. “Right.”

I turn the bike around to start again. “Okay. One more go. ”

As the sun climbs higher in the cloudless sky, I find my rhythm, wobbling less and less as my muscles acclimate to the unfamiliar movements.

“Yes! I’m doing it!” I pedal faster. “I’m riding a bike. I’m doing it!”

“Woo-hoo!” Lucas runs alongside me, a huge, boyish grin lighting up his face. “Look at you go!”

The rush of the fragrant spring air on my face, the stretch and burn of my muscles, the sense of unshakeable balance—it’s glorious. I understand now why he was so keen to share this with me.

I’m so caught up in my newfound joy that I don’t notice the small pothole looming up ahead in time to avoid it. The front tire hits it dead on, sending the handlebars jerking to the side. Before I can even gasp, I’m airborne.

Pain explodes across my body as I hit the ground hard, my bike clattering beside me.

I lie there, winded and stunned, as a decades-old memory assaults me.

Gravel biting into tender palms. The sickening snap of bone.

“Jesus, Ava, stop blubbering. I don’t have time for this. Only babies cry…”

“Goddammit. Now I have to waste my whole day taking you to the hospital. I can’t believe how useless you are. It’s riding a damn bike. How hard is that? Pathetic.”

Hot shame prickles my skin as his voice echoes in my ringing ears. Even now, over fifteen years later, the sting of that humiliation is still fresh. The bitter disappointment and self-loathing.

“Ava! Are you okay?”

Lucas’s panicked shout shatters the haunting memories. In a flash, he’s kneeling beside me, his expression frantic as his hands skim over my helmeted head, my shoulders, my ribs.

I blink up at him, the harsh sunlight setting his dark hair aglow. Pretty. So pretty.

A fat tear rolls down my scraped cheek.

“Fuck, baby, talk to me. Are you hurt?” His voice cracks as he cradles my head between his palms. “What do you need?”