Page 37 of Lucas (The Valeur Billionaires #2)

Chapter Twenty-Four

LUCAS

S he reaches for my cock, still breathing heavily. The sight alone could make me come, but then she squeezes my shaft, stroking up and down, making it swell even more.

She fondles my balls again, rolling them between her fingers while her other hand presses on the tip.

“Fuck!” I shout, a shiver running up my spine. “Will you let me come in your mouth?” I push myself again all the way in until I reach the back of her throat, and she gags, eyes wide, struggling for air.

I wait a few seconds before pulling out.

She nods, tears in her eyes.

“Will you swallow?” I ask.

She nods again.

I pull back. “I’ll make sure to try that, but not today.” I run my thumb over her clit, massaging it in small circles until her eyes close and her hips move in rhythm with my hand. As she gets closer to her climax, I pull away.

“No, don’t stop. I’m so close. I need to come,” she whimpers.

“Not yet, baby.” I smile, bending down to kiss her again, this time with open mouths, our tongues dancing together. The kiss isn’t gentle anymore; we’ve moved past that. Now it’s aggressive, demanding. I’m taking what I want. What I need.

I don’t break the kiss as I position myself at her entrance. I planned to keep teasing her, to bring her to the edge and then deny her release. But I’m too turned on. It’s all too much. I need to have her now.

I push in a little, and the sound she makes almost makes me lose control right there. I straighten, gripping her hips with both hands to lift her up. Now, only her head and shoulders rest on the blanket, with her lower body suspended, under my control.

I look at where we’re connected and push all the way in.

“This is the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen,” I murmur, her walls enveloping me in their warmth. “And you’re so damn tight.” My eyes roll back, and I have to stop and take a few deep breaths to keep from coming on the spot.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

The sensation is insane. Skin to skin, I feel everything. Her heat surrounds me from all sides, with nothing between us. We are one.

I squeeze her hips. “Are you okay?”

“I need you to move,” she whispers.

“Good, because I need to fuck you. ”

I move my hips, thrusting in and out of her. At first, I go slow, but soon I lose my self-control and the pace quickens. She tightens around me, trying to pull my cock even deeper. My eyes stay locked on her bouncing breasts with each thrust. She’s burning up, and I’m on fire.

I use my hands to move her on my cock, meeting me with every thrust. My balls tighten, pleasure coiling up my spine, ready to explode. But I hold back, biting my lip. “Come for me, baby.”

I release one hand to rub her clit while continuing to pound into her.

“Yes. Yes. Yes,” she moans. “I’m there.”

I increase the pressure, pinching her clit between my fingers. She convulses, her eyes closing, mouth open as her walls clamp down around me, legs shaking.

“Oh God, it’s so strong,” she cries, still trembling around me.

She reaches down, moving my hand away from her sensitive clit. I grip her hips again, thrusting hard, our bodies slamming together with each movement, the sounds echoing around us.

My balls tighten, my cock swells inside her as I come, shooting deep inside her.

“Fuck yes,” I shout, my ass clenching as I keep coming and coming, filling her up.

Exhausted, I collapse on top of her, still inside. “That was amazing,” I whisper, my chest expanding with each breath, pleasure flooding me, and a feeling I’ve never experienced before.

I know I said no cuddling, no emotions, but there’s no way I’m letting her go now. I pull out, lying next to her and wrapping her in my arms, holding her close.

She doesn’t resist, and for the first time since we met, we lie in silence on the blanket, catching our breath.

We return to the estate, riding at a slow pace, the sun-dappled trees casting flickering shadows across our path.

My chest constricts, each breath feeling like a dagger between my ribs.

I slow my bike, allowing Ava to pull ahead so she can’t glimpse the anguished expression I’m sure is painted across my face.

When she reaches the ivy-covered bike shed, she brakes and waits for me, her cheeks flushed and glowing from exertion. I coast to a stop beside her, forcing a neutral mask as I gather our equipment and store everything inside.

“Thank you for teaching me how to ride,” she says, tucking an errant lock of silky hair behind one ear. “I never thought I’d enjoy it so much.”

“Anytime. It was my pleasure.” I aim for a light, teasing tone. “In more ways than one.”

A blush stains her cheeks, but something guarded shutters behind her eyes. “Right. Well, I should go shower.”

She spins on her heel and strides toward the house, her spine rigid, before I can even lock the shed.

Running away. Again.

I remain rooted in place, watching her figure disappear into the cool dimness of the house. We agreed—no cuddling, just sex. A physical release, nothing more .

So why does it feel like she’s taking a part of me with her?

I roam over to the crystalline swimming pool and collapse onto one of the cushioned loungers overlooking the water, the woven rattan creaking under my weight.

Fuck.

I press a fist to my chest, right over the throbbing ache that has nothing to do with overexertion. I’m not having a heart attack. No, this pain is deeper, soul-deep.

I’m not in love with her. I’m not. Not even a little.

Love is a lie, a manipulation. A weakness to be exploited.

I know better.

The demonic voice in my head cackles, taunting me.

Are you sure, Lucas? Is that why you caved to her recovery scheme, something you never would have entertained from anyone else?

Why you skipped your sacred weekly ride, the only time you can turn off your brain and just be, to spend the day teaching her instead?

Why the very thought of another man touching her makes you want to tear the world apart?

I clench my eyes, fists white-knuckled at my sides. No. I can’t let this happen.

But what if it’s already too late? What if, despite my best efforts, I am falling for her? Would it be the end of the world?

She’s an incredible woman—strong, brilliant, compassionate. Things are explosive between us, and maybe she could grow to care for me, too. She’s clearly attracted to me. Maybe we could work through our differences and build something real.

Don’t be a fool, the insidious voice growls. What happens when you take a wrecking ball to her beloved company? When you rip away everything she’s worked for, unmake her? You think she’ll be grateful? That she could ever love the man who destroyed her life?

I growl low in my throat, digging the heels of my hands into my eye sockets until I see stars. The voice is right. Whatever this is between us, it has an expiration date. An inevitable, ugly end that will obliterate any fragile bonds we’ve forged.

I have to lock these traitorous feelings away. Bury them deep and ignore their siren song before they lure me into the looming rocks. I’m Lucas fucking Valeur. I don’t do love. I don’t need it.

I’ve nearly got my hammering pulse back under control when Hugo appears at the patio entrance.

“There you are, sir. Apologies for the interruption, but there’s an agitated young lady here asking for you. A Miss Kaia?”

I straighten, my brow furrowing. “Kaia? What the hell is she doing here?”

Scrubbing a hand over my stubbled jaw, I take a deep, centering breath and rise from the lounger. “Show her into the front living room, please. I’ll be right there.”

I take an extra moment to collect myself before striding into the house, the cool marble a balm against my overheated skin.

I find Kaia pacing the gleaming parquet floors of the parlor, a purple duffel bag abandoned at her feet.

She’s wearing ripped jeans and an oversized band tee that swallows her petite frame.

Her blonde hair is piled atop her head in a messy topknot, mascara smudged beneath her red-rimmed eyes.

She whirls to face me as I enter, her expression crumpling. “Mr. Valeur, I’m so sorry to barge in like this.”

“I said my door is always open if you need me, and I meant it.” I keep my voice gentle as I cross to her, placing a steadying hand on her trembling shoulder. “What’s happened?”

“I told my dad. About...” Her voice cracks, and she ducks her head, swiping at the fresh tears spilling down her blotchy cheeks.

“I take it he didn’t react well?”

“He called me a freak. Told me to get out and not come back until I ‘straighten myself out.’ That I’m not his son anymore.”

She meets my gaze, eyes glassy. “I didn’t know where else to go. I’m so sorry for barging in and imposing like this. I swear I’ll get out of your hair as soon as I find a cheap motel or something. I just need a place to crash for a few days until?—”

“Stop right there.” I fix her with a stern look. “You’re not imposing, and you’re sure as hell not staying in some fleabag motel. I have more guest rooms than I know what to do with. You’re going to stay here with me until we figure this out. No arguments.”

Her face crumples again, this time in relief. “I don’t know how to thank you. I swear I’ll pay you back for every cent.”

“You’ll do no such thing. I offered, remember? Let me help. Please.”

She nods, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. “Okay. Thank you, truly. You’re like my guardian angel or something.”

I bark a humorless laugh at that. “I think you’ll find I’m no angel, sweetheart. ”

I open my arms in invitation, and she sags against me, letting me enfold her in a fierce hug.

“Hey. What’s going on?” Ava’s voice shatters the loaded silence.

I release Kaia and turn to face my wife, drinking her in.

She’s changed into a gauzy sundress that clings to her damp skin, her dark hair loose and curling softly around her shoulders.

The light honey scent of her body wash reaches me.

She’s a vision, and it physically pains me to tear my gaze from her.

An awkward beat passes as Ava’s assessing stare darts between Kaia and me, something inscrutable flickering across her lovely face before she shutters her expression.

I clear my throat. “Ava, this is my friend Kaia. She’ll be staying with us for a while. Kaia, meet my wife, Ava.”

“Nice to meet you.” Kaia extends a hand, offering a smile. “Wow, you’re like stupid gorgeous.”

Ava returns the handshake with a polite, close-lipped smile that doesn’t touch her eyes. “Likewise. I didn’t know my husband had such young, pretty friends.”

Fuck. This looks bad.

“Kaia is more of a little sister, really,” I say in a rush.

Kaia touches my forearm. “I really am sorry for crashing your night like this. I know you’re newlyweds, and you probably want to be alone with your knockout wife. I don’t want to make things weird.”

Summoning a reassuring smile, I pat her hand and step back. “You have nothing to apologize for, I promise. I’m going to get you settled in the blue guest room—it has an ensuite and a lovely view of the east gardens. And I expect you to join us for dinner, no arguments. You’re skin and bones.”

She huffs a laugh at that, some of the tension draining from her thin shoulders. “I could murder a burger, not gonna lie.”

“Ava, can you make sure she gets something to eat while I go talk to Hugo and take a shower?”

“Sure,” she says, but her body language is stiff. “Come with me.”