Page 38 of Lucas (The Valeur Billionaires #2)

Chapter Twenty-Five

AVA

“ S o, you’re not relatives?” I ask the young blonde woman, my eyes roving over her youthful features.

She looks young, twenty at most. Who is she? Is this his type? My mind races with questions.

“No,” Kaia says.

I point toward the kitchen, and we start forward.

“I’m the delivery girl at his office,” Kaia explains.

“What?” I stop, whirling to face her. “I don’t understand.”

“Lucas is the most amazing person I’ve ever met,” she says, her blue eyes shining with adoration.

Damn, she sounds in love. I roll my eyes.

“He helped me during a difficult time.” She hesitates for a moment, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. “I’m transgender.” She drops the bombshell, her shoulders tensing as if bracing for my reaction.

“What?” I gasp .

“I was born male, as Kai. Since I was a kid, I knew something wasn’t right. That I was in the wrong body. I knew I was a woman but didn’t dare make the change.”

“How is Lucas involved?” I ask, reaching out to touch her arm in reassurance.

“I started working at his offices about two years ago, after finishing high school. One day, he found me crying in the elevator with torn clothes. He took me to his office and didn’t leave until I told him what happened.” She swallows hard.

I stay silent, giving her space to talk.

“Some coworkers found out and harassed me. They laughed and ripped my clothes off. Left me humiliated on the floor. I told Lucas. He found out who they were, got their names and fired them. Then he asked what I needed. He funded my medical treatments, therapy, hormones, everything, and told me to come to work in whatever clothes I’m comfortable in.

” Her voice cracks, a single tear sliding down her cheek.

Tears well up in my eyes, my heart aching for what she went through.

Kaia grips my hand, her skin warm against mine. “He’s amazing, your man. I’m even jealous he’s yours. Though I’m not attracted to men.”

I smile back, but it’s hollow. He’s not really mine—I may have gotten his body, but that’s all there will ever be between us. He made that very clear.

“Yes, he’s amazing. Lucas said you’ll be staying with us?” I ask, trying to steer the conversation to safer ground.

“For a short time. I don’t want to impose or anything. Lucas gave me his address for emergencies, and my dad kicked me out of the house.” Her voice breaks .

“Oh, I’m so sorry. That’s terrible. And you’re not imposing at all. I know how hard it is to deal with a difficult father.”

No matter what I did, I could never please him or make him love me. He sold me into this marriage, after all. Our situations aren’t so different.

We reach the kitchen, and I take out some prepared meals from the fridge. “So, what do you want to eat?” I ask over my shoulder.

“Really, I don’t want to trouble you. Anything is fine,” she says, perching on a bar stool.

“Does it sound like you’re troubling me? I’m not doing anything except taking stuff out of the fridge.” I wave a dismissive hand, setting the meals on the counter.

She hesitates, then points to one of the containers. “That one looks good if you don't mind.”

I nod and take two plates from the cabinet.

As I set our plates down, she takes a deep breath, her eyes fixed on the steaming food.

“You know,” she says, “I was so scared to tell my dad. I knew he would react like he did.” Her voice trembles slightly, and I lean in, giving her my full attention.

“For the past year, I’d get dressed outside so he wouldn’t find out.

I trembled with fear that someone he knew would see me and tell him, but I wasn’t willing to hide anymore.

I don’t want to live like that, in fear.

I don’t want others telling me who I am.

I want to live as my true self, even if it costs me everything I had. ”

I get up and round the table to hug her, wrapping my arms around her slender frame. “It will be okay. Maybe your dad will come around. ”

She shakes her head, her face crumpling. “No chance. He won’t change his mind.”

“Well, even if he doesn’t, you’ll land on your feet. You’ll be okay. My father was never satisfied with me, no matter what I did.”

Everything I did was for him. I even married for him, and he’s still not happy. Since that conversation about the funds, he’s been ignoring me. I suspect he’s doing it to avoid responsibility.

I force a smile onto my face, the muscles stiff. “I did what I needed to do, and I don’t regret it. Lucas has been a huge help to me, too. He’ll help you as well.”

“ Ahem .” Lucas clears his throat from the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed.

“Oh, hi. I didn’t notice you were there.” How long has he been listening to us? He’s wearing gray sweatpants that hang low on his hips and a white t-shirt that stretches across his muscular chest.

He runs a hand through his tousled dark hair, his biceps flexing with the movement.

A strip of tanned skin is exposed on his flat stomach as his shirt rides up.

Images of him naked above me flash through my mind—his chiseled body glistening with sweat, his blue eyes burning into mine.

My cheeks heat. My body tingles, desire unfurling in my core.

“Thank you, Ava. Can I have a few minutes to talk to Kaia?”

“Yes, of course.” I give an embarrassed smile, aware that I’m staring, and bolt from the kitchen. I head to my room, my pulse racing.

I pace around the bedroom like a caged animal, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet.

Cartman chirps from his perch, oblivious to my inner turmoil.

“I don’t know what to do, Cartman,” I say, my voice cracking.

“Father cut me off, tossed me out of his life like I never existed. And it hurts. It fucking hurts.” I press a hand to my chest.

I told Kaia it would be okay, but I lied. I’m not okay.

I’m so worthless to Father that he didn’t even hesitate. I sacrificed everything to save the company he built and married the enemy because of how much the company meant to him. All so he would love me back, and even that wasn’t enough.

I pace faster, my breathing rapid and shallow.

He pushed me all my life to be tough. Not to cry, not to show mercy. But I’m not tough. I’m just pretending, and meeting Kaia now, seeing her strength, knocked down all my pretenses. I’m not strong like her. Not even close.

And I have no one.

Loneliness crashes over me, as vast and empty as the ocean.

The tears I’ve been holding back break free, streaming down my cheeks. A sob builds in my throat.

Fuck.

Don’t cry. Only babies cry . I scrub my face with trembling hands.

A knock sounds on the bedroom door, and my heart leaps into my throat. To my horror, the door opens.

I spin to face the wall, my back to the door. I wipe the tears away, but fresh ones continue to fall. “Didn’t they teach you to wait for a response?” I snap, trying to hide the wobble in my voice.

“Ava?” Lucas says .

“Get out of here. I didn’t invite you in,” I snarl without turning around.

“Are you crying?” he asks, concern coloring his tone.

“No,” I lie, but my voice betrays me, breaking on the single syllable.

He approaches, his footsteps muffled on the carpet but I can feel the heat of him as he stands behind me, so close, but not quite touching. The clean, masculine scent of him envelopes me. I close my eyes, my lips parting in a ragged breath. My heart drums against my ribs.

“Please look at me,” he pleads.

“No,” I breathe, not trusting myself to say more. Not trusting that I won’t throw myself into his arms and beg him to take the pain away.

“Is it because of Kaia? You’re crying because of her? Does it bother you she’s here?” He sounds puzzled, worry threaded through his words.

“No, it has nothing to do with Kaia. She’s wonderful. And she told me what you did for her.” My voice is steadier now, but still thick with unshed tears.

“I did what anyone would do. She needed help, and I was able to give it.”

“Not everyone would have. Most people would just look the other way.” Father would never take someone like her into his home.

I turn to face Lucas, my eyes still bright with moisture. “What will we do when she sees we’re sleeping separately?” I ask, desperate to change the subject.

“We’ll say you snore,” he says, his expression serious, but humor sparks in the depths of his blue eyes .

A surprised giggle escapes my lips before I can stop it. “I don’t snore. Maybe you’re the one who snores.”

“That’s better.” He grins and steps even closer. “Now you’re smiling.” He reaches out and cups my cheek, brushing his thumb across my skin and tracing the curve of my cheekbone. “Your smile is gorgeous, and I love that dirty, sassy mouth of yours.”

My eyes flutter closed at his featherlight touch, my skin tingling. I lean into his hand, savoring the contact.

“Do you want to talk about why you were crying?” he murmurs, his lips close to my ear. His voice is low and soothing, mesmerizing.

“I wasn’t crying,” I deny again. What can I even say? That I’m alone? That I have no one who cares about me? That the fact my father won’t even respond to my messages hurts?

Why would Lucas care? When the contract with me ends, he’ll do the same thing. Cut off all contact like I never existed. The thought sends a bolt of pain lancing through my chest.

“We don’t have to sleep in different rooms,” he whispers, his thumb still stroking my cheek.

Startled, my eyes fly open to meet his. The blue depths burn into me, dark with an emotion I can’t name.

“If you want, you can move in with me. It’s true we agreed no cuddling, and I’m sure it’s hard for you to believe this, but I quite like cuddling with a woman in bed, and I don’t mind if you warm your frozen feet on me.” His lips quirk in a crooked smile, a boyish dimple appearing in his cheek.

I can’t help but smile back, a genuine smile this time. He’s good at these pep talks .

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say, but my resolve is weakening with every second I’m in his arms.

“You know I won’t force you into anything, right? You don’t have to warm your feet on me. We can just fuck.” He waggles his eyebrows.

A shocked laugh bubbles out of me, and I cover my mouth with my hand, my eyes wide.

“Seriously though, nothing has to happen. I’m sorry I pressured you. I know you regret what happened this morning.”

“I don’t regret it,” I blurt out, my voice fierce.

No matter how I feel right now, he doesn’t deserve to think he did something wrong when I wanted every moment we shared.

The sex was the most amazing I’ve experienced, and I’m not sorry it happened.

It was the first time in a while I felt good. Felt loved. Even if it wasn’t real.

“You don’t owe me anything. There’s no clause like that in the contract, but if you want to talk to me, I’m here.” His voice is gentle, his eyes searching mine.

He leans in until our noses are almost touching and waits.

I don’t move, frozen in place by the intensity of his gaze.

Giving me time to pull away, he places his hand on the dip of my waist. His fingers splay over my hip, burning through the thin fabric.

With a gentle tug, he pulls me flush against him, our bodies aligned from chest to thigh.

I fit perfectly in the circle of his arms.

I rest my head on his chest, my ear pressed over his heartbeat. It drums strong under my cheek.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

“Sleep with me,” I whisper, my lips brushing the hollow of his throat.

It’s not the right thing to ask for, but I need to push this loneliness away, even if just for a few hours.

I want to feel his skin against mine, his warmth on me and inside me.

I want to be a part of him. Less alone. I tip my head back to look at him, my eyes pleading.

Damn, I’m getting addicted to him fast.

“What?” His eyes search my face, trying to read my expression.

“I want you.”

He steps back, breaking our embrace. Cold air rushes between us, and I shiver at the loss of his heat.

“What’s going on with you?” he asks, confusion and concern warring on his handsome face.

“Please, Lucas, I need you.”

“You’re using sex as an excuse not to talk to me. That’s more my style.” He shakes his head, a wry twist to his lips.

Desperation claws at my throat.

I grab the hem of my dress and yank it over my head in one smooth motion.

I toss it aside, not caring where it lands.

My fingers are already busy unhooking my bra, and I take that off, too, adding it to the growing pile of clothes on the floor.

I stand before him in nothing but my panties and bare feet, my nipples pebbling in the cool air.

His eyes widen, darkening with unmistakable desire. They rove over my exposed skin, lingering on my breasts. He bites his lower lip, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he clenches it. I see the exact moment his control snaps. I’ve won.

“You’re fighting dirty, Ava. I’m not strong enough to walk away from you when you’re standing in front of me like this.” His voice is rough, sending heat licking through my veins. He takes a step toward me.

“I don’t want you to be strong right now. I don’t want you to go, Lucas,” I whisper back, my voice husky. The spot between my legs throbs, moisture gathering at my core.

When he looks at me like that, like I’m the only thing he wants, like he would devour me whole, the rest of the world fades away. Nothing else matters. Even if it’s just for a short time.

“Strip,” he demands.

I slip my hand into the waistband of my panties, removing them.

His gaze drops, nostrils flaring. “Are you sure?”

I nod. “Hard.” I want him to lose control like he can’t hold back when he’s with me. “Don’t be gentle now. I want you to show me how much you want me.”

He pulls me onto the bed. I get on all fours, looking back at him.

“Fuck,” he curses, his fingers already pulling down his pants, revealing his erect cock. “Tell me if it’s too much, okay?”

I nod, turning my head forward. I’m about to explode. “Don’t hold back.”

He steps behind me, and I don’t know what he’s going to do. My breaths come fast, my body tense with anticipation.

He exhales on my entrance, and then his tongue slides over me, from bottom to top.

Fuck.

“Pink and open for me. I love it,” he murmurs, licking again. “And so tasty. I’d love to eat you out for hours, but you asked me for something.”

He climbs onto the bed. I lower my head to see his knees on either side of me.

He grasps one of my hands, then the other, holding them together behind my back, pulling them toward him. With his other hand, he pushes my head down to the mattress, leaving me at his mercy.

I groan.

I can’t move, my head pressed into the sheets, my ass raised high.

Wetness drips down my thighs.

“Aaahh!” I scream as he thrusts into me in one swift motion, filling me completely. Pleasure and pain flood my body.

He stills for a moment, allowing me to adjust to him, to the incredible feeling of fullness.

Then he begins to move.