Page 57 of Lucas (The Valeur Billionaires #2)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

AVA

Lucas

Dress casual.

Casual?

Lucas

Jeans and a t-shirt.

Where are we going? I thought this was a charity event. In a t-shirt and jeans?

Lucas

It’s charity, sort of. You’ll see when we get there.

I don’t like surprises. And we said this wasn’t a date.

Lucas

Relax, Wifey, I’m not planning to murder you in a dark alley.

I send back the middle finger emoji.

I toss my phone on the bed and glance at the dress I had laid out moments ago. Well, I guess it doesn’t fit the definition of casual. Where the hell are we going in jeans and a t-shirt?

My heart pounds like crazy, and I’m sweating. At this rate, I’ll need to shower again.

Why am I so nervous? The anger and hurt that boiled inside me are a distant dream.

All I remember now are the good days. The way he bantered with me, the little things he did to make me comfortable, the way he held me, his words of encouragement when teaching me to ride—that I can conquer the world.

The words he’s said every day since. The way he waits outside my house for hours each morning just to wish me a good day before work.

My rage over something that happened before he even knew me seems ridiculous now. I pull out the note he wrote to me again.

The paper is worn from how many times I’ve read it, my fingers tracing the letters.

Conquer the world, and I’ll stand by your side.

I don’t think I want to conquer the world. That was never my dream. I want to conquer him, Lucas.

I want him to be mine.

I slip into tight jeans that hug my curves like a second skin and a tailored shirt with a delicate lace collar that dips just low enough to offer a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage. Because, after all, this is me. You won’t catch me dead in a simple t-shirt outside the house.

I give myself a once-over in the mirror, appreciating the way the outfit stresses my assets, before heading out to wait for him.

He pulls up right on time, the sleek black car purring to a stop in my driveway.

He gets out and stalks toward me. He’s dressed all in black, the thin fabric of his designer t-shirt straining across his broad chest and muscular arms. The same arms I know can lift me, pinning me against the wall as he drives into me with deep, powerful strokes.

I lick my lips.

He stops in front of me, and the intense heat radiating off his body has me taking a step back.

“Why are you waiting outside?” He arches a brow, his blue eyes glinting. “I would have come in to get you.”

His lips curve into a slow, wicked smile as he leans in, crowding me back against the wall. “Or are you afraid that if you let me inside, you won’t be able to resist the temptation to drag me to your bed and have your wicked way with me? Because God knows I’m tempted.”

His voice is a rough growl that sends shivers skating down my spine and has liquid heat pooling between my thighs.

“Do you still think about me, Ava? About my hands on your body, my mouth on your skin? Do you touch yourself and pretend it’s me, working you over with lips and teeth and tongue until you shatter?

Because I sure as hell think about you. I dream about the taste of you, the way you sound when you come apart in my arms. It haunts me, every minute of every damn day. ”

The spot between my thighs throbs, my core clenching with needy spasms. But I keep my face blank, even as my heart pounds and my breathing grows heavy. “No. You weren’t that memorable.”

“We both know you’re lying.” He smirks, bringing his lips close to mine without touching me.

Not yet. It would be so easy to sway forward, to close that distance and kiss him.

“Because I remember every gasp, every time you cried out my name. Remember what I told you in the beginning, Wifey? When we first met?”

I swallow, my tongue darting out to wet my parched lips. “What?”

His eyes, gone dark and hot with promise, trace the movement before snapping back to mine. “If you want me, Ava, all you have to do is ask.”

He flashes me a wild, feral grin as he steps back, putting space between us before turning to open the passenger door with a flourish. “Shall we?”

I gape at him, my body vibrating with denied need. Is he serious right now? He’s going to wind me up like that and then just walk away? Leave me hanging?

Indignation wars with frustration as I stare at his smug face. Oh, he’s going to pay for this little stunt.

Narrowing my eyes, I stalk past him and climb into the car without a word, slamming the door shut behind me.

He drives in silence, and I study him. The strong nose and square jaw now covered in a two-day stubble. I clench my thighs to relieve the ache.

My physical reaction to him is stronger than ever. If I had any doubts, they’re gone now.

“So, where are we going?” I ask .

He smiles. “You’ll see soon.”

“Are you going to murder me in a well-lit alley?”

He turns to me for a moment, a crease between his eyes. “What?”

“You said you wouldn’t murder me in a dark alley. So, a bright one, then?”

He huffs out a breath. “Fuck, Ava. You don’t know how much I’ve missed you. Your sassy mouth. Us. Whether you hate me or love me, I always love you.”

“I don’t hate you. I tried, but I don’t.” I admit.

He takes one hand off the wheel and extends it to me, palm up. I don’t hesitate before placing my hand in his, our fingers intertwining. It feels like coming home. I don’t let go, and he keeps my hand tight in his, resting on his thigh.

We drive the rest of the way in silence, leaving the city behind. Where the hell are we?

Lucas turns onto a dirt road and stops at a large metal gate painted green. I try to find a name or a sign, but there’s nothing.

“What is this place?” I ask.

Lucas doesn’t answer. The huge gate creaks open before us.

He inches the car forward, and a few old buildings and cages come into view.

I press my nose to the window, trying to make out what’s in them.

My eyes widen, and my mouth drops open as I realize. “Parrots? There are parrots here?”

Lucas smiles. “Indeed.”

He parks next to a building, and I leap out, heading straight for one of the cages. “There are parrots here that look just like Cartman!” I exclaim, turning back to Lucas, only to find him standing with a man who looks very excited.

My face breaks into an embarrassed smile, and I walk over to join them. “Hi. I’m so sorry. I just got excited seeing you have African Grays here.”

The man beams at me. “We’re always happy to see people enthusiastic about the place.”

“What is this place?” My eyes roam around the vast property.

The man glances at Lucas. “I thought you explained it to her?”

Lucas grins. “I left you the honors.”

I look between them, and the man extends a hand to me. “Nice to meet you. I’m Marcus. I run The Haven Sanctuary.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ava.” I shake his hand. “Is that the name of this place?”

He nods. “Yes. We’re a rescue and rehabilitation center for parrots.” He gestures down the path and starts walking. I follow.

“Lucas, aren’t you coming with us?” I ask when I notice he’s staying put.

“No. This is for you,” he says.

I pause for a moment.

“Shall we?” Marcus prompts.

“Yes, of course.”

“We rescue abandoned and injured parrots here. You’d be surprised how many people get a parrot, find out it’s difficult, and just dump them,” Marcus explains as we walk.

I grimace. “I know. My parrot is a rescue. His previous owner taught him to swear.”

Marcus laughs. “Yeah, we’ve had a few of those. It’s hard to get them to stop cursing once they learn it. Many people don’t want to adopt them because they have kids.”

We approach one cage filled with green parrots. “These are Indian Ringnecks. A lot of the parrots here now came in with wing injuries that impacted their flight, so we can’t release them.”

Marcus leads me around the facility, explaining each cage and parrot species. The cages don’t look new, but they’re spacious and spotless. The birds are well cared for. We finish the tour and head back toward the starting point.

“Marcus, I’m sorry, but I still don’t understand what I’m doing here,” I say as we walk.

“Mr. Valeur requested that you be involved in all the planning and setup of our new facility.”

I shake my head. “Lucas requested? I don’t understand.”

“Yes, after he donated ten million to us, and you can’t imagine how rare it is for us to get donations of that size. People prefer to give to cute puppies, not parrots. Anyway, he asked that you be involved in the decisions.”

“He donated...” My voice trails off as I search for Lucas, but he’s disappeared. He donated because he knew I rescued Cartman. A thoughtful, generous gesture.

“We live day to day here, donation to donation. We’re all volunteers, and some of us pay out of pocket to cover costs.

He’s like an angel that fell from the sky for us.

We were thinking of using the money to build some new cages.

Some of ours are too crowded for the birds.

And we could also renovate the ones that need it,” Marcus continues.

“Yes, that sounds excellent.” We soon arrive back at the building where Lucas parked, but he isn’t by the car.

“Marcus, it was wonderful talking to you. I’d be happy to sit down and go over the plans later.

I’m sure they’re great. From what I can see, you’re doing amazing work here.

” I give him my number. “Why don’t you call me, and we’ll set up a meeting? ”

Marcus glows. “I’ll call. Thank you so much, Mrs. Valeur.”

“Ava, please.” I smile, placing a hand on his arm.

His grin widens even more. “Ava.”

Lucas’s arm snakes around my waist, and I almost jump out of my skin. Where did he come from? Thin air?

“We need to head back,” Lucas says. “Thanks for your time, Marcus.”

“Thank you,” he bids us farewell and disappears into the building.

I turn to Lucas. “What was that? Are you jealous?”

“What? Of who?”

“The second he touched me, you materialized like some phantom.”

“Phantom? Don’t you think that’s a bit dramatic?”