Page 50 of Naughty or Nice

Not like the one I just got, learning how you screwed Lucas over. Not that I was truly surprised.

‘So, how is Hong Kong and the lovely Mrs Chan?’

He laughs down the phone at me and my body eases into the seat. ‘Eva, I’m not kidding. The woman terrifies me...’

For the remainder of the cab journey he fills me in, and then quizzes me on what to buy Mum and Dad for Christmas. The conversati

on turns easy, and it’s the perfect distraction—until I let myself into the apartment, into the kitchen, and in my head I’m naked, with Lucas pressed into my back...

My body tightens on a shiver of heat, of longing, and I reach a hand to the cool surface of the worktop, dragging in a breath.

I’ll never have enough of Lucas. He’s the only man I’ve ever loved, the only man who’s truly got under my skin. And now I’ve learned the truth. He’s not the enemy my family painted him as for so long. He’s the one who’s been wronged.

Where does that leave us? Leave me?

Scared.

If I listen to my fear then I’ll take his business off the table and run—because being around him and keeping my heart under wraps is impossible. And if I don’t—if this love has chance to take hold again—what am I risking?

Everything.

There can be no future. Not with the past as it is.

But what if it could be changed? What if the air could be cleared? What if he could be welcomed back?

Was it even possible?

I feel a lightness creep its way in, see the future opening up with possibility...

There has to be a way. Mum and Dad are good people; they’re controlling, overprotective, but good people. And Nate isn’t himself—he hasn’t been since the day he and Lucas went their separate ways. It has to be rooted in guilt, shame for what he’s done, a desire to avoid Lucas and the memory of it all.

But surely if Lucas is willing to forgive, Nate can stop this whole don’t trust him shit. He can take responsibility for what he’s done and stop insisting that Lucas is on a revenge mission. Because I don’t believe it. Not after all Lucas has said.

And he can’t be lying. That photo isn’t a lie. His desire for me can’t be fake. So the rest has to be the truth too...

But what if it’s not?

CHAPTER NINE

DESPITE TELLING LUCAS that our PAs would handle it, I’m still surprised when it comes to Friday and I’ve not heard from him.

I was so convinced he’d call. But then I didn’t exactly leave him on fabulous terms. I gave him my warning that his deal was questionable and then ran off to deal with my family and the mess that is me, my feelings.

I’ve been trying to come to terms with both since—to come up with a plan, even.

It’s less than three weeks to Christmas. Three weeks until the Beaumonts do what they do best and celebrate the season all cosied up at the family home. The family home Lucas was once a part of. And I want that again. More than anything.

I pull open my office door and Clare looks up with a smile.

‘Do we have a new meeting scheduled with Waring Holdings yet?’

My cheeks flush a little and I damn my inability to stay cool.

If Clare notices, she’s ever the professional and doesn’t comment on it. A few clicks of the mouse, a scan of the screen and then she’s frowning.

‘I don’t see anything—should there be?’

‘No... I mean, yes.’