Page 17 of The Alpha's Lunar Crown

Whatever he says hangs in the air as I don't respond to it, and I fight the urge to say anything.

A business trip with Lucien? Alone? I would rather manage being here with him than go on that business trip."Lucien, that is not necessary," I decline, my tone firm. "We can handle everything here, and we will."

Lucien cocks his head slightly, his lips curling into a smile as he crosses his arms across his chest. "If you say so. But sometimes moving away from your workplace helps clear the mind, doesn't it? And it would give us more inspiration on what we're working on," he pauses, scratching the middle of his head. "If you're worried about the fees, it's an all-expense paid trip sponsored by the company."

He is right, and that's what bothers me most. Even though I don't want to admit it, there is a part of me that is looking forward to the idea of being alone with him again, just like before.But I still didn't want to let that happen, not after everything.

I grab the papers just to make it look like I have something to do, as I stand up quickly. "I will get the rest of the details sorted out for you," I look down at the desk, hoping my tone will end this meeting. "I will send the final results to your office."

Lucien takes off his suit jacket, rolls his sleeves up, and leans forward against the table. "Why not we finish it now?"

His gaze meets mine, pinning me down and settling on my lips before snapping back to my eyes.

I stand up, turn off the laptop, and carry it in my arms. "Office hours are over."

He stands and pushes off the desk to the side, closing the space between us. "Tell me, Aurora. Do you really want to leave?"

I don't move, even though I want to. My body fails me. I'm frozen in place as his fingers graze my wrist. I have no idea if it's a reminder that he still knows too well how to mend me.

I swallow, my throat clamping. "Lucien," I grimace.

His lips curve in a devious smirk. "Yes, sweetheart?"

My pulse hammers in my ears as I rip my hand away immediately. "You don't get to call me that."

"You used to like it." His jaw ticks.

"I used to like a lot of things." I take a step back. "But not anymore."

A muscle in his cheek twitches. He doesn't look away. He watches me like he's trying to fit the pieces of me back together, but I won't let him.

I grab my bag, slipping the laptop inside. "We're done here."

I take a step, but Lucien adjusts, blocking the door.

"On the trip, there is a conference." His voice is soft, but there is nothing soft about the way his eyes pin me down in place. "We need to go. Together. I don't care if you like it or not."

I stiffen, cursing in my thoughts. "Go with someone else from your company."

He smirks, shaking his head. "We are the only ones who can handle this deal. It's just us, Aurora. Like old times."

Memories crash into me when he mentioned old times. Events replay in my mind: the late-night meetings, whispered plans, and his promises that we would build something stronger together. The way he kissed me like I was all that existed in his world.

Even with all of that, he broke me.

I take a step back. "I don't want the old times."

Lucien takes a few steps close to me, tipping my chin up with two fingers as he takes a deep breath, causing mine to hitch.

He brushes his thumb against my jaw, his touch soft and gentle. "You're scared."

I shove his hand off my jaw. "Of you?" I let out a sharp and bitter laugh. "Not in your wildest dreams." I lie through my teeth, hiding the strands of worry of knotting my intestines with a subtle swallow.Running into him in a public restaurant is one thing. Having to work on a project with him is another, but going on business trips with him? That's a completely different level on its own. That's a bit too personal for me, and knowing Lucien, next will be him barging into my house. I can't have that, not when I have to keep him away from Ronan.

A quick scene of him running into Ronan flashes through my mind. Will he know he's his son? Will he feel an instant bond to him, or will the striking resemblance give him away before anything else? The knot in my stomach tightens into a nausea-forming strand, and I immediately dismiss the thought with a shake of my head, returning my focus to the painfully handsome, smirking devil in front of me.

"Then prove it by going on that business trip with me."

I try to hesitate, but damn him, I can't. He knows exactly how to use my pride to fumble me. Also, if I give in now, maybe I can curtail his excess and keep our relationship confined to the four walls of the office. I can control how things progress from here, and there'll be no reason for him to seek me out.

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