Page 34 of Lucien

So pretty, his flower.

Jamie had explained that while he didn’t technically work for Monique, he helped her out occasionally when she was short on staff and he was between projects. And he’d apparently promised himself to her tonight.

“When do you do youractualwork?” Luc had asked.

Jamie had shrugged. “I take projects as they come. Sometimes I travel out of town to meet with potential clients. I was in Colorado just a few months ago. Lucky for you, I’m between engagements right now.”

Lucky for Luc except now he had to share his human with all these drunk…plebeians.

Luc reluctantly tore his gaze off Jamie—who’d moved on to popping tabs off beers for a rowdy group of frat boys—as Monique appeared in front of Luc with a bottle of whiskey.

“Jamie said part of his payment tonight was keeping you topped off,” she explained as she poured a generous amount of the amber liquid into his glass. “Said you could handle your liquor.”

True enough. It would take about that entire bottle for Luc to feel even a buzz from the liquor. If he drank from one of the intoxicated patrons, however…

“How generous,” he murmured, tipping his chin in thanks.

“Isn’t it though?” Monique placed the bottle in its place on the shelf, then turned back to him, planting a hand on one hip. “Now seems like a good time to ask you about your intentions toward my best guy.”

Luc smirked. How adorable, that she thought she could protect Jamie from him. “I haveallthe intentions when it comes to Jamie, I assure you.”

“Mm.” Monique shot him a skeptical look, then gestured to his eyes with her hand. “Always in costume, I see. You’re a real method actor.”

“Why, yes.” Luc took a sip of his drink before leaning closer over the bar. “Shall I show you the other ways I remain in character?”

“Behave.” Jamie’s soft, teasing voice was a balm compared to the din of the bar. As was his delicious scent. Luc breathed him in greedily, his monster immensely pleased to have their mate’s focus back on them.

Beautiful mate. Precious and perfect and just for us.

Luc narrowed his eyes at Jamie as Monique sauntered off. “You have my monster positively mooning over you. It’s very annoying.”

“Aww, how sweet.” Jamie leaned in close, resting his forearms on the bar. “I feel the same way, monster.”

Luc’s beast preened inside of him. Jesus fuck.

“And how areyoufeeling about me, hm, Lucien?” Jamie teased, cocking his head to the side playfully.

“Like I want to bend you over that bar and fuck you senseless.”

Well. Maybe Luc had consumed more of that whiskey than he’d thought.

Jamie’s dark eyes widened even as his lips curled up. “Damn. I thought we weren’t at the fucking stage yet, Mr.It Will Be a Claiming.” He deepened his voice at the end in a sorry imitation of Luc’s rough growl.

Luc swirled his whiskey thoughtfully, raking his eyes over his mate. “I might be changing my mind.”

Something about watching Jamie among all these people, that lovely smile being handed out to the masses, had Luc positively itching to stake his claim. He wished he hadn’t had to heal Jamie’s bite mark. He wished there were bruised, bloody prints of his teeth on Jamie’s neck for everyone to see.

Something to say,Mine. Back the fuck off.

Jamie flashed that lovely smile at him now. “Hearing that makes it almost worth all the customers you’re scaring off with that fearsome glower, monster.”

Luc glanced around the bar. “Is it hurting business, my being here?”

Not that Luc cared about Monique’s business. But Jamie clearly did. And Luc would protect whatever Jamie cared for. He would do anything for more of that smile, that easy joy.

Jamie shrugged one careless shoulder. “Not really. I think it’s evened out by everyone who’s staying to ogle you, too intimidated to shoot their shot.” He blew Luc a kiss and sidled back down the bar as another patron signaled for him.

Luc grimaced at the thought. Once, they wouldn’t have been so intimidated, back when Luc could still hold his human face. His paramours had always loved his green eyes.

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