Page 162 of Lucas
“Oh, yeah?” I challenge, nipping at his bottom lip. “So you like when I call you crass and insufferable and full of yourself?”
He grins, his dimple deepening.
“I have to admit, I never thought you were hideous,” I tease, biting my lip.
“I know. No one can resist my devilish charm and roguish good looks.” He waggles his eyebrows.
“You’re insufferable.”
“Fuck yes, I love it. Still sexy as hell.” He stands and hoists me up with him. I wrap my legs around his hips as he grips my ass. “And I more than made good on my word, too, rocking your world until you screamed my name over and over again.”
I wind my arms around his neck, grinding my aching center against the impressive bulge straining his pants. “Mmm, you did, stud, in more delicious ways than one.” I lick a path up his neck to his ear, relishing his shudder of pleasure.
In a flash, he sweeps the mugs off the table, sending them crashing to the floor, and lays me down on the smooth surface. “I think a replay is in order.”
As he covers my body with his, I surrender myself to the transcendent bliss that only his touch can bring, my heart and soul forever entwined with his.
Chapter Forty-One
LUCAS
Iperch on the edge of the leather couch as Logan sits across from me, his icy blue eyes drilling into me with laser-like intensity.
“Why did you call us here?” he asks.
I take a deep breath, my heart pounding against my ribcage like a caged bird desperate to escape. “Because we need to talk. There’s something I have to tell you, something I can’t keep buried any longer.” My gaze darts between Logan and Cora, trying to gauge their reactions.
Liam strolls into the room, an amused smirk playing on his lips. “You’re pregnant?”
At this moment, I would gladly announce an unplanned pregnancy rather than the earth-shattering bombshell I’m about to drop.
“No, you ass,” I snap. “Ava’s not ready for that yet.”
Liam’s eyes widen, his smirk slipping. “Hold up. You’reserious? Lucas ‘love-is-manipulative-bullshit’ Valeur not only fell head over heels but wants kids too?” He clutches his chest. “I think I’m having a heart attack.”
I jump to my feet and punch his shoulder hard. “I’d put you in a headlock and make you tap out for that, but I didn’t call this little family meeting for your comedy routine,” I growl.
“Okay, okay, message received.” Liam holds up his hands in mock surrender and plops down on the couch next to Logan, propping his feet up on the coffee table. “Just don’t say you’re also quitting the company because I don’t want to be responsible for the whole shebang. I’m only now getting a handle on my shit at Valeur-Tech.”
I shake my head. “It’s not that.”
The playful atmosphere evaporates as they take in my grave expression, the air charged with foreboding. I clench my jaw so hard my teeth ache as I prepare to rip off the bloodstained bandage.
“Remember when I told you Dad cheated?”
“Yeah,” they chorus, leaning forward.
“Well, I may have been wrong.”
“Ha!” Cora leaps to her feet, fist-pumping the air. “I knew it! He always said she was the love of his life. It made no sense that he’d cheat. I knew it!”
“Yeah, well, don’t pop the champagne just yet,” I whisper, my voice cracking with emotion. “Because now I think the real reason they grew apart is worse.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, stop beating around the bush and spit it out already,” Logan snarls, his intense stare boring into my skull like a power drill.
I lift my head, meeting his burning gaze head-on, steeling myself. “I think Dad murdered someone.”
Cora makes a strangled choking sound, her hand flying to her mouth.
