Page 40 of Lucas
I continue walking, letting my feet carry me where they will. I pass the stables, admiring the sleek, powerful horses grazing in the paddock. They lift their heads as I approach, watching me with curious eyes. I smile, reaching out a hand to stroke a velvety nose.
There’s something about being around animals that always soothes me. They don’t judge, only demanding nothing more than a gentle touch and maybe a treat. They’re simple and uncomplicated in a way that my life has never been.
I linger there for a while, losing myself in the rhythmic motions of petting and scratching, letting the warm sun and the soft whickering of the horses lull me into a state of calm.It’s only when my stomach rumbles, reminding me I skipped breakfast, that I pull myself away.
I make my way back to the house, taking a different path this time, one that winds through a small orchard. The trees are heavy with fruit, the air perfumed with the sweet scent of ripeness. I pluck a peach from a low-hanging branch, biting into it and savoring the burst of flavor on my tongue.
It’s the simple pleasures that make life bearable. A ripe peach, a sunny day, a moment of solitude. I need to hold onto these things, these small pockets of joy, if I’m going to survive the next two years.
I near the house, the grand facade coming into view between the trees, when the sound stops me in my tracks; the deep, rumbling timbre of Lucas’s voice carrying across the lawn. I freeze and duck behind a towering oak.
I peer around the trunk, my breath catching as I spot him. He’s pacing back and forth on the terrace, his phone pressed to his ear, and a scowl etched onto his handsome face. Even from this distance, I can see the tension in his shoulders and the irritated set of his jaw as he barks orders into the device.
“I don’t care what it takes, just get it done. This deal needs to close by the end of the week, no excuses.”
A pause, then a harsh, humorless laugh. “Do I need to remind you what’s at stake here? If this falls through, it won’t just be your job on the line. I’ll make sure you never work in this industry again.”
I shiver at the ice in his tone, the ruthless, uncompromising edge. This is the Lucas Valeur the world knows, the corporate shark, the man who takes what he wants and crushes anyone who gets in his way.
It’s a stark reminder of who he is, of what he’s capable of.A reminder that, for all the heat between us, for all the moments where he almost seems human, he’s not a man to be trifled with.
He ends the call with a vicious stab of his finger, shoving the phone into his pocket before raking a hand through his hair. For a moment, he just stands there, his head bowed and his shoulders heaving with deep, controlled breaths.
Then he raises his head. Turns.
And looks right at the tree I’m hiding behind.
I freeze, my heart stuttering to a halt in my chest. There’s no way he can see me, no way he knows I’m here. And yet, as his eyes bore into the trunk, I swear the heat of his gaze, the intensity of it, sears through bark and leaf and flesh straight to my core.
An eternity seems to pass as I stand there, hardly daring to breathe, my pulse a wild throb in my throat. And then, just when I think I can’t take the suspense a moment longer, he turns away.
I watch as he strides off the terrace, disappearing into the house. Only then do I let out the breath I’ve been holding, my legs trembling beneath me as I sag against the tree.
That was close. Too close.
I make it to my room undetected, closing the door and leaning against it as I try to calm my racing heart.
Seeing Lucas like that, so cold and ruthless, it’s a stark reminder of the tightrope I’m walking. A reminder that, no matter what games we play, no matter what fires we stoke, I can never, ever let myself forget what this is. A business deal. A means to an end.
I spend the following days wandering outside, eating under a tree, or simply in the middle of the field, enjoying the sun and the breeze. My fair skin has even taken on a bit of color in these few days, and I love this new, healthy look.
I return to the manor at noon, my stomach grumbling with hunger. I pass through the kitchen, the scent of baking bread and simmering herbs making my mouth water.
“Lilibeth?”
“Yes, sweetheart?” She turns to me, wiping her hands on the apron at her waist.
I hesitate, feeling awkward and out of place amidst the organized chaos of pots and sizzling pans. “I was wondering, could I prepare dinner today? It’s been so long since I’ve cooked, and I miss the kitchen.” The words tumble out in a rush. “It’s just that we’re both supposed to return to the office tomorrow, and I know I won’t have free time for hobbies anymore, so I thought...”
Lilibeth’s smile widens, her eyes twinkling with understanding. “You miss the chaos?” She gestures to the controlled madness surrounding us, the ingredients scattered across every surface, the tower of dirty dishes in the sink.
I laugh, the tension easing from my shoulders. “Yes, actually. I do.”
“Then the kitchen is all yours, my dear.” Lilibeth steps back with a flourish, presenting the space to me like a queen giving a gift. “Have at it.”
“Please don’t tell Lucas that I made the food.”
Lilibeth’s brow furrows. “Why ever not? Surely you want to show off your culinary skills. Men love a woman who knows her way around a kitchen.” She winks.
