Page 10 of Alpha-Ex Wedding Ruse
My gaze caught Luca’s for a brief second before I dropped it to the notebook in my lap. I scribbled down a few notes, willing my hand to stay steady, then looked back up.
“Do you have a location in mind?”
“For the ceremony?” Elena tilted her head. “No. We were hoping you could find something that could accommodate that many guests.”
“Sure,” I said. “Of course. I’ll start researching large capacity venues that still allow for intimacy and atmosphere. Something that feels personal, even with a thousand guests.”
Elena gave me a tight smile, as if thinking I couldn’t pull this off. It felt like I was on a leash, like I was two seconds away from being fired. I couldn’t afford to mess this up. Not with my rent three weeks late and Blaze threatening to harm my son.
Working with Luca—for Luca—was going to be one of the most difficult requirements of my life, but quitting wasn't an option. So, Elena must never find out. She had no idea that the man sitting next to her hadn’t just been my lover. He’d been my Fated Mate.
I fought the sudden urge to scoff. Fuck fate.
The conversation carried on. Mostly between Elena and me. Luca said nothing. He just sat there, legs crossed, eyes glued to me like a strip of tape that was stuck too tight to remove.
He didn’t say a single word, made no effort to contribute. So whyhad he stayed for the entire meeting? To play statue? Or to mess with me? Either way, I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he was getting under my skin.
Eventually, it was over, and relief began to creep in. I was finally going to leave. But then Elena stood and said, “Wait—I’ll grab my iPad. I sketched out a few ideas that should give you a clearer picture of what I want. Think of it like a free pass into my world.”
I closed my notebook, slipped the pen inside, and tucked both into my bag. “Could I use your restroom, please?”
I didn’t actually need to go. I just couldn’t bear the thought of being alone in the same room as Luca once Elena left.
“There’s a bathroom down the hall to your left,” Elena said.
I gave her a quick, appreciative smile before rising and heading in that direction.
Despite the thirty minutes that had passed, my heartbeat still thundered in my ears. Seeing Luca Vaughn again had unraveled me in ways I hadn’t prepared for.
When I reached the bathroom, I gripped the sink like it was the only thing keeping me tethered to reality.
What the hell was he doing here of all places?
No. I knew exactly what he was doing here.
He was getting married.
I pressed a trembling palm to my face. I should’ve done my research before taking the job. Should’ve cared enough to actually read the groom’s name. But I’d been too desperate. Too focused on getting the job, too distracted by mounting bills and recent threats.
I looked up at the mirror. My face was pale, like I’d been running a fever. My cheeks were flushed. My breathing was shallow and erratic now that I finally had the space to feel.
And my eyes…the sheen in them pissed me off more than anything.
I hated him.
I hated that he could still make me feel like this. That after five goddamn years—after everything—my body still recognized him.
Still wanted him.
I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood.
Suddenly, the door flew open and Luca entered. No, he strode in. One hand was buried casually in his pocket, like he had every right to be here. His scent filled the bathroom, hitting me like a freight train. Masculine. Strong. So very Luca.
My eyes snapped wide, more out of panic than anything. This house was crawling with servants. Anyone could walk by and see the wedding planner in the bathroom with the groom. And then I could kiss my job goodbye.
“Get out.”
He didn’t move. He just stood there, his towering frame soaking up the space like he owned it. His gaze flicked down the length of my body, then back up to my face.
