Page 98 of Alpha-Ex Wedding Ruse
He chuckled, his eyes fluttering shut as he inhaled my scent. For a quiet moment, we stayed like that—breathing in each other.
“As much as I want to stay in this moment forever,” I started, pulling away from him. “I’ve got a meeting with the design team in five minutes. And I think you’re supposed to be in that meeting too.“
Luca groaned at the thought of yet another meeting. I imagined he had enjoyed an endless mouth of those in Vancouver.
“Look, you’ve got lipstick all over your lips. I don’t want them thinking we’re late because I dragged you off to make out with the boss.”
I reached up to wipe the gloss from his lips, but he caught my wrist.
His gaze darkened, his pupils dilating, turning his steel grey eyes almost black. I knew that look all too well. It was the one that always came right before he ruined me.
“Five minutes, huh?” he said. “That’s enough time.”
I arched a brow. “Enough time for what?”
Luca’s answer was to lift me onto the desk in one fluid motion. With his leg, he nudged mine open, and threaded his hand between my thighs. He smirked when his fingers brushed my already soaked panties.
“Enough time to smear my lips with something other than your lipstick.”
Then he dropped to his knees.
He tugged me to the edge of the table, peeled off my panties like they were gift wrap, and without hesitation, buried his face between my legs.
“…coming out with a new concept for the design.”
Luca’s voice pulled me violently out of the memory.
I blinked, only now realizing he was beside me, so close that his scent was all I could breathe in. And if my cheeks hadn’t already turned scarlet from that little mental detour, this would’ve sealed the deal.
“I’m sorry—what?” I asked, stepping away from him, needing space. Oxygen. Sanity.
He frowned. “Are you okay, Leila? Is this about what happened in the lounge?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Their words don’t bother me.”
That was a lie. Of course, it bothered me. I hated the venom in their voices, the judgment in their eyes. But I’d learned to pretend it didn’t matter.
Still, he watched me for a second too long. Like he could see straight through me—to the dirty, dangerous thoughts I’d just had about him.
His gaze dropped to my lips, and I felt my pulse spike. And ever so slowly, he dragged his eyes back to mine.
“Good,” he said. “Let’s go through the details of this design, shall we? We’ve only got a week to pull off a winning miracle.”
I exhaled in relief when he finally stepped away and moved toward his desk. My wolf, however, let out a disappointed sound.
After he sat, he pulled out a folder from one of his drawers. “Did you go through the folder?”
“Yes,” I said, settling into the seat across from his table. “I’ve begun working on a few drafts already.”
“Perfect. As much as the Alpha Regent is seeking a new, modern layout, he doesn’t want compromises on a few things.” He flipped open the folder. “This is the present design for the headquarters. The places marked green…” his perfectly manicured fingers glided across the page, “…arethe spots that shouldn’t be compromised. Every other thing can be changed to however best you see fit.”
He looked up at me—and did that thing again. The thing where his eyes dropped to my lips, lingered there a second too long, like he was remembering something…or imagining it all over again. Then slowly, rose back to meet mine.
“I, um…I understand.” I struggled for composure, voice tight.
“Good.” Luca flipped the folder closed and set it out before me. “I’ll be expecting that draft on my desk first thing tomorrow morning.”
As I reached out to collect it, our hands brushed against each other. And without meaning to, I dropped the folder.
