Page 31 of Captured Fantasy

Lucien’s Tesla pulled up and parked on the curb and he got out and put on a pair of sunglasses. The neighbor to my right stopped and ogled him as she always did, her hose falling slack as she stared at him over the hedges. He stood by the mailbox for a long moment, seemingly waiting for something, and then he took out a cigarette and lit it. Smoke drifted out of his mouth, reflecting in his sunglasses. The passenger side opened and my heart flipped as Federico stepped out, his phone to his ear.

I knew they suspected I was intimate with both of them, but I’d never said it outright. Perhaps they’d finally had a conversation about it and now I was in trouble. I sighed, a little surge of anger rising in my chest. Of course if they were angry, it was my fault. Heaven forbid they take some responsibility for where they put their dicks.

Federico hung up the phone as they approached the porch. I rose, wishing I’d worn something more covering than my bikini top. I forced myself not to shrink back as I walked across the porch and looked down at them.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, trying not to sound annoyed.

“I was in the area and Federico needed to check your plumbing,” Lucien said.

“My…plumbing?” I stared at them both.

“Your water bill was very high this month,” Federico said, mounting the porch and pulling open the front door. “I need to check the usual culprits.”

“Oh,” I said, following them inside.

My palms were sweating, although I wasn’t sure why. I wasn’t afraid, being here with them, but there was something intimidating about having them in the same room at the same time. It was too much overwhelming, male energy within the flowery walls of my house.

Federico went straight to the stairs and I heard his footfalls echo overhead. Lucien walked into the kitchen, sparing a sweeping glance for the carnations, and started making himself an espresso. They were both getting very comfortable with walking into my house, sitting at my table, and drinking my coffee.

“I have a table at the benefit tomorrow for four,” Lucien said. “I’d like to take you.”

I shook my head. “You can’t take me out in public.”

“You’re a lonely widow,” he said, his mouth twitching. “People will think it’s charity. Especially because I’m slated to be engaged to someone else come spring.”

There was a hint of bitterness in his tone.

Unfortunately, he was probably right. I stared down at the sink, trying to fight back the anger bubbling in my chest. No one would think Lucien was with me because I wasn’t the sort of woman that powerful men like him messed around with.

“Fine,” I said coldly.

Federico walked downstairs and leaned past me to wash his hands. “Bad flush valve. I’ll send someone out to repair it on Monday. It’s an easy fix.”

Lucien sipped his espresso, his eyes resting on me as Federico wiped his hands dry and ran his palm over his black hair, slicking it back. Then, with an astounding amount of audacity, Federico leaned over and yanked the string of my bikini free. His teeth flashed white as I gasped, clasping the thin fabric to my chest. Trying unsuccessfully to cover my breasts.

“Federico!” I cried.

Lucien’s jaw twitched. “Don’t be cruel, Rico.”

His defense caught me off guard. I stood there, my cheeks burning, and blinked hard to keep the tears from gathering. Federico rolled his eyes and yanked my hair lightly, striding out of the kitchen and down the hall. I swallowed and Lucien released a sigh. To my surprise, he circled me and took the strings of my bikini and helped me tie it closed.

“I’ll see you later, Enza,” he said.

I turned and he bent, kissing my temple and smoothing back my hair. The gesture echoed through me, heavy with nostalgia. It felt strange to admit it, but in that moment Lucien’s touch felt paternal and oddly comforting. My chest hurt as I stood there by the sink, staring out the kitchen window.

The next day, after the flowers were delivered to the country club, I went upstairs and soaked in the tub for an hour. It felt good to wash away all the sweat, bits of flower stem, and the ache in my arms. Then I shaved, moisturized, and perfumed my skin to perfection before slipping my dress on.

I did my makeup and hair, arranging it in loose waves around my shoulders. Then I padded through the silent house with my heels in my hand and waited for Lucien.

He arrived as he always did. With steel confidence, that eternal cigarette hanging from his lips below his empty, cold eyes. To my surprise, he knelt before me and helped buckle my shoe. He brushed back my hair and gazed at me for a long moment as if he felt sorry for me. My God, the way he looked at me reminded me painfully of my father.

Pieces fell into place.

So that was why I wasn’t attracted to Lucien.

We drove in silence to the outskirts of the city. The country club was lit up with outdoor lights leading up to the front door. Lucien stepped out of the car, guiding me to the sidewalk. He stood for a moment, looking around, and his gaze fell on Federico as he stepped out onto the porch. He wore a handsome suit and his black hair was shiny over his head. He raised his hand briefly and stabbed out the cigarette in his fingers as we moved up the stairs.

Lucien stepped aside for a moment to speak to Rosario Barone in the front hall, leaving me on the porch with Federico. His gaze moved over my body, following the lines of my tight dress, and resting on my bare throat.

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