Page 20 of Secret Baby for a Damaged Billionaire

My eyes trailed back to Lucas, taking in his muscular frame, stern expression, and bulging biceps. No wonder none of them stood up to him; he’s terrifying. But then his hand moves around my waist, and he leans in to whisper in my ear, turning my knees to jelly.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yes,” I exhale, trying to shake off the guilt and confusion. “Just wasn’t expecting to see him.”

He nods. “I think he might keep his distance from here forward.”

I smile. “Yeah, something tells me you’re probably right.”

He flags the barman over and orders a Jameson, knocking it back with ease, the dark liquid disappearing without so much as a wince. “Let’s forget about him and enjoy our celebration, alright?” Lucas suggests, his eyes softening as he takes my hand.

“Alright,” I agree, heart still pounding.

He leans in close again. “I think I’ve had enough pub excitement for one day.” He rubs his temples. “I’d really like it if you could come home with me tonight.”

My heart races at the thought, but then reality sets in. “Lucas, I really want to,” I say, unable to hide the desire in my voice. “But I promised Chloe I’d go dress shopping with her tonight.” My face shows the deep disappointment I feel.

“Damn,” he sighs. “Well, how about we explore my neighborhood next time? It’s my turn to show you around.”

“Yeah, I’d like that.” Relief washes over me as I see the disappointment in his eyes replaced by a hint of excitement. “Just promise me you’ll stay in touch tonight, alright? I need to know you’re okay after everything that’s happened today.”

“Emily,” he chuffs, a small grin tugging at his lips. “I can handle a minor run-in with an ex-boyfriend.”

“Still,” I insist, playfully swatting his arm.

“Alright, alright,” he concedes, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I promise I’ll keep in touch.”

“Good,” I say, satisfied, and I wrap my arms around him for a quick hug. His strong arms envelop me, and for a moment, we linger in each other’s embrace.

We head out the door and our eyes lock, and for a moment, I feel as though time has stopped. The sounds of the city—honking cars, chattering passersby, and distant laughter—fade into the background, leaving only the steady rhythm of my heart pounding in my ears.

I glance at my vibrating phone and see Chloe’s name light up. “Sounds like we might break some more rules,” I whisper, feeling both exhilarated and terrified by the promise that hangs between us.

“Agreed,” he murmurs as we walk back toward the gym, hand in hand.

Chapter Ten (Lucas)

I watch from my spot on the sidelines as my fighters squeeze in their final practice before the grand showcase. Sweat drips from their brows, their muscles flexing with each expertly executed move. I’ve molded them into champions, and I feel a swell of pride as I take in their progress.

But lurking beneath that pride lies an undercurrent of worry. The martial arts world isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It’s packed to the brim with rivals and underhanded business tactics. Keeping a step ahead of the competition and ensuring that Walker Enterprises doesn’t crumble into chaos is like juggling knives. And then there are people like Emily, who push all my buttons while somehow cranking up my desire for her. They say opposites attract, and for us, it’s like we’re magnets on steroids.

As if my thoughts have conjured them, the gym door swings open, and Chloe and Emily whirl in, their laughter ricocheting off the walls. They’re a hurricane of energy and giggles, and I find myself grinning despite the storm of worries swirling in my head.

“Lucas! You won’t believe the calamity we found ourselves in today,” Chloe says between giggles.

“I’m all ears,” I reply.

“Emily and I were on a wedding mission, and we stumbled into this shop that sold nothing but novelty cake toppers….” Chloe’s voice trails off as she spots the fighters behind me.

“Wow, you’ve got a small army of martial arts superheroes here,” she says, her eyes wide with awe.

“Thanks, Chloe,” I respond with a nod, a rush of pride washing over me. “They’re burning the midnight oil for the upcoming showcase.”

“Emily, you should consider martial arts,” Chloe teases, giving her a playful elbow. “It could be a great stress-buster after dealing with his pushy clients.” She rolls her eyes at me.

“Maybe,” Emily murmurs, her eyes flitting to mine. I can’t help but speculate what’s going on in her mind, and the familiar heat that always simmers between us sparks to life.

“Anyway,” Chloe says, sweeping the previous topic aside, “we were having such a blast today that I lost track of time.” Clapping her hands together, she adds, “You should have seen the cakes too!”

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