Page 3 of Secret Baby for a Damaged Billionaire

“Sure,” I say. “What did you have in mind?”

“A drink. Softer music,” he states, keeping his eyes fixed on mine.

“Okay,” I agree. “Somewhere less… well, just less.”

He nods, taking my hand in his. He leads me out of the loud ballroom back into the hotel foyer, and we both let out huge exhales, leaving the chaos of the party behind us.

“What did Chloe mean about you needing help with your business?” I ask, thinking about her unexpected suggestion to have me work for him and wondering how on earth I could be of use to him. “What kind of work do you do now?”

He walks me across the bright lobby area, toward the small bar near the front entrance. A few hotel guests sit on high stools, sipping their dark liquors, likely preparing for their next business meetings the following day. Instead of seeking a table, Lucas walks up to the shiny mahogany counter, gesturing to the barman.

They have a brief exchange, and then Lucas turns back to me.

“MMA,” he says in a flat tone. “BJJ.”

“What?” I look at him, furrowing my brow.

“Mixed martial arts,” he states, tipping his head slightly. “Brazilian Jujitsu.”

I stare at him in confusion as if he’s speaking another language.

He smirks. “I have a chain of sparring gyms, dojos if you will. Top-ranking fighters on my roster, known globally. I’m looking to expand to Dubai.” He reaches for the champagne bottle and glasses that the barman hands him. “Thanks, man.” And he lifts his eyebrows flirtatiously. “Shall we?”

He heads over to the elevators, pressing the call button, as I follow in curiosity. We wait in silence, anticipation thrumming between us. The doors slide open, and we step inside, Lucas immediately presses the button for the top floor.

“You have a room here?” I ask, eyes widening.

“Mm-hmm.” He holds my gaze in a dramatic pause, waiting as the elevator climbs.

My mind races, imagining being alone with him, having the privacy to do what I want to him. The thrill excites every nerve in my body as I anticipate letting my guard down and throwing all rules of dating etiquette out the window. I want to be alone with Lucas, and he clearly has the same idea for me.

As the elevator climbs higher, he turns his body toward mine, spreading his stance wide as he closes in on me. I back against the wall, unable to avoid his intense posture and my breath quickens. He holds his hands out on either side of me, one holding the champagne bottle and the other with the glasses.

He moves his face close to mine. “Are you comfortable coming up to my suite with me?” he whispers, his breath tickling my lips. “The views are spectacular.”

The elevator chimes and stops its ascent, and I nod. “Yes,” I say. “I’d love to see it.” Though the views are the last thing I care about seeing, feeling the heat that radiated through his perfectly fitted designer suit.

I can hardly believe my own illicit thoughts. I had convinced myself that my desire to be with a man had dried up after Dominic blindsided me, sleeping with his side piece in our own bed. But now, Lucas woke something inside me, something ravenous, and I feel alive again.

The elevator doors slide open and Lucas gestures for me to follow him as he steps out, leading me down the hall to his suite. I hold the glasses for him as he fumbles with the keycard, swearing under his breath, and I can’t help but laugh at his eagerness.

As soon as he gets the doors open, he invites me in, switching on the lights and kicking the door shut. As I marvel at the enormous, elegant space, the amazing sky view out the floor-to-ceiling windows displaying all of Boston, he takes the glasses from my hands and places them on the side table with the bottle of champagne. And without a word, he pins me against the wall, pressing his muscular frame on my body, allowing me to feel his strength and his power.

He lifts his hands, framing my face, and whispers, “I’m sorry, I want to kiss you so badly.”

He locks my eyes with his, waiting for my permission, and every muscle in my body melts from the desperation in his gaze. And with the same level of desire rising within me, I tilt my face toward his, inviting him in.

With a slight grin, he lowers his mouth to mine, hesitating a tiny distance from my lips, making me grow hungrier. And then he kisses me, strong and urgent, causing every nerve in my body to explode. It feels like weeks and months of pent-up longing between the two of us, unleashed in a single moment of connection. And I melt into him, fingers running through his short hair and around his neck.

He breaks away for a moment, gasping. “Jesus,” he breathes heavily, eyes trailing along my body. “What is it about you? You’re driving me wild,” he growls, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down along my throat. I gasp, tilting my head to give him better access. “You have no idea how long it’s been for me.”

His voice is low and vulnerable, making me want him even more, as he buries his face in my hair, inhaling me.

“I want you, Lucas,” I gasp, desire burning white-hot in my veins, trailing my hands down his chest, feeling the contours of his muscles through his shirt.

Without another word, he scoops me into his arms, carrying me into the bedroom. We tumble onto the mattress together, and he kneels over me, unbuttoning his shirt without taking his eyes off of me. As he throws his shirt to the floor, the sight of his bare chest makes me weak, all thoughts of any consequence flee my mind, replaced only by a singular need to be as close to him as humanly possible.

As my gaze trails down his stomach, landing on his belt, he grins, reaching around my back, and pulling on the zipper of my dress. In seconds, our clothes are on the floor, and he props his weight over me, kissing me with hot desire.

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