I swallow thickly as his heavy footsteps approach me.
I have to hold on to the counter to keep myself upright, suddenly feeling like I’m going to faint.
“Are you alright, treasure?” Lucian asks, concern returning to his voice as he walks over and wraps his arms around me, holding me close. I feel awful for leaning into him. For even thinking he did this. The club is full of powerful men. You don’t want to be their enemy. Carla’s words echo in my head as he rubs soothing circles on my arm.
Swallowing back a wave of uncertainty, I reply, “I’m fine.”
Chapter 27
Lucian
I haven’t taken a day away from the office in a very long time. But there was no way I was going to leave Dahlia today. We only have today and tomorrow left.
I still have work to do, and so does she, but as soon as I’m finished, she’s all mine.
My treasure is waiting for me in the living room. The last I saw her she was sprawled out on the rug with several textbooks and sketchpads, preparing for her final semester and an event for work.
My body relaxes as I remember how she asked me to go with her. She’s still coming around to being open with me and telling me what her needs are, but she’s doing much better now. It was so obvious that she thought I’d say no, but she’s my priority.
I open the desk drawer and take out the contract. I need to extend it, and I’ve been typing up the language for my half of the contract for the last hour. I’ve been distracted by the incessant phone calls from PR and my lawyer. I couldn't care less at this point. If my ex is going to publish her tell-all, I’ll sue her. I’m not giving her another penny. They don’t seem to agree with my tactic, but I don’t care anymore.
I’m done with her. Tricia is my past, and that’s where she’ll stay. If she wants to publish lies, then she can make herself a liar and wind up in court.
I sigh heavily and hate that I’ve given any more energy to her at all. My head is pounding with a relentless headache. My temples throb with pain that just isn’t leaving. I take another two Advil from the bottle on my desk and wash it down with my coffee.
It’s almost room temperature now, but I only need the caffeine. A smile graces my lip when my fingers run over the engraving on the outside of the steel mug. Please, sir.
She thinks she’s cute, my treasure. And she is.
My heart swells for a moment, but then my computer pings with yet another email. This one is from the executives that head up development.
I put my mug down on the desk, intent on getting to work and tying up these loose ends. Once I’m done for today, I’m going on vacation. I want time for just the two of us. She’ll be busy once school starts, but until then, her time is mine. And I want it all. Linda’s processing applications for another two executive assistants. I need to start delegating more work. It’s a slow going process, but I’m working on it.
I focus on the tasks at hand and make the final decisions on several contracts with ease. Knowing that once this is done with, I’ll be able to enjoy my treasure makes the time go by quickly.
A timid knock at the office door makes my fingers pause on the keyboard.
“Come in.”
Dahlia peeks her head in, only partially opening the door. “Are you busy?”
I have a moment.” I really do need to get this shit done. But I can put it on pause for her.
She walks easily to the desk and I turn my chair so she can sit on my lap. I love the feel of her body against mine. Her warmth and gentle touches soothe me.
I lay a hand on her thigh and plant a small kiss on her neck.
“Will you be done soon?” she asks me. Tricia used to ask me that all the time. At first, anyway. She stopped a few months into the marriage, when she gave up.
I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. The headache is coming on full force now. I hate that the thought of Tricia ever came to my mind because of something my treasure said. They’re nothing alike.
“I have another two hours at least,” I tell her, knowing that it’ll possibly be more, but I’ll come back and finish once she’s gone to bed. I’ll make time for her. I’m committed to that.
“I was going to make dinner,” she wraps her arms around my shoulders, “or maybe order something?”
“What do you want?” I ask her. A sweet smile slips into place on her lips.
“That’s what I came in to ask you.” I hug her waist closer to me, her ass slipping against my cock and stirring desire. I nip her neck and debate on taking her now. Sating her so she can relax while I finish this.
“What’s this?” she asks, her forehead pinched.
I glance down at the contract on the desk. “It’s not ready yet. It’s the new contract.”
She picks up the papers and skims through them.
My body tenses as the crease in her forehead becomes deeper and the look of unhappiness is evident in her eyes.
“I don’t want to sign this,” she says finally. Her voice is full of apprehension and soft with doubt. But she looks back at me, setting the papers down with strength and finality. She shakes her head. “I don’t want to sign it.”
I didn’t expect that. My body chills at how resolute her decision is. “Do you want more money?” I ask her, not knowing what other problems she could have with it. I’ve put in her needs. I know I’ll meet them. These past few days have been nothing but perfection.
Dahlia pushes away from me and climbs off of my lap, her warmth leaving me wanting her. I grip her hips to keep her from leaving me but she slaps me away, catching me by surprise.
I quickly rise from my desk, the chair falling backward onto the floor. A touch of fear flashes in her eyes as she walks backward.
I raise my hands, although my voice is strong and my eyes are narrowed. “Dahlia,” I say and her eyes fly to mine. She looks angry, but more than that, upset.
“What’s wrong?” I ask her, although I’m not a fucking idiot. I shouldn’t have implied that it was about money. It’s a habit of mine. It’s hard breaking them, but I know my treasure better than that. It’s not about the money for her. I should have known that.
“I don’t want your money,” her voice cracks slightly as she crosses her arms and looks away. “I’m not-”
“I’m sorry.” I walk toward her, slowly moving my hands around her hips. I can tell she wants to push me away, she wants to leave, but she’s my Submissive.
She should have known better than to leave me like she did. She knows better than that. But then again, I knew better than to bring up money.
“Look at me,” I say and as the words leave my lips, she obeys. A small frown mars her beautiful face. “Whatever you want to change in the contract, just let me know.”
She shakes her head, and her face crumples. “I don’t want a contract.”
My grip on her tightens, and my heart races in my chest.
“I don’t know why you want this if we’re… if we’re more than this.” Her voice is shaky, and she’s obviously extremely upset. I don’t understand why though.
I hate that she’s questioning me. I need contracts. Whatever she wants to change, I can alter. I don’t mind that.