Chapter 30
W hile balancing on one foot, I rolled my ankle in a circle, causing the pebbles in front of the Quincenera venue to crunch.
I was hurting. All day, I’d been running back and forth, serving drinks and plates of food.
The party was still going, music pumping from inside, but the manager, Deedee, the person filling in for Verity, and I had finished everything we needed to.
Hopefully, she wasn’t pissed at me for giving Alex her address. I mean, he would have found a way to get it anyway if he were anything like his brother.
A sleek new Mercedes roared as it pulled into the parking lot, driving toward me. I squinted. That wasn’t Lucian’s car . . . The black surface of the hood reflected the moon, and it rolled to a stop.
The window lowered. It was Lucian!
I hurried to it and hopped in.
“Where’s your car?” I said as I buckled myself in.
“This is it.”
I gave him a look.
“No, it’s not.” There was definitely that new car smell, and the buttery leather felt different.
His lips twitched. “A newer model. I like switching vehicles every few months.” The privilege in that statement struck me. My mate was spoiled. I thought his old car was perfectly fine. “What’s wrong?”
“Your other car just seemed fine. Why did you have to switch?” He went silent, a frown marring his features. “I mean, shouldn’t you be saving?”
I picked at my nail bed. He stayed silent for another few beats, and I waited patiently.
“Princess, I have enough money to last us for centuries.” I tried to wrap my head around that. Even if he did, it felt wasteful to me. “As I’ve already told you many times, what I have is yours; you don’t have to work.”
“I won’t take your money,” I said sullenly.
He sighed.
“And I told you I would be patient, but this is your reality, Josephine.”
I went quiet and laced my hands on my lap so I’d stop messing with my cuticles.
“Where are we going?” He took the opposite ramp leading to a different freeway.
“I need to pick up a few things Zhao left for me to sign.”
“Oh.” I kept squeezing my hands. We were both silent as he drove. The city skyscrapers flew by, illuminated by the lights of downtown. Today was the first time he hadn’t had someone on my ass the entire time, or at the very least, if someone watched me while I was working, I had no clue.
Which I preferred.
He took the turn toward Crescent Hotel, and it loomed in the distance. I hadn’t learned the entirety of Portland, so I didn’t realize I’d been this close.
He pulled to a stop in front of Corwin’s station. I stepped out of the car, and Lucian was already waiting for me. He slid his palm along my back, tucking me into his side.
“Keep an eye on it, Corwin,” he said and tossed the keys.
Corwin easily caught them, then almost ran to the door to hold it open for us.
The chandelier cast a beautiful yellow light over the lobby.
Two girls stood at reception, fewer than during the day shift: Galina and Sasha’s eyes were glued to us as we crossed the lobby toward the living room, our steps echoing.
The elevator had us on the floor where his office was located quickly. I slid my hand into his and we walked toward his office.
“What did you do while I was at work?” It wasn’t more than a few hours, but I knew he tended to complete his calls or deal with pack stuff when I wasn’t around. He had a lot on his plate, and I never realized how much it was.
I admired his dedication.
“I handled a few problems that arose.”
“Have you transferred the land to Gideon Drake?” I couldn’t hide the disgusted sneer.
He chuckled.
“Yes. He has the land, but he’ll still need the funds to do something with it, especially since his investor for a new program pulled out.” Lucian’s grin was too feral. I had no doubt he’d had a hand in that. “His stocks are slowly plummeting. He’s desperate.”
“That’s evil,” I breathed. “I love it.”
He full-belly laughed, cupped the side of my head, and kissed my forehead. “I love you, my bloodthirsty mate.”
He opened his office door and pulled me in. It took me a moment to realize we had actually stepped into the room and not some portal.
It was dark, the only light coming from the flickering candle resting in the middle of a round table placed close to the window. Lucian had to tug me toward it because my feet refused to move.
The flame flickered over the spread on the table. I had no idea what he had prepared, but the smell was delicious.
“I figured you were hungry, but peopled out.” Lucian pressed against my back.
He felt so warm and comforting against me.
He reached around me and lifted the silver cover.
A waft of steam spilled out, and my mouth watered.
A juicy T-Bone steak with mashed potatoes on the side and a small pile of broccoli adorned the plate.
Fuck yes, I loved meat. I plopped on the chair, grabbed my utensils, and readied myself to cut my steak. Lucian chuckled and slid into the seat across from me.
I bit into the first bite and flavors exploded on my tongue. Medium-rare was the best way to eat steak, and I wouldn’t be swayed.
It’d been a while since I had such succulent meat, I’d forgotten how it tasted, and even then, I doubted I’d ever had something this tender before.
Lucian uncovered his meal and sliced into his own, eating at a much slower pace than me. At one point, he stopped and just stared at me, a soft smile on his lips.
I hadn’t even touched the mash, and I was almost done. Lucian reached over the table and grabbed the wine bottle. He popped it open and leaned to pour me a glass.
“I don’t drink.” I put my hand on the spout so it didn’t tip over.
“It’s apple cider.”
“Oh,” I mumbled, my face heating. It was dark in here, so I doubted he could see my embarrassment. He filled the glass with the bubbling liquid. I grabbed the stem and took a sip. The liquid fizzled on my tongue.
I chugged down some more, but forced myself to stop after the third gulp.
“I’m glad you like it.” Lucian flashed a smile. I returned it and eyed my plate. I’d been starving. He’d had it on the nose. With my hunger satiated, I leaned back.
My stomach felt extra warm.
“Are you sure it’s not alcoholic?” I said lightly, placing my hand over the warmth spreading in my gut. I was pleasantly full, but the sensation of expanding kept advancing.
“Lucian, I don’t feel good.” I pressed my palm to my stomach. It kept somersaulting. The warmth turned searing, spearing over my flesh and raising goose bumps in its path.
Wait. I knew this—My heat.
I lifted my eyes to Lucian’s concerned eyes.
“My heat is starting.”
He stood so fast he knocked over his chair. His eyes were wide, and he seemed frozen as panic filled his eyes. I groaned, leaning into the surface of the table. The prickling over my skin continued to thrum and traveled to my sex.
I whimpered.
“Fuck, let’s get you home,” he spat, already crouched next to my seat. The touch of his hand on my skin forced out a cry from my lips. It felt so good.