5. Lucia
Chapter 5
Lucia
“The contract specifically states—” Mr. Peterson’s face reddens as he jabs his finger at the paperwork spread across my desk.
I hold up my hand to stop his rant. “I understand your frustration. The wording appears restrictive at first glance.”
“At first glance? It’s a stranglehold on my business!” He loosens his tie, his large chest, and belly heaving.
“May I show you something?” I check the index before I flip to page thirty-seven and highlight a clause with my pencil. “This provision actually gives you more flexibility than you realize. See here? You might not keep total control over regional distribution, but you gain access to their nationwide network.”
His eyes narrow as he leans forward. “Go on.”
“Instead of viewing it as a limitation, consider it a foundation for expansion. Yes, they can tap into your area, but you have lost none of your existing channels, but you can tap into theirs. If you want to get bigger.” I tap my finger over the clause. “This gives you it. Companies pay a fortune for that kind of information.” I shrug my shoulders. “Just how ambitious are you?”
The tension in his shoulders eases slightly. “I hadn’t considered that angle.”
“And there are other approaches you could explore if you’d like. If your interests include fostering company growth.”
“Such as?”
“Once your company is national and not regional, you’re opening up so many avenues to explore. Too many to discuss right now.”
Mr. Peterson sits back, a smile tugging at his lips. “This is why I come to you, Miss Simmons. You’re young and you see possibilities where older lawyers see roadblocks.”
I suspect it’s also because per hour I’m much cheaper than my peers. But I keep that to myself. I also keep to myself how much I want someone to take over my life, make choices so I don’t have to. But what does that mean?
“Are you happy for this contract to be finalized, or would you like me to make the amendments to omit the restrictions?” I have to ask. I don’t want him to change his mind, and telling me I never gave him the option.
“Please do.” He stands, extending his hand. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
I stand too, shake his hand, and only after showing him out do I slump in my chair and check my phone.
Nothing.
I’ve had four days of silence from Ronan.
My cheeks burn remembering how I kneeled before him, took him in my mouth, and watched his face as he came.
Did I do something wrong?
Was I not good enough for him?
I toss the phone in my drawer. I won’t obsess over this. Won’t let him get in my head. But my tongue runs over my bottom lip, remembering his taste, his groans, the way his fingers tangled in my hair.
God, I hate him.
I twirl the stem of my wineglass, watching Amelia and Violet laugh about something across our high-top table.
The crushing weight of my student debt has been lifted slightly. Because I know that even if Ronan never follows through with us, I still trust he’ll keep to our agreement. And that’s enough for now. It gives me room to breathe and have a night out with my friends.
I can’t help but wonder why he hasn’t called. I thought I’d be on my knees every night giving him something for his money.
Maybe he can’t come too often. Maybe I drained him of this week’s energy.
“Earth to Lucia!” Amelia waves her hand in front of my face. “Where’d you go?”
I shake my head. “Just thinking.”
“About what? You’re grinning?” Violet leans in.
“Nothing.” I bite back a laugh, picturing Ronan sprawled in his bed, icing his hips or popping vitamins.
Poor old man probably needs a week to recover.
“Oh, come on, share with the class.” Amelia pokes my arm.
“I need another wine.” I turn to the bar, dodging their questions. “And we need a booth. I’m tired. I need to sit down.”
After I buy a bottle of wine, I make my way through the crowded bar, with the bottle held high in the air. I find Amelia and Violet chatting to two guys. Violet shimmies into the booth, Amelia sits opposite her, and the two guys sit on either side of my friends.
When I get there, I take a seat next to one guy, Cooper, and listen to him talking about a football game they’d been watching in the sports bar next door.
Violet doesn’t look impressed.
But I’m sure Cooper is far too young for her tastes.
Just then, the tallest man in the world claims the seat next to me.
“Brad,” he says, holding out his hand to me. His fair hair falls in careful waves across his forehead, and his smile comes easy and I return it with one of my own.
Chad or something equally preppy—the guy opposite me and sitting next to Amelia—grabs a drink Brad placed on the table. “So, what brings you ladies out tonight?” He angles toward Amelia, cologne wafting between us.
“Girls’ night.” I shift back slightly.
“And we’ve crashed it.” Chad winks at Amelia.
We exchange glances and shrug. It’s fine.
Brad’s knee brushes mine under the table. “You have the most incredible eyes.” His hand settles on my thigh as he whispers, “I want to see them on me as I fuck you.”
I turn to him, narrow my eyes and study him—objectively attractive, probably great on paper. And despite being upfront and honest about what he wants, he lacks the raw magnetism that draws me to men. That dangerous edge that makes my pulse race–like Ronan.
“Sorry, I’m actually traveling for work for the next few weeks.” The lie slides off my tongue like an airplane glides off the tarmac.
“Here, take my number.” He scrawls it on a napkin. “Call me when you’re back in town?”
I tuck it in my purse, knowing I won’t use it. The next month belongs to Ronan—whether or not he wants it. I signed a deal and I won’t be the one who fucks up. I’ll leave that for Ronan to do.
I pour another glass of wine. My space has been invaded, so I’m careful not to spill any of it. “So, what’s the plan for the rest of the night?” I ask.
Amelia’s phone buzzes against the table. She glances at the screen. “Sorry, I have to get this. It’s my dad.” Chad slides out, letting her escape the booth.
My phone vibrates in my purse. My heart races as I dig it out, but deflates when I see my dad’s name flash across the screen.
The message reads: Nadia had the baby. A girl. Named her Callie. Family gathering on Sunday at our place. You’re expected.
Amelia gets a call. I got an order.
Figures.
I type back: Okay.
Amelia bounces back to the table. Her face lit up. “Guess what? I’m an aunt! Nadia had her baby!”
“I just got the text, too.” I hold up my phone and show her the text.
I turn to Brad…Cooper…I can’t remember his name already. “My sister married her brother.”
“Ah!” he says. He gives his friends a look. “We’re off to the next bar.”
I laugh when I watch them walk away. “Easiest way to get rid of guys is to coo about babies.”
Violet chuckles. “They did turn a bit green.”
“Are you going to your parents on Sunday?” Amelia asks. “Dad mentioned everybody is going.”
“I said I would. Is Ronan going?”
“I expect so. Dad was weird. He was grilling me about where I am, who I’m with, and when I’ll be home.” Amelia rolls her eyes. “Like I’m sixteen or something.”
Violet swirls her wine. “Must be nice having a dad who actually cares. Mine couldn’t give a shit about me.”
“And that’s why you have daddy issues.” Amelia smirks.
“I don’t have daddy issues.” Violet straightens her shoulders. “I just like older men who take care of me. I’m waiting for the perfect one.”
“And who would that be?” Amelia leans forward.
“Someone like your dad,” Violet winks.
Wine sprays from my mouth. “You can’t say that!”
“You have to admit, her dad is hot, though.” Violet fans herself with a folded napkin. “Those shoulders, that jaw...”
“Stop!” Amelia covers her ears. “I don’t need to hear about my dad’s...anything.”
“But seriously,” Violet leans in. “The website’s been good to me. Last guy bought me these earrings.”
“Nice. And what did you have to do for them?” I ask.
“Nothing crazy. Dinner dates, weekend trips. Some of them just want company.” She traces the rim of her glass. “But I’m getting too old now. The new girls are like nineteen, twenty.”
“You’re twenty-five!” Amelia scoffs. “That’s nothing.”
Violet’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “I just want someone permanent. Someone who’ll take care of everything.”
“Everything?” I ask.
“You know. My schedule, my decisions. Life is exhausting when you’re always in charge.”
“You’re a businesswoman. Oh! You’re a sub!” The words slip out before I can stop them.
“Is that so shocking?” Violet raises an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you’ve never fantasized about surrendering control?”
My mind flashes to Ronan’s commanding presence, how my body responds to his orders.
At work, I’m always the one to make decisions, fighting for clients, keeping everything together. The thought of letting someone else take the reins...
I shake my head clear. “We should head home.”
“Yeah. We can eat ice-cream and search for rich men on your website,” Amelia squeals.
Minutes later, we stumble down the sidewalk, arms linked, belting out a tune nobody knows the words to at the top of our lungs.
Back at the apartment, Amelia pulls up the sugar daddy website on her laptop.
“Look at this one,” she points. “Sixty-five and wants a ‘companion for opera nights.’”
“Pass.” I scroll past him. “Though I wouldn’t mind someone older. Over fifty and I’m out.”
“They know what they want. And they have money,” Violet adds.
I’m not concerned about the money. Once my student debt disappears, I’ll reap the benefit of not losing a chunk of my income every month.
“I can’t date right now, anyway. I’m too busy with—” I catch myself just in time. “—Work. But maybe in a few weeks.”
“Same.” Amelia closes the laptop. “And this website is nice, but I’d rather find my own silver fox, and I wouldn’t turn down Zander Silk.”
Violet laughs. “Isn’t he your dad’s business partner?”
“Yeah. He is so sexy he hurts my eyes.”
“Stop it.” Violet chuckles. “He’s like thirty. That’s hardly a silver fox.”
“Thirty-five actually.”
As I laugh at the two girls, my phone dings. “Just a minute. No doubt my dad has more orders.”
But when I look at the message, I read: Tomorrow. Be at the club at six.
It looks like my silver fox wants me again.