Chapter 14 Lucian
LUCIAN
The Miami conference room had windows that showcased the crystalline waters of Biscayne Bay, but I wasn't looking at the view.
I was watching Tessa command the attention of eight seasoned investors as she walked them through her market analysis, her voice clear and confident as she dismantled their concerns one by one.
"The demographic shifts you're worried about actually work in our favor," she said, clicking to the next slide in her presentation.
"The millennial population in this corridor is growing by twelve percent annually, and their spending power is projected to increase by thirty-five percent over the next five years.
That's not speculation—that's data from the Federal Reserve's consumer expenditure survey. "
I leaned back in my chair, fighting the urge to smile as I watched the client across from me—a man who'd been skeptical about our development proposal for the past two hours—nod slowly.
Tessa had spotted the flaw in his reasoning and addressed it head-on, backing up every point with concrete numbers that left no room for argument.
"Your concern about retail vacancy rates is valid," she continued, "but you're looking at outdated models.
The mixed-use development we're proposing isn't dependent on traditional retail tenants.
We're targeting experiential businesses—fitness studios, artisanal food markets, co-working spaces.
These sectors are showing consistent growth even in challenging retail environments. "
The lead investor, a woman in her sixties who'd built her fortune in real estate development, leaned forward. "What's your source on the experiential business growth?"
"Urban Land Institute's latest retail report, cross-referenced with data from the International Council of Shopping Centers. I can send you the full citations." Tessa's response was immediate and precise, and I saw the investor's expression shift from skepticism to genuine interest.
Unless I'd seen the transformation Tessa had undergone from undervalued assistant to confident junior analyst, I'd never have believed it.
This wasn't the same woman who brought me coffee for years. Tessa was a powerhouse and she was proving it.
"The financing structure accounts for these variables," she said, advancing to the final slides.
"We've built in contingencies for market fluctuations and included performance benchmarks that protect all parties.
The projected returns aren't just optimistic projections—they're conservative estimates based on comparable developments in similar markets. "
When she finished, the room was quiet for a moment. Then the lead investor started asking detailed questions about implementation timelines and partnership structures, the kind of questions that meant serious interest rather than polite courtesy.
I let Tessa field most of them, jumping in only when contractual specifics required my input.
Two hours later, we had verbal agreement on terms and a handshake commitment to move forward with due diligence.
As the clients filed out, discussing next steps among themselves, I caught Tessa's eye and saw the flush of satisfaction on her face.
"That was impressive," I said when we were alone. "You saved that deal."
"We saved it," she corrected, but I could see the pride in her expression.
"No, that was all you. I was ready to walk away last week when they were bucking at every single thing I presented.
You turned it around completely." I gathered my papers from the conference table, thinking about how she'd handled every objection with professionalism.
"You realize what this means for your future here, don't you? This kind of performance opens doors."
Her smile faltered slightly, and she looked out at the bay rather than meeting my eyes. "Yes, well I have to do something with my career if motherhood is going to pan out for me." A glimmer of a smile crossed her features as she glanced up at me, then focused on packing her laptop in her bag.
The mention of her IVF plans made my jaw clench involuntarily. I'd been hoping she'd forgotten about that particular goal, or at least postponed it indefinitely.
The thought of her carrying another man's child, even an anonymous donor's, made something dark and possessive twist in my chest.
"Have you looked into the logistics yet?" I asked, keeping my voice neutral despite the turmoil in my head.
"I've done the research, scheduled consultations. The process takes time, so I want to start soon. Maybe this summer." She had a light and happy tone, and though it suited her, I hated that something other than me brought it about. Which instantly made me feel like a total jerk.
I nodded as if I found the conversation perfectly reasonable, as if the idea of her deliberately getting pregnant with someone else's genetic material didn't make me want to put my fist through the conference room's pristine glass wall.
I had no right to feel this way—no claim on her body, her choices, her future. We weren't in a relationship, despite the growing tension between us.
She was free to make whatever decisions she wanted about motherhood. And she deserved to be happy too, really happy.
There was no way I would ever be able to provide what she wanted in life, not with our huge age difference. She was better off following her well-laid plans and I knew it.
That didn't make it easier to stomach.
"You'd make an excellent mother," I said, and I meant it. After watching her handle Blake and seeing her insights about my relationship with my children, I had no doubt she'd be everything a child could want. "Any child would be lucky to have you."
She smiled at the compliment, but I could see uncertainty in her expression. "I hope so. I worry sometimes that I'm being selfish, wanting to do this alone. But I can't keep waiting for the perfect partner to materialize. I'm twenty-six. If I want children, I need to make it happen."
I found myself staring at her, imagining her pregnant with my child instead of some faceless donor's.
The thought came unbidden—Tessa carrying a baby that was half mine, her body changing as our child grew inside her. The possessiveness that gripped me was primal and completely inappropriate.
"Lucian?" Her voice broke through my thoughts. "You're staring."
I blinked, refocusing on her face. "Sorry. I was thinking about the job you did today. How much potential you have."
It wasn't entirely a lie. I had been thinking about her potential—just not in the context she assumed.
"Let's go get dinner and rest," she suggested, and I followed her lead, as I'd been doing all day. But I used my phone as a distraction in the car so I could calm myself down and not lash out at her.
At least I was smart enough to know my bad reaction to her was my problem to deal with and that she deserved better.
Back at the hotel, we took the elevator to my suite on the twentieth floor. The room had a private balcony overlooking the ocean, and the setting sun painted the water in shades of gold and crimson.
I ordered champagne from room service to celebrate the successful presentation, and we stood outside watching boats move across the horizon.
"This is beautiful," Tessa said, leaning against the balcony railing. The ocean breeze moved through her hair, and the champagne had brought color to her cheeks. "I can see why people move to places like this and never leave."
"The weather has its appeal," I agreed, though I was more focused on the way the dying light played across her skin than the scenic view. "Different pace of life than Chicago."
She laughed. "I can't imagine you anywhere with a slow pace of life. You'd be bored within a week."
"Maybe. Or maybe I'd surprise myself." I moved closer to her, close enough to smell her perfume mixed with the salty air. "Today proved that people can change, grow into things they didn't expect."
She turned to face me, and I could see the champagne had made her bold. "Is that what I did? Grew into something unexpected?"
"You grew into someone who can hold her own with investors three times her age and win deals that seemed lost. You grew into someone I trust completely with the most important aspects of my business." I reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her face. "You grew into someone remarkable."
The space between us disappeared, and I was kissing her before either of us could think better of it. She kissed me back with equal hunger.
Every rational thought in my head evaporated.
It wasn't the only reason I'd brought her back to my hotel room, but this had been our habit over several business trips now. I'd rent two rooms but we only used one, and after being reminded of the reasons it wouldn’t work between us, I only found myself wanting her more.
The moment her mouth opened under mine, all thought of restraint disappeared.
I backed her through the balcony doors into the room and kicked them shut behind us.
Her kiss was urgent, and I welcomed it, pulling her against me until the soft line of her body fit tight against mine.
The dress she’d worn to the presentation hugged her curves and it was beautiful, but it was a barrier I wanted removed.
My hands traced down her back to the hidden zipper, lowering it until silk whispered against her skin.
She shivered and let it slide down to the floor, leaving her in lace that made my chest seize with raw need.
“Tessa,” I growled as I reached for her again.
She tilted her head back against my hand, her breath quick. “What?”
“You don’t know what you do to me.” My lips brushed the corner of her jaw, down to her throat, tasting the heat that pulsed there. “Every time you walk into a room, I can’t think about anything else.”
Her fingers curled into the front of my shirt, tugging at the buttons until they slipped loose one after the other. “You’re not supposed to say things like that,” she whispered. "I'm your employee."