Unbreakable (Alessi Brother #3)

15. Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

PENNY

W hen I wake the next morning, I turn to reach out for Lucas but find the spot next to me empty. Raising onto my elbows, I search the room. Lucas isn’t here. The clock on the nightstand reads ten AM. Oh wow, how did I sleep in so long?

Then the answer immediately hits me. Because Lucas kept me up until early morning. That man has a truckload of stamina. My body is still tingling in all the good places. I could easily get used to this.

I flop on my back and stare at the ceiling. I have to keep reminding myself I’m his fake girlfriend. Except the mind-blowing, toe-curling sex is far from fake. If I’m not careful, I could do something stupid like fall for him. That would be a mistake, wouldn’t it?

Yes! A huge mistake. Too much is happening in my life. I need to sort it out before I can think about another relationship. Also, Lucas has made it clear he’s not looking for love. I’m just letting all the amazing orgasms cloud my mind.

Rising from the bed, I pull on Lucas’ t-shirt that’s laying crumpled on the floor where he tossed it last night. In the en suite bathroom, I brush my teeth and freshen up then go in search of him.

I find him in the living room surrounded by clothing laid out on the furniture and hanging on portable clothing racks. He’s dressed in jeans and a navy t-shirt, his hair damp from a recent shower. I wish I’d woken up to join him. Maybe that’s tonight’s activity.

Goodness, will I ever get enough of him? I don’t want to think too deeply on the answer. I’ll take what I can get for as long as I can.

“Good morning,” I say.

He turns toward me. “Hey, Pixie. I thought you were never getting out of bed. I was giving you another ten minutes, then I was coming to wake you up.” He waggles his eyebrows, and I know exactly how he’d wake me up. Why did I have to get up?

“What’s all this?” I wave my arm at the clothes.

“You had to leave your stuff at the cabin. I didn’t think you wanted to go back to your apartment to pick up some things and face Darren yet, so I had a few things brought to you.”

I float my fingers over the stunning Alessi garments arranged carefully on the couch. “A few things? It looks more like a clothing store on steroids. This is too much.”

There are multicolored cocktail dresses, workout gear, and a mixture of casual yet elegant outfits. On the floor next to the clothes racks are heels, sandals, and sneakers. Bags with lingerie brands are placed on the floor.

“What use is owning a fashion house if I can’t reap the benefits? In the bags on the table are hair products, makeup, and toiletry items. If there is anything I’ve missed, let me know and I’ll have it brought to you.”

Lucas has thought of everything. There’s enough stuff to last months. We never discussed if I would stay for more than a day now that I’m his pretend girlfriend. I assumed I could still move into a hotel somewhere and still put up the facade of being a couple. By the looks of everything Lucas has bought is he thinking of a longer stay?

“I can’t believe you did all this.”

“I want you to be comfortable.”

“There are a lot of clothes and products. Am I right to assume I’m staying a little longer than a day?”

“I thought it would be easier to carry out our plan if we were living together. You know, so we’re seen coming and going from the building. But if you don’t want to, we can arrange another place for you.”

Was that a flicker of vulnerability across his face? Does he really want me to stay? “Thank you for all of this. I’d love to stay longer. You’re sweet.”

He reaches for my hand and tugs me to him so that our chests bump together. “There’s nothing sweet about what’s on my mind while looking at you wearing my t-shirt.” He slides his hands along the backs of my legs until he reaches under the shirt to clasp my butt. Nuzzling at my neck, he murmurs, “I wish I had time to fuck you, but Hayden is already busting my ass to get to work. I should have been there two hours ago.”

Gliding my hand between our bodies, I rub over his erection. “What’s a few more minutes?” He might be gone for hours. I’ve told myself I’m getting what I can get while I can.

His eyes darken, and I’m pierced with hot lust. “You’re right. Hayden can fucking wait.” Spinning me around, he bends me over the couch. “This is going to be hard and fast. Are you up for it?”

I’m already dripping wet thinking about it. I hear the zipper of his jeans and the crinkle of the foil packet. The anticipation is building. He pushes my shirt up—I’m not wearing any underwear—and he palms my butt. Spreading my cheeks, he dives into me until he’s buried deep.

With hard, fast thrusts he pounds into me. My face his pressed against the cool leather of the couch, and with one hand he twists my hair and pulls until my head is tilting backward. With his other hand, he’s clutching at my hip. Nuzzling his face in my neck, he bites and licks over my racing pulse.

I’m moaning…screaming with each thrust. How can I be turned on so quickly? Because it’s Lucas. He’s a magician with his hands and body.

“Fuck, I love being inside you,” he pants.

I love it too. Way too much. Once this is over, will I be coming off a high like a drug addict? Desperate for more? Will I do anything to get it?

My brain turns to mush when he reaches around me and presses on my clit. “Oh…Lucas!” I cry. The pressure builds and I’m there trembling and jerking through another orgasm. Lucas pounds a few more times and groans his release.

Pulling me up to face him, he adjusts my shirt then cups my face in his hands. “I hope I wasn’t too rough.”

“No, it was wonderful.”

He gives me a cocky grin, like he wants to say yeah, it was .

Placing a kiss on my nose—which feels so cutesy after what we just did—he excuses himself to use the bathroom to clean up. My legs feel a little weak, so I lean my hip on the couch. Not for the first time, I wonder how this is going to end. When will it end? The sooner I can get my life on track, the sooner I can go back to normal before I get too attached.

A few minutes later, Lucas saunters back into the room. Jeans buttoned, t-shirt back in place. He looks like a dream with or without clothes.

“I really have to get to work before Hayden drags me there himself.”

“Is there a problem?”

“We need to do some damage control. A couple of clients have cancelled.”

“Oh no! This is all my fault for dragging you into my mess.” Things are getting worse and worse. It’s one thing for me to lose business, it’s another for Alessi Fashion, especially when all Lucas has done is help me.

Taking me by the shoulders, he says, “None of this is your fault. Stop blaming yourself.”

“If you hadn’t gotten involved—”

He gently squeezes my shoulders. “My decision. I’d do it again if I had to.”

The fierce look on his face tells me he means it. Warmth spreads across my chest. “But your brothers are paying for it now.”

“Don’t worry. It will be fine. The clients were assholes to deal with. I’m happy to see the back of them.”

I gnaw on my bottom lip. Lucas places a finger on my mouth, stopping me.

“You worry too much,” he says. “Everything will work out in the end. We’ll win everyone over with our fairy tale romance. You’ll see. Now, I won’t be long. I can work mostly from home, so I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Is there anything you need before I go?”

“Do you mind if Claudia and my mother come over?” We need to talk about mine and Lucas’ plan.

“You don’t need to ask to have guests.” He points to a phone attached to the wall. “Press zero and it will connect you to Samuel. He’s security. Give him the names of your visitors, and he’ll let them up. He’ll also arrange a car for you to leave the building undetected if you need to go anywhere. When you’re hungry, press one on the phone and it will take you to the restaurant. I’ve already had them send up cream cheese bagels with chocolate sauce.” He screws his nose mockingly with distaste. “It’s in the kitchen.”

“Thank you.” There he goes being sweet again. I will never be able to repay him for everything he’s done for me.

He swipes his phone and keys from the coffee table and slides them into his pockets. “Call me if you need anything.” Walking to me, he cups my face in his hands and kisses me softly on the lips. “See you later, Pixie.”

He saunters away and out of the apartment. I’m left frozen on the spot. Up until now our new friendship was based on sex, and soon to be, a fake relationship. My heart is knocking against my chest, because that gentle goodbye kiss didn’t feel so fake.

“My God! I thought I was going to have to donate a kidney to the Dwayne Johnson look-alike security guard to let us in. He asked us a hundred and one questions and wanted two forms of identification before he let us into the elevator. You’d think the president lived here,” Claudia huffs as she gives me a quick hug. Then her gaze takes in the luxurious room. “Holy shit! I think the president does live here.” And it’s only the entrance. Wait until she sees the rest of the place.

My mother follows close behind Claudia, looking like a picture of elegance, dressed in a white, fitted bodice with a flared skirt emphasizing her slim frame. Chunky gold and pearl jewelry drape around her neck. Her platinum blonde hair falls in perfect waves past her shoulders. Anyone would think she’s dressed for an important event, not a visit with her daughter. This is what she calls ‘casual’.

“Hello, sweetheart.” My mother gives me air-kisses on each cheek. “Nice of you to call me while you were away.” Her words have an undertone of pissed although the botox doesn’t show how upset she really is with me.

I lead them into the living room, which I’ve tidied up. I hung all the clothes in a closet in a bedroom I found. Just because I stayed the night in Lucas’ bed doesn’t mean that while I’m living here, that’s where he wants me every night.

“I’m sorry, Mom. Things got hectic, and the cell reception was bad.”

She tilts her chin. “Well, it would have been nice to know if you were alive or dead.”

I mentally roll my eyes at her dramatics. I know Claudia would have let her know we’d spoken. “I’m sorry,” I repeat. No point arguing over it. “Can I get either of you a coffee?”

“No thank you,” Claudia says.

“I’m fine for now,” my mother says as her gaze trails me from head to toe. “Is that a new outfit?”

“Yes, it is.” My body tenses as I wait for her criticism.

Because I’m not planning on leaving the apartment, I chose something more casual from the Alessi collection. I look down and self-consciously smooth out the fabric of the navy, wide-legged, high-waisted trousers. Then I fiddle with the blue and white striped silk shirt, which is rolled up at the elbows and tucked into the waistband of the pants. Cinching my waist is a tanned belt. When I’d looked in the mirror I thought I looked stylish and cute. Now with my mother’s scrutinizing stare, I’m not so sure.

“It’s lovely. The shape is flattering,” she says.

I wait for the ‘but’ that always follows. My mother rarely gives a compliment without it being followed by a criticism. That shape is flattering on you but it’s clinging too tightly to your hips. Are you sure the size is right? When she doesn’t follow it up with anything else, I turn to Claudia and raise an eyebrow—she knows exactly what my mother is like. She shrugs and gives me a surprised look.

Gesturing for them to take a seat on the couch, I sit on a wingback chair opposite them. They probably have a million questions they want to ask. How do I answer them without giving away too much? Do they need to know how close Lucas and I have gotten? No doubt Claudia will know that we’ve had sex. I can’t hide much from her.

First, I need to ask about the company and how bad a shape it’s in. “Hit me with it. How much is lost?” I ask.

My mother adjusts her skirt to cover her knees. “I’m not going to lie. Your bookings for live shows have dried up. The book deal is still being negotiated.”

“Claudia told me it fell through.”

My mother nods. “Yes, the publishers wanted to let it go. I’m trying to convince them they shouldn’t. If it goes ahead, they’ll offer half of what the original sale was. I’ll see if I can negotiate more. If they don’t budge, I guess it’s better to lose some money than all of it. And with the way things are going, you need all the money you can get.”

Okay, that’s not so bad. There’s still a chance my book will get published.

“The TV series isn’t happening. No matter how much I tried to win it back with other ideas to film since the wedding fell through, the production company wants nothing to do with you. I’m plumb tired of trying to get them to change their mind.”

I clutch the armrests. “They have to fulfill the terms of the contract.”

“You represent home and family. You promised a squeaky-clean image. That image broke when you had an affair.”

Springing from the chair, I throw my hands in the air. “You know I didn’t have an affair.”

“The photos of you with Lucas Alessi, and Darren’s statement, paints a different picture. Your reputation is tarnished. It’s going to take time, or even a miracle, to fix this. What in the world were you thinking traipsing around with Lucas Alessi? If you wanted to take out your revenge on Darren, you could have done it discreetly.” My mother narrows her eyes at me.

Looking at it from the outside in, it looks suspicious. Yet I would have hoped my mother didn’t believe what was posted. In all fairness, I didn’t fill her in on what really happened.

“I wasn’t trying to get back at Darren. I’d accidentally locked myself out of my hotel room and got surrounded by paparazzi.” The thought of that night still makes me shudder. “Lucas was staying in a room opposite mine. When he saw the predicament I was in, he stepped in and helped. Those photos aren’t what they seem. We weren’t in some lovers’ tryst. As usual, the media likes to tell stories without facts.” I go on to tell them that Lucas wanted to drop me off at the airport to meet Claudia only for the paparazzi to be there too. “That’s how I ended up at his cabin. He thought we’d be safe from the media because it’s so secluded.” But they somehow found us again. Did Alison call them? Of course she did. Who else? She was the only one who knew who I was.

“Whether or not the photographs of the two of you are innocent, they’ve done a lot of damage. With your disappearing act, not even Claudia can put you in a better light.”

I rub the back of my neck and sit down. When I talked to Lucas last night about the ‘fake dating’ plan, it sounded like a good idea. But now that I have to relay it to my mother and Claudia, I’m nervous as to what they might say. Will they think it’s a stupid idea? Well, they haven’t come up with anything better.

“I may be able to do something that will change everyone’s opinions of me,” I say.

My mother places her forearms on her thighs and leans forward with a dubious expression on her face. “What is it?”

I glance between her and Claudia and take a deep breath. “Lucas suggested that since everyone believes we’re dating we should go out and be seen together. He thinks if people see us as a couple they’ll get invested in our relationship and forget about the scandal.” My mother and Claudia sit in silence, staring at me like I’ve lost my mind. “What do you think?”

“ Are you and Lucas Alessi dating?” my mother asks.

“No. It will be fake.”

“I thought you and Lucas hated each other. Surely that hasn’t changed within a few days. You do remember why you hate him?” Claudia gives me a knowing look.

“You hate him? Why?” My mother looks confused.

“It’s a long story, Mom. A silly high school misunderstanding that got blown out of proportion.” I never told her about the naked photos or how I got Lucas expelled from school. I was so ashamed about everything I wanted to pretend it never happened.

“What changed?” Claudia asks.

“We talked and the truth came out.” Even though I hate what’s happening with the media, if it weren’t for them, I would have never had this time with Lucas and our pasts wouldn’t be healed.

Claudia gives me a look I don’t understand. Is she not convinced that Lucas didn’t take the photos? She’s probably worried about me and still a little suspicious of Lucas.

“How are you going to convince people you’re in love? It has to be believable or it won’t work,” Claudia says.

We have off-the-charts sexual chemistry. Can that pass as love? “That’s something we can work on before we venture out in public.”

Will I be able to look into his eyes and not fall a little bit in love with him? What if pretending turns into the real thing? My heart already goes crazy every time he looks at me.

“Do you think it will work?” I ask.

“It might. Before you make your couple debut we need to post a statement,” Claudia suggests.

“Another one? Didn’t you post one when this all started?”

“That was more of an ‘I’m shocked and saddened by the recent events and would like privacy at this time’ kind of statement. This time you need to tell everyone how sorry you are for your indiscretion and apologize.”

My spine prickles and my jaw clenches. “I’m not admitting to and apologizing for an affair I didn’t have.”

“Sweetheart,” my mother says. “We know you’re innocent in this. The statement will appease people and stop them from trying to keep proving it’s true. Then once it’s published, if you want to go with the plan Lucas suggested, we’ll work something out. We’ll fix this the best way we can.”

I thought my mother would be more upset about the breakup and maybe even suggest I work things out with Darren. Yet she seems understanding and on my side. Sometimes I put walls up around her. I have to remember she’s not out to bring me down.

“So, Darren gets away with what he’s done?” I say. “He should be the one apologizing.”

“Darren has always been the golden boy. He knows how to charm people and have them eating from his hand. Of course he comes out of this looking like the good guy,” Claudia says with resentment. She sounds more hurt about the situation than me.

“If I go ahead with the statement, what do I say?” I hate the idea of it. But if both my mother and Claudia think it’s the right way to go, I have to trust their judgment.

Claudia pulls her phone from her purse, swipes at the screen, and types something. When she’s done she hands the phone to me. “What do you think of this? If you approve it, I’ll post it right away.”

I read what she’s written.

I deeply regret my hurtful and embarrassing behavior which has affected those I care about. It was never my intention to cause any pain. For that, I’m truly sorry.

Nausea coils in my gut. I hand the phone back. I never thought I’d be dealing with something like this. It makes me want to go back to that invisible girl who no one paid any attention to. My life would be private and no one’s business.

“You haven’t admitted to the affair outright, yet it is implied. I’d wait a couple of days after I release it before you go out with Lucas.” Claudia screws her nose up slightly. She clearly has a problem with something.

“Do you not like the plan? Or doing it with Lucas? If I’m making a mistake, you’d tell me, right?”

Claudia smiles, yet something is stiff about it. What’s wrong with her? It’s risky; maybe she’s just worried.

“We have to try something,” she says. “The only way we can hopefully pull it off is with Lucas since he is part of this mess. So, do I post the statement?”

Feeling defeated, I shrug my shoulders. “Do it.”

Claudia types on her phone. “Done.”

“It will all work out. You’ll see,” my mother says with optimism that I’m not yet feeling.

“If we’re going to convince the public you and Lucas are a couple, you need to explain what’s been happening the past few days. How has the relationship developed? Are you still frosty with one another or more friendly now that you’ve talked? If you’re staying in his apartment, are you on good terms?”

My face heats, and I hope they don’t see what our relationship has really developed into. How do I tell them I went from being engaged to one man and four days later in the bed of another?

Claudia stares at me suspiciously. If there is anyone who can read me, it’s her.

I rise from the chair. “Would anyone like a drink?” Without waiting for an answer, I turn my back to hide any telltale signs and walk to the bar in the corner of the room.

“No thank you,” both Claudia and my mother say.

Pulling out a bottle of water from the mini fridge, I turn back and take a seat, hoping that my expression has settled. “We’re on good terms and have become friends.”

“I still don’t understand if he hated you so much the night you got locked out of your hotel room, why did he help you?” my mother asks.

Twisting off the lid of the bottle, I take a sip of water then say, “Just the kind of man he is. He saw I was distressed and couldn’t leave me there. Then after learning what was happening in the media, I had a little meltdown. Lucas pulled me through.” I take another sip of water. That day in the woods will always be the most memorable and important of my life. If anything good comes from what’s happening, it’s that moment feeling powerful in my own skin. “We’re on such good terms now, he even took photographs of me.” Crap! I didn’t mean to say that. I was trying to express that we’re friends, and I just blurted it out.

My mother’s eyes widen. “What kind of photographs? I thought he only worked with models.”

Of course she’d be surprised he’d want to take photos of me when he had such beautiful women to shoot instead. “Nothing interesting. Just some shots in the woods. It was raining, the lighting was good—or so Lucas said—and I posed for him.” That’s the PG version of what really happened that day.

“Ooh, sounds sexy. Are they good? Did he print them? Can we see?” Claudia’s eyes light with excitement as she fires off her questions.

“They were beautiful. I asked him to delete them because I was showing a little skin and didn’t want anyone finding them.” More like a whole lot of skin.

“That’s a pity,” my mother says. “It would have been a nice change to see something artistic printed of you in the media instead of the ghastly ones the paparazzi posted. Anyway, I need the bathroom. Can you tell me where it is please?”

“Follow the hallway to the end, take a right and it’s the second door on your left.” I know because I went in search of Lucas last night.

When my mother leaves and is out of earshot, Claudia’s smile drops, and she leans forward. “I can’t believe you’re shacking up with Lucas Alessi.” Her tone is filled with disgust. “Especially after what he did to you in high school. He took naked photos of you for the whole school to see,” she says as if I need reminding.

“I told you, we talked.” I go on to explain how Travis was the one who took the photos and set Lucas up.

She frowns. “Why would he do that? What would he get out of it?”

That’s something I don’t understand either. “He probably didn’t like Lucas and assumed I’d retaliate somehow.” Which I did in a big way.

Claudia gives a dubious look. “Seems far-fetched. Okay, so you don’t hate him anymore now that you know the truth .” She says the word ‘truth’ like she’s skeptical that it really is. “But why doesn’t he hate you anymore? You got him expelled. Although, I still don’t know why he took it so hard and hated you so much for it.”

“I still feel guilty about what I did, especially now that I know he was innocent. Even if he wasn’t, it was still a horrible thing to do. He lost so much and blamed me for Garrett’s death. That’s why he was so angry.”

Claudia jerks back like I’d slapped her. “What the hell? How dare he blame you for something you had no control over. Garrett’s death was an accident.”

“He realized it wasn’t fair to blame me. And he’s forgiven me for getting him expelled.”

Claudia crosses her arms over her chest and leans back into the cushions of the couch. Giving me a knowing look, she says, “You’ve slept with him.” It’s not a question. “Elizabeth might believe this is all sweet and innocent and he’s only helping you out of a bad situation, but I can see the truth on your face. What I want to know—is it more than just fucking or are you really a couple?”

We’ve been best friends too long to not tell her the truth. I’m not surprised she figured it out. “Yes, we have slept together, but we’re just friends. We’re not a couple. I’m staying in his apartment because it will be easier for what we need to do.”

Claudia’s eyes narrow as she scrutinizes me. “While you’re playing the happy couple, don’t go and fall in love with him. That man is a notorious player and has a new woman every week. He’ll toss you aside as soon as this is over.”

That’s the problem. I’m not sure if I haven’t fallen a little already.

My mother walks back into the living room, thankfully interrupting our conversation before it gets too deep. I don’t need Claudia questioning me about how I’m going to get through these next few days or weeks when I’m not sure myself.

“I walked into Lucas’ office by mistake. My goodness, that room is amazing. There are so many gorgeous photographs I could spend hours in there looking at them. It’s a shame yours aren’t among the collection.”

It wouldn’t surprise me if she’d snooped in his office on purpose hoping to find them. “Yes, he’s talented,” I say. I’ll never forget how beautiful the photos he took of me were.

Taking a seat, my mother places her palms on her thighs and sighs. “Back to business. Things have changed. Getting your career back on track is like starting from scratch. Even worse, because you have a history now. After you’re seen out with Lucas, and hopefully the majority of the response is good, I’ll talk to people about booking you jobs. It won’t be easy, nor can you ask for the same amount of money.”

Back when I was making videos for YouTube it was my way of not being invisible. Most of my life I was looked over. Never beautiful enough for pageants. Never pretty enough or skinny enough for my mother. Not popular enough to be included with the cool kids at school. It took videos of me making things and organizing closets to finally be seen. People sat up and noticed. I had a talent—one people were excited about and wanted me to teach them. Now it’s getting torn away from me.

If this plan with Lucas doesn’t work, will I go back to being invisible? The thought doesn’t scare me. Probably because when things in the entertainment industry go wrong, the repercussions are like a landslide, taking everything in its path with it. This is a part of fame I’ve never experienced before. If being seen comes with so much destruction, is it really what I want anymore?

“I appreciate everything you both have done and are doing for me. I couldn’t get through this without you.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” my mother says.

“Anything for you, Pen.” Claudia smiles.

My mother taps her thighs. “I’d love a cup of coffee now please, Penny.”

I rise from the chair, grateful to be doing something else other than wallowing in the living room about my failing career. “Sure, I’ll be right back. Anything for you, Claudia?”

“I’ll have a coffee too please.”

“I’ll come with you. I’m dying to see if the kitchen is as fabulous as the rest of the penthouse.” My mother follows me.

Did she really need to use the bathroom, or did she snoop around the whole apartment? I wouldn’t be surprised if she gave herself a tour.

When Claudia stays seated, I ask, “Are you coming?”

She picks up her phone and waves it. “I have a call to make. I’ll be there soon.”

We leave her in the living room and enter the kitchen.

“Oh wow, this is gorgeous. Look at those fancy appliances. This kitchen doesn’t look cooked in,” she says as she slides onto a chair at the breakfast counter.

I pull three cups from a top cabinet and place them on the counter. “That’s because it hasn’t been. Lucas gets his meals from the restaurant downstairs.” I turn on the coffee machine and wait for it to brew.

“You know how to whip up a good meal. Lucas might appreciate it. It would be easy to get comfortable living here with him. He’s a handsome young man.” She gives me a teasing look.

“Mom, this is temporary. How could you even suggest such a thing when I only broke up with Darren a week ago?” Is she so concerned I’m going to be put on the shelf collecting dust and no man will ever want me?

She waves a hand. “I was kidding. Just trying to lighten the mood.”

Now I feel like a jerk for snapping at her. The coffee is ready, and I pour it in the cups, passing one to my mother. I take the other and sit next to her.

“All jokes aside, how are you, sweetheart? We haven’t had a chance to talk about what Darren did and how you’re feeling. I’m sorry he cheated on you and so publicly. You must be heartbroken.” Even though my mother focuses on my appearance, I know she loves me.

“I’m fine. Taking time away from everything made me realize that marrying Darren would have been a huge mistake. Not just because he was cheating on me, but because I was never truly in love with him. It was all too easy and comfortable, so I believed the next step was marriage. Finding out about the affair before the wedding was a blessing. I just wish it wasn’t so public.”

How did that video at my event get played? Why would Darren do such a thing and risk the backlash he might receive from it?

My mother gives my hand a pat. “He ain’t got the sense God gave a goose, and he won’t be able to make it without you. His injury ended his football career. Unless he finds another woman to carry him, his world will fall apart soon enough.”

“I’m sorry my career is ruined over this.” This affects her too as my ‘momager’.

She makes a tsking sound. “Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault. You’ll get through this and come out better than ever.”

I smile even though I know she doesn’t truly believe that.

“Claudia must still be on the phone. Let’s join her in the living room. We’ll be more comfortable.”

Picking up our coffee cups, we take them with us. When I enter the room, I stop short. Lucas is walking into the living room. “Oh, hi. I wasn’t expecting you back so soon. Is everything okay?” I place my cup on the coffee table and hand Claudia hers, resisting the urge to run to him for a kiss. Stop thinking stuff like that! I mentally give myself a forehead slap. We are not a real couple.

Lucas smiles, and my heart squeezes. He’s so gorgeous and kind and funny. It would be so easy to— Again! Stop letting your thoughts trail into dangerous territory.

“Everything is fine. A statement is out. It’s in the hands of our PR team.” He turns to my mother and smiles. “You must be Ms. Aldin. I’m Lucas Alessi.”

My mother slips her fingers through the ends of her hair. “Please call me Elizabeth. It’s lovely to finally meet you. I’m in love with your fashion label.”

“Good to meet you too, and thank you. I see you’re wearing one of our creations. You wear it well.”

My mother blushes like a schoolgirl and giggles. Giggles! “You’re too kind.”

Next he turns to Claudia. “Nice to see you again, Claudia. It’s been a while.”

Claudia smiles back, but it looks a little stiff. Even after I’ve explained everything to her, why is she still mad at Lucas? Does she not believe him?

“Hi, Lucas. Yes, it has.” Claudia’s words are just as stiff as her expression. Maybe she needs time for all the information to sink in. It takes time to let go of the past even when you know it was lies. “Well, we’re done for the day, so I’ll head home.” She hooks the strap of her purse over her shoulder and stands. “Let me know if you need anything, Pen.”

“What about the coffee?”

“Sorry, don’t have time. There’s something I need to do.”

Okay, that’s weird. Was it something to do with the call she needed to make? If it was something about the business, she’d tell me, right? I hope nothing is wrong with her. In case it’s something private, I don’t ask any questions. I’ll call her later and check in on her.

“Claudia is my ride, so I better go too.” My mother kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Then she beams a smile at Lucas. “I hope to see you again. Keep my Penny with you for as long as possible. She needs the support of a good man like you.”

“Mom!” I groan.

Lucas chuckles, and I want to hide from embarrassment. “She can stay here as long as she wants,” he says.

He turns to me with a piercing gaze. When he looks at me like that, I never want to leave. Lucas feels like home. A feeling that is new to me. With Darren, we shared an apartment. A life. Yet, when I looked at him, I never felt a sense of belonging—a desire to put down roots.

“Who would have ever thought that the two of you—who despised each other—would now be playing house?” Claudia’s trill laugh—sounding anything but joyful—breaks through my musing. What is her problem? “How times have changed. It’s amazing what time alone in a secluded cabin can do.”

I don’t miss the innuendo in her words. Luckily, my mother is too starstruck by Lucas to notice. Then Claudia disappears into the foyer.

My mother hurries after her. “Goodbye, sweetheart,” she says as she sails from the room.

“Coffee?” I pick up Claudia’s untouched cup and offer it to Lucas.

“Thanks,” he says and takes it from me. I pick up mine from the coffee table and we sit on the couch.

“I’m sorry about Claudia. She’s not normally so frosty. Even after I told her you weren’t responsible for the photos, I don’t know why she’s still angry with you.”

Lucas takes a sip of coffee. “That’s the most she’s said to me since I turned her down at a party in high school, which was weeks before she thought I spread your photos around.”

My cup pauses at my lips, then I lower it. “What are you talking about?”

“Before the photos, and before I got expelled, we were at a party. She followed me into the bathroom and wanted—well, she gave me a lot of options to choose from.”

I lean forward and set my cup on the coffee table, no longer having the strength to hold it. Shifting in my seat, I hook my leg on the couch and face him. “She wanted to have sex with you?”

Lucas places his cup next to mine. “Yes.”

“I don’t believe you.” He must be mistaken. Claudia would never do that. Especially when she knew how much I liked him.

Shrugging, he says, “Well, she did.”

“She must have been drunk.” That’s the only explanation. She didn’t know who she was hitting on.

“From what I remember, she was steady on her feet and appeared sober. She told me what she wanted to do to me in detail without a slur or stutter in her voice.”

Shocked at what I’m hearing, I cup my hands over my cheeks. “What did she say?”

With a raised eyebrow, he says, “Something about starting on her knees and ending bent over the vanity.”

I gasp. My gut churns at the betrayal. “And you refused?” I can’t hide the cynical tone in my voice. How many eighteen-year-old boys would turn down sex?

“Yeah, I refused.” He looks affronted at my cynicism.

“Why?”

“Because I liked you . If I fucked your best friend, what chances would I have of getting you?” he says like the answer is obvious.

My heart does a little jig behind my ribs. He liked me. “Why didn’t she tell me about this? We tell each other everything.”

“Maybe she was embarrassed she’d gotten rejected.”

“Or she was ashamed she hit on you behind my back when she knew I liked you.”

I thought I knew everything about Claudia. Every crush. Every hookup. Every heartbreak. Every dream. But all these years she’s kept this secret from me. Now I’m keeping one from her too. A big, fat one. I haven’t told her, and I’m not sure I will, that I’m liking Lucas more and more each day.

“Or because you’d be pissed she tried swooping in,” Lucas says.

Is that why she was so insistent about putting drugs into Lucas’ locker—because he rejected her? Would I even have thought about that kind of revenge if it weren’t for her? She was the one to supply the goods. My mind is exploding with this new information.

“Anyway, enough about Claudia. Tell me how much you liked me in high school.”

I roll my eyes and giggle. “No. I’d hate to give you a big head.”

He shifts closer to me, and our thighs brush. “Did you want to kiss me?”

My gaze lands on his lips. Yes! Still do. “No,” I lie with a grin.

“Did you want to put your hands down my pants to feel how big I was?”

That pulls out a laugh. “No,” I lie again. I’d thought about it too many times.

He shuffles even closer, and I sink back into the couch cushions. “Did you want to fuck me?”

Brushing a lock of hair from my face, he skims his fingers down the curve of my neck, across my shoulder, and over my breast. I swallow hard, unable to speak.

“Because I wanted to kiss you, touch you, and fuck you. I thought about it every single day,” he says. Pushing me onto my back, he lays on top of me. “I plan to do just that. Every day until you tell me to stop.”