Chapter 198 Chapter 198

Chapter 198 Chapter 198

“You met someone you wanted to take on a date?”

“I did.”

Last night, after inviting Wynter to breakfast, Lucas had sent a message to Hope requesting a brief meeting at seven a.m.

She’d responded that she’d be there, along with her fiancée.

Now, across the table at La Patisserie, the hotel’s specialty coffee and confectionary shop, Lucas studied her. Since many people were sleeping or having room service, the place was relatively quiet.

“Congratulations. Then I’ll consider the meet and greet a success.”

“Hold the accolades until you hear the rest. It’s…complicated.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

She broke off a chunk of chocolate-drizzled biscotti and dunked it into her coffee.

“I plan to pursue Wynter.”

“What?”

Hope dropped the cookie. After bouncing around for a few seconds, it floated to the top.

Interesting. Until now, he believed she was unflappable.

“Is it against the rules?”

“Would it stop you if it were?”

“No.”

Lucas grinned.

“I would happily pay the termination fee to get out of your ridiculously expensive contract.”

Using her spoon, she fished out the soggy piece of pastry.

“Tell me again how expensive a divorce is? Or a disastrous marriage?”

“Oof.”

Rafe grinned.

“She has you there.”

“Touché.”

Lucas grimaced. She knew what her services were worth, and she didn’t discount her fees. The business executive in him admired her shrewdness.

“Does Wynter know?”

Oh yes. He’d made his attraction to the stunning blonde abundantly clear.

And their shared kiss had solidified his desire.

In the aftermath, her enticing blue eyes—the color of a sun-kissed summer day—had been wide open with a tremor of fear dancing there. She wanted him even though instinct whispered that he was dangerous as fuck. And he was. This morning, when he showered, he remembered how swollen her pretty pink lips had been, and he wanted to see them bruised from being crushed beneath him.

One thing was certain, he intended for her to be the mother of the beautiful children they would make.

“Lucas?”

Jolted, realizing Hope was waiting for an answer, he grinned.

“I’m not known for my subtlety.”

“You don’t say.”

Hope’s words were flat.

“How did she respond?”

With a hell no.

“Not as favorably as I would like.”

“I see.”

He frowned.

“What are you not saying?”

Before responding, Hope and Rafe had a quick silent exchange, then she leveled a cold, hard stare at Lucas.

“What happened after the event was over?”

“We ran into each other and shared some champagne at the pool.”

“Glass is prohibited there,” Rafe pointed out.

“So I’ve been told.”

Scowling at them both, Hope sighed.

“Go on.”

He omitted the fact he’d kissed her and that she’d responded, and that he’d been unable to forget the sweet taste of her, or the way she’d so perfectly yielded to his touch. It had been years since he’d lost sleep over a woman, even longer since he’d masturbated three times in twelve hours.

“Anything else?”

He didn’t care about his reputation—events and scandal rags had already tarnished it enough. But he’d die to protect Wynter’s.

“I was a perfect gentleman.”

“Were you?”

She picked up her cup and regarded him over the rim.

“Then why did she contact me, refusing to keep you as a client?”

“Did she?”

The news delighted him. If he hadn’t unnerved her, she would have no reason to fire him.

“And I will not work with any other matchmaker at Prestige.”

“Lucas—”

“Nonnegotiable, Hope. It’s Wynter or no one.”

“And my nonnegotiable: I will not force her to have anything to do with you.”

“In that case, consider my contract canceled.”

She met his gaze, and hers was just as hard as his.

“I’ll get a confirmation out to you as soon as I’m in the office on Monday. As I stated earlier, you’ll be paying the termination fee.”

“Understood.”

“Look…”

She trailed off before starting again.

“Friend to friend? This is a bad idea.”

Wouldn’t be his first.

“I would never pair you two together.”

“The five women you found for me weren’t a success either.”

She sighed.

“That’s different.”

“How so?”

“I used the AI assisted matching process. We weigh all of your requirements.”

Including a woman who was open to BDSM or understood that he would continue to appear at his favorite clubs.

“We also take into consideration the Three C’s—compatibility, chemistry, and commitment.”

At their intake appointment, she’d explained exactly how the program worked.

“I’m not going to ask about chemistry between you.”

“Good. I wouldn’t have answered anyway.”

“She’s the type of woman who would demand commitment.”

“No problem there. I want to get married.”

As far as he was concerned, they had already checked two of the three required boxes. Those were odds he’d accept all day long.

“Which leaves compatibility. You’re not a match there.”

“Are you calling me an asshole?”

Instead of answering, Hope smiled.

“You don’t pull any punches.”

“I will not tell you anything about Wynter that’s private. That wouldn’t be fair to her. But she’s not as callused as you are. And I don’t want her to change who she is to accommodate you.”

Everything about Wynter attracted him—including her personality.

“Nor do I.”

“In answer to your earlier question, we have no specific policy preventing associates from dating clients. Though maybe we should.”

If he recalled correctly, Rafe had been a Prestige client himself. Now Scandalicious gossip magazine had christened them as Houston’s newest power couple. Their respect for each other, and their love, was clear.

At one time Lucas had believed that he and Priscilla might share something similar. With their combined talents, they’d have made a formidable team. And now…? He’d settle for a woman who was mostly honest or even disinterested enough in their relationship not to have any qualms about telling him the truth.

“If something works out long-term, I expect you to pay the full fee.”

“Even though I’m terminating the contract?”

“You met through Prestige.”

She shrugged.

“Next time read the disclaimers.”

His respect level for her nudged up a couple of notches.

“You’re a shrewd businessperson.”

“I will tell you this, Lucas.”

She moved her beverage aside, then lanced him with a serious stare.

“If you hurt her, I will personally kick your ass.”

Rafe smiled broadly.

“Good luck, buddy. You’re going to need it.”

The conversation moved away from Prestige and Lucas’s personal life and turned toward Rafe and Hope’s upcoming nuptials. If his name was still on the guest list when the May date arrived.

Aware of the passing time, he pushed back his chair.

“If you’ll excuse me? I have breakfast reservations.”

“Here?” Rafe asked.

Lucas nodded.

“The pool deck.”

And because he was a Sterling Premier member, he’d gotten the table he requested.

“I’ll send over a bottle of champagne.”

“So it is permitted if you’re serving it.”

“It’s a safety issue.”

Lucas grinned. With that, he stood and said his goodbyes.

Happier, lighter than he’d been in months, he threaded his way to the host stand.

Within three minutes of being seated, a cup of coffee sat in front of him, along with the promised bubbly chilled in a silver ice bucket.

As always, Rafe was impressive.

Half an hour later, he checked his watch and glanced toward Wynter’s balcony.

Her door was closed, as were the drapes. Perhaps she was on her way down?

After allowing enough time for her to arrive, he checked his phone. There were no messages and no missed calls.

Until this moment it hadn’t occurred to him that she would stand him up.

Well played, Wynter.

Undeterred, he told the server he needed to leave, he signed the check, then dropped a significant tip onto the table.

He rode the elevator to her floor and strode to her room.

The door stood open, and the housekeeper stripped the sheets off the bed. Without him being aware of it, Wynter had fled the hotel.

Quizzically, the housekeeper looked at him.

“Can I help you, sir?”

“Thank you, no.”

He shook his head.

More than ever, the feisty Ms. Ferguson had piqued his interest. And the next move was his.

He hoped she was prepared for his all-out assault.