Chapter 25

Lucien’s POV

“I would like to stop being your mistress.”

I am not surprised by the request. I even anticipated it. I look at her. “That is not up for negotiation.” I say flatly.

She lifts her chin up a notch. “That’s all you have to say?”

“On this topic, yes.”

She squares her shoulders. “Can I return to my suite or will I be forced to continue with this dinner?”

“Before you go off running away, I have a proposition for you. I’m really hoping you can agree with me.” I say, watching her closely. Her eyes spark with interest before she kills it with a suspicious look.

“I don't want to listen.” She says.

“We don't always get what we want, Corrigan. But we can get something close to it. An arrangement that would suit us both.”

“You want me at your beck and call and I don’t. I don’t really see a middle point in that.” She says dryly, folding her arms.

“How about you remain here, living here with me as my guest?” I say, refilling her glass.

“So it’s basically remaining the same with a different name.” she says skeptically.

“No. You remain as my guest. We can maintain a purely asexual relationship if you want…”

“Of course, you’d let me just stay with you, living under your roof but paying absolutely nothing in return.” She says sarcastically. “I wonder why that sounds slightly impossible.

“You would prefer to pay with sex?” I ask with mild curiosity. Her ears go red and she chokes on the wine.

“Of course, not.” She sputters, wiping the mess she made on the tablecloth. I know she is trying to buy time to get a better idea and I decide to speed it up.

“So my offer is on the table, Corrigan. That's my middle line.”

“My gut tells me it’s a scam. Why would you want me here with you? And what happens when you have to get yourself some nice little girl to fill up the “luna” role? Wouldn’t she care that you have someone stashed out in your hotel?”

My lips were thin and I have not gotten to thinking about that yet. About whether or not I will have to get a Luna.

There was already a bond with Corrigan and that didn’t end spectacularly. It bothers me how little I have thought of a replacement for her. Or for a Luna who would bear the cubs I need. I run the pad of my thumb over my lower lip.

“Do you make it a habit?” I ask conversationally.

“Make what a habit?” she asks.

“Concerning yourself with my problems.” I reply, watching as she looks away. “When that happens, I’ll take care of it.”

“And if I meet someone?” She asks, her face still averted. I have to admit, I haven’t thought of that. What would happen if she meets someone else with whom she shares a bond. Had she shared a bond with Dante? I carefully keep my hands away from any objects that I might be tempted to shatter.

The thought of her meeting “someone” fills me with a deep, dark emotion. I recognize it, because I have felt it more times than I care to count in Corrigan’s company.

“Someone?” I echo.

“If I fall in love with someone else.” She explains.

“I doubt it.” I say. Her eyes snap to mine. “We’re alike, Corrigan. We’ve both gotten the idea of love from our systems. Mutual advantage is a more likely reason to remain with a person.”

She looks slightly offended. “So you’re picking Luna based on “mutual advantage”? Nothing more?”

I smirk. “Of course, I would never shackle myself to someone I was sexually incompatible with.”

Her nose wrinkles and she throws a rolled-up napkin at me. “So, Corrigan. Do we have a deal?”

She looks down at her hands. “I would need time to think about it…”

It is my turn to cut in. “I’m afraid that won't be possible, Corrigan. Is it a deal?”

“What do I get if I disagree?” she asks.

“You get to go back to your suite and try again.” I say pleasantly.

“So basically, either way I'm screwed.” She says dryly.

“With my way, you are not screwed, literally or figuratively, you are treated with respect and kindness as my honored guest. I would never touch you without an agreement.”

“And what's in it for you? Why are you forcing me into a bargain where you don't even get anything?”

I grin. “The beauty of your constant company, of course.”

She snorts, rolling her eyes. “And all this time? Would you remain celibate?”

I fill my glass. “Not at all.” I catch her gaze, holding it. “You will come to me, Corrigan. It would only be a matter of time.I'm a patient man, Corrigan. I have found the rewards of patience to be…highly rewarding.”

I can see her eyes darken in the dim lighting. The scent of her arousal is faint in the air and it is mixed with hardly detectable confusion that makes it all the more appealing.

The predator in me enjoys the chase.

“You'll hold your breath too long.” She mutters.

That is a matter of perspective and from where I'm standing the end of this is pretty clear. I doubt I would have to hold my breath at all.

“So I'll take it that you agree?” I ask.

“Yes. But I want a few concessions from you.” She says quickly.

I raise my glass in toast. “Hit me.”

“I don't want to stay up here all day doing nothing. I want a job.”

The idea of her working, taking all sorts of crap from strangers doesn't sit well with me. “Why? Are you scared that I'll stop taking care of your needs?” I ask softly.

“No. I…I need something other than spa sessions and gardening with Hugh to keep me busy. I want to do something real everyday. Will you let me do that?” she asks.

“What would you want to do?” I ask, hoping she will back down.

“I play the piano.” She says, her voice lighting up with interest. “I noticed the piano in the bar downstairs was untouched so I’d like to play.”

She sounds so eager and genuine that I want to hang out to get on the spot. I hold myself back. “Let's talk about it later,” I say.

“No.” she says. Now. I want to talk about it now.”

I smile. She's learning fast. “Alright. You've got the job.”

She reels back, seemingly surprised that I agreed. I don't blame her. I’ve shocked myself too.

“Um…thank you.” She says, letting her hand out. “Deal?”

I shake her hand. “Deal.”

I regret the deal on her first day of work. She had been practicing all week, refusing to let me hear her work and having the staff cooperate with her too.

She arrives at dinner tired and stressed out most of the time but I can see the happiness on her face so I don’t stop her.

She wears a red dress. It is demure enough with fitted, full length sleeves and a modest neckline. It hugs at the bodice and flares at the waist. She has her hair piled up in a bun atop her head with a few tendrils peaking out and touching her neck. She seems fresh and innocent behind the baby grand in a corner of the room.

“Pretty, isn't she?” I hear Cormac say on the seat beside me.

Great. Just what I need. To be reminded that every man here is probably looking at her, wondering what it would be like to wake up beside her every morning. To have her gasp her climax into their ears or to hear her laugh. The fresh faced look doesn't help either. If possible, it makes it even worse.

“Remind me why you're here again?” I ask, slightly irritated.

“Corrigan asked me to come.” He says cheerfully. “First day on the job, eh? She seems to be doing great.”

I have to admit, she does play the piano well. Her fingers are efficient, moving over the keys with coordination and control. She is in deep concentration, so she can't possibly know the effect she is having on everyone here. The music is practiced, but it is not detached and it maintains Its soulful quality.

“She's got everyone's attention tonight.” Cormac says. I scowl at him.

“You can't keep her locked up forever, Lucien.” He says in that ridiculous sage voice that is beginning to get on my nerves. My scowl deepens. “You have to let her go sometime. See if she'll come back.

“I've never been one for experiments. And you've never been a love doctor.” I say.

“The return is infinitely more rewarding, trust me.” Cormac says.

She stops playing, and there is silence, followed by a round of applause. There are a few protests. She stands, her face beautifully flushed and her eyes wild with excitement, muttering her thanks and blowing a few kisses as the audience.

Her gaze meets mine and her smile widens. It's almost like it's just the two of us in the room. Everyone else fades away. She mouths the words, “thank you” and I feel myself light up on the inside.

“And judging from the silly form on your face,” Cormac continues. “The return is more rewarding.”