214

Margot

The days leading up to the wedding were a blur of nonstop chaos. Even with Devon by my side, I found myself constantly pulled in every direction. Guests began arriving, and somehow, despite it not being part of my job, I had become the go-to person for ensuring everyone was happy. I hardly saw Constance, and my time with the guys was limited to brief moments at night when I’d collapse into bed, too exhausted to do more than kick off my shoes.

Braxton, as always, took up as much of my time as possible, insisting on overseeing even the most trivial details.

When I did manage to see the guys at night, their moods were as sour as ever—mostly directed at their brother and everything else about the wedding. But with me, they softened. They held me close every night, transforming into my safe haven. It was the comfort I desperately needed, even if it was fleeting. I longed for more time with them, but all I could do was push through the days and survive until the wedding was over.

Four days before the big day, I was neck-deep in the most insignificant details when Lucas found me. The drapery company had delivered the wrong shade of white for the ceremony, and the lodge owners had suddenly become panicked about the number of candles planned for the event. Multitasking, I was on the phone with the drapery company while rearranging chairs in the ceremony space when I felt arms wrap around me.

Startled, I let out a scream and spun around, only to find Lucas standing there, a concerned frown on his face.

Still clutching the phone to my ear, my heart pounded in my chest, drowning out whatever the person on the other end was saying.

Without hesitation, Lucas plucked the phone from my hand and brought it to his ear. “You’re going to fix your mistake and have it done by tomorrow,” he said, his voice low and commanding. “I’ll cover any express charges, but if it’s not resolved, you won’t like the outcome. Call me back when you have a solution. Lucas Heather .”

He ended the call and handed the phone back to me. For a moment, I just stared at him, too stunned to speak. Then, as realization set in, frustration flared.

“Lucas, I can handle this myself!” I snapped, my irritation bubbling to the surface. “This is my job.”

“I know you can,” he said calmly, his steady gaze meeting mine. His composure only added fuel to my fire.

“You’re so heavy-handed! Do you just walk around taking over everyone’s responsibilities? Do you do this to Ryder and Jaxon, too?”

His lips twitched, as if he were suppressing a smile. “No.”

“Then why,” I growled, planting my hands on my hips, “do you think you can do it to me?”

The next few days blurred into a whirlwind of wedding chaos, leaving me drained and overwhelmed. Despite Devon’s help, I found myself running in circles, handling details and smoothing over last-minute issues. Guests had started arriving, and though it wasn’t my responsibility, I somehow became the point person for ensuring their happiness. Constance was almost nowhere to be seen, and the only time I spent with the guys was at night, when I crawled into bed utterly exhausted.

Braxton, unsurprisingly, monopolized my time, hovering over every minor decision as if the wedding couldn’t happen without his approval.

At night, the guys were as frustrated as I was—mostly with their brother and the whole situation—but with me, they were patient and tender. They held me close, their warmth and care helping me survive the insanity of each day. Those quiet moments were my only solace, even if I wished for more time with them.

Four days before the wedding, I was buried in wedding logistics when Lucas found me. The drapery company had delivered the wrong shade of white, and the lodge owners were suddenly panicking about the number of candles planned for the ceremony. I was on the phone with the drapery company, trying to fix the mess, while also rearranging chairs in the ceremony space.

Lost in thought, I didn’t notice someone approaching until strong arms wrapped around me. Startled, I let out a scream, spinning around to find Lucas staring down at me, concern etched on his face.

I kept the phone pressed to my ear, but my heart was racing too fast to focus on the conversation.

Without a word, Lucas plucked the phone from my hand and pressed it to his ear. His tone was sharp, commanding. “You’ll fix the mistake and have it corrected by tomorrow. I’ll cover any additional charges, but if it’s not resolved, there will be consequences. Call me back with an update. Lucas Heather .”

When he handed the phone back to me, I just stared, stunned. As his words registered, frustration bubbled up.

“Lucas, I can handle this!” I snapped. “This is my job.”

“I know you can,” he replied, his calm demeanor only fanning the flames of my irritation.

“You’re so controlling! Do you just go around taking over for everyone? Do you do this to Ryder and Jaxon, too?”

His lips twitched with amusement, though he didn’t smile. “No.”

“Then why,” I demanded, planting my hands on my hips, “do you think you can do it to me?”

Lucas stepped closer, forcing me to back up until my shoulders hit the wall. He boxed me in, placing his hands on either side of my head and leaning down until our eyes met.

“Because you’re mine. Because you’re tired. Because I can.”

Despite my annoyance, his words sent a ripple of heat through me. I met his gaze, defiant. “And what if I said you can’t?”

His lips curved into a slow, wicked smile. “Try it and see.”

I glanced around, suddenly self-conscious, wondering if anyone was nearby.

“Eyes on me, Margot.” His voice was sharp, a whip crack of authority that made me snap my focus back to him. “That’s right. Keep those pretty eyes right here.”

“You can’t,” I challenged, my voice daring him to prove me wrong.

Lucas’s eyes darkened, and his smile grew. “You’ve got two choices. One, you stay here, rearranging these chairs, and let Braxton find you in about two minutes. I just saw him looking for you in the dining hall. Or two, you come with me to the nearest room with a lock on the door.”

I grabbed his shirt, pulling myself onto my toes. “Choice two.”

He stepped back, motioning toward the bathrooms with a nod. “Go.”

I gasped when his hand came down on my backside in a playful slap, but I didn’t need any further encouragement. I rushed toward the bathrooms, Lucas close behind me. When I tried to slip into the women’s room, his hand caught the back of my neck, steering me toward the men’s.

“No one will look for you in here,” he murmured, locking the door behind us. “Now pull your panties down and bend over the sink.” His voice was low, strained, and full of control slipping through his grasp.

As I obeyed, the sound of his belt and zipper filled the room, sending a shiver down my spine. His hand rested on my back, guiding me into position as his eyes locked onto mine through the mirror.

“You’ve been working nonstop, running yourself into the ground. It’s been days since I’ve felt you,” he whispered, his hands tracing over my body. His lips brushed my ear as he growled, “I’ve missed you, Margot. And I’ve decided I’m done waiting.”

His words, the possessive edge to his tone, sent my pulse racing. Every ounce of tension I’d been carrying melted away as he claimed me completely, his presence grounding me in a way nothing else could.

When it was over, Lucas gently helped me straighten up, smoothing my hair and brushing his fingers over my forehead with a wince.

“Damn. The faucet left a mark.”

I glanced at my reflection, noticing the faint red line, and sighed. “It’s fine.”

He cupped my face, his eyes softening. “I was rough. I’m sorry. I just… I’ve been going crazy without you. My brain’s all twisted up, Margot. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

I smiled, leaning into him. “You were perfect. I’ve missed you, too. Just a few more days, and then… If you really want me to take some time off to be with you, I will.”

Lucas tilted my chin upward with his fingers, his gaze locking onto mine. “You’re still not sure about how we feel about you, are you?”

I let out a quiet laugh, a mix of disbelief and nervousness. “How could I be? It feels like something out of a fairytale. And fairytales aren’t real.”

“Sometimes they are,” he replied, a smirk playing on his lips. “Although, to be clear, this isn’t some fairytale. Hate to shatter the illusion, but we’re far from being princes. I mean, I just pinned you over a bathroom sink and left marks all over that pretty ass of yours.”

A shiver ran down my spine, the memory still fresh. “And I loved every second of it.”

“And I love—” His words were cut off by a sharp knock at the bathroom door, making me jump. Lucas’s expression darkened instantly, his jaw tightening as he turned his glare toward the door. “Find another bathroom,” he growled, clearly annoyed.

Devon’s voice came from the other side, strained and awkward, as if he wished he could disappear. “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Heather , but I need Margot. There’s an issue with the band.”

My face burned with embarrassment. “He knows I’m in here with you.”

Lucas’s grin was anything but innocent—predatory and unapologetic. “Baby, after the way you screamed my name, I’d bet good money that a lot of people know you’re in here with me.”