Chapter 51
Juliana instinctively shielded Damian behind her. "I'm not going."
"That's not your call." Lucas was done talking. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her toward the door.
"Lucas, let go of me!" Juliana struggled fiercely.
Joshua tried to intervene, but Lucas's two bodyguards blocked his path.
"Josh, get them out of here!" Juliana shouted.
Lucas paused mid-step and turned to his assistant. "Take the child to my villa." Without giving Juliana any chance to resist, he practically dragged and lifted her into the passenger seat of his Bentley.
The car door slammed shut with a bang. He circled around to the driver's seat and started the engine.
Juliana watched the scenery fly past the window, fury and panic rising in her chest. "Lucas, what the hell are you doing! Stop the car!"
The car didn't head toward the villa on the hill. Instead, it turned onto a quiet, tree-lined road. He finally stopped and killed the engine.
"Had enough of this tantrum?" He turned to face her, his dark eyes boring into hers.
"Lucas, what exactly are you trying to do?"
"Juliana, I'm warning you. Keep this up, and I swear I'll take you right here, right now." His voice dropped low, laced with a dangerous rasp.
Juliana met his eyes, dark currents churning beneath the surface. Her heart skipped a beat. She turned to look out the window. Occasional pedestrians strolled by, not far from them. A sudden smile curved her lips.
"You wouldn't dare."
The moment the words left her mouth, there was a click. The passenger seat slammed backward. Caught off guard, Juliana found herself flat on her back.
The next second, his body loomed over her, hands braced on either side, trapping her between the seat and his chest.
"Try me."
Juliana's heart threatened to leap from her throat. His face hovered inches from hers, hot breath fanning across her skin. It carried traces of alcohol mixed with something distinctly him—crisp yet commanding.
Insane. The man was completely insane.
Juliana's mind went blank. She'd forgotten—you don't provoke a cornered predator.
The next second, heat blazed across her lips. Not a kiss. A claim. Lucas's movements were rough and demanding, punishing, silencing every word she hadn't spoken. It was pure dominance, a territorial claim stripped of any tenderness.
Juliana froze under the assault, hands pressed against his burning chest but unable to summon any strength.
When he finally pulled back a fraction, Juliana remembered how to breathe, gasping for air. Her head buzzed. One thought consumed her—escape.
She scrambled to free herself from the confined space, but the reclined seat offered no leverage. In her panic, her feet slipped. She lost her balance and tumbled straight into the man's arms.
Lucas instinctively caught her, solid arms circling her soft waist. She was warm and soft in his embrace, her hair tickling his jaw. He paused. The hard line of his jaw seemed to soften slightly, a low chuckle rumbling from his chest.
"Throwing yourself at me?" His voice carried a hint of mockery. "Dr. Wells, is this your new strategy?"
Juliana's face flushed crimson. She shoved him away and scrambled upright.
Lucas watched her burning ear tips but said nothing more. He simply adjusted her seat back to its original position and started the car.
The Bentley merged smoothly into traffic. Juliana stared out the window, her pulse a chaotic mess.
The car eventually stopped in front of the hilltop villa. Lucas killed the engine, got out, and came around to open her door.
"Stay."
Juliana didn't move. She stared at the warm light spilling from the villa, knowing Damian was inside. Since escape had failed, better to stay and wait for another opportunity.
"I won't stay here for free. I'll pay rent."
Lucas studied her stubborn expression, his son's words flashing through his mind. He fell silent for a few seconds, then nodded.
"Whatever you want."
Without another word, he turned and left. He didn't enter the villa, instead getting into another car parked nearby and driving away.
She walked into the villa. Joshua and the child were both there. After confirming the child was safe, she dragged her exhausted body to the guest room the housekeeper had arranged.
A brown leather document folder sat on the nightstand. Juliana approached and opened it, puzzled.
When she saw the name clearly printed in the 'Owner' field on the property deed—'Juliana Wells'—she froze completely.
He'd transferred the property to her?
A sticky note slipped out of the folder, covered in the man's bold handwriting.
—For you.
Juliana gripped the note, her fingertips burning. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the property deed, emotions tangling in her chest. She'd thought him a calculating businessman, yet he'd casually gifted her a property worth a fortune. She'd thought him cold and ruthless, yet those two words—'For you'—carried a hint of indulgence she couldn't decipher.
What did this man want?
……
The next morning, Juliana stood outside the main villa with the document folder, waiting.
Before long, Lucas emerged. Matthew walked beside him, tiny hand clasped in his. Seeing this, Juliana's emotions churned.
"Here. Take this back." She stepped forward and held out the folder.
Lucas didn't take it. "That's part of the dowry."
Juliana thought she'd misheard. "What did you say?"
"I said," Lucas's gaze was steady and intent, "it's a dowry. Juliana, you haven't answered me yet. Will you marry me?"
Juliana was completely stunned. Instinctively, she glanced at Matthew beside them. The little guy was looking up, wide dark eyes darting between them.
The word 'no' stuck in her throat. How could she say it in front of the child?
Lucas watched her dilemma, seemingly unsurprised. "No rush." He took the folder from her hands and casually slipped it into his briefcase. "Take your time to think about it."
He paused. "I'll drive you to the hospital."
With that, he smoothly opened the back door.