Chapter 32 Chapter 32

Chapter 32 Chapter 32
Lucien

My phone was pressed to my ear, as my eyes fixate on the rain streaking down the tall windows of my office.

"Those containers don't just disappear," I said in irritation. "Do whatever you have to do, Kade. I want them found and I want it done without anything tracing back to us. You know my father won't take this lightly if word gets to him."

"Noted, boss," Kade replied. Then he added, "Renzo's been meeting with some of our business partners too."

My jaw clenched. Renzo was really digging his own grave. The bastard had always thought he was clever, always testing how far he could go with the Benedicti name. I had turned a blind eye to his antics once. I wouldn't again. This time, he was going to lose either a piece of himself... or his life.

"Let him get comfortable," I said quietly. "I'll lay my hands on him myself. By the time I'm—"

A knock cut me off. I looked up just as the door opened slightly and a familiar face peeked inside.

Valentina. For a split second, everything else faded.

"Focus on what I told you," I said to Kade. "We'll talk later." I ended the call and dropped my phone onto the desk, my attention already fixed on her.

She stepped inside, closing the door behind her, walking toward me with that graceful confidence that always made my pulse shift.

I lifted a brow. "To what pleasure do I owe this visit, madam?" I asked, amusement playing on my lips.

She rolled her eyes and lifted the folder in her hand. "This. I sent Lydia on an errand and I needed your signature urgently."

I instantly noticed how close she was, how her scent wrapped around me like a memory I couldn't shake.

I moved forward sliding an arm around her waist and pulling her in against me. "Are you sure that's the only reason?" I murmured near her ear. "Not because you missed me and wanted us to... pick up where we left off?"

She slapped my chest lightly, smiling as she tried to push me away. "Don't be ridiculous."

I didn't let go. Not after she'd barely let me look at her in the kitchen earlier, and practically shoved me away when someone got too close.

"I shouldn't even talk to you," I said, frowning theatrically as I finally released her. "You literally kicked me earlier."

She sighed. "It wasn't like that. Someone was coming, Lucien. We can't afford anyone seeing us like that."

I turned away as if wounded, playing it up, refusing to look at her.

Then I felt her hands on my face. She turned me back to her gently. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

Damn it.

That simple touch those words went straight through me. This woman was dangerous in ways she didn't even realize, messing with every part of me I'd sworn was under control.

"You make it very hard to pretend I don't care," I said quietly.

Her eyes flickered, something uncertain passing through them before she tried to pull her hands away. I caught one of them.

"Valentina," I murmured, dropping the teasing tone for once. "You walk into my office like nothing happened between us, and then you look at me like that. What am I supposed to do with that?"

She swallowed, her gaze dropping to my chest before lifting again. "You're supposed to sign the folder," she said, trying for composure and only half succeeding.

I almost laughed. I took the folder from her, flipping it open with one hand while still holding onto her. My eyes skimmed the pages, but the truth was I barely saw the words. I was far too aware of her warmth, her breath, the way she fit against me like she'd always belonged there.

"You know," I said, scribbling my signature, "for someone who keeps telling me we should stay away from each other, you don't seem very good at actually doing it."

I handed the folder back to her.

"There," I added softly. "Your urgent business."

She took it, but she didn't step away. Neither did I. 
I lifted a brow. "Do you need anything again?" I asked lightly. "I thought you came for that." I gestured to the folder in her hand.

I watched her bite her lip, hesitation flickering across her face. Then she did something I didn't expect.

She leaned in and planted a soft kiss on my lips before pulling back. I didn't let her take another step away.

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to me, crashing my lips onto hers. The kiss was instant fire, all restraint snapping. When we finally pulled apart, she was panting, her breath uneven.

I rested my forehead against hers.
"I know this is why you came," I murmured. "You should've just said it. You want me to kiss you."

Her fingers were already playing with the buttons of my shirt. "Stop it," she whispered.

"Do you even know what you just did to me?" I said quietly. I took her hand and guided it down to the front of my pants.

She gasped. "What—"

I nodded. "Yeah. You did this. You made me hard." My voice was rough now. "And now I want to fuck you senselessly on my desk."

God help me, nothing could stop me. Not the fact that we were in my father's company. Not the fact that she was my father's wife. I don't give a fuck.

She stood between my legs and looked up at me. "Is the door locked?"

A slow smile curved my lips. "If you want it locked, it will be."

The smile she gave me told me everything.

"Give me a minute," I said, already moving. I crossed the room, turned the lock, then came back to her. We held each other's gaze for a long moment. "Get on the desk," I said.

But she surprised me again. Valentina placed a hand on my chest and gently turned me instead, pressing me back toward the desk.

"You're the one who's turned on," she whispered seductively. "Let me cool it down."

Damn. I really liked this side of her. That bold, sinful edge she only ever showed with me.

I didn't even argue. I sat back on the desk, watching her. Letting her do whatever she wants to do with me. 

Her eyes never left mine as she slid off my belt and set it aside. Then she licked her lips slowly before dragging my pants down to my thighs. My breath tightened in my chest as I gripped her arm, feeling myself getting harder with every second.

I didn't have much patience for slow teasing. If it were up to me, I'd already have her exactly where I wanted her. But today, I let her have her moment.

Her hand moved through the fabric of my boxers, slow and deliberate around my rock hard cock.

"Looks like little daddy is about to explode," she murmured.

A low sound tore out of me. "Don't play with me," I warned roughly. "Take the damn cock."

She slowly pulled down my boxers, and my length sprang free, too hard.
Her eyes dropped to it, then lifted back to my face.

"Wow. Little devil looks way bigger today."

A sharp hiss left me. "If you don't take it right now," I warned, "I'm going to punish you."

"Relax," she murmured as she lowered her head.

Just as she wrapped her hands around me, and was about to take me, a knock suddenly sounded on the door.

I didn't even hesitate. I shoved her head down and growled, "Don't stop. Whoever that is can wait."

I didn't give a damn. Not with the way Valentina had already completely messed me up. Not when stopping now felt impossible.

I held her hair gently, keeping her close, my own control slipping with every second. The sound she made sent a shiver down my spine, and I clenched my jaw, forcing myself not to lose it entirely.

The knock on the door came again, sharp and persistent. I didn't even glance at it. Right now, nothing else mattered. I swore under my breath, thinking of the bastard who'd interrupt this moment I'd make sure he or she regretted it if he ever got near us.

Valentina pulled back slightly, her chest heaving, and leaned in again, her hands still moving in that way that made me forget everything else. I let out a low growl, gripping her tighter, holding her steady.

"Damn," I muttered, "You drive me crazy."

Her focus never wavered, and it was enough to make the world outside disappear. The phone on my desk rang, but I ignored it. Mr. Evans could wait. Right now, she had my full attention, and nothing else mattered. I adjusted her hair, letting her continue, feeling that rush of heat and need between us.

I moaned lowly, letting her know exactly what she was doing to me. The tension, the power, the desire
it all converged into a single point, and I didn't care who saw or what waited outside.