22

22
Lucian

What I did must have offended him again. Honestly, I don’t know what the hell he wants from me. I offer him the best sex of his life,  with pay, no less,  and he looks at me like I stole something sacred. Like I took a part of him I had no right to touch.

It pissed me off.

But what pissed me off more… was that I cared.

No. Not about him. Just… his body.

That’s all.

I ran a hand down my face as the hot water beat against my skin, trying to wash away the thoughts. I had never had sex in my office before,  ever. But the second he walked in, it was like something short-circuited in me.

No one had ever made me lose control like that.

What was it about him that had me on edge? On my damn toes?

He was annoying. Reckless. Delicate in the worst ways and yet...

God, he felt so good.

And I hated that I couldn’t get enough of him.

The next morning, I went down for breakfast, and from the look on William' face, I knew he had something to say.

I set my cup down. "What is it?"

William cleared his throat, his posture stiff as always. "The boy. He left early this morning, sir. Went to his former guardian’s house. Mrs. Johanson just called to inform me he won’t be returning until next weekend."

I stilled for a second, then nodded once. “Did he say why?”

William hesitated. “No, sir. But… she sounded displeased. Mentioned something about the boy being malnourished.”

I scoffed quietly, pushing my chair back. “Of course she did.”

But inside, something tightened.

I can’t lie, I'd noticed he barely ate. At first, I assumed it was some sort of performance for me. Like he wanted to appear delicate, bird-like, feminine or whatever the hell he thought would get my attention. Turns out, it wasn’t about me at all. Figures. He’s just a problematic little shit.

“Fine,” I muttered. “Let her have her way. But when he returns, keep an eye on him. I don’t want anyone accusing me of being a bad guardian.”

“You’re a great guardian, Mr. Lucian,” Jessica chimed in sweetly from across the table.

I gave her the filthiest mug I could muster. “Has no one taught you to speak only when spoken to? Or how much I hate ill-mannered children?”

She immediately lowered her head, muttering an apology.

I almost laughed at myself, what a hypocrite. I let that damn boy call me by name, after all. Not that he listens when I tell him not to. And that ridiculous nickname he uses? I swear I’ll strangle him one day for it.

Still… I kind of missed hearing it.

A few days passed, and I was restless as hell. I tried to scratch the itch, slept with two different models, back to back, but they just... weren’t him. They were soft in all the wrong places. Their moans too fake. Their touch too practiced. I wasn’t even sure I finished with the second one. I just got up, frustrated, the condom barely off before my phone buzzed.

Nude, I climbed out of the sheets and answered the call. “What’s up, Jo?” I asked, my voice rough and dry.

“I’m at your house,” Johan said, sounding annoyingly smug. “Figured it was time I visited Los Angeles.”

I paused. “Hmm. So sudden.”

“Well, you don’t exactly answer your brother’s texts. I had to fly across the country just to see your stuck-up face.”

I sighed, dragging a hand through my hair as I walked toward the bathroom, ignoring the confused voice behind me asking, “Are we done?”

“Yes,” I muttered to both her and Johan. “Fine. I’ll be there in twenty.”

“I’m in your wine cellar,” Johan replied cheerfully. “Don’t take too long, or I’ll finish that ‘85 bottle you’ve been saving.”

That bastard.

He was already on his second glass when I walked in, lounging like he owned the place. I slipped off my jacket and tossed it over the armrest, watching him flash that signature smile, too white, too perfect, and of course, glinting with diamond grills.

He stood, arms open. I let him hug me. I always did.

“Johan,” I said as I reached for the drink he’d already poured me, “tell me why you’re really here. Aren’t you still the world’s busiest supermodel?”

He smirked, that irritatingly unreadable expression I hated. “I missed my big brother. Isn’t that reason enough to be here?”

I narrowed my eyes, sipping the whiskey slowly. “No.”

“I want to meet my niece and nephew... right? Isn’t that what they’re called? The adopted kids, Kattie forced on you,” Johan said, grinning like it was a casual favor.

I arched a brow. “I thought you said you didn’t care.”

“I do now,” he replied, flashing another one of those smug smiles that made me want to knock the grills off his teeth.

I set down my glass slowly. “Johan,” I said, voice low and warning. “Don’t you dare fuck any of them.”

His grin faltered for a second, just a second, before he chuckled. “Relax, Lucian. I just want to say hello. I'm not a monster.”

I didn’t smile back. “You don’t have to be a monster to ruin someone.”

“But don’t worry,” he added, hands raised in mock innocence. “I’m really just here to know them.”

I narrowed my eyes. “So... tonight?”

At first, I wanted to shut it down. I didn’t want Halo back in the house. Not yet. Not while I was still trying to forget the last time I saw him.
But this, this could be the excuse I needed to bring him home, even if it was just for dinner.

“Fine,” I said, leaning back in my seat. “You’ll meet them tonight.”

I looked at William. “Call Mrs. Sandra,” I said. “Tell her I need him back home. My brother wants to meet him.”

William hesitated. “Should I give her a reason?”

The reason was my hunger, but that didn’t have to be known.