Chapter 114 Frustrated
Alex's mind was still circling around the same thought about Mac. He needed to get to him quickly. He wouldn't want Lucas having any more worries now that he was free from his secret.
He was still deep in thought when the bathroom door clicked open.
Alex’s head lifted instantly from where he was seated on the couch by the foot of the bed.
Lucas stepped out, freshly showered, his hair still damp and slightly messy. He was dressed in a loose T-shirt and soft shorts, the fabric clinging lightly to his skin from the lingering warmth of the shower.
But what caught Alex’s attention most was the expression on Lucas’s face. Lucas was stifling a smile. Clearly amused and pleased with himself.
Alex immediately knew it was the bathroom door incident. He smirked.
Lucas walked casually toward the bedroom, pretending to be innocent. However, the little smirk tugging at his lips gave him away completely. He headed to the dressing mirror and picked up a comb.
Alex turned to look at him. The serious thoughts about Mac pushed out of his mind. He slid into his usual playful mood and a grin spread across his lips.
“Well, well,” Alex said lazily, sitting up straighter. “Look who we finally have here.”
Lucas tried to keep his composure, but the smile threatened to escape again.
“Oh?” he replied, folding his arms. “You’re still here?”
Before Lucas could say anything else, Alex suddenly stood.
In three quick strides, he closed the distance between them. Lucas barely had time to react before Alex grabbed him by the waist and pulled him straight into his arms.
“Alex!” Lucas let out a surprised laugh as he stumbled slightly into his chest.
Alex held him firmly, his arms wrapped securely around him.
Then he lowered his head near Lucas’s ear and whispered in a low, teasing voice,
“What makes you think you can run away from me, hmm?”
Lucas tried to suppress his laughter. “I wasn’t running,” he protested.
“Oh really?” Alex murmured.
His grip tightened slightly as he lifted Lucas just a little off the ground, making him gasp.
“You locked the door on me.”
Lucas burst out laughing now.
“You were acting suspicious!”
Alex raised a brow. “By planning to save water?” he asked smoothly.
Lucas looked at him in disbelief.
“No, by invading my shower?”
“I only want to join you.”
Lucas shook his head, still smiling. “I don't trust you on that.”
Alex leaned closer, studying his face. “Really? Are you trying to break my heart?”
Lucas laughed out loud. “Come on, you know I don't have the mind to do that.” He laughed out some more.
“Oh, you’re enjoying this way too much.”
Lucas tilted his head slightly and winked. “Maybe.”
Alex’s fingers moved up to brush the damp strands of hair away from Lucas’s forehead. For a moment he looked at him softly and affectionately. Then his voice dropped again. “But you should know something.”
Lucas raised a curious brow. “What?”
Alex smiled slowly. “No locked door in this world can save you from me.”
Before Lucas could react, Alex leaned down and kissed him warmly.
When Alex pulled back, Lucas smiled and said almost in a whisper, “Alex, my Alex…”
Alex breathed against Lucas’s lips and murmured softly, “I’m yours, baby.”
Before Lucas could respond, Alex captured his mouth again. The kiss deepened, warm, slow, and lingering. Lucas’s fingers curled into Alex’s shirt while Alex tightened his arms around him. He pulled him closer as though he never wanted to let go.
Then Lucas’s phone started buzzing.
Alex groaned softly against Lucas’s lips, the sound muffled between them. He ignored it at first, pressing another slow kiss to Lucas’s mouth as if hoping the call would disappear.
Lucas began to pull away but Alex wasn’t ready to let him go yet.
He caught Lucas gently by the waist and stole one last quick kiss before finally releasing him, though a flicker of worry crossed his mind.
Please don’t let it be that Mac. Alex wished within him.
Lucas walked toward the bed where the phone vibrated insistently on the mattress. He picked it up and glanced at the screen.
“It's my Dad,” he muttered.
Behind him, Alex visibly relaxed.
His shoulders loosened as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Lucas’s waist from behind, resting his chin lightly on his shoulder.
“How about I go take a shower while you take the call?” Alex suggested casually.
Lucas nodded. “Okay.”
Alex smiled against his skin and pressed a light kiss just below Lucas’s ear before turning toward the closet.
He peeled off his clothes as he walked, tossing them aside. When he opened the closet, his eyes immediately landed on his towel hanging neatly inside. Nathan must have left it there. For a second he considered grabbing it but then paused.
Instead, he reached for another towel nearby, assuming it belonged to Lucas. He draped it over his shoulder before heading toward the bathroom.
The door closed quietly behind him.
Out in the bedroom, Lucas stared at the phone still vibrating in his hand. He didn’t answer immediately. He waited for the buzzing to stop.
A second later, it started again.
Lucas watched the screen calmly.
When the phone began ringing for the third time, he finally answered.
“Hello.”
“Lucas,” his father’s voice came through, low and edged with irritation. “Are you ignoring my calls?”
Lucas leaned back against the bedpost. “I was in the shower,” he replied flatly. “What do you want?”
“Come on, son,” Mr. Westman protested. “You didn’t even ask how I’m doing.”
Lucas exhaled slowly, already tired of the conversation. “Dad, I know you’re doing well,” he said bluntly. “So get to it.”
“You’re wrong about that,” his father replied dramatically. “I’m not doing well, Lucas. I might die of stress if you don’t come back home.”
Lucas rolled his eyes. “Come on, Dad,” he said with a sigh. “I thought we were done with this discussion. I can’t marry Derby. And I like my job as a chef.”
A pause followed. Then his father’s voice hardened. “I know exactly why you’re clinging to that stupid job,” he said. “It's because of that Alex.”
Lucas’s jaw tightened.
“You need to open your eyes to reality,” Mr. Westman continued. “Alex is a man just like you. He can’t give you a child. He can’t carry your heir.”
Lucas’s fingers curled slightly around the phone.
“Please, son,” his father pressed on, his tone turning persuasive. “Come back home. Let’s talk about your future like sensible people.”
“There’s nothing to talk about, Dad” Lucas replied coolly. “Emily will give you the heir you want.”
Silence crackled across the line.
Then his father snapped, “Damn it, Lucas!” You’re frustrating me.”
Lucas didn’t respond.
“If you insist on keeping that chef job of yours,” Mr. Westman continued, his voice lowering again, “Fine. I can tolerate that.”
Lucas frowned slightly.
“But you need to stay away from that Alex.”
Lucas’s eyes darkened.
“Are you even aware,” his father continued, “that he has kept many girlfriends before? Do you think you’re special? One day he’ll dump you and marry a woman.”