Chapter 4

Gervas and I get our stories straight as we make our way through the mansion. He knows exactly how to handle the situation—I was relaxing in the study because I wanted to curl up in one of those big leather couches with a good book. How many other times has Gervas covered like this for Logan? I’m not worried about Logan sneaking around on me, it’s just that the thought of being with someone who has a butler around to cover for them is… weird.

But knowing Logan has that kind of power also makes him a lot sexier.

We make our way through the grand foyer and out onto the back patio. Lucas lounges on one of the large love seats that surrounds a huge, empty fire pit. He’s mid conversation with his mobile pressed to his ear but as soon as he spots us he ends the call.

He beams a smile at me.

“Just the person I’ve been looking for!” He nods at Gervas. “You’re even faster than I expected. You know, I’m not sure what Logan is paying you, but I’ll happily double it. I could use someone like you on my team.”

Gervas purses his lips in a courteous smile and bows.

“I assure you I am most satisfied with how my services are valued.”

“Can’t blame me for trying,” Lucas says, with a shrug of his shoulders. “I’m sure you know how to get in touch with me if you ever change your mind.”

Gervas gives another short bow and leaves without a response. Lucas turns and flashes his charming smile at me. He really is a handsome man. Under different circumstances I might even be attracted to him.

“You’re quite the elusive one,” he says.

“But I’m here now…”

“Fortune smiles on me once again.”

“I hope it’s worth it. I was in the middle of something good…”

The grin on his face widens.

“High expectations, I see.”

“Is that going to be a problem?”

“I’m up for the challenge.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

He reaches a hand out.

“I’m a man of my word,” he says. “I believe I promised you a walk through the beautiful garden.”

Images of Logan’s hard, sweat-licked body flash in my head when I think about the garden. Hopefully Lucas misinterprets the heat rushing to my cheeks. Surprisingly, he is enough of a gentleman that he doesn’t comment on it.

I take Lucas’s outstretched hand and try to fight off my awkwardness as more thoughts and images of me and Logan together flash through my head. Lucas and I make idle small talk while he leads me past the pool and onto the small trail that winds deeper into the property. I know this trail. It’s the same one I followed last night. Soon we’ll be at the gazebo where Logan spent the night fucking me.

Ugh! Stop thinking about it, Aimee!

Once I’m able to force the thoughts out of my head, it doesn’t take long for me to get comfortable with Lucas. His gentleness is surprising given how I had expected him to act. I hope it won’t be too obvious that this isn’t actually my first time seeing the garden, like he’s assuming.

To my delight, with the sun climbing higher in the sky, everything looks even more radiant than it had when I left Logan to sneak back into the house. It was a few hours ago, but it feels like a lifetime has passed since then.

I’m once again amazed at how beautiful every single part of Logan’s mansion is. How is it possible to surround yourself with so many breathtaking things still pull yourself from it? I could spend the rest of my life here without ever getting bored.

“You’re very lucky right now. A lot of women would love to be in your shoes,” Lucas says.

“Is that so?”

I give him a teasing look.

“Believe it or not, women seem to be rather taken with me.”

The comment doesn’t come across nearly as cocky as it could have, but I still struggle to hold back a laugh.

“You sure think highly of yourself.”

“What can I say? There’s just something about me that turns them on…”

“Women are attracted to money and power.”

“But the question is, what are you attracted to?” Another vision of Logan flashes in my head. An excited rush expands throughout me. “It must be something good to put that smile on your face…”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. I try to give him a bashful look.

“What’s the fun in telling you everything that turns me on?”

He flashes me an intrigued smile.

“Sounds like I will have to find out for myself…” He takes a step closer and nervous energy engulfs me. “Luckily for us, I know a thing or two about giving a woman what she wants.”

In an instant, the heat of him washes over me and his presence nearly forces everything else out of my mind. For a moment I lose myself. This is something I have to do. Lucas might get suspicious if he thinks I’m holding back.

I don’t have a choice.

But, Logan…

I’m doing this to help Logan.

But… Logan!

Our lips are so close. Just a breath closer, and…

“Wait.”

Lucas hesitates for a moment before pulling back. His brow furrows and he gives me a puzzled look.

“What is it?” he asks, confusion evident in his tone.

I shake my head.

“I can’t do this.”

He studies me for a moment, bewildered. I wonder how long it’s been since a woman last turned him down—it obviously doesn’t happen often.

“Is it something I did?”

I let out a tiny laugh.

“No, no. It’s nothing like that.” I give him a sheepish look. “It’s just that… Well, I’m kind of seeing someone.”

“I thought you were single…”

He sounds as though he doesn’t believe me.

“I guess I did, too.” I shrug. “It’s just… It’s new.” I wave a hand. “I’m not even sure if it will go anywhere…”

“But you like him,” Lucas says, finishing the thought for me.

An understanding smile spreads across his face, surprising me.

“Yeah, I guess I do,” I say. My heartbeat quickens, reminding a giddy part of me what it felt like to have a crush back in junior high.

Lucas barks out a loud laugh. He hooks his arm under mine and leads me farther into the garden. There’s even more of a bounce in his step than before. Is he actually excited about me turning him down?

“I hope you’re not upset with me.”

He beams at me.

“Upset? No, I’m not upset. At least this explains why you have been dodging my advances.”

“It’s nothing personal…”

He pats me on the hand. 

“Trust me—I understand.”

“Oh. You’re seeing someone as well?”

“I wouldn’t call it that.” He considers it for a moment, then adds, “It’s complicated.”

I let out a laugh, feeling more relieved than I have in a long time.

“Isn’t it always?”

We walk for a while in peaceful silence. I never would have guessed that Lucas was seeing someone else based on the way he’d acted around me. But then, nothing had actually happened with him. Sure, it got close—and maybe a part of me was curious—but we never crossed that line. And besides, it’s obvious that whatever is going on with the other woman in his life isn’t well defined, so it can’t be all that serious. 

“Do you love him?” Lucas asks.

I get an uneasy feeling in my stomach.

“It’s too early for anything like that.”

“Say no more,” he says, grinning. “New love is a special thing. There’s nothing in the world like it.”

“I didn’t take you for a romantic.”

“Once you’ve experienced real, honest love… it’s impossible to forget.”

The sincerity of his tone is surprising. I never would have guessed Lucas had a sentimental side. Everything about his appearance and demeanor tells me he is just another womanizing playboy trying to get his dick wet. This new side of him is… nice.

“My decision making with men leaves something to be desired,” I say.

“And yet you keep putting yourself out there…” He gives me a warm look. “That takes a lot of courage.”

“Or stupidity.”

“It’s only stupid if you don’t learn from your mistakes. Believe me, I speak from experience.”

I let out a laugh.

“It sounds like there’s a story there…”

He grins at me. 

“Let’s just say that I have a type.”

“Gold diggers?” I ask. My gut twists. “I’m sorry, was that inappropriate?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “I wish more women would just say what’s on their mind instead of beating around the bush.”

My brow rises.

“I didn’t realize it was such an issue. Men are the ones that never make sense.”

Lucas lets out another laugh.

“You know I once heard women use up to thirteen different ways to communicate whereas men only use four… So, if a guy isn’t making any sense, maybe you’re literally reading too much into it.”

“Well, it sure would be helpful if you men were smart enough to keep up with us.”

I wink at him, making him laugh again.

“That goes without saying…”

His laugh is contagious. When we finally collect ourselves he gives me a serious look.

“Does he love you?”

My gut tightens and shifts.

“Like I said, it’s early… We’re still getting to know each other.”

His lips pinch together and he shakes his head.

“That’s not good enough.”

“It’s the truth. What answer were you expecting?”

“Tell me how you think he feels. You obviously feel something—do you think it goes both ways?”

This is the question I’ve been asking myself since I woke up yesterday. It seems like every hour brings a different answer. But after the way he confronted Mara this morning, maybe it’s time I stop doubting him.

“I think so. Like I said, you men never really make any sense.”

Lucas grins.

“I want to share something with you I haven’t told anyone before.” I turn to face him, curious about what he might say. “The few times I have met a woman special enough for me to fall for, I didn’t have to ask myself how I felt. I knew it, immediately.”

“Immediately?”

“Without a doubt,” he says.

“Don’t you need time to get to know her before you can tell if it’s real or not?”

He scrunches his face, as though not wanting to outright disagree with me.
“Getting to know them can make the connection stronger. But I know right away if a woman will be different than all the rest.” He lets out a laugh and then adds, “Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t always been the standup guy you see before you. I’ve done my fair share of playing the field…”

Lucas’s jovial spirits aren’t enough to make me laugh this time.

“Why are you telling me all of this?” I ask.

“I’m not sure,” he says, shrugging. “I know what it feels like to give myself to someone who doesn’t feel the same. It’s a shitty feeling.”

That sounds like exactly what happened with David. I had given all of myself to David but, looking back, I’m not sure he ever really wanted me that way. He was happy to let me think he did because it meant he could get into my pants whenever he wanted. In the end, I think that’s all he was interested in.

“The last guy I dated was cheating on me for most of the relationship,” I say, almost to myself.

Lucas winces.

“So you know what I’m talking about.” I nod, feeling even emptier than before. “Well, now you know what to look out for. Don’t let it happen again.”

He makes it sound so simple. I wish it really were that easy, but history has told me that I manage to make everything more complicated than it needs to be. Maybe it’s time to turn over a new leaf?

Or maybe it’s time to obsessively double check everything that’s happened since I met Logan to make sure he’s really not another David in disguise…

Yeah, that sounds a lot more like me.