Chapter 3
Sophia
Later that day, I reviewed an email I’d prepared to send to Lucas. I’d asked Danny for a first review, just to make sure I wasn’t pushing too hard. Danny had reminded me I needed to push. I’d outlined a list of recommended questions and limits I would set for an upcoming interview. I’d also added a prepared statement to release should any questions come up around his last interview when he stormed off the stage. This statement addressed the very topic Lucas wanted to avoid. Danny had given me some pointers on it, in the process illuminating something I hadn’t known—Lucas’s ex was a cheating gold digger. Despite the plain facts Danny offered, he’d shared Lucas specifically didn’t want to bad-mouth Kayla even though he easily could.
It was damning to realize how Lucas’s choice not to publicly comment had only set him up to look like the asshole when he wasn’t. It spoke volumes about him as a person that he’d held off on responding to her way of spinning the story.
My finger hovered over the send key for a moment before I clicked it decisively.
Within seconds, the intercom on my phone beeped. I glanced to the small screen on the phone to see Lucas’s name. My belly coiled with tension, and anxiety bloomed in my chest. Danny had warned me Lucas would be annoyed with my recommendations. Yet, I knew they were solid. I took a breath and clicked the speaker on.
“Yes, Lucas. How can I help you?”
“Come to my office. We need to talk now,” he said, his words quick and sharp.
“I’ll be right there.”
This was fine. This was precisely what I’d expected. For an executive who had chafed against the idea of a PR Consultant, I wouldn’t expect him to go along easily with my recommendations. My office was in a suite next door to the suite where Lucas and Danny’s offices were located.
I paused in front of his door and took a steadying breath. I hoped my body didn’t go haywire again. I’d spent any spare moment I had to think telling myself my initial physical reaction to him had been a fluke. I was certain I’d get accustomed to being around him and the intense desire I felt would fade. It had to.
“Come in,” he called.
I stepped through the door and glanced over. My pulse skittered wildly and my belly fluttered. It was an act of will, but I didn’t look away. It shouldn’t be legal for a man to look the way he did. He oozed masculinity and power. He was so handsome, he was almost beautiful. He had sculpted cheekbones and a straight nose. His jaw was strong with a dimple in the middle of his chin. The only soft part of his features was his lips—they were full and lush and made me wonder what it would feel like to kiss him. The contrast of his dark hair and his green eyes was so sensual, it almost hurt to look at him.
Okay. You need to get a grip. You cannot be thinking about kissing your boss. Especially your boss who doesn’t even want your position to exist.
Lucas waved a hand toward the chair across from him at the table. I slipped into it and smoothed my hands over my skirt.
“Why did you already prepare a statement about me walking out of my last interview? I haven’t even agreed to discuss my former fiancé,” he started out, his tone snappy.
“I understand, Lucas. Suzanne and Danny told me we needed to address this and change the subject.”
“You don't answer to them,” he barked.
I crossed and uncrossed my legs, willing my pulse to slow. “I understand I don’t answer to them. It was made very clear to me that this job hinged on my ability to stand up to you. If you do not address the issue yourself, it will linger. That is exactly what has happened in your case. From what I understand, you ended your engagement with Ms. Hanson over six months ago now. Your refusal…”
He cut me off. “This is exactly why I didn’t want a PR consultant. I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks,” he said, each word enunciated clearly, his voice fairly vibrating.
I took a breath, willing myself to stay calm, and continued, “I understand, but let me finish. Your refusal to speak about it publicly has allowed her to set the narrative. She's framed you as a heartless jerk. Your attitude hasn't helped. I have yet to meet anyone in a position comparable to yours who relishes the media attention given to their private lives. It comes with the territory, so you must deal with it. You have valid projects that people want to be associated with and want to invest in. We need to shift the image away from the negative asshole who dumped his fiancée. We don't have to lie, but we can change the perception. In fact, I believe one statement from you apologizing for swearing at the reporter and clarifying the rest should be enough for the interest to wane.”
It was a small miracle I managed to sound coherent. It was solely due to the fact that I was speaking the simple truth.
Lucas stared back at me. I might have only met him today, but it was quite obvious he was furious. His expression was controlled, his eyes narrow and his lips in a tight line.
After a beat, he spun away to stare out the windows. I was fairly certain I heard him swear under his breath. Another moment passed before he turned back.
I didn’t realize I’d unconsciously uncrossed and then crossed my legs again until I saw his eyes flick down. Oh dear. My skirt was just fitted enough, it was highly likely I’d unintentionally flashed him. His eyes flicked up to mine again, his gaze darkening. I didn’t know how to interpret what I saw there, but my body sure had an opinion. Heat unfurled in a wave through me, and my sex clenched. Oh my God. All he had to do was look at me, and I got wet. I squeezed my thighs together, trying to ease the ache building there.
His shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath. He kept his gaze locked to mine. “I'm a rational man, but I don't want to give my ex any more attention in the media.”
Ignoring my body’s willful response to him, I swallowed and forced myself to speak. “I understand. I do, but let's take control and then the story goes away,” I said, my words coming out raspy.
Lucas stared at me, his eyes locked to mine. The air around us felt heavy, almost electric. I willed my pulse to slow and the wild need coursing through my veins to settle. No such luck. My mind didn't seem quite capable of overriding my body's response to him.
After a loaded moment, he nodded. “Fine. We can release a written statement,” he said, his mouth twisting slightly.
My heart clenched. As irritated and cranky as he seemed about this topic, after what I’d learned from Danny, I knew he wasn’t the asshole here.
Before I realized I was about to speak, words came out of my mouth. “Danny explained what happened. I know you won't publicly discuss it, and I respect you for that. I can only imagine how frustrating it’s been for you.”
Lucas kept staring at me. Damn. I wished he had more trouble with direct eye contact. I lifted my chin slightly and held his gaze. After a beat, he leaned back, his shoulders relaxing slightly.
“It is what it is. I'm more annoyed about the attention paid to it.”
I nodded and resisted the urge to shift my legs again. “So, are you okay with us releasing that statement then? And the apology for swearing at the interviewer and walking off?” I asked.
He spun in his chair to look out the windows again, and I wondered if I'd gone too far. He spun back quickly and nodded. “I don’t have to like it, but I’ll go along with it.”
He stood abruptly, rounding the corner of the table. I didn’t see how it was physically possible, but my pulse jumped another notch. My body was like an engine revving anytime I was near him. His presence was like a heavy foot on the pedal, sending a surge of fuel through my body and hurtling me forward at a speed I could hardly tolerate. I stood because it appeared he was escorting me out of the office.
His stride was long, so I hurried to catch up. He suddenly stopped and turned back. I barreled into him. Colliding with him was like running into a wall of granite. My nipples tightened and my sex clenched. I stared up at him, barely able to breathe.