Five

 

LUCAS

 

Fuck me running.

The object of my obsession is heading toward the booth two tables away from where I’m sitting in the Bean Cup. Leaving her yesterday was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. The moan that came from her lips as she took her first sip of her coffee had my cock at attention, demanding I finally sink inside of her.

I couldn’t stop the growl that came from my throat at the thought of finally filling her pussy as she made that noise. However, seeing her stumble over her lame excuse about how hot her coffee was, I knew that I had to get out of there. Operation Mine wasn’t quite ready yet.

Rhys continues to drone on beside me, but I can’t even concentrate on anything he's saying. My dick is rock hard as I imagine everything I want to do to her as she sets her stuff on the table nearby.

Visions of me bending her over the booth and pounding the fuck out of her in front of every dick in this place flash through my mind. Marking her so no other man will even think twice of looking her way.

Mine.

“Lucas, what the fuck you growling about now? We’ve . . .” Rhys’ voice is laced with irritation as he continues to murmur from beside me.

Clenching my eyes and throwing my head back, I hold in the groan wanting to slip out of my mouth. We’re going over the numbers for Dirty Players one last time before we sign the papers, get them notarized and then the sale will be final. I’m lucky that he knows his shit and is a friend.

After a few deep breaths, I glance back as she bends over to dig into her bag for something. The desire to get this fucking deal finished grows even stronger seeing the way her ass sways slowly from side to side. The caveman inside me begins to claw, desperate for release, as she taunts me with her backside. Another man off to the left has his sights locked on her, appreciating the same view I am. I nearly lurch out of my chair, the only thing that saves him is when she finally stands up straight then takes her seat.

The need to mark her burns even more now, and that means that this fucking shit needs to hurry up and get done. I've kept my distance, wanting to wait until I had leverage to hold against her . . . me being her boss.

She’ll be out of Dirty Players and into my bed. And soon.

“Lucas, snap the fuck out of it,” Rhys growls at me while slapping the table.

My eyes collide with his before he follows where my attention has been. The noise that comes from my throat is one I’ve never made before. And by the shocked expression on Rhys face when he turns back to face me, it’s obvious my expression must reflect the anger that’s clearly discerned in the noise.

I know he’s married and wouldn’t ever touch or even want another woman, but knowing he’s looking at my woman pulls at something deep inside me.

“So . . .” He flips his gaze back and forth a few more times between my girl and me. “Cara’s the real reason you want the toy shop?” The hairs stand up at the back of my neck.

I know Macy used to work there, but Cara only started there six months ago. By then, Macy was long gone. So Rhys knowing she’s employed there is a shock.

“How the fuck do you know Cara?”

His smile starts to grow even wider. The fucker knows he’s right and it pisses me off even more.

“Macy and I go there all the time for things to research for her books. Being married to an author has its advantages.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me and I release all the anger that’s inside of me. Confusion begins to replace it when I remember what she writes about.

“What the fuck? She writes that shit in books that young teens read?”

“You stupid idiot. She has a different series she’s writing under a pen name that’s romance and geared to eighteen plus.” He rolls his eyes then starts to smirk again. “Remember the next time you read a sex scene in a book, odds are the author has tried it at least once with their partner.”

“One, I don’t read books with sex in it, but now that you gave me permission to imagine Macy having sex, I just might have to find out her pen name just so I can do that.” I duck as Rhys reaches out to punch me. The bark of laughter that comes from me has him chuckling too, knowing I’m fucking with him.

A twinkling laughter comes from her way and I can’t control myself. My breath leaves my lungs on a whoosh, as all the humor leaves me; replaced with desire the moment I realize it’s her laugh I'm hearing.

She begins giggling again at something she’s reading. My gaze takes in the cover in hopes of learning something new about my girl.

There’s a man with, from what I can tell, a beard, holding his shirt open along with the words, My Father’s Rival–Fiona Davenport.

There’s only one reason why his shirt would be open on a cover . . . this is a romance novel. The same kind that Macy’s also writing. And from what Rhys just said, probably has the same kind of sex scenes in it too.

“Lucas, the faster we get this paperwork done the faster you can throw her over your shoulder. I know she’s the reason you’re doing this,” Rhys voice filters into my head and I clench my eyes tight.

Fucker is right. The faster this is done, the faster I can claim not only my woman, but also my future. Cara Johnson, soon-to-be Fisher, doesn’t know what’s about to hit her.

 

CARA

 

My throat tightens again and the hair on my arms starts to stand at attention as I continue to look down at my book. It happens every single time he's come to my mind. Or when he's around me and even when I finally give in and open his image on my phone these past few weeks.

Lucas. Fucking. Fisher.

The past twenty-four hours have been hell on me and my body’s reaction to anything that has to do with him. I keep repeating that he's off limits. He's going to be my boss for fucks sake and yet, I can’t stop the need or desire of wanting him. I can’t stop the visions of him and me together. Him taking my virginity. Having a family . . .

Just that thought alone has a sigh escaping me. The reminder that he's already taken. That he already has what I want one day. And I refuse to be the other woman. I deserve more than being second place. I want a man to want me so badly, that he's devoted to me and any children we have. Being the “mistress” isn’t what I deserve.

Deciding it’s time to get home, and begin trying to get over this crush I have on him, I gather my stuff. Knowing I have to work tonight and that I'll be seeing him has me wondering if I should just call in sick. I’m not sure if I’m ready to face him with this sour feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“You’ve got a friend in me,” Toy Story starts blaring from my phone and my face breaks out into a huge smile.

“Awe you do love me,” I chuckle after I answer the phone to Maddox.

“Of course I do. Sorry for calling in the middle of the test you were taking earlier. You should’ve just let it go to voicemail, munchkin,” he apologizes for calling a few hours ago when I was in class.

Even though I was in the middle of my final when he called, the moment I heard Maddox's ringtone, I stopped and answered the damn thing.

And it might have pissed off my professor, but I didn’t care.

What if it was an emergency?

“How did you do on the test, by the way?” he asks as I retake a seat at the booth.

Leaning back, I fill him in on the test that I’m sure I failed. And how I explained why I decided to answer the call.

“He said he understood, but he still wasn’t happy with me. I just hope it isn’t bad enough he’ll fail me.”

“Sorry, Cara. If it’s a true emergency, I’ll ring right back instead of leaving a message. You work tonight? Speaking of, do I need to kill anyone yet?” Maddox voice is filled with humor.

Just the word work has my eyes glancing toward the one person that brings awareness to life in me.

“Good,” my voice is nothing but a whisper as my blue-grey eyes clash with his brown ones.

He’s staring right at me. My knees knock together in an attempt to stop the wetness that’s starting to pool in my panties.

The smirk that’s starting to form on his lips causes me to gasp.

I’ve got to get out of here.

Standing up, I quickly begin packing up again.

“Work is good. And yes, I do have to go in tonight,” I state after I clear my throat.

When I turn to leave, I can’t help but look into his eyes again and pause one last time to memorize his beautiful face.

“Now, enough about me. I miss you and love you, Mad Max. When are you coming home?”

Lucas’s eyes flash with an emotion I’ve seen countless times in my dad’s and Maddox’s eyes.

Anger.

Not understanding why he’d get angry with me, I turn and rush through the front door. As my brother tells me what places they docked at the past three weeks, I can’t help but shiver. I have a feeling after that look, things are going to change.

Mulling over the possible reasons for his glare, I’m left not sure if it’s a good kind of change either.