Love Bug (The Prescotts Book 3), Tara Wyatt [best mobile ebook reader .txt] 📗

moving a bit closer. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of Max?”

The corner of his mouth hitched up and he shook his head. “No.” He met her eyes. “I’m not scared of anything. But he’s a health nut and I don’t want him on my case.” He took another drag, the tip of the cigarette glowing in the dim lighting. “I told him I quit. And I did.” He held the cigarette up and shrugged. “Mostly.”

She smiled. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

“So, are you having a good time? You look absolutely stunning, by the way. Beautiful.”

She ducked her head at the compliment. “Thank you. And, uh, yeah. I am.”

He smirked. “Liar.”

Her shoulders slumped. “I feel like the world’s biggest brat if I say I’m not.”

“Do I need to go punch my idiot brother?”

She shook her head. “No. Max has been great.”

He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Then what’s wrong?”

She sighed, looking back at the gleaming building behind them, then laughed softly. “Just feeling a bit like a fish out of water, I guess.”

He snorted. “That’s a good thing.” He gestured at the party behind them. “That’s not an ocean you want to swim in, sweetheart.”

“So I’d gathered.” A silence fell between them for a moment and then she turned to him. “I don’t think I ever said thank you for what you did for me and Kayla back in March.” She swallowed thickly, a quiet echo of the fear she’d experienced that night pulsing through her, making her shiver and wrap her arms around herself. “You saved our lives.”

Lucian stubbed out his cigarette in the nearby ashtray, blew out a final plume of smoke and then took her hands in his. “It was my pleasure, Willa. I might not be a good guy, but I don’t like to see innocent people get hurt. And I protect my family. Kayla became part of that family when Sebastian fell in love with her. You’re part of it now, too. I take care of the people in my life, and you get a gold star for making my brother so deliriously happy he doesn’t even seem like the same person. But I want you to know that even if you’re not with Max at some point in the future and there’s something you need, you can always come to me. No matter what. Yeah?”

She nodded, the corner of her mouth quirking up. “Okay. Thank you, Lucian.” She glanced back toward the party. “I had the pleasure of meeting your father.”

“I assume you’re using pleasure in the most ironic of ways.”

“Mmm. Max almost punched him.”

“Damn. I wish he had and that I’d been inside to see it.” He blew out a breath. “Maybe next time.” He shook his head and then turned away. “And that man isn’t my father, as far as I’m concerned. He might’ve given me his name, but that’s all he ever gave me.”

Willa frowned, studying him. “Are you here alone?”

He turned and smiled sadly. “I’m always alone, sweetheart.”

“Why?”

“It’s the way it has to be.” He tipped his chin in the direction of the building. “Go find Max. Enjoy the party.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. “You look radiant. Go. Have fun.”

Willa managed to enjoy herself more during the second half of the party. She chatted more with Noah, who was sweet if a little tense, and Levi, who was funny and sarcastic. She danced with Max several times and with Lucian once before seeing him leave with a gorgeous, leggy blond half his age. Apparently he wasn’t going home alone, even if he’d attended the event solo.

By the time the gala was winding down, her feet were aching and she was ready to fall into bed. It had been fun to get all glammed up for the evening, but she was ready to take her fancy dress off, put on her pajamas and veg.

“Did you have a good time?” asked Max as they stepped outside and into the queue of guests waiting for their limos and Town cars. He laced his fingers through hers, tracing his thumb over her knuckles.

“To be completely honest…Yeah. I did. The first bit was kind of dicey, but I did have fun.”

“Good. I’m sorry about how things started off. I’m especially sorry about my asshole father. If I’d known he was going to be here, I would’ve made a point of avoiding him.”

She shrugged, waving away his apology. “Don’t worry about it. I didn’t let it ruin my evening.”

“Mmm. And the evening’s not over yet.”

She glanced over at him, her stomach dipping and swirling at the heat shining out at her from his gorgeous blue eyes. “What did you have in mind?”

He dipped his head, his lips rasping against the shell of her ear. “I’ve been thinking about fucking you in the limo all night.” She sucked in a sharp breath, swaying into him slightly. “I want to make you come on my cock with the entire city just feet away.”

Oh, holy hell. She’d never thought of herself as much of an exhibitionist, but what Max was suggesting already had her squirming, an achy throb settling deep in her core.

When he lifted his head, his eyes were dark. Hungry. She knew those eyes. She loved those eyes because they promised pleasure. So much pleasure. “I didn’t bring any condoms,” she said weakly, gesturing to her clutch.

He kissed her temple. “Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered.”

She turned to face him, stepping directly in front of him. Curling her fingers into the waistband of his pants, she gave a little tug. “Then yes.” She slid a hand up his chest and wrapped her arm around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss. “I’m already wet just thinking about it. I need you.” This was especially true after the way the evening had gone. She’d managed to have fun, but she was still feeling slightly off-kilter.

“Fucking hell,” he ground out, kissing her in front of everyone. He pulled her against him, pressing his