Chapter24


    “Six millionandthehouse,don’tyouwantthemanymore?”


    Lucaslookedatherwithanemotioninhiseyesthat Avelinecouldn’tdecipher.


    Avelineclenchedherfists,staringathim,andsuddenlyfeltdeted.


    Shedidwantthem.


    Withmoneyandahouse,shewouldn’thavetoworkanymore.Shecouldleavethiscity,gofaraway,andmakesurehecouldneverfindher.


    Oh…hownaiveofher.Asifhewouldeverlookforher.


    Keepingacoldface,shefoundthefirstaidkit,satdownbesidehim,openedit,andbegandisinfectinghiswound.


    “Ithurts,”hesaidsoftly.


    Hisdeep,maic voice,slightlyhoarse,carriedhisuniqueroughness,makingitarealtemptationtoAveline.


    Herbreathingbecameslightlyerratic,andinsteadofbeinggentle,hermovementsbecamemoreforceful.N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Thistime,Lucasdidn’tsayanything.


    Hejustwatchedherquietly.Herexpressionwasindifferent,herdelicatefeaturesstunninglybeautiful.Thoughsheusuallydidn’twearmakeup,shehadatouchofpurityabouther.


    Twpletelydifferenttemperamentsblendedwellwithinher.“It’sdone.”


    Hercoldvoicebrokehisthoughts,


    AsAvelinepackedupthefirstaidkit,shesaid,Mr.Tudor,pleasekeepyourword.Iwanttoseethecheckandthedeedbytomorrowmorning.ThenI’llgowithyoutofileadivorce.


    Sheclosedthefirst aidkitwithasnapandturnedtolookathim.


    “Ifyouweretobackout,thenwewouldn’tgetdivorced.Wecanjustdragthisout.Itwon’tbemylossanyway.”


    Withthat,shepickedupthefirstaidkit,putitaway,andwentstraightintothebedroom.


    Lucasstaredatthebeautifulbowonhisarm,hiseyesdarkening.


    Aftertakingashower,Avelineworeonlyacamisolenightdress.Shennedtohaveassofwaterbeforegoingtobed,assuminghehadleft.Butwhensheopenedthedoor,shesawhimstillsittingonthesofainthesameposition,unmoving.


    Hewasstaringathisinjuredarm,lostinthought.


    Avelinepausedforamomentbeforecasuallywalkingtowardsthewaterdispenser.


    Withherbacktohim,shecouldn’tseehisexpression.


    Afterdrinkinghalfassofwaterandjustsettingthecupdown,astrongarmencircledherwaist.


    Startled,Avelineimmediatelybegantostruggle.“Lucas,whatare youdoing?Letgoofme!”


    Softkissesfellonhershoulderandneck,hishotbreathcaressingherdelicateskin,causinghertoshiver.


    Intheirhalf–yearofmarriage,sheknewhowtoprovokehis


    +15BONUS


    nerves,andheknewhowtodothesame.


    Afterjustafewteasingtouches,Aveline’sfaceturnedred.


    Heturnedheraround,hisdominantpresenceoverwhelmingashekissedherlips.


    Smack!


    Avelinesuddenlyraisedherhandandppedhimacrosstheface.


    “Lucas,youbastard!”


    Hereyesreddenedatthecorners.“We’regettingdivorced.Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoing?”


    Lucaspressedhistongueagainsthischeek,hiseyesfixedonher.“Butwe’renotdivorcedyet.Andthisisthesecondtimeyou’veppedme.”


    Avelrembledwithanger.“What?Areyougoingtohitmeback?”


    Lucassuddenlygrabbedherwrist.“Ican’tjustletitgounpunished.”


    Beforeshecouldreact,hisdomineeringkissdescended,seizingherbreathandlockingherfirmlyinhisembrace.


    “Mmph!”


    Avelinestruggled,theirteethshing,thetasteofbloodspreadingintheirmouths.


    ButLucasdidn’tletgo.Hegrippedherwaist,liftingherup,andthenhookedherlegsaroundhiswaist.