“She is.”Now what was I going to do?It wasn’t like Lucas didn’t know about the event when he’d heard my call with my mother weeks ago.The best I could do was explain what I had a feeling would happen.My gut knotted.“Lucas, this isn’t one of those nice get-togethers like we have on Friday night at the pub.It’s my family trying to show we’re one big happy family when we’re not.To further their own agendas.”That was the best I could do without sounding bitter.
“I can deal with that.”
“I’m not sure I can.”The words slipped out before I could prevent them.My cell rang again, and we both glanced at the screen.
“Tell her we’ll be there.”
I opened my mouth to tell him no and stopped.Maybe it was time he met the crazy family I came from, then hopefully he’d understand my fears.“Hello again, Mother.I’ll be there, and I’m bringing a friend.Bye.”I hung up before she could say another word.This was a big step for me, and I didn’t want to listen to her question me, especially with Lucas standing here.Or worse, try to tell me what to wear.
My stomach turned over.What the fuck had I just done?This was a disaster in the making.
“Tell me where we’re going.”
“The club in downtown Seattle.It’s on Fourth Avenue.”
“I’m familiar.”He stroked my cheek.“What’s the occasion?”
“With my family, who knows.It has something to do with my sister, Kendall.”I hated the bitterness in my voice—even if it was justified.“There is something I want you to understand.And this is hard for me to share.”I had to warn him.It wouldn’t be fair to lead him into the lion’s den without at least some knowledge.
“Sweetheart, what is going on?”Concern spread over his features.
“They are the only family I have, but they can be self-centered.Especially my sister.”
Lucas nodded.“But there’s more.”
“My sister is the apple of their eyes.She can do nothing wrong, whereas everything I’ve ever done is wrong.”
“That’s not fair.”
The bitter laugh that escaped was not pretty.I couldn’t help it.“My parents don’t even know what the word fair means.A plate broke, and it was my fault even if I wasn’t in the room.That’s just one example.Anyhow…” I waved my hand.“I have a feeling this party is going to be all about Kendall and something special she’s done.So don’t be surprised at how my parents act.”Hell, maybe they’d just ignore me.I could only wish.
“Family is sometimes made by those we let into our lives.Remember, my parents more or less left me on my own with my sister.”
Remorse hit me.“I don’t want this to be triggering for you.I can go alone.”That was probably for the best.Dealing with my family could hurt Lucas, and I wouldn’t have that.
“Honey.”Lucas knelt.“Don’t worry about me.”
“But I do.”My breath caught in my throat.“Lucas, you’re so responsible, and I don’t want you taking me on as a responsibility.”I wouldn’t be able to stand that.
“Is that what you think I’m doing?”He tilted his head and stared at me.
“Not yet.”At least, not as far as I could tell, but Lucas was protective, and he needed to understand I wouldn’t become a responsibility to him.This wasn’t a one-way relationship.We were in this together.
His lips turned up.“The only thing I want to be responsible for is giving you orgasms and satisfying you whenever I can get you alone.”
Heat filled me, and my eyes closed.This man could disarm me so easily with some choice words.It wasn’t fair, yet I loved it.“That sounds like a challenge.”
His eyes brightened.“It is.Because you’re stubborn.Let’s finish this workday and go join the others at the pub.We can deal with tomorrow night later.”Lucas stood.
I wouldn’t argue with him.Turning back to my spreadsheets, I sighed.Nothing had changed there, but at the moment, I didn’t care.My mind was filled with Lucas and me together in bed.Lucas was the only one who could do this to me, and for some reason, I didn’t mind.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lucas
Valerie tensed as I pulled into the valet area for the club right on time: six-thirty.She’d been like that most of the day.I’d tried to distract her a few times on the drive, but to no avail.Annoyance filled me that her family saw so little value in her.After what she told me yesterday, I was prepared.I’d even talked with Asher about how he dealt with Emma’s family.
“Evening, sir.Name, please?”the valet asked as I climbed out of the vehicle.
