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“Lucan, you’re obviously still very hurt about whatever happened. Maybe getting it out of your system will do you some good. Did you love her that much?”
He turns to look away. “It’s not so much about love. It’s the principle of the thing. She didn’t have to cheat. I would have let her go.”
“Is everything that that man said true?”
He shrugs. “Pretty much. I don’t think I was ready for a serious relationship. I was more focused on getting the club started. I had just worked with Roger to openDeep Southand it was a lot of hard work. If the truth is to be told, I had been eyeing California for a while andFrictionwas in the making. So, I was still living here and traveling frequently. The intention was to have Tommy go to California and manage operations there and I would stay here and be the brain behind the operation. But being the hands on person that I am, I wanted to do things myself.”
I nod in agreement. “That’s understandable. It was the first club. This is going to sting a little.” I dab an alcohol soaked pad on his eyebrow. He winces and I lean in to blow on it slightly the way I would with any of my students. He smiles, and from this closeness, I notice the flecks of gray hidden in the blue of his eyes.
“You need to add nurse to your resumé.”
I laugh and lean back. “Where would that fit in your organization?”
“Doing exactly what you’re doing now.”
“Are you anticipating getting into more fights over ex-girlfriends?”
He laughs and shakes his head, “Marlene was the last one and you know how long ago that was.”
“One would think it was yesterday with how fresh the wound is.”
He has the grace to look a bit sheepish. “Like I said, it’s the principle of the thing. I messed up by not paying her enough attention. But she could have talked to me instead of cheating.”
“What would have happened if she had told you how she felt?”
“It would have hurt to know that I was failing as a boyfriend. But I would have let her go. Because the truth is, Summer, I didn’t love her. And I knew she didn’t love me. It was all about arm candy for me and the perks of dating Lucan Forbes for her. Even beforeFriction,I’d made a name for myself as one of the top entrepreneurs under thirty to watch. She liked the association.”
“But she loved attention. And you weren’t giving it.”
“Sometimes, I think I deserve my solitude. I can’t see beyond my business.”
“I beg to differ. Look at how you are with Ryan.”
“I have to be reminded that he’s around, Summer.”
I smile gently and caress his cheek with the back of my hand. “But when you do, he has the most attentive father ever.”
There is a knock and I straighten up. “That must be lunch.”
I return a few moments later with a covered tray. I find him leaning back against the pillows with his eyes closed. I place the tray on the dresser.
“Would you like to eat now or do you want me to finish patching you up first?”
“I think it’s best if you finish patching me up. My hand is beginning to hurt quite a bit.”
I am at his side in an instant. I examine the bruised knuckles and impulsively pull it to my lips.
“Are you kissing my boo boo to make it better?”
I laugh softly. “Something like that.” I look up to find his eyes boring into me.
“I have a few more boo boos that need kissing.”
My breath catches in my throat. I read his intention loud and clear. I lick my suddenly dry lips.
“Like where?”
“Here.” He touches the corner of his eye. I lean forward and place a soft kiss there.
