He didn’t seem to care, however, because he pounded her like it was his job, like he needed to hit her core with just enough pressure in order to live, in order to survive. It wasn’t long before she felt herself reach the peak of her climax, and just like that, she shattered all around him, splintering in two. He followed shortly after, and for the briefest moment, she wondered just how she was going to situate herself so his cum didn’t run down her leg, given the fact that he shredded her underwear to shreds.
When he finished adjusting himself, he grabbed a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her up himself. After he put it away, he leaned in, closed his eyes, and breathed deeply. “You smell like me,” he murmured. He opened his eyes so his eyes – so dark and deep – locked eyes with hers. “Good.”
23
Avery exited the closet almost immediately after her red lipstick was reapplied and in place and her hair was presentable. She did not look back at Lucas as she walked back into the ballroom because she knew if she did, all the emotions she had successfully managed to keep at bay would come crashing into her, outing her feelings to the entire room. And as of right now, that wasn’t something she was quite ready for.
“…joint endeavor instead of an individual one,” Gary announced. “If you please, let’s give it up for Lucas Cruz and Avery Montgomery.” The crowd politely clapped – it wasn’t too loud or enthusiastic, but just appropriate enough to show respect. “If you two could come up here, I’m sure everyone would love a few words. Personally, these two have been nothing but professional, not only with us but with each other. Marcy and I couldn’t choose between them, so we decided to go with both. Why choose one when you can have two? Luckily for us, they agreed!”
Avery felt pinned to the spot as everyone started to turn around and looked at her. Even with the intricately carved mask covering the majority of her face, she could not help but feel seen, as though every move was being watched, noted, and judged.
A small touch – Lucas’s hand on the small of her back – snapped her out of her doubt. He wasn’t supposed to touch her – that was the rule – but she wasn’t about to reprimand him for it now, not when he essentially saved her from the stares. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye and couldn’t believe how perfect they looked, even after their dalliance in the closet.
She had just had sex in a closet.
Perhaps she shouldn’t think about that just yet when she was expected to talk in front of a bunch of business people.
When they reached the podium, Avery took a step back, hoping Lucas would be the first to speak. He had this innate ability to make people feel at ease, to get them to feel special, even with a large group of people in the same room. However, Lucas gently pushed her forward and took a step back, slipping his hands into his pockets and giving her a lazy but encouraging grin. Like he believed in her. Like he knew she could handle this.
She swallowed and turned her attention back to the crowd. She could feel herself turning red at the prospect of speaking in front of so many people and she clung to the edges of the podium tighter than necessary.
You got this, a soothing voice that sounded suspiciously like Lucas’s said through her mind. You got this.
Avery immediately glanced back at Lucas but he was staring straight ahead, at the crowd, ignoring her. This had to be the bond. He was reaching out to her through their bond.
“Hi,” she said, and immediately stepped back. She chuckled awkwardly at the sharp sound the microphone made and cleared her throat. “For those of you who don’t know, my name is Avery Montgomery and this is my partner, Lucas Cruz. We’re both excited to invest in this new app and are thrilled to begin this Luna journey together.” She glanced at him again and gave him a smile.
He shot her a smirk in response.
The audience applauded politely, and Avery was about to step back when one voice broke through the applause and caused every hair on her arms to stand erect.
“Avery Montgomery,” Rick shouted from the middle of the crowd. People began turning, staring at him with confused expressions on their faces. Most everyone knew he had been her fiancé but no one knew they had just broken up. In fact, she had no idea Rick even knew about this party.
Unless…
“I am going to kill my mother,” she muttered under her breath. Luckily, she was far enough from the microphone so her words weren’t picked up.
“This partnership between you and Lucas Cruz,” he said when everyone had gotten quiet. Rick had no problem speaking in front of people, had no problem projecting his voice so everyone could hear. Avery had no idea what he was going to ask but she knew, without a doubt, it wouldn’t be good. “Would you say the two of you kept things strictly professional? You are trying to step out of your father’s shadow, correct? And in order to do that, you are aware you can’t sleep your way to the top.”
All eyes shot to Avery. Some people murmured to themselves, shaking their heads at Rick’s lascivious lies, but others looked confused, like they weren’t sure what to believe. She felt something tense just then, and she didn’t have to look at Lucas to know how furious he was in that moment. She could feel him through their bond, how he wanted nothing more than to rip Rick’s throat out in order to shut him up, how he wanted nothing more than to pull Avery behind him, away from the gawking eyes as a way to protect her from their judgment and ridicule.
“What?” Rick went on, walking toward Avery and Lucas now. His hands were gesturing as he spoke, but he was leisure in his movements, as though he were simply taking a stroll in the park. “You have nothing to say? You certainly didn’t hold back when you told me all those dirty, filthy things you let him do to you while you were still engaged to me.”
Lucas growled.
Rick’s eyes shot to his. “And there it is,” he said. “Your true nature. You see, humans put rings on girls who are going to get married. That means they’re off-limits. Maybe if I peed on her, you would have understood.”
Lucas stepped forward but Avery positioned herself in front of him in hopes to mask the threatening gesture. She hoped Lucas wouldn’t push her aside, wouldn’t try to do anything that would give him, his business, and wolves a bad name.
“Rick, why are you making a private issue between us that was over and finished into a spectacle in front of all of these people?” Avery asked. Her voice was surprisingly calm, her heart pounding against her chest loud and uncooperative. But outside, she was calm. She could breathe. It didn’t matter that she was speaking in front of all of these people. Her eyes were focused on Rick and getting her point across, defending and protecting Lucas was all that mattered.
“Because these people need to know how fickle you are,” he explained. His eyes were dancing before dropping to her neck, trying to look at her hickey. However, he caught sight of something and his face paled. His eyes immediately filled with nothing short of disgust and the force of it caused his to falter, to take a step back. “Did he… Did he bite you? Did he stake his claim on you?”
“Rick.” Now, Avery’s voice was sharp and tight. She thought the makeup artist had covered the mark with makeup where no one would be able to tell, but apparently, Rick knew her body too well where any unfamiliar marking on her was questioned. “My personal life has nothing to do with my professional one.”
He started laughing, like she had made a joke. It was a hollow sound that didn’t reach his eyes. “Are you kidding, Av?” he asked. “It has everything to do with it! You’re a slut. You are slandering your dad’s name with your behavior. I’m actually surprised that he hasn’t disowned you, to be honest.”
The blood rushed to her ears and there was a quick response on the tip of her tongue. She could feel everyone’s eyes on her, waiting for her response. Some wanted to see her fail. A few wanted to see her succeed. But most wanted to see how she would handle her first public scandal. If she was serious about business, it would not be her last, especially if she and Lucas were going to be together for a while.
She could feel Lucas, simmering behind her, ready to spring into action. Ready to make Rick suffer in multiple ways. He was controlling himself because of her, she knew.
This was about her. This was her fault. She needed to handle this on her own.
“Rick,” she said. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
He blinked in surprise. Some people in the crowd started muttering to themselves. Lucas felt puzzled as well. Avery kept her eyes on Rick.
“You have every right to feel this way,” she said. “I didn’t handle things the right way. I could have been more respectful and compassionate to your feelings and I wasn’t. I accept responsibility for that. Is there anything else you’d like to address?”
Rick swallowed. Avery wasn’t sure if it was due to the fact that his mouth had gone dry or if it was because he was speechless. Perhaps it was a bit of both.
“Yeah,” he managed to croak out. “What’s your relationship with Lucas Cruz? Is it professional? Are you merely business partners or are you lovers as well.”
Lucas growled next to Avery. She hadn’t realized he was in line with her and without thinking twice, she reached out and put a hand on his forearm to calm him. He didn’t immediately relaxed but he didn’t attempt to threaten Rick any further.
“It’s none of your business,” she told him, “but since you want it answered, I will tell you: Lucas and I are a couple. We have feelings for each other.” Her eyes shot to Lucas and she hoped it was okay that she was confessing everything, that she was telling everyone their private lives. But he smiled encouragingly and there was a delighted sparkle that lit up his dark eyes. She turned back to look at Rick, confidence flooding her body, shaking her bones and making her even stronger. “I would even say we are the first successful coupling thanks to LunaApp.”
A couple of bystanders laughed. More applauded. Then, the whole room did.
Rick’s eyes flashed to Lucas, a challenge in them. “Are you trying to get back at me or something, Lucas?” he asked, his tone cocky but his eyes hard. “You still want to scoop up my sloppy seconds?”
Lucas bared his teeth and growled. His brow hung low over his eyes and his body was twisted and tense, ready to spring. He looked more wolf than human, and a collective gasp went out across the business community. It didn’t matter that Lucas Cruz was the fastest self-made billionaire in the entire country. It didn’t matter that he was one of the most successful men in the world, and the fifth richest person on the planet, behind Charles Montgomery. He was a wolf. He would always be feared. But maybe, maybe Avery could do something different. Could show them a different side of him.
“Lucas believed in me when no one else did,” Avery explained, her voice cool and articulate. Rick’s eyes found hers and she refused to look away. “No one – including you – believed I was capable of doing this, of being successful, on my own. Lucas was the only one who offered to teach me what it meant to truly appreciate business. And what it meant to truly fall in love.”
She stopped and continued to look at Rick. Up until he was compelled to look away.
“Avery is everything,” Lucas told Rick. “She’s par to none so the fact that you would compare her to anyone else is insulting. You aren’t welcome here.”
Avery dropped her arm from Lucas. Just because she had publically confirmed their relationship did not mean they had anything to prove to anyone. A security guard came over to Rick and calmly request his departure.
When Rick was gone, Lucas slid in front of the podium. “Thank you for your support,” he said. “To go off of what Avery was saying, before we were interrupted, the two of us both believe in this app and the lives it will change. It’s already changed mine.”
24
A Match Made in Business?
Julian Starr
Somerset Times
Business Section
It was confirmed last night at approximately 7:06PM that long-time bachelor and self-made billionaire Lucas Cruz is currently in a serious relationship with Somerset darling and heir to the Montgomery fortune, Avery Montgomery. Ms. Montgomery and Mr. Lucas met while competing at a shot to invest in the new paranormal app LunaApp and the founders of the company, Gary and Marcy, decided to partner with both of them. It is unclear if their partnership in business will be as successful as their partnership in their personal life and we’re surprised both parties allowed their personal and professional lives to interfere.
However, it should be noted that Lucas Cruz is the Midas of the business world – everything he touches has success. We doubt that will differ in his choice for a romantic and professional partner.
Marlene put the paper down, staring at Avery from across Avery’s dining table. Today was their typical day to go out to lunch together – a tradition Avery still dreaded – but her mother adamantly refused to be seen in public after it was announced that Avery and Lucas were together. Avery didn’t mind one bit; she ordered Chinese food and picked it up on her own. She knew her mother pretended to detest the food but secretly, she ate Chinese food as much as Avery did. It was where Avery got her preference for it in the first place.
“You have got to be kidding me, Av,” she said, folding the paper, keeping the article face down. “Why, oh why, did you let this happen?”
Avery shot her mother a look. “And what are you referring to, Mother?” she asked, her tone droll as she stared at an orange piece of chicken hanging from her plastic fork.
“The real question is, what aren’t I referring to?” Her mother slammed her palms on the table and leaned forward, capturing her daughter’s eyes. Avery didn’t bother to open them wider than the half-mast they were. “You and that, that” –
“Dad doesn’t seem to mind him, you know.” Avery straightened and shoved the entire chicken into her mouth, raising a challenging brow. “Respects him. You know, he already likes Lucas better than Rick, and Rick and I have been together since college.”
“Yes, but” –
Avery’s eyes narrowed, and before she could stop herself, she interrupted her mom. “You didn’t even ask how we broke up, Mom,” she pointed out. “You didn’t even ask if I was okay or if I needed anything or what happened. You just assumed it was my fault. You assumed he broke it off with me. You assumed I was the problem.”
“Well, I just figured” –
“Bullshit.”
Her mother’s eyes went wide. “Excuse me?” she said, in a voice just above a whisper.
“You heard me,” Avery said, scrunching her nose in frustration. “It’s bullshit, whatever dribble that’s going to come out of your mouth. Bullshit because, deep down, you know that whatever you’re going to say is just an excuse. Why in the hell did you send Rick to the Masquerade last night? Do you know what he did to me? What he did to Dad?”
At the very least, Avery was happy to see her mother squirming at the question, staring at her long pink and white nails she just got redone. She couldn’t tell if her mother was blushing, but Avery did see a hint of regret in those downcast eyes.
“I shouldn’t have done that,” she admitted in a strained voice, still unable to look at her daughter. “I thought Rick was going to try and make amends” –
“Even if he were, why would you send him to my first business function?” Avery asked. She knew it wasn’t right to have interrupted her mother, but she was so furious, she couldn’t control herself. “Mom, you know, you know how badly I want to be taken seriously. I know you know. And by sending him there, you completely shot that out of the water. Now, I look like some slut who traded Rick in for Lucas because I’m trying to be taken seriously in business.”
“Isn’t that what happened, Av?” her mother asked in a soft voice. “You did use Lucas to help you with business.”
Avery opened her mouth to reply but stopped. She had. Lucas was supposed to teach her about business, about how to use her feminine guiles in order to get her way. He was also supposed to teach her how to please a man in more ways than one.
�
��Yes,” she finally admitted, “but not in the way Rick insinuated. I can’t rely on Dad every time I have a question. If I do, I’m never going to be Avery Montgomery, I’m going to be Charles Montgomery’s daughter. Do you know what it feels like, hearing people twitter behind my back about how I only passed a class or got a job because I’m a Montgomery?”
“Of course I know what it’s like,” her mother snapped, her eyes vicious. “I’m twenty-six years younger than your father. Don’t you think I get nasty comments about why I’m with him?”
Avery’s brow shot straight up. She hadn’t really thought about it. She knew the age gap between her parents but it never felt as though her dad was so much older or her mom was so much younger. Despite everything, they still somehow made it work for them. And even though Marlene wasn’t that great of a mom, she was an excellent wife. She supported Charles no matter what, whether he wanted to take his company in a modern, riskier direction; whether he wanted to invest a ridiculous sum in a start-up company; or whether he wanted to train his only child on inheriting the business so he could retire.
“You never really said anything,” Avery murmured.
“Of course, I didn’t,” she said, thrumming her nails on the table. “What was there for me to say? If people think I married your father for the money, let them think it. I have nothing to prove to these people. I love your father and he knows that. I know that. And you know that. And those are the only people who matter.” She paused, sitting back in her seat and folding her hands in her lap. “That’s why it frustrates me to see you try so hard to be taken seriously in this business world.”
An Education in Business: A Somerset Novel (Somerset Series Book 3) Page 14
