Page 96 of The Rebel Billionaire

Elizabeth's eyes brightened and she leaned in. "That's right, Charlotte, I am. You'd do well not to forget it. I know who your little boy toy is and I'll make you a deal. Stay away from me and Aiden, and I'll keep it tomyself."

I tried to step forward, but Lucas wound his arm around me, pasting me to his side. Stymied, I said, "I know who he is too, and you're welcome to tell anyone. I'm proud to be standing next to LucasJackson."

The rest of her words filtered through my brain. "What the hell do you mean 'stay away from you and Aiden'? Thereisno you andAiden."

"Not right now," she agreed in a saccharine voice. "But now that you're out of the house, I think I can convince him to give me a second chance. Harrison isn't the only one who can beg for redemption. Your brother always liked it when I begged." She slid me a knowingsmile.

"You're disgusting," I spat out. I would have said more, but Lucas tightened his grip around my waist and half led, half dragged me away fromElizabeth.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I struggled tokeepup.

"Leaving. We're donewiththis."

"Now?"

"Now."

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

CHARLIE

We didn't runinto anyone on our way out. Lucas was silent while we waited for the valet to return with his truck, not speaking even when he helped me into the passenger seat, carefully arranging my full skirts so the door wouldn’tdamagethem.

Finally, when we were halfway home, he said, "Nice den of vipers you call friends,Princess."

"Neither of them are my friends," I said. "Harrison is a tool, and calling Elizabeth a viper is an insult tosnakes."

Lucas's only response was a gruff sound in the back of his throat. In fact, he didn't say another word until we were almost home. He'd been so quiet that when he spoke, the sound of his voicestartledme.

"Is it usuallylikethat?"

"Likewhat?"

I wasn't sure what he meant. Was he talking about Elizabeth and Harrison? Or the partyitself?

The benefit had been pretty standard as those things went, but Harrison's play for my attention and the scene with Elizabeth were definitelyunusual.

"That's what I thought," Lucas saidobliquely.

I didn't get it. "What do you mean?" I asked. He just shook his head and fell silentagain.

He parked his truck in his driveway. I'd spent the day at my place, but other than my makeup, I hadn't moved my things back to my ownhouse.

Was I still staying with Lucas? We hadn't talked about it. We hadn't talked aboutanything.

I let him lead me into his house, into his bedroom, and let him strip me of my ball gown in complete silence. Standing before him wearing only a white lace thong and matching thigh-high stockings, Ishivered.

His green eyes burned, tracking me from head to toe with a hot,possessivegaze.

I expected him to be rough. Impatient. But Lucas Jackson always seemed to surprise me. He stepped closer, reaching out a hand to trace one finger across my collarbone, leaving a trail of heat in the wake of histouch.

"You're so beautiful," he said in a husky whisper. "So fuckingbeautiful."

I didn't speak. I couldn't. My heart was in my throat, blocking my words. "Lucas,please."

That was all I could get out.Please. I didn't even know what I wanted to say. I knew what I felt. Love and lust. Affection and need. I felt everything for Lucas, and I couldn't tell him anyofit.

He was already slipping away. If I laid my heart out for him, he'ddisappear.