Page 98 of The Rebel Billionaire

I'd never felt so connected.Sosafe.

Seven hours later, I woke to see Lucas at his dresser, stuffing clothing in a bag. I blinked, washing the sleep from my eyes as my brain tried to process what he wasdoing.

He was dressed in cargo pants and a black t-shirt, his gun in a shoulder holster, boots already laced onhisfeet.

Lucas had been up for a while. My duffel bag sat beside his bedroom door, a plastic bag stuffed with toiletries sittingontop.

This was it. It was over. I closed my eyes, feigning sleep. I'd known something was off the night before. He'd been a little distant all day, but after he'd dragged me from the benefit he'd gone cold andsilent.

He'd made love to me—and it had been making love, not fucking. Not that last time. He'd been drawing it out, trying to makeitlast.

Okay. Fine. If he wanted this to be over, I couldn't stop him. I couldn't hold him if he didn't want me. At the thought, my chest clenchedinpain.

Later. I'd think about itlater.

I was not going to cry in front of Lucas Jackson. Not again. Not when itwasover.

If I thought I could change his mind, could bare my heart and convince him to stay, I'd do it in asecond.

I suspected Lucas already knew how I felt. And he was leaving meanyway.

Lucas wasn't afraid of my love. He just didn'twantit.

I dug my fingers into my palms and bit my lip, using my two best tricks to fight back tears. When I was sure I could hold it together. I opened my eyes andsatup.

Lucas turned to face me, his eyes on the wall behindmyhead.

"You'reawake."

"Are you leaving?" I asked, pulling the sheet up to cover mynudity.

"Uh, yeah. I got a call for a job early this morning. Since your situation is under control, I need to get backtowork."

"Okay."

Was I wrong? Was he just going out of town for a while? I got out of bed, taking the sheet with me. My ball gown was carefully folded beside my duffel, the sparkle of the crystals flickering like tiny flames against the creamy satin and filmytulle.

I'd never be able to wear it again without thinking ofLucas.

"I have to head out, but you can take your time. I can lock the place remotely." His eyes skimmed across my body, coming nowhere near my face. Tilting his head toward my duffel, he said, "I got your stufftogether."

"Okay." I didn't know what else to say. Lucas wouldn't lookatme.

Keeping his eyes on the bag he was zipping shut, he said, "I'll see you when Igetback."

"How long will you be gone?" I asked, watching him for some kind of sign. He gave me nothing. When he finally met my eyes, his were flat andblank.

"Don't know. But I'll see youaround."

"You'll see me when you get back, or you'll see mearound?"

Breaking eye contact, Lucas slung his bag over his shoulder and turned forthedoor.

"I'll see youaround."

"Okay," I whispered, mostly to myself. His feet echoed across the hardwood floor. The front door opened and closed. The engine of his truckrumbled.

Hewasgone.