CHAPTER NINE: My girl

Sunlight spilled through the thick curtains of Lucas' penthouse, casting golden beams across the marble floor and his bare skin. He stood by the massive window, a coffee in one hand, his other holding the phone to his ear as he paced—naked, sexy, unbothered, sharp-eyed even that early in the morning.

“Yes, Camille, I got the itinerary,” he said, his voice steel but a little sleepy. “Coco’s creative director confirmed dinner at eight tomorrow. The press might be there. I don’t want to go alone.”

There was a long pause.

“No, I’m not calling any of them.”

Another pause.

Lucas narrowed his eyes toward the skyline. “I’ll bring someone. Don’t worry about it.”

He hung up, tossing the phone onto his kitchen counter. His jaw flexed. The obvious names ran through his mind—PR-safe models, trust fund darlings, women with the right pedigree and polish. But none of them felt right. Not tonight. Not when she was still in his head like a melody he couldn’t unhear.

Aurelia.

Beautiful. Sharp. Off-limits.

But the more she pushed him away, the more he wanted to break through all the walls she has put up.

She did their campaign shoot. No one would question her at a fashion dinner. On paper, it would all make sense. But he knew this wasn’t about appearances. It hadn’t been since the moment he touched her.

---

Later that afternoon, Aurelia was finishing up wardrobe tests when her phone buzzed. It was a simple text from her manager, Jake.

~Lucas called. He wants to see you. Now.~

She inhaled sharply. She wondered why Jake didn't just call her instead of sending such a dramatic iMessage. Sue arched a brow from across the dressing room. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I'll be right back.” Aurelia said, smoothing her mint green checked-blouse and walking toward the executive wing.

The hallway to Lucas’s office felt longer than usual, each step echoing like a countdown. When she entered, the door clicked shut behind her with an almost theatrical finality. God.

He was already standing, arms crossed by the tall window, in a navy-blue suit. He was like a picture cut from a Vogue magazine.

“You asked to see me?” she said sharply.

Lucas turned, eyes scanning her face before he spoke.

"Hi to you too," She rolled her eyes, he smiled and continued. "There’s a dinner tomorrow night. With Coco’s head designers. It’s an important gathering.”

She crossed her arms. “And you need someone to serve the wine?”

“I need go with someone who belongs in the room,” he said. “You’re a model. Easy peaksy.You belong.”

She frowned. “Is this a business proposition or something else?”

He stepped closer, his voice a shade lower. “It’s both. Please don't say no. Come with me.”

Aurelia stiffened. “Why me?”

He looked at her, he was holding back from saying too much. “Because you’re the only person in this building who intrigues me.”

Her breath caught in her throat, but she didn’t move, she swallowed dryly. “You’re full of smooth lines, you know that?”

“Maybe,” he said. “But this isn’t one of them.”

They stood inches apart now. She wanted to touch him, to surrender to the tension they’d both been dancing around since the night they collided—but still, she hesitated.

“I’m not some prize to flaunt, Lucas." she said instead.

“I know that. You’re the storm that sucks me in.”

Aurelia’s resolve cracked like glass.

She stepped back, just enough to clear her head. “I’ll go with you. Just don’t expect anything beyond dinner.”

“I don’t expect,” Lucas said. “But I do hope. Always."

He smiled slightly and moved behind his desk. “Give Camille your address. I’ll pick you up. I’ll send the dress too.”

---

The next evening, Aurelia stood in her bedroom in a pink robe, her dark blue sequin gown laid out across the couch like a midnight dream. LThe fabric shimmered, backless and elegant, with a flowy train and a neckline that hinted rather than shouted.

Kyle was moving around busy with his childish-games holding a piece of garlic bread like it was a trophy. “Mama, you look like Elsa’s cooler cousin.”

Aurelia laughed. “I’m not even dressed yet, baby.”

“But the dress is sparkly!” Kyle beamed.

Eloise peeked into the room with a teasing grin. “Date night with the CEO, huh?”

“It’s not a date,” Aurelia muttered. “It’s strictly business. I could meet someone important there, who knows."

“Business doesn’t usually come wrapped in designer silk,” Eloise said, sipping the can Coca-Cola in her hand.

A knock at the door cut the conversation short.

Eloise rushed to open it.

Lucas stood there, breathtaking in a fitted charcoal tux. He looked poised, powerful… but his gaze softened the moment it landed on the small figure standing beside her.

Kyle peeked out from behind his aunt, wide-eyed. “Hi! Are you Mama’s friend?”