Chapter 21: A Genuine First

The Koenigsegg rolled smoothly through traffic.

Claire turned to look at him, a teasing smile on her lips. "President Kane really is something, having a suitor that devoted."

She had no intention of competing with Vanessa Sinclair for anything Lucas was already exactly her type without the added drama.

He was gorgeous, wealthy, and impossible to ignore. Frankly, what woman wouldn't be interested?

Lucas kept one hand on the wheel, a faint, wicked smile tugging at his mouth.

"Fine by me."

Claire pressed on, curiosity getting the better of her. "So she wasn't lying? You really weren't interested in women before?"

"Wasn't. Until you."

His voice came out low and easy, and something about the simplicity of it landed harder than it should have.

Claire felt a small, private thrill at that.

Could it be, she thought, that I really was his first?

"So before me there'd genuinely been no one?"

She kept nudging, patient, curious.

His hands stayed loose and elegant on the wheel, pale against the black leather, effortlessly striking even in something as simple as gripping a steering wheel.

Even his hands are unreasonably good-looking, she thought.

Being around him always seemed to put her in a better mood something about that face apparently did wonders for her brain chemistry.

Sunlight caught him through the windshield, gilding his profile in gold.

Genuinely unfair, Claire thought, how good he looks in literally any lighting.

"Never."

Lucas's mouth curved as he glanced over at her, something dark and charged flickering behind his eyes, his voice dropping half a register.

Claire's brows lifted. "So... I was your first?"

"Mm."

The answer came out low, almost reluctant, like admitting it cost him something.

Her heart gave an unexpected little kick at that.

My first, she thought, turning the idea over. Well, that's certainly not what I expected today.

If Vanessa hadn't confirmed it herself, Claire might never have believed it a man this flawless, completely untouched until now.

Not just aloof-looking. Actually, genuinely reserved.

How do I keep landing things like this, she thought, distinctly pleased with herself. Ever since walking away from Nathaniel, my luck has been unreasonable.

She'd apparently found herself someone spectacular in every possible sense and clean-slated, to boot.

Claire felt, without exaggeration, like she'd hit the jackpot.

The conversation wound down there, both of them content in the quiet that followed.

A short while later, the car pulled into the lot of a Michelin three-star restaurant.

Lucas kept his arm around her waist as they walked in together.

The restaurant was understated luxury crisp white tablecloths, candlelight flickering across polished silverware, a small string quartet playing softly near the center of the room.

Art nouveau-style paintings lined the walls, blending classical European motifs with delicate touches of Eastern floral design an elegant fusion of East and West.

Dark hardwood floors against white linens gave the space a clean, grounded elegance, while natural wood accents lent something quietly exotic to the atmosphere.

A massive crystal chandelier caught the candlelight, throwing soft depth across the room.

The layout offered privacy without feeling closed off, each table positioned to overlook a quiet courtyard garden just beyond the windows.

They took a table by the window, the garden visible just past the glass.

Claire, genuinely starving, ordered several dishes without so much as glancing at the prices.

While they waited for the food, Lucas suddenly stood, crossed to her side of the table, and pulled her into his lap.

Claire turned to straddle his legs, facing him directly, momentarily caught off guard by how good he looked from this close.

This, she thought, is an extremely nice view.

Grinning, she looped her arms around his neck, leaning in until their faces were only inches apart.

His eyes locked onto hers, dark and unmistakably intent.