Rules Between Us

Bree’s POV

I waited for Lucien to answer. He stared at me for a few seconds, and I began wondering whether I had asked something foolish.

Perhaps I shouldn't have brought it up, but the question had been bothering me ever since I felt his er cock against my thighs.

I wanted to know if there was any possibility that he was attracted to me.

Suddenly, he burst out laughing and I blinked.

What was so funny?

"What's so amusing?" I asked, frowning.

Lucien continued laughing as he leaned back against the headboard.

"Wait. Are you seriously asking me if I have feelings for you?"

I felt my cheeks warm.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Because I can't believe you would ask me something like that." He shook his head. "Where did that question even come from?"

I hesitated before answering.

"Well... I felt your dick earlier” I said.

His laughter stopped for barely a second before he started laughing again.

Oh, goodness.

I immediately regretted opening my mouth.

"That's what this is about?" he asked between chuckles.

I looked away.

"Yes."

"Bree, I was holding your breasts” he said.

"And?"

"And I'm a man!" He laughed again. "What did you expect? My body to remain completely unaffected?"

I wanted the ground to swallow me.

"So you don't have feelings for me?" I asked.

He gave me an amused look.

"Don't flatter yourself” he said.

I pressed my lips together.

There it was. I had somehow managed to embarrass myself in front of the one man I had absolutely no intention of impressing.

Lucien shook his head, still smiling.

"I can't believe you thought I was falling for you because of that” he mocked.

"Forget I asked” I said.

"Trust me, I will remember this for a very long time” he replied.

"Lucien!"

He laughed again.

I grabbed a pillow and turned away from him, wishing I could disappear into it.

Why had I even asked? I should have known better.

Lucien had never hidden his lack of interest in me. He had made it clear from the beginning that his claim was nothing more than a way to annoy Adrian.

There was no reason for me to suddenly imagine that he might have developed feelings for me because of one uncomfortable performance.

I was being ridiculous.

"Alright, enough," he eventually said.

I turned around to see his expression had changed. The amusement was gone, replaced by something more serious.

"We need to establish some rules” he continued.

I frowned.

"Rules?"

"Yes. If we're going to keep this arrangement going, we need to make sure neither of us complicates things” he explained.

I sat up slightly.

"Go on."

Lucien adjusted the pillow behind his back.

"First, we need to remember why we're doing this. I claimed you because I wanted to get under Adrian's skin. I didn't plan on getting married, and I certainly didn't plan on having a relationship with you” he said.

I nodded slowly.

"I understand."

"Second, whatever happens between us in front of other people is an act. We can hold hands, kiss, or behave like a couple when necessary, but once we're alone, there's no need to pretend” he continued.

I considered his words. That sounded reasonable enough.

"Alright."

"Third, don't interfere in my personal affairs. I won't interfere in yours either. We can both live our lives without questioning each other."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Does that mean you can bring other women into these chambers?" I asked.

He looked at me.

"Why would I need to do that?" He asked.

"I don't know. You're the one making the rules” I said.

He sighed.

"Fine. No bringing other women into these chambers. Is that what you want to hear?"

I nodded.

"Good, and one more thing. Don't develop feelings for me” he warned.

I stared at him.

Was he actually being serious right now?

"I wasn't planning to” I said as I narrowed my eyes:

"Excellent. Because I don't want this arrangement becoming complicated” he replied.

I folded my arms.

"Since you're making rules, I think I should have some too” I said.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes. I'm not going to be the only one following instructions” I said.

For a moment, he looked amused again.

"Alright. What are your rules?"

"First, you don't get to humiliate me or make jokes about my body. I have had enough of that from other people” I said.

His expression changed slightly then I continued.

"Second, you don't get to order me around just because you're an Alpha. If we're going to pretend to be together, you should at least respect me.”

He nodded.

"Fair enough."

"Third, don't expect me to sleep with you just because we're pretending to be lovers. What happened tonight was already embarrassing enough” I said.

"Trust me, Bree. I have no intention of forcing you into anything” he reassured me.

I looked at him carefully. I wasn't entirely sure whether I believed him. He might have meant that as an insult to show he’s not attracted.

"And finally," I added, "if this arrangement ever puts me in danger, I expect you to tell me the truth. I don't want to be dragged into something without knowing what's happening."

Lucien studied me for a moment.

"Agreed."

"Good."

He nodded, apparently satisfied with our little negotiation then pulled back the covers and settled into bed as though we hadn't just spent the most ridiculous evening of our lives.

Lucien turned off the bedside lamp and for a few seconds, the room was quiet then I heard him chuckle.

I turned my head.

"What's funny now?" I asked.

"Nothing” He laughed again. "I just remembered something."

I already knew I wasn't going to like it.

"What?"

"You genuinely thought I had feelings for you” he laughed.

I groaned and pulled the covers over my head.

"Can you please stop?" I begged.

"I can't believe it” he mocked.

I rolled my eyes.

"Goodnight, Lucien."

He chuckled once more and I turned away from him, feeling my cheeks burn all over again.

I hated this man, I really did. And I intended to keep it that way.

Whatever arrangement we had entered into, I wasn't going to make the mistake of developing feelings for him.

I had already learned what happened when I gave my heart to the wrong person. I wasn't about to repeat that mistake with Adrian's brother.