“I’m not cute now?” Lucien teased. He leaned towards and started kissing her neck creating a fog in her brain.​ “Yes, I mean… No. I mean… You used to smile.”​ “I’m smiling right now,” he hummed into her neck sending vibrations into Audrey’s skin.​ “Not like that,”Audrey struggled to maintain her composure.​ “You’re resisting me,” he chuckled, nipping at her neck.​ “I’m trying to.”​ “Why?” Lucien’s hand slid underneath the covers down her body.​ “I’m not sure,” she breathed.​ “Then don’t.” His hand slipped in between her legs. He captured her moan with a searing kiss.As things began to heat up, an urgent knock came at the door.“Master Lucien.”the butler called from behind the door.“This better be important,” He grumbled and pulled away from Audrey. “What is it?” he called out.“It’s Master Gary! He collapsed.”Lucien was up in a flash; he threw on a robe and dashed out of the room.Audrey followed.“What happened?” Lucien demanded.“I’m not sure, sir. I went to go check on h

“Holy shit,” Audrey gasped. How terrible.Lucien must be really hurting. But just as the thought came to her mind, she dismissed it.Why should she care about how he felt? He showed more than once that he didn’t care about her feelings at all.“Let’s change the subject. I don’t want to let these assholes ruin my night anymore than they already have.”“You’re right,” Audrey nodded. “But I’ve definitely got nothing to talk about. My life is a whole mess.” She released a heavy breath. At the center of the mess was Lucien. He seemed to be the center of everything.“Girl, what are you talking about? You’re gorgeous, and smart. You’re the top of your design classes. And your professors are full of praises when they hear your name. The future looks amazing for you. Whatever mess you think you’re in now is nothing compared to the life you’re going to

The room spun around her and she felt sick. Even the air made her nauseous. All she could think about was getting out of there. She looked for an opening in the crowd to make her escape.Lucien and Mia stood in the crowd watching. Audrey looked at him, hoping he would help her. But he just stared. She should have known better than to think Lucien had her back.Audrey became more upset. Tears stung her eyes but she refused to cry. She would not give these people the satisfaction. She did her best to hold back and took a few breaths. As she opened her mouth to speak, Mia stepped forward.​ “Leila,stop that. That isn’t nice of you at all,” she admonished. “Please forgive my friend. She didn’t mean it. She was just puzzled that’s all. People tend to get confused when a polished stone is trying to be presented as a diamond,” her tone was sweet, but Audrey had been around enough people to know that Mia was being vicious. It was clear Mia thought Lucien was way out of Audrey’s league, and it

She should be happy that Lucien was getting married, right? That would mean their contract would come to an end. Wouldn’t it? This should be another reason to celebrate for her. But something inside her broke. How could he do this to her? He should have had the decency to let her know. How could he keep her like that when he had a real relationship? And how was that fair to his future wife?​ The truth was as much as she dreamed about being free of the contract, she never really understood that would mean being free of Lucien.Somehow the idea that the contract ending meant they could begin a relationship. It was stupid, and she knew it.She and Lucien would never ever work, and it was time she accepted that. She would not let him ruin her night. Not again. This was her time to be happy and celebrate her accomplishment. To hell with him. He would not run her night.But the thought of whom Lucien was getting married to just kept lingering in her head. She tried to keep him out of her mi

“I haven’t made any plans,” Audrey hung her head. “I’ve been focusing on my dad and the contest. I have applied for a few jobs, but haven’t heard anything. It seems like everything is such a mess right now.”​ “Cheer up! You passed the first round in that contest. Even if you don’t win, you’ve been noticed by prestigious people in your field. One of them is bound to want to hire you!”​ “You think so?”​ “Girl, I know so! You’ve got everything going for you! And let me tell you, you broke some necks when you walked in. Has anyone caught your eye?”​ Audrey blushed and looked away Tracy.​ “Well, I…”​ “Is it Lucien?There seems to be something going on with you two. The way he looks at you is so… primal,” Tracy commented.​ “Uh…,”Audrey didn’t know what to say. She had been lying to her best friend about Lucien for so long. How could she tell her that she was getting married in less than a month?​ “Sorry that took so long,” Alex said as he came back with a couple of plates of food. “T