At once, I feel bad for trying to question someone other than Lucian about his past. I am also intrigued about what little Sam has revealed. A few sentences from him provided insight I hadn’t previously known. I had already concluded that whatever happened to Lucian years ago involved Cassie. More and more, I feel that somehow it was a love affair gone bad. I’m uncertain, though, about the part Aidan plays in the trio. Was he actually the one involved with Cassie, and Lucian the collateral damage, or was it the other way around?

Thinking through the possible scenarios makes my head spin. If Lucian and I were normal people who were newly dating, life would be so much simpler. Instead, we are two people damaged by our pasts that clicked together like dominoes the moment we met. There seems to be no slow speed in our relationship. Maybe Lucian is correct, and things wouldn’t have progressed as quickly if I hadn’t been working in his home, but one thing I know for sure, we were destined to end up exactly as we are now. Two lost souls drawn together by the scars of the other. Are we moving fast? Absolutely. Do I want to stop? No. He has become so important to me; I only hope we can both put our pasts behind us enough to have a future together.

Chapter Eighteen

Lucian

Hitting the intercom button, I ask, “Cindy, is Aidan in yet?” I shuffle some papers on my desk, trying to make a dent in the work that seems to never end. Since Lia has come into my life, I haven’t been working the usual eighteen-hour days, and it’s showing. Perhaps Cindy is right; I need to start delegating more work, which is why I’m looking for my right hand.

“No, Luc, he’s not back yet?”

Surprised, I ask Cindy to come into my office, which she does immediately, shutting the door behind her. “What’s going on? He always comes back on Sunday.” I can tell by the worried expression on her face that she’s puzzled, as well. Aidan is damn near anal about his routine; deviations just don’t happen, especially when it interferes with his job.

“I have no idea. He emailed me earlier to let me know he wasn’t back in town yet. He just told me to pass that along but didn’t offer any explanations. I forwarded his email to you.” I take a moment to check my mail and read the forward from Cindy.

Cindy is right; his email gives no explanations as to his whereabouts, but I know he’s been to see Cassie and I worry it’s fucking with his head more than usual. I give Cindy a reassuring smile, ready to end her nervous hovering. She is damned efficient, but she worries about Aidan, Sam, and myself too much. She sniffs out problems like a bloodhound. I’m surprised she’s never caught on to my coke addiction. Maybe she knows, but I doubt it; she would have kicked my ass first and staged an intervention next. Apparently, Sam does keep some pillow secrets, probably not to protect me so much as to protect himself. He’d be the second one she’d take apart, since he handles my supply and demand.

“I’m sure he just got a late start home. I’ll give him a call.” Since she’s still giving me a nervous look, I decide to give her a mission. Hell, anything to get her out of my office for a while. “Could you go to Madeline’s office and see when the quarterly numbers are going to be ready? I’ll need those soon to prepare for my meeting tomorrow.” I hide a smile as she immediately snaps into bulldog mode. Poor Madeline; Cindy will be on her all afternoon now, and I really don’t even need the damn numbers. I stay on top of the finances for my company daily; I don’t like surprises where money is concerned.

I click an open line on the telephone and punch in Aidan’s number. It rings four times before going to voicemail. I try texting him next, getting no immediate reply. Aidan never falls off the grid, and he damn sure wouldn’t on a workday. Fuck. Now, I’m right there with Cindy. Something is going on; I can feel it in my bones. I try to push it aside while I return calls from the previous day.

At lunchtime, I decide to have a sandwich at my desk and check in with Lia. I’m not sure if she’s in class or not, so I settle for texting her.

Lucian: Hey, baby.

Lia: Hey, yourself. I was just thinking about you. :)

Lucian: All dirty thoughts, I hope.

Lia: Behave. I have to sit in a boring classroom. I can’t be thinking of that…

Lucian: Why not? I’m sitting in a boring office thinking of nothing but that…

Lia: You can show me tonight.

My cock stirs to attention at her teasing words. I hadn’t been thinking of sex before our verbal wordplay, but thoughts of fucking her have now moved to the forefront of my mind. I want to continue this teasing conversation, but I don’t relish having to jack off in my bathroom after lunch, and that’s where it’s headed. Practicing a little self-preservation, I change the subject grudgingly.

Lucian: So…you made arrangements for Sam to pick you up this afternoon, right?

I grin, knowing Sam’s not far away. I had him stay close to the school today just in case Lia needs him for something.

Lia: Yep, I’m all set. I gotta run, need to grab a drink before my next class. See you later?

Lucian: Of course. See you at home, baby.

I marvel at how easily I refer to my apartment as both of our homes now. This woman has so quickly become my constant. When she mentions staying at her apartment, I firmly nix the thought. I know she doesn’t really want to leave my place, but she feels like she should offer to give me space. Strangely enough, though, I don’t want that space. I’ve grown fond of going home to her in the evening. Hell, I’ve put Cindy on finding us a housekeeper now because I’m tired of Lia insisting on cleaning up after me to pay for her schooling. I admire her independence, but we’re together now; I want to take care of her without strings.

Standing, I toss the wrapper from my sandwich into the trashcan and stroll to my bathroom where I keep my workout clothes. I have a workout room adjacent to my office with a treadmill, elliptical, and weights. At some point each day, I run for several miles then lift weights afterwards. It’s a good way to stay in shape and relieve stress. Throwing on some basketball shorts, I hit the treadmill, going through a warm-up before my feet start pounding the surface. I watch the news on the television suspended from the wall as I pound out the miles.

I finish my workout and shower quickly before redressing. When I sit back at my desk, I pick up my cellphone, seeing I’ve missed a call from Aidan. It’s about damn time; I was getting ready to send out a search party for his ass. I click to return his call and am pleased when he answers on the first ring. “Luc…hey.”