Cheater (Curious Liaisons, #1)(45)

When I was finally dressed and ready to go, I had three minutes of freedom left.

Minutes before I was going to have to go to the gyno because of a stupid fake engagement I didn’t even want in the first place. But his face at dinner. I knew that look. He had taken a huge deep breath and lowered his head like he was about ready to tell the truth and, in the process, disappoint his parents. And for some reason I decided to fall on my own sword, and jump into the depths of hell with him.

I stared at the door, willing time to stop so that the knock wouldn’t happen. Hey, maybe I was in one of those alternate-universe movies, meaning the main character THINKS that everything is real but is actually hooked up to a giant human-hating computer.

I squeezed my eyes shut and mumbled, “I’m Neo, I’m Neo, I’m Neo.”

A knock sounded at my door.

“Why can’t I live in the damn Matrix?” I muttered, slumping all the way to the door and jerking it open.

“Did you say something?” Lucas asked, looking sexier than what should be allowed for the devil. His white shirt was crisp, ironed, and tucked into perfect-fitting pin-striped trousers that screamed class, money, man.

NO!

I shook my head. “I was just wishing on a falling star, asking it to fall right on your head.” I grabbed the coffee from his hand and peeked behind his back. “Where’s my pastry?”

He rolled his eyes. “It’s in the car.”

I scrunched my nose up and took a sip of coffee as I stepped out of the apartment. “Last night I killed you.” I smiled triumphantly.

Lucas exhaled and shut the door behind me, placing his hand on my back as we walked down the dimly lit hall. “Wow, tell me more, please. I’m dying to know. Was it a gunshot wound to the head or something more graphic, like a machete to the balls?”

“HAH, don’t give me ideas, Thorn.” I chugged more coffee, allowing the heat of the bitter liquid to soothe my nerves.

The last time I’d been to the gyno was right in the middle of college. Not only was the checkup expensive, but it was also after I’d stupidly had sex with a relative stranger just to get the whole thing over with.

I was the only virgin left in my group of friends, and for some reason I thought that part of growing up was giving my virginity up in the most awkward experience possible.

Not only was it the most unromantic experience of my life.

But I later found out the guy had given another girl an STD. I swore I’d never have random sex again and went to get tested.

Thankfully, I was healthy.

But the trauma of the Pap smear remained.

Not that I would ever reveal that to Lucas. Who knows? I wouldn’t put it past him to somehow use the info as ammo and turn the whole damn thing against me. That was the last thing I needed. Besides, he probably couldn’t have cared less about my sexual (in)experience. He was a complete man whore.

“In you go.” He opened the door to the back of the nice black Uber Escalade.

I slid across the plush leather seats, grabbed the paper bags of warm pastries, and inhaled them like a drug addict.

Lucas slid in behind me and slammed the door. “I figured the easiest way to put you at ease was to drug you with sugar.”

“I take it back.” I grabbed a sugary donut and stuffed half of it in my mouth. “I didn’t enjoy killing you last night. I shed a tear, it was small.” I held up two fingers that were almost touching. “Like this big. Hardly noticeable, kind of like your penis.”

Lucas choked on his coffee.

“Well, maybe not as small as that”—I elbowed him—“but close. At any rate, thanks for the donut.” I squeezed his leg, unable to keep my hands away from his stupid body.

“I got you a breakfast sandwich too. You know, protein.”

I waved him off.

“Typical,” he snorted.

“What?” I asked midbite. “What’s typical?”

“You need to take care of yourself, go to bed early . . .” His voice was strained. “Make sure you do your annual checkups.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, because that’s been so necessary this past year.”

Damn it!

I waited.

Hoping he missed it.

But he was Lucas Thorn, so instead of missing my meaning, he leaned toward me and licked his stupidly attractive big lips. “Oh?”

I averted my eyes.

To the cleft in his chin.

Which made me think of our kiss.

I clenched my thighs together and then crossed my legs. Nope. Not happening, not getting anywhere near the lower region of my anatomy, not now, not ever.

My body was notorious for betraying me when it came to Lucas, and I wasn’t going to lose control again.

Ugh, the sugar on the donut didn’t taste as good as his tongue. The same tongue he thrust into other women’s mouths.

Lust cooled. I turned to him and shrugged. “What?” Lucas’s eyes pinned me.

“Admit it.” He grinned. “There is no Carl.”

“Fine, no Carl. Gee, you got me—doesn’t change anything. I’m still a sexually active wildcat just waiting to pounce on my next prey.” I tore a piece of donut and made a growling noise.

He swore violently and adjusted the collar of his shirt.

“What?” I smirked. “Something I said?”