Chapter 20: A Dinner with Lucas ckwood


    Chapter 20: A Dinner with Lucas ckwood


    (Olivia''s POV)


    The Moonstone Dining Hall glittered with soft lighting that reflected the pe Lucas ckwood pulled out my chair with a graceful meeterd.


    "Thank you," I murmured, settling into the plush seat.


    His manners were impable-exactly as his reputation suggested the stark CLARYNAR between his courteous behavior and Ethan''s recent coldness was it lost on the


    "The venison here is excellent, Lucas suggested as he took his seat across from metho


    their moonlight wine selection is even better"


    After we ced our orders, a slightly awkward silence fell between us. I expected him to BAGA discussing my crystal design immediately. That was, after all, why w6 77616 here


    Instead, his gaze lingered on me with an intensity that made me shaft


    ufortably Thoogh his stare wasn''t threatening or unpleasant, something about it unsettled me


    I frowned, meeting his eyes with a cool, questioning expression. Perhaps his reputation for politeness was merely a facade.


    "Do you really not remember me?" Lucas finally broke the silence.


    I blinked, genuinely confused. "I''m sorry?"


    "When are you going to return my pen?" he added, his expression unreadable.


    My bewilderment deepened. I had never borrowed a pen from him-had never even met him before today''s ceremony. My emerald eyes must have reflected my confusion because his expression softened.


    "I apologize," he said after studying my face. "It seems I''ve mistaken you for someone else?


    Relief washed over me as he dropped the subject. A touch of embarrassment colored my


    cheeks as I took a sip of water.


    "It happens," I replied, grateful when our appetizers arrived to break the tension.


    Lucas shifted smoothly to business matters. "I''ve been following your work for some time, Mrs. Winters. Your crystal designs show remarkable innovation."


    Tract surprise wiege of my previous work.


    Tiket maleyuan offer he continuet his voice staty and confident. One million


    dies for your cystal design."


    Shorey


    mware Tim sury witat?


    tad misheard one million dors was a stranical sum for a healing crystal


    dever de ative as mine


    ces sensing my strack smier signty if that''s too low, we can certainly negotiate."


    Nouter our frenposer myself. I mean, that''s more than generous. I''m just


    Sused wormerest in my Warn


    Perodder puling out a crek from his immer jacket pocket. His movements were reiterate and grease as he wrote out the check


    TE


    Your application of moonstone in that particr configuration is revolutionary he exined. siding the crest across the table. The healing potential alone justifies the investment"


    With rembling inges epted the check. The amount written in elegant script made my


    heart race. One milion crs. Erough to purchase the sacred burial ground for Lily''s ashes


    and dren soUTTE


    Scarefully ced it in my bag causing to nce at the substantial sum once more before


    zooing it closer


    Teans threatened to welll up as the realization hit me. I could finally fulfill my promise to Lily.


    sint would have a proper resting ce


    "Excuse me I said nsing from my seat. Treed to visit the washroom.


    I needed a moment topose myself before Lucas noticed my emotional reaction.


    The private washroom was mercifully empty. I gripped the marble countertop, staring at my


    nefection in the miner


    My enterald eyes glistened with unshed tears. "We did it, Lily" I whispered. "Mommy can finally give you the resting ce you deserve."


    After sshing cool water on my face and taking several deep breaths, I felt steady enough to return to dinner. I dried my hands on a plush towel


    Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me backward. I gasped in shock as I was pulled into the men''s washroom.


    Motiffet and stated state diset my eyes as my carius dupret ne iz a stail. The


    dior dicked shut behind is


    My back at the dino with enough force to lock the earth from my lungs when opened my eyes. Ethan Stone''s furcus face filet my wson


    "What are you dong having dinner with Lucas ckwood he demanded his amber eyes


    zing with fury


    His voice, though deep and maic as always camed a chiling edge that sent shivers down my some. His body pressed mine against the door, his aggressive demeanor revealing a


    possessive fury I hadn''t seen in years.


    That''s none of your business" I retorted, anger recing my intel stock. You made it clear


    we''re overt


    Ethan scoffed, his face inches from mine. "I never agreed to our separation.


    "You didn''t have to" I snapped. "I decided for both of us."


    His eyes narrowed dangerously. "So you''ve found a recement already? Lucas ckwood?"


    The usation was so absurd I almostughed. "My business with Lucas is professional


    "Is that why he was staring at you like you''re his next meal?'' Ethan growled, his hands tightening on my waist.


    I recognized the truth then. His refusal to ept our separation stemmed not from love but from his need for control. His disapproval was fueled by his alpha pride- he wanted to be the


    one who ended our rtionship, not me.


    "What do you care?" I challenged. "You''ve had Victoria warming your bed for years."


    His jaw tightened. "That''s different."


    "How convenient," I spat. "You''re dead to me, Ethan. You died the day our daughter-"


    My biting remark was cut short as Ethan seized my chin and crashed his lips against mine. The kiss was forceful, punishing.


    I struggled against him, my emerald eyes wide with defiance. My jaw clenched


    tight, refusing


    to yield to him.


    Ethan bit my lower lip, drawing a gasp of pain from me. He used the opportunity


    to deepen the kiss, his tongue invading my mouth.


    My eyes reddened with anger and frustration. How dare he? After everything he''d done, after


    Chapter 70 A Dinnes with Lue


    all the pain he''d caused me, he thought he could just im me whenever he


    wanted?


    When he paused briefly for breath, I retaliated by biting his lip hard. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.


    The taste of blood only seemed to intensify Ethan''s fervor. His eyes darkened to a molten


    amber, almost ck with desire.


    The kiss became even more passionate, leaving me breathless and dizzy. His hands roamed


    possessively over my body, reiming territory he considered his.


    When Ethan finally released me, I was lightheaded fromck of air. My legs weakened beneath


    me, threatening to give way.


    Before I could copse, Ethan''s arm caught me, pulling me back against his hard


    chest. He


    gazed down at me, his eyes taking in my flushed cheeks and tear-filled emerald


    eyes.


    I must have looked vulnerable in that moment, my lips swollen from his brutal kiss,


    my


    breathing ragged. Unaware of the effect my gaze had on him, I could only stare


    back.


    Ethan leaned down, kissing my eyelids with unexpected gentleness. His thumb traced the


    damp skin of my waist where my blouse had ridden up.


    "Be good," he murmured in my ear, his breath hot against my skin.


    I lowered my eyes, my gaze icy despite the heat coursing through my body.


    Leaning against


    the door, I caught my breath. As my strength returned, I...