154 A Little Home Time
Lucian
Breakfast had gone exactly as Darian and I had hoped. Backing Martha into a corner had left her too defensive to stir up one of her infamous monologues. It was quiet, tense-but safe. And watching Darian serve her a taste of her own medicine? That was the unexpected cherry on top.
BOE Z
Now, Mara sat beside me in the car, staring quietly out the window as we drove home. Her fingers tapped lightly against her thigh, and I reached over, resting my hand gently there. I couldn’t look at her for long-I had to keep my eyes on the
road-but I stole a glance.
She was breathtaking.
Strong, soft, mine.
I thought I’d lost her once. When Tina dropped the pregnancy bomb, Mara and I hadn’t even claimed each other yet. I’d felt
my world collapse in slow motion. My heart had been in my mouth. But Mara… she held on. She stayed. She fought for us when she had every reason to walk away.
And in the end, Tina’s schemes had only drawn Mara and me closer. Every trap she laid only carved a deeper bond between us. What was meant to break us ended up binding us. I would never stop being grateful for that.
Mara wasn’t just a blessing. She was the blessing. Everything good in my life-peace, purpose, fatherhood-came with her. Through her. No words could truly hold the weight of what I felt for her.
When we arrived home, she slipped out of her heels at the door and headed upstairs to change. She wanted to swing by the office, but I stopped her gently, pulling her back into my arms.
“Call Mary,” I told her. “Ask her to bring the paperwork here. Dr. Genevieve said you need to rest. No stress.”
She hesitated, then gave me that reluctant little nod she always wore when she knew I was right but didn’t want to admit it.
“If I stay home,” she said, her voice playful, “are you staying home too?”
I considered it. I’d planned to head out and finally get my beard cleaned up, but I knew what she was really asking. She didn’t want to be alone today-not after everything.
“I’ll call the barber. He can come here.”
She smiled, satisfied, and disappeared into the bathroom.
While she was inside, I called Denis. He picked up immediately.
“Congratulations, Lucian,” he said before I could even speak. “I heard your father is officially handing over the Alpha title next week.”
“News travels fast,” I replied with a smirk.
“Sorry about your son,” he added, voice dropping into a gentler tone.
“Richard’s getting the care he needs. He’ll be fine,” I said, believing every word.
“I’m glad to hear that.” There was a pause. “What about his mother?”
“Out of my life for good,” I said simply.
Denis was quiet for a beat before continuing. “Joey broke up with her this morning. Word is, it got ugly. He wouldn’t even
154 A Little Home Time
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let her bring her things in. She’s been asking around for a place to stay. Called Keisha apparently. I didn’t even know they
were ever friends.”
I closed my eyes, sighing through my nose. “She called Keisha?”
“She said no, of course. I figured you must’ve stopped paying for her place.”
“I did,” I said shortly. “But Denis… I don’t need to know what Tina’s doing, or who she’s bothering.”
“Right,” he said. “Sorry.”
“She’s a closed chapter,” I said, voice firm. “Please don’t bring her up again. I’ve got better things to focus on.”
He sighed. “Understood.”
“I know she hurt you, Lucian,” Denis said, his tone cautious. “But if you don’t mind… maybe you could pay at least a year’s lease on her old place. Through me. Quietly. Just until she gets back on her feet.”
I narrowed my eyes. This was what he wanted to talk about? After everything?
“She shouldn’t be on the streets,” he added quickly. “I can handle the transaction myself. It won’t be traced to you.”
I took a breath and leaned back, biting down the irritation bubbling in my chest.
“Whatever it is,” I said, “I have to run it by Mara. But if you’re offering to cover it yourself, fine. I can reimburse you. But she won’t get anything directly from me. I still think Joey will take her back anyway.”
He sighed. “Alright. I’ll look into something smaller. I can’t afford the place she used to live in.”
“Be careful, Denis,” I warned him. “Don’t let her get ideas. You know how she is-charming on the outside, but once she senses an opening, she’ll wedge herself in. She’s vicious like that.”
He exhaled heavily. “Understood. Listen… are you coming into the office today? We’ve got crucial things to discuss- Chase, Alaric Moongrove, and something new about your mother.”
That caught my attention.
“I promised Mara I’d stay home today,” I replied. “Can you come here to brief me instead?”
There was a short pause before he asked, “Mind if I bring Keisha along?”
“No,” I said without hesitation. “Please bring her. The more, the merrier.”
He agreed and hung up.
Just as I was about to stand, Darian linked me to say he’d arrived at the mansion. Moments later, my brother linked me
again.
Mara stepped out of the room. She was in joggers and a sweater, looking snug and soft in the outfit. Her hair was loosely tied back, and there was a faint flush in her cheeks.
“Why are you dressed like that?” I asked gently.
“I’m feeling a bit cold,” she replied.
I stepped forward and wrapped her in my arms, pulling her close and breathing in her scent. That calming, familiar mix that always grounded me.
“Thank you, Mara,” I whispered.
She tilted her head against my chest, arms circling around me.
“For what, Lucian?” she murmured.
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“For loving me. For making my life easier. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You mean everything to me.”
She nestled deeper against me, and I could feel her inhale against my shirt.
I shouldn’t have.
But I kissed her.
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What started as gratitude melted into hunger. I found her back pressed against the wall, her body welcoming mine in a rhythm as old as time. My hands gripped her hips, her legs wrapped around me, and I buried myself inside her.
There were no words-only the overwhelming need to show her. To pour every bit of love, of awe, of devotion into each movement, each breath.
Her nails raked across my back as she climaxed, gasping my name like it was the only thing she knew. She kissed the mark on my neck-soft and possessive-before I carried her to the bed.
I pushed in deeper, slower, my lips grazing her shoulder as I moved with intent.
“Lucian,” she moaned, her voice breaking.
I paused, looked down into her eyes. They shimmered with tears, not of pain-but of emotion.
“Am I hurting you?” I whispered.
She shook her head and touched my face.
“I’m feeling everything you feel,” she whispered. “I love you too.”
My throat tightened. I pressed my forehead to hers, then buried my face in the crook of her neck, and moved again-slow,
reverent.
I was blessed.
There was no doubt in my heart anymore.
She was mine. And I would spend the rest of my life proving she hadn’t made a mistake by choosing me.
