Tempting His Brother's Wife

#5 - Whatever You Want

Lara

"Tomorrow you can do whatever the hell you want."

I sighed at the memory of Lucian's statement.

How was I supposed to tell him that I couldn't?

I stared at the balance in my account.

It didn't change.

All I could afford right now was a black cup of coffee.

I couldn't even lie and say I'd figure something out.

My fingers trembled as I dialed the bank.

"It says here that Mr. Cole authorised the last withdrawal, as well as the others..."

My breath caught.

He what?

"Is there a problem?" the manager asked, his tone shifting. "You're aware that either party can authorise transactions on a joint account, correct?"

"Of course," I said quickly, pressing a hand to my temple. "Of course. Thank you for your time."

I ended the call before he could say anything else.

My hands were already shaking.

I'd trusted him.

Trusted us.

How had I gotten it so wrong?

My fingers hovered over the phone.

I could call him.

But what good would that do?

I sank into one of the garden chairs, the comfort it promised turning hollow beneath me. The beauty that had drawn me out of Lucian's mansion blurred at the edges.

Liam hadn't called.

Hadn't texted.

A part of me—a foolish part—had hoped that he would.

If not for anything else, then to check if I was okay.

I wasn't.

And I wasn't that important.

The thought hit me harder than anything had today, stealing the air from my lungs.

I stopped myself before I could trace it back.

To the exact moment when I'd stopped mattering to him.

My phone rang, startling me.

Lucian's name flashed across the screen.

I swiped at my cheeks before answering.

"Hello?" I tried to sound normal.

"Lara? Are you okay?"

Of course he heard it.

"Y-yeah?" I said, voice shaking anyway. "What's up?"

"Don't lie to me, Lara," Lucian said quietly.

I could picture his jaw tightening.

"How's your day?" I deflected.

He didn't answer immediately, and for a second, I thought he wouldn't.

"Meetings have been kicking my butt since I walked in," he said finally. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I said quickly. "I've been house hunting."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

"And?" he asked after a pause.

"Nothing yet," I admitted, biting my lip.

"Good," he said.

Like that was exactly what he'd wanted to hear.

I blinked.

"I'll pick you up for dinner then."

"I can cook," I blurted.

I couldn't do dinner.

Not with him.

Not after this morning.

"That's... if I don't find a place by then," I added quickly.

I wouldn't.

But he didn't need to know that.

Yet.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "We could do take out."

"There's enough food to feed an army here." I said, thinking about the stuffed cupboards I saw earlier. "What are you hungry for?"

"Surprise me," Lucian said without hesitation.

I blinked.

I didn't expect that.

"Uh... okay?" I said, still a little unsure. "What time will you be home?"

Home?

I flinched at the word.

"I—I mean... what time do you usually get back here?" I corrected quickly.

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

I let out a small laugh. "Don't ditch work because of me."

"It's just work, Lara. It can wait."

My chest tightened.

"It's just dinner, Lara. Let's reschedule."

Liam's voice echoed, dragging the familiar ache with it.

I'd told myself it was just dinner too...

Now I wondered how many of those late nights hadn't been work at all.

"Right. I forgot—you call the shots," I said lightly. "See you later."

"See you later, Lara."

I stood staring at my phone long after the call ended, wondering about what I would've done if Lucian hadn't shown up.

"Can I... get you anything?"

I looked up.

A handkerchief was held out in front of me.

I took it without hesitation, dabbing at my eyes, wiping my cheeks.

Bloody tears.

"Thanks," I said, glancing up at Decker.

He was massive.

If Lucian hadn't introduced us himself, I wouldn't have felt nearly as safe sitting out here alone with him.

"Can I get you anything?" he repeated.

A job.

I kept that thought to myself.

"What would you like for dinner?" I asked instead. "I'm cooking. Lucian will be here later."

He blinked at me.

"I promise not to kill you with it," I added with a small laugh.

His eyes widened. "Oh, it's not that, Mrs. Cole—"

"Please. Call me Lara."

I'd never asked that before.

Cole.

The name wasn't mine anymore.

Decker nodded. "Okay. And I'm sure anything you'll make will be great."

I couldn't decide what was worse, being out at a restaurant or sitting across from Lucian at his massive dining table.

I stared at the two places I'd set.

Maybe I shouldn't have waited.

"I could have eaten already," I muttered, wiping my damp palms on my jeans.

My gaze drifted to the mirror across the room.

After my shower, I'd stood in front of the bedroom mirror for far too long, trying to figure out what to wear.

In the end, I had settled on the simplest thing I could find.

Because, apparently, packing after getting your heart broken makes you leave everything that matters behind.

"Something smells great,"

I jumped, a small cry slipping out of me.

"I'm sorry," Lucian said, leaning against the door frame. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"I didn't hear you come in," I said, a little breathless.

"The view was... distracting," Lucian replied easily.

Oh.

"Do you need to shower or..." I glanced back at the table. "I'll can wait for you in—"

"No, stay." Lucian cut in, stepping fully into the room.

"Drink?" he offered.

Out of habit, I almost declined.

Then I remembered I wasn't trying to get pregnant anymore.

"Thanks," I said, my voice quieter than I meant it to be.

"Whatever you want."

I stilled.

Why did it feel like I could ask for anything... and he'd give it to me?

Whatever you want.

"You don't have to save me, Lucian."

His jaw ticked, but he didn't argue.

He just took a slow sip of his drink, his gaze fixed on me.