Page 5 of There is No Try

The second time was yesterday morning. While I was showering, the bastard heard me moaning his name while I fucked my vibrator. He was supposed to be out for a run with Ronan but came home early. He heard me call out his name and he burst into the bathroom, thinking I needed something. My luck is absolute shite. I’ve avoided him since.

I already told you I wasn’t calling out your name.

You absolutely did. There’s no shame in touching yourself thinking of me.

I wasn’t. I was imagining a different Luc.

Yeah? Which one?

Panicking, I type without thinking.

Luke Skywalker.

If you want a man to make you see stars, pup, say the word. I’m more than happy to oblige.

Lucas!

We shouldn’t be talking about this.

I disagree. We need to talk about it, which is why I asked you to dinner. Also, I have important news I want to share.

I chew on my lip; I’d much rather pretend yesterday never happened.

You should go to the party without me. I’ll tell Nora I’m not feeling well.

You can’t avoid me forever.

Watch me.

I glance at the clock, and if Lucas is true to his word, he’ll be here in forty-five minutes. He knows damn well I wouldn’t actually miss Leo’s party, and part of me is curious what his news is.

I rush to get ready, hoping to make it out the door before Lucas is home. Per usual, luck isn’t on my side, and the click of my entry door closing makes me jump. Scurrying out of my bedroom to make my exit, I faceplant into Lucas’ hard chest. I’m not a short woman at 5’9” but he’s a 6’6” giant towering over me. And, fucking hell, he smells good. I hold my breath to avoid his earthy pine and citrus scent.

“Someone’s in a hurry,” he purrs. I attempt to step back but he slips his hand to my back, keeping me close.

“I… Um…”

“Ready for dinner?”

I wince and don’t dare glance up. If I do, all it’ll take is his hazel eyes meeting mine for me to do whatever he wants. “We really shouldn’t,” I insist, though my voice shakes.

“It’s only dinner.” Lucas tilts my chin, forcing me to look at him. He’s letting his beard grow out and it only makes him more handsome. Leaning in, it tickles my cheek as he whispers, “We eat together nearly every night; this is no different.”

“Except you keep calling it a date, and I don’t know if you’re serious or not.”

He pulls back and I immediately miss him in my space. “I may tease you, pup, but I would never joke about something like this.”

“Even if I wanted to, I can’t.”

“It could be your last chance.” He huffs a humorless laugh. “I was going to tell you at dinner but… You know my working holiday visa is expired. My agent has been working to secure a service employment contract but it’s a stretch seeing as I’m not a scientist or anything.” He sighs and pain seeps into his expression. “I’ll have to go back to Australia for a while and reapply for a visa.”

My breath catches in my throat. “You’re leaving? What about the club? Is there anything they can do?”

“They’re trying.”

“When would you have to go?”

“Next week.” Luc tucks my hair behind my ear, a sad smile tilting his lips. “If you can’t come with me, I want to take you to dinner. For at least one night, I want to pretend you’re mine.”

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