Hunting Lust (Orion the Hunter Part Three) (3 page)

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I hissed as soon as he slammed the door behind us.

“Me?  What is wrong with me?” he spat, looking bewildered.

“Well, I’m not the one storming along corridors looking like I want to murder someone!” I retaliated.

“So I didn’t just see you walking down the same corridor with a man’s hand on your ass then?”  His eyes were flashing with rage in their dark depths.

“I was walking a client back to the elevator and he put his hand on my behind and I extricated myself from his clutches,” I retorted.

“The man is obviously a pervert!  It turned my stomach to see him touching you - fawning over you.  I don’t want you working with him, Issy.”

“Lucas, he is nothing that I can’t handle.  Yes, he is a bit of a letch but he’s harmless.  You can’t tell me who I can and can’t design for.  You don’t see me trying to tell you who you can and can’t do business with.” I cried incredulously.

“If you did, I would respect your wishes,” he said simply.  I opened my mouth to retort but one look in his eyes and I knew that he meant it. 
This is madness! 

“But I wouldn’t ask you to do something like that.  Trust me, I’ll be fine.  I’m a big girl Lucas.”

He just glared; the muscles in his jaw tensing.  I knew I had to distract him.

“So, what were you doing down here anyway?”

He didn’t answer immediately so I tried another tactic.  “Thank you for the flowers, Lucas.  They are very beautiful.  I don’t believe that I have thanked you for other two bouquets that you have sent me.”

He looked at the flowers and some of the tension left his face.  “Hmm, today is not going the way I’d envisaged,” he muttered, sounding much calmer.  “Yes, they are beautiful but they pale in comparison to your beauty.”

I made a retching gesture and he laughed.  I saw some of the tension leave his face. 
Phew, mission accomplished!

“And don’t think that I don’t know what you’re doing,” he muttered as he came to stand right in front of me.

Damn it - maybe not!
“Huh?” I looked at him as doe-eyed as I could manage.

“We will continue this discussion later.  Right now, I need you in my office.”

I gasped.  “Excuse me?  In your office?  Right now?”

A slow, sexy smile crept along his face as he reached over and traced the outline of my collarbone with his finger.  “Don’t tempt me.  My architect is in there … but if you like that sort of thing … I’m sure we could ask him.”

“Lucas! Your architect?  Oh, is this about Mini Dakota?” I stepped back, out of his reach.

“Yes.  I need your input.  Come on. Let’s go.”

I picked up my purse and rifled in their for my office key.  I heard a metallic jangling and looked up. Lucas was waving around a bunch of keys impatiently. 
Ah yes, his master key!

He locked my door and then strode around the corner to his personal elevator.  There was no call button, just a keyhole.  Lucas inserted a key and turned it.  Immediately, the doors opened, we got in and the doors closed smoothly.  At once, the air between us was charged with sexual tension.  I turned to face him and my intention must have been clear because his mouth twitched and he said, “Those doors will open directly into my office at any second.  Now, I don’t mind what he sees …”

I hastily turned back to face the doors, just in time for them to open.  I didn’t look at Lucas but I just knew he was smirking.  As we stepped into his office, a guy wearing a gray suit (
of course!)
straightened from bending over designs on the table.  He turned to face us and smiled kindly.  He was around 30, tall, slim and blonde.  He wore fashionable glasses that accentuated his high cheek bones.  This was a man that Angel would call pretty. Very pretty.

“Issy, this is Jenson Cole, my architect.  Jenson, this is Issy Prince, my interior designer,” Lucas said as he walked to the door.

He put his head out of the door and I heard him call for coffee.  Meanwhile, Jenson and I shook hands.  He had a cool, firm handshake and soft brown eyes. 
Hmm, rich brown eyes and pale blonde hair – an unusual combination.
  He held my gaze and I looked down quickly, worried that he might think I was staring.  I became aware of Lucas’ eyes on me.  I couldn’t see him … but I could feel it.  I looked over and sure enough, his eyes were narrowed and they were boring into me.  His lips were pursed.

Instinctively, I stepped away from the handsome architect, moving farther down the table.  Lucas positioned himself between us and I’d be willing to bet that it was a deliberate act.
First my client and now his architect … he was being somewhat possessive.  Was he jealous?
 
Surely not … that wasn’t rational behavior. 
I made a mental note to bring the subject up when we were alone.

For the next hour we pored over the designs and I jotted down ideas for each apartment.  I couldn’t wait to get started on the luxury apartments.  I wanted them to retain any original features, be sympathetic to the period of construction but have all modern luxuries.  Elegance and decadence were the order of the day.

At one point, Jenson gave me his business card and asked me to call him once I had put together my designs.  Lucas immediately stated that he would need to be present to all meetings for this project.  Jenson looked surprised so I knew that this was not the normal procedure.  I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath which caught Lucas’ attention.  He looked at me quizzically but I shook my head.  I didn’t want to have this conversation in front of Jenson.  Daniel interrupted at one point with something for Lucas to sign so I took the opportunity to pass Jenson my business card and tell him to contact me any time.

Once the meeting was over and Jenson had left, Lucas asked what I wanted for lunch.  His plan was to order in and eat in his apartment.  I had spent the last few days indoors and the spring sunshine pouring in through the window was tempting me.

“I’d like to go out for lunch.  Preferably somewhere we can eat outside.”

He frowned.  “No, I’d rather eat in.”

“Well, I need to get some fresh air.  I’ve been cooped up for the last few days and it’s a beautiful day.  Let’s go out.”

A look of irritation flitted over his face before an impassive expression returned.  It felt like dealing with a sulky teenager and I wasn’t in the mood.

“Lucas, let’s take a rain check on lunch.  You want to stay in and I need to get outdoors.  Okay?” I smiled sweetly.

His features tensed and I sensed that he was struggling with how to handle the situation.  I couldn’t see what the problem was. 
Did his lack of social skills prevent him from eating out?  Was he that anti-social?

“I’ll order in whatever you want and we’ll go out next time.  Yes?” He straightened his tie and looked at me pointedly.  He was obviously not used to people disagreeing with him.

Not for the first time that morning, frustration bubbled up inside me. 
How could he get to his age and not know how to give and take?  Hmm, because most of the people he deals with are in his employ – that’s why!  Well, I’m not.

I had to hold back a sly smile as I shook my head.  “Not to worry, I’m sure you’ve got business to attend to anyway.  If I hurry, perhaps I can catch Jenson.  He may fancy eating out, seeing that it’s such a nice day.  See you soon, Lucas.”

I started towards the door feeling smug, but his hand shot out and grasped my elbow firmly. I stopped in my tracks.  He moved in front of me and I gave an involuntary slight gasp.  The tension in his face was unmistakable.  His jaw was clenched and his nostrils flared.  His eyes were dark and cold as they probed into mine.  He was obviously fighting something inwardly.  His hold on my arm was hurting me slightly but I dared not move or speak.  I simply looked at the floor and waited.

After a minute, he muttered a curse then his grip on my elbow relaxed.  “No, you’re right.  It is a lovely day and you spent the whole day in my apartment yesterday.  We shall go out to lunch.”

He smiled and all signs of the tension and inner fury, that had been so visible on his face moments ago, vanished.  Instantly, I felt that I could breathe again.  Although the end result had been my intention, I was rocked by his intensity. 
Was it worth it?  Lunch in his apartment wouldn’t have been that bad.  No, it’s the principle.  Mr Control Freak must learn that he can’t have it all his own way. 

I stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.  “Thank you, Lucas.”

His eyes narrowed slightly and I wondered whether he had figured out what had just happened.  Another distraction was needed.

“Okay then, where shall we go?  There are several places that I can think of within walking distance.”

“No,” he said abruptly.  “We’ll take the car
and get out of the city.  I know just the place.”

I wanted to walk and was tempted to argue but I thought better of it.  One victory was enough for now.  I excused myself and used the bathroom to freshen up.  When I returned, he was just ending a phone call.

We took his elevator down to the garage and were soon speeding out of the city.  I watched him drive; his actions were smooth and precise.  I glanced at his profile and noticed tension in his features.  I wondered whether it was because he was concentrating on his driving – he did drive very fast – or whether it was because I had coerced him into having lunch with me in a public place. 

I looked away when he turned his head.  “Issy, is everything okay?”

“Yes, of course.  I was just … admiring the scenery.”

He shook his head good naturedly but I noticed that he was grinning as he turned back.  I wondered where exactly we were going but, before I could ask, my cell began to ring.
Angel!

“Where are you?” she demanded.  “You’re not at the office – I am!  I’ve come to check that you’re okay and take you out to lunch but you’re not here.”

“No, I’m not.  Sorry Angel, I didn’t realize that you were coming.  You should have called.  I’ve already gone out to lunch.  I tell you what, I’ll cook tonight – your favorite – and we’ll spend an evening in.”

“Okay,” she sounded sulky.   Then she perked up, “Who are you having lunch with?  A client?  Or is it Lucas Hunter?”

“Yes,” I almost whispered.  I hoped that Lucas could overhear her. 

“Yes what?  A client or him?” she sounded exasperated.

“Him.  Well, I’ll see you later then,” I said brightly.

“Ooh, so you’re having lunch with the phantom.  I didn’t think he socialized.  Where are you having lunch?”

“I have no idea.”

“What do you mean?  Are you okay? You’re very quiet.  Oh, is he there?”

“Yes.”

“Well, he’d better be looking after you.  I still want to know what happened yesterday.”

“Everything’s fine, Angel.  I will see you later.  Bye.”

I could hear her telling me not to dare hang up when I ended the call.  I turned off my phone, put it back in my purse I and sat back in my seat, hoping that Lucas didn’t ask me about it.

He didn’t and soon we were pulling into a long gravel driveway.  My jaw dropped when I saw the mansion at the end.  Lucas explained that he wanted to buy it but it wasn’t for sale.  It was currently a hotel with a restaurant attached.  It was beautiful.

Lucas steered me toward the restaurant with a hand on my lower back.  I was surprised when we seemed to be expected and then I remembered that Lucas had made a call before we left. 

We were guided through a very busy restaurant and were soon seated on a pretty terrace but I noticed that there were no other diners out here.  The landscaped gardens were a work of art.  New life was visible everywhere, from the buds on the trees to the brightly colored spring flowering bulbs.  Movement caught my eye and I was thrilled to see two white doves landing on the branch of a tree.  The other diners didn’t know what they were missing out here, I mused.