Page 51 of Saved By A Dark Billionaire
"I'm only sleeping with you, Rose. I haven't slept with another girl since we slept together the second time."
"Are you serious?" I couldn't believe what he was saying. "What about Janessa?"
"I broke it off with her the same night she showed up. I don't want anyone else, Rose."
"It's kind of hard to believe, Lucas." I shook my head.
"I know it is." He sighed again.
It got quiet again as I watched Lucas stare up at the sky. He tapped his foot on the lounger rapidly as he thought. Eventually, he turned and looked at me. He looked so serious I had to swallow the nerves in my throat down.
"Something happened to me a few years ago. Something I don't think I've ever told anyone. It changed me, and the way I looked at women. It's the reason I slept around so much." He gave me a vague reason, which was more than I was hoping for.
"I'm sorry, Lucas. Do you want to talk about it?" I hoped he would open up more.
"Maybe another night." He looked away from me, staring at the multicolored straps on the lounge chair as he stuck his finger between the two of them. Is he fidgeting right now? I pulled my chair closer to his, having them meet. I could smell his hearty cologne with how close we were. Lucas looked back up at me again. I could see the pain he was trying to hide in his eyes. I scooted closer to him, never breaking our eye contact.
"I am going to hold you to that, Lucas. I hope you know I'm here for you the same way you've been here for me." I leaned forward, kissing his lips tenderly. I am not usually one to start our kisses, always being worried about feeling too romantic about him. With what I know about him now, and what he's telling me, maybe it is time I gave him a real chance. We'll see how the date he wants will go.
"Thank you, Rose," he whispered, as he ran the backs of his finger over my arm. Goosebumps erupted under his touch. It was electrifying.
"Lucas, I need to know what you want from me? Am I some conquest or do you want something serious in the end?" I bit the bullet, asking him the question that's been eating away at me since he asked me on another date.
"You're not a conquest, Rose. You're so much more. I would like to be serious with you."
His answer was what I was hoping to hear, but it didn't relieve my worries. I still felt like I was taking a huge chance on liking him. It would be so easy for him to crush my heart. I still need to be careful. I think I'll need time to trust him before this feeling finally goes away.
"Okay, Lucas. I hope you know Leo feels the same way," I reminded him he wasn't the only one after me. Leo was worming his way into my heart, too. We may not have the same intensity I have with Lucas, but he's sweet and secure. I feel I can trust him a lot easier than I can Lucas. I wish it wasn't the case, but it is.
"I know. I have an idea about that, one Leo and I have discussed already. We are wondering if you will seriously date us both for 6 months and at the end of the 6 months pick which one of us you want to be your boyfriend. Are you up for it?"
His suggestion caught me off guard. I didn't realize they spoke to each other about dating me. They have a great friendship, and I was glad I wasn't ruining it. I contemplated his suggestion, and it seemed logical enough.
"Okay." I nodded.
"There are rules."
"Alright, tell me."
Lucas explained each of them would get at least one date a week. If there were to be more than one date, the other would have to have at least one more date as well. They can't interrupt each other's dates with me, which includes texting. They told me I can't share what the other one is doing or what they have planned. I don't have to share when or if I sleep with either of them. They don't want to hear and they don't care.
I feel like the bachelorette. What is this daytime drama?
Lucas' P.O.V.
My phone was by my side all day, trying not to miss Rose's call or text. I want to make sure I am there for her when she goes in for surgery. I've been looking up the best oncologists in the state, and one familiar name popped up. But I refuse to let him see her, even if he is conveniently located nearby. I hate him. He's no better than my father.
Kane Phillips is a pompous ass. He thinks himself better than the rest with his high and mighty act. 'I not only help my patients with their cancer, I help their families as well,' he said that to us at the dinner table once. I had seen him'help'the family before. She was bent over his desk as he'helped'her.
I didn't see him the same after that. He took advantage of her. He said it was the only time he had done it when I confronted him about it. I didn't believe him, but I was only 16, so no one actually cared what I had to say about him. He married the woman, as if to prove a point to me. They divorced three years later. We never saw much of her in those years. She was like this hidden secret wife. It was the strangest thing.
If Rose needs an oncologist, then I'll fly one here for her. Someone who isn't Kane. I won't have him taking advantage of her. I hope to never let her meet him, but I know she'll have to when we go on our date on Sunday. Of course, that's only if she's okay by then.
Mom's birthday is Sunday, and she likes to have a family brunch. Kane, being her older brother, means he'll be there. I want Rose to meet mom, seeing as she met dad last time. Mom is a saint compared to dad. Honestly, compared to dad, many people are angels. The man is a massive dick with serious control issues. Not to mention the anger issues he lashes out with. I make sure they're always directed at me. I would never let him hurt Lisa the same way he hurt mom, or me.
I don't think Rose realizes she and I share some of the same trauma… an abusive dad. Only my father hurt his kids too, not just mom. Thankfully, he's not a fighter with large muscles, but he does still strike a mean punch, always somewhere that isn't noticeable. I've kept him away from Lisa as often as I could. He's only ever laid hands on her once, and I quickly stopped it.
Rose:Surgery is scheduled for 9 a.m. tomorrow. It's an outpatient procedure, so I'll be in and out the same day.
