Page 39 of Pucking My Off-Limits Billionaire Boss
I watch the construction site, feeling a mixture of frustration and resolve brewing inside me. Andrew's meddling is more than just a nuisance; it's a challenge to everything we've worked so hard to build. My hands clench into fists at my sides. "I'm going to deal with Andrew," I mutter, more to myself than to Lucy.
As I turn to leave, Lucy's hand on my arm stops me. Her touch is gentle but firm, a silent plea for reason. "Jake, wait," she says, her voice steady but concerned. "Let me talk to him first."
I turn to face her, the urge to protect what we've created making me restless. "Lucy, you know what he's capable of. I can't just stand back and let him—"
She cuts me off, her eyes locking with mine. "I know, but we need to handle this carefully. Confronting Andrew directly might only make things worse. Let me try to talk some sense into him."
I study her face, seeing the determination there. It's one of the many things I admire about her. She's not just strong; she's brave. "Alright," I concede, the fight in me calming under her gaze. "But I'm not far behind if you need me."
Lucy smiles, a mix of gratitude and something warmer. She steps closer, closing the distance between us. Her hand moves from my arm to my cheek, a soft caress that sends a ripple of warmth through me.
"We're a team, right?" she says softly, her eyes reflecting the fading sunlight.
I nod, feeling a sense of unity that goes beyond our professional partnership. "The best team," I agree.
As I pull her into my arms, a swirl of conflicting emotions courses through me. There's an unexpected comfort in her embrace, a familiarity that belies our fake relationship. Our kiss, meant to be a symbol of our united front against Andrew, feels different. It's as if each moment we pretend, the line between fiction and reality blurs a little more.
As we pull apart, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. Andrew may think he's got the upper hand, but he's underestimated us. Together, Lucy and I are more than just business partners building a dream; we're a team, and we're not going down without a fight.
21
Lucy
Standingatthedinertucked away on Cedarwood’s Main Street, I take a deep breath, bracing myself for the impending confrontation with Andrew. The café, with its cozy nooks and familiar chatter, feels like a safe haven, a place where I can face Andrew on my own terms. I’ve chosen it deliberately—public enough to avoid any unpleasant scenes, yet private enough for a serious conversation.
Once inside, I request a table for two. I’m soon seated by the window, tension building in my stomach by the moment. I can barely take it.
As I wait, I can’t help but reflect on the journey that’s led me here. From building Mocha Memoirs from the ground up to fighting tooth and nail to keep my dream alive in Cedarwood, it’s been a rollercoaster. And now, facing Andrew and whatever manipulative scheme he’s concocting, I remind myself of one thing—I’m not the same woman who left for Seattle all those years ago. I’m stronger, more determined, and I refuse to be controlled by anyone, especially Andrew.
Right on cue, Andrew saunters in, looking every bit the confident, self-entitled man I remember. He’s got a smarmy little smile on his face, feigning a concern that I know all too well is as shallow as a kiddie pool.
“Lucy, it’s so good to see you,” he begins, his voice smooth like silk but with an underlying edge that sets my teeth on edge. “I’ve been so worried about you, what with all the trouble you’ve been having with your little project.”
I stiffen at his patronizing tone, but I keep my composure. “It’s not a ‘little project,’ Andrew. It’s my business, and it’s going just fine, thanks for asking,” I reply, my voice laced with a sharpness that I hope conveys just how little I appreciate his ‘concern.’
Andrew’s expression hardens as I stand my ground, his façade of concern rapidly crumbling to reveal the manipulative intent beneath. “Lucy, you’re being short-sighted,” he says, his voice tinged with a barely concealed frustration. “Think about it. I can make all your problems disappear. The construction delays, the financial strain—all of it. Just come back to Seattle with me.”
I feel a flare of anger at his words, but I channel it into a cold, calm resolve. “Andrew, let me make something crystal clear to you. I don’t want your ‘help.’ Being your kept woman, living under your thumb—that’s not the life I want.”
He leans forward, trying to intimidate, but I don’t budge. “Lucy, you’re being foolish. You need someone to take care of things for you, to guide you.”
I can hardly believe the arrogance dripping from his words. “Guide me? Take care of me? Is that what you think I need? Andrew, you never understood me, not really. I don’t want a life where I’m dependent on someone else’s whims. I want to build something of my own, make my own decisions, succeed or fail on my terms.”
Andrew’s eyes narrow, and there’s a momentary glimpse of the true depth of his obsession. “You’re making a mistake, Lucy. I could make everything so much easier for you.”
I shake my head, my voice firm and unwavering. “I don’t want easy, Andrew. I want real, and I want mine. I’m not your project, your property, or your responsibility. I am my own person, with my own dreams. And it’s a shame you never saw that.”
For a moment, Andrew looks like he might argue further, but then he straightens up, his expression hardening into something cold and calculating. It’s clear he’s not used to being rejected, and I can see the wheels turning in his mind, plotting his next move.
The tension in the air thickens as Andrew’s frustration boils over into outright aggression. His demeanor shifts, becoming more confrontational, his words laced with a thinly-veiled threat. “You think you can just brush me off, Lucy? You think your billionaire boyfriend can protect you from everything?”
I meet his gaze, my heart pounding but my voice steady. “This isn’t about Jake, Andrew. This is about me making my own choices. And I choose not to be a part of whatever game you’re playing.”
Andrew leans in, his voice low and menacing. “It’s not a game, Lucy. It’s reality. And in reality, people like me don’t take kindly to being rejected. Jake may have his billions, but I have my own resources. Connections, know-how—things money can’t buy.”
I feel a shiver run down my spine at the implication of his words, but I refuse to show him any fear. “Are you threatening me, Andrew?”
His expression is chilling. “Consider it a warning. I’ve already shown I can make things... difficult for you. The construction issues? Let’s just say they weren’t all accidents.”
