Page 36 of Pucking My Off-Limits Billionaire Boss
"Andrew," she replies, her voice tinged with an emotion I can't quite place. Surprise? Discomfort? Maybe both.
I stand up, wiping my hands on my jeans, feeling like I've just walked into the middle of a movie with no clue about the plot. "And you are?" I ask, my tone guarded.
He turns his attention to me, and there's an instant where his eyes narrow, sizing me up. "Andrew Harper," he says, extending a hand that I shake warily. "Lucy and I have a... history."
History. The word hangs in the air, heavy and loaded. I glance at Lucy, trying to gauge her reaction, but she's an enigma, her face carefully neutral.
"Andrew's an old... acquaintance," Lucy adds, her words careful, measured.
An acquaintance. Right. The way he's looking at her, it's clear there's more to the story. And the way he's looking at me—it's like he's just found a puzzle piece he didn't know was missing, and he's not sure if he likes where it fits.
I can tell Andrew's trying to suss out the nature of mine and Lucy's relationship, his gaze flicking back and forth between us. There's a flicker of something in his eyes—curiosity, maybe, or perhaps something darker, like jealousy. It's in this moment, watching the subtle shift in Lucy's demeanor, that I understand just how much she dislikes Andrew.
Her face, usually open and expressive, has closed off. Her eyes, those vibrant pools of green, are hard, like she's bracing herself against a storm. She's standing a little straighter, a little firmer, as if steeling herself against his presence. Every line of her body speaks of discomfort and distaste, her shoulders tensed, her jaw set. It's clear to anyone paying attention that Lucy is putting up walls, and Andrew is on the outside of them.
In a flash of inspiration—or perhaps desperation—I realize we need a shield, a way to deflect his prying. The notion of pretending to be in a relationship with Lucy flashes through my mind. It's a bold move, one fraught with risks. What if she balks at the idea? What if this charade complicates our already complex relationship? But then, there's the chance it might just work, throwing Andrew off his game.
With my heart pounding a fierce rhythm, I weigh the odds. The stakes are high, and the line between pretense and reality is dangerously thin.
I glance at Lucy, her eyes briefly meeting mine. There's a silent question there, a flicker of trust amidst the uncertainty. Sensing an opportunity, I decide to take control of the situation.
"Well, Andrew, it’s always nice to meet any old acquaintances of my girlfriend," I say, slipping my arm around Lucy.
Lucy, caught off guard, hesitates for a split second before playing along, leaning into me with a smile that's a little too practiced. Andrew's smile falters, his eyes darting between us, clearly thrown off by the unexpected declaration.
“You two are… dating?” Andrew asks, a bit of an uncertain quaver to his voice.
"It's a recent development," Lucy adds, her tone steady despite the surprise in her eyes. "But we're, um, very happy."
Andrew's expression shifts to one of disbelief, but he masks it quickly. "Well, that is... surprising," he manages, his voice betraying a hint of confusion.
Lucy's grip on my hand tightens, a silent acknowledgment of our improvised ruse. As I stand there, with her by my side, I can't help but feel that we've just crossed an invisible line, stepping into a new realm of our relationship—even if it's just for show. She leans into me, mustering a smile that, while slightly strained, is convincing enough under the circumstances.
"So, what brings you to our humble worksite, Andrew?" I ask, trying to steer the conversation away from our fabricated relationship. Not to mention to figure out just who the hell this guy is, and what he’s doing at my worksite. And there’s the matter of Lucy seemingveryuncomfortable around him.
Andrew's glance at Lucy lingers a little too long before he replies. "Just in town and thought I'd see how Lucy was doing. Didn't expect to find her playing in the dirt with a former, ah, rink monkey.”
“Rink monkey?” I ask. “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just having a little fun, Jakey.” He reaches over and slaps my shoulder. I don’t like it one bit.
The air is thick with unspoken words and tension. Andrew's presence feels like an intrusion, a stark contrast to the camaraderie and warmth that Lucy and I have been building. And as he stands there, with that smug look and knowing eyes, I can't shake the feeling that this isn't just a casual visit.
Lucy's unease is palpable, her normally fiery spirit dimmed in the face of Andrew's intrusion. It's like he's cast a shadow over her, and every instinct in me wants to step in, to shield her from whatever history they have that's clearly left its mark.
I move closer to Lucy, an instinctive, protective gesture. I can feel the tension coiling in the air, thick and suffocating. Andrew's eyes flick between us, a smug smile playing on his lips as he takes in our proximity.
"What's the occasion, Andrew?" Lucy's voice is steady, but there's an undercurrent of anger there.
"Just curious to see what you've been up to, Lucy. I've heard things." His gaze roams around the construction site with an air of condescension. "Looks like quite the endeavor you've gotten yourself into."
There's something in the way he says it, something that sets my teeth on edge. It's patronizing, like he's looking down on everything Lucy and I have been working so hard to build.
I step in front of Lucy, a physical barrier to Andrew's unwelcome presence. "Well, you've seen it. Now, unless you're here to lend a hand with the construction, I think you've overstayed your welcome."
Andrew's eyes lock with mine, a challenge simmering in their depths. "I'm just making sure Lucy's not getting in over her head. Old habits and all."
Lucy bristles beside me, her voice sharp as a knife. "I can take care of myself, Andrew. I don't need you to 'check in' on me."
