He’d found the omega who’d changed him, but change was welcome. Monotony hadn’t been doing him any favors,anyway.
Marcus made his way to the bathroom only to discover that Lucian was already there, heating the water. Lucianwinked.
“Guess you were wrong. I got herefirst.”
“What’s my punishment?” Marcus asked,grinning.
“Mm.” Lucian pushed his lips to the side in thought. “How about we discuss that later tonight, after the wedding. A big part of punishment is anticipation, right? So I shouldn’t let you know until you’re almost out of your mind wondering about whatitis.”
Marcus laughed. “You’relearning.”
“Piece by piece.” Lucian tested the water temperature. “You want me to go check to see how the coffee’s doing, or should we just take a quickie shower and caffeinate ourselvesafter?”
“I’m down for a quickie.” Marcus waggled an eyebrow, if only to see Lucian rollhiseyes.
Lucian did. He crossed his arms, unimpressed. “Nosex. I swear to god,thatwill be your punishment if you keepitup.”
Marcus laughed. “Get in the shower. I’llbehave.”
Every day with Lucian was a new adventure, and even when they had their disagreements, Marcus never wanted to give it up. For as long as their paths ran parallel, Marcus wouldn’tstray.
And even though he sometimes teased Lucian to the point of frustration, he had a feeling that Lucian wouldn’t stray,either.
34
Lucian
Renata Hills Country Clubwas exactly the kind of place Lucian thought it would be from the website. Rolling, green hills led to a distant golf course. Three Olympic-sized pools were available to members, two located in the bowels of the club, the third located outdoors. Two tennis courts flattened hilltops, their fenced enclosures preventing wayward balls from sullying the countryside. But it wasn’t the grounds alone that were worthy of admiration—as Marcus handed the keys to his Mercedes to the valet, Lucian took time to appreciate the building itself. Towering at three stories tall, it wasn’t to be missed. Grecian columns supported an overhanging, wrap-around porch. Crisp white decorative shutters framed each window. Not a shingle was out of place. The front doors were masterfully engraved, and the steps leading to them glistened when exposed to sunlight. Ivy crept up one side of the building, lending it Old World mystique. It was the kind of place Lucian had always dreamed he might visit, but it had seemed such a far stretch that he’d never expected to actuallybethere.
And now herehewas.
“How many people are there going to be?” Lucian asked in a soft voice as Marcus led the way up the stairs. “This placeishuge.”
“Not many. Crawford has reserved a small, outdoor seating area in the back, somewhere in thegardens.”
“There are gardens?” Lucian asked. He’d looked through the website online, but there had been so much to take in he wasn’t surprised he’d overlooked somedetails.
Marcus nodded. “Around back. Renata Hills flies in award-winning garden designers every year to plan andlayit.”
“There is such a thing as a ‘garden designer?’” Lucian screwed up his face. “Seriously? And they can winawards?”
“Yes?” Marcus blinked. They came to a stop in front of the doors. “Is that sosurprising?”
Lucian shook his head. The whole wealth thing was still new territory, and he felt like he was learning more every day. Marcus wasn’t the kind of man who was overtly rich, but he took certain things for granted that Lucian had a hard time lettinggoof.
Things like award-winning gardendesigners.
“I’m going to pretend it’s not surprising at all, and that I just didn’t hear you right the first time.” Lucian tugged at the sleeves of his suit. He wasn’t used to such finery, either. “Now, on to more important matters—do I look okay? I don’t want to disappoint yourfriends.”
Lucian meant it as a joke, but Marcus’ face tightened with concern. He set a hand on Lucian’s shoulder, then lifted Lucian’s chin with a curled finger until they looked each other eye to eye. “You could never disappoint my friends. It isn’t about how you look or what you wear, it’s about who you are. Crawford and Owen will love you because you make mehappy.”
No one else made Lucian feel half as good as Marcus did. He beamed, taking a step forward to close some of the distance between them. When they were close, Lucian took hold of either side of Marcus’ jacket, latching on to him. “You make mehappy,too.”
Marcus bowed his head, and Lucian was a second away from claiming his lips in a kiss when the door opened. Both of them stepped back out of courtesy, and Lucian was about to pick up where they’d left off when a voice he thought he’d never hear again shattered theintimacy.
“Lucian?” Counselor Ellisgasped.
“Counselor Ellis.” Lucian spun on his heels, facing the man who’d directed his recovery at Stonecrest Omega Rehabilitation Center. He wore a suit. The last year hadn’t changed Counselor Ellis any, except for one very noticeable difference—he was no longer pregnant. “Congratulations on the birth of your babies. How long hasitbeen?”
