Chapter 187
The chapter opens with Claire trying to push away the memory of the previous night’s encounter with Lucien, convincing herself it was just a brief, no-strings-attached moment. However, Lucien’s behavior that morning sharply contrasts with his cold departure the night before. He arrives at the office in his impressive Rolls-Royce Cullinan, attracting attention and gossip from onlookers who recognize him as a powerful and intimidating figure in Edmonton.
Despite the public spectacle, Claire reflects on how her perception of Lucien has changed. Once seen as untouchable and forbidding, he now reminds her of a pineapple—spiky and intimidating on the outside but sweet and addictive once you get past the surface. Their interaction is playful and charged, with Lucien teasing her about still thinking of their kiss and promising to recreate the magic that night, stirring conflicting emotions within Claire.
Lucien then surprises Claire with an extravagant gesture: a dozen red roses and a stunning pink diamond necklace. This unexpected display of affection leaves Claire both touched and overwhelmed. She is unaccustomed to such romantic attention, especially compared to her past relationships, and the sudden intensity causes her to panic about what it might mean for their relationship. The lavish gifts and Lucien’s shy admission that it’s the first time he’s bought a woman a present deepen her confusion.
Just as Claire braces herself for a possible declaration or commitment, Lucien abruptly ends the moment, telling her to get to work and driving away without further explanation. His sudden, cold departure leaves Claire stunned and conflicted, torn between relief and anxiety. The chapter closes with her trying to steady herself, uncertain about how to navigate the complex feelings and expectations now swirling around her.
Chapter 186: A Dozen Roses and a Necklace
I kept telling myself not to dwell on it—not now, not at this moment. Last night had been nothing more than an unspoken agreement between two adults, a brief, experimental encounter with no strings attached. Why else would he have gotten up and left so abruptly, so coldly? The memory of his dismissal lingered, but I pushed it away, determined to focus on the day ahead.
Yet, Lucien’s demeanor this morning was a stark contrast to the way he had left me the night before.
His Rolls-Royce Cullinan rolled smoothly to a stop right outside the Moonves headquarters. The imposing luxury SUV caught the eyes of everyone nearby, halting pedestrians mid-step. With the window down, the buzz of whispered gossip floated clearly through the air, audible to both of us.
“Oh my god, a Cullinan. A real one,” a passerby murmured in awe.
“Who gets dropped off this early? Which goddess from our company is lucky enough for this kind of treatment?” another voice wondered aloud.
“Wait, isn’t that Alpha Thorne’s car? I heard the Alpha of the Crown of Thornes pack owns one…” a third began, but was quickly cut off.
“Shut up. He’s getting out,” someone hissed sharply.
As the car door swung open, a cluster of young women scattered like their wolf tails were aflame, desperate to disappear from sight. In Edmonton, the name Lucien Thorne was enough to send anyone scrambling for cover.
I watched the scene unfold, a small smile tugging at my lips. There was a time when I had seen him as forbidden fruit—intimidating and untouchable. But now, the closer I got to him, the more he reminded me of a pineapple.
He was covered in spikes of menace, scaring off shallow admirers with ease. Yet, if you dared to crack that tough exterior, you’d discover an unexpectedly sweet and addictive core.
Just like last night’s kiss—the one that had drained the very soul from my body and left every nerve ending humming with his presence. Even now, my tongue tingled with the phantom taste of his dominance. My cheeks flamed red, and without thinking, I licked my lips as if to savor the lingering memory of him.
Suddenly, Lucien circled the car and opened the door for me. He caught my dazed expression and leaned in, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement.
“What’s this, my little bunny? Still thinking about our kiss?” he teased.
Could he read my mind? How did he always know exactly what I was thinking? Heat rushed to my face, turning it a bright shade of crimson.
“Definitely not. I barely remember it,” I stammered, trying to sound casual.
“Is that so?” His lips found mine again in an instant, but this time, I didn’t last nearly as long as I wanted to. Lucien licked his lips with a slow, satisfied smile. “Go to work now. We’ll recreate the magic tonight,” he said, his gaze loaded with promise and that maddening smirk curling at the edges of his mouth.
“Tonight, again?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Lucien chuckled softly, pulling me out of the car with an ease that suggested we’d been together for years. “Yes,” he confirmed with a sly grin.
I desperately needed to clear my head, but my rebellious thoughts had other ideas. They raced through a vivid highlight reel of last night’s fevered moments. The mere idea of a repeat sent a flood of steamy flashbacks crashing through my mind, relentless and vivid.
What was wrong with me? I had sworn off relationships, vowed to keep my heart locked away. Yet here I was, my resolve crumbling at the slightest teasing from him, my mind wandering into dangerously naughty territory.
Was I really this desperate and insatiable? Had I officially entered that hormonal mess stage where every attractive man seemed utterly irresistible?
My thoughts twisted into a chaotic knot, tangled beyond recognition.
Then, without warning, Lucien’s large, warm hand curved possessively around my waist. The rough pads of his fingers grazed my skin through the fabric, sending an electric jolt racing down my spine.
I almost melted into a puddle right there, my mind instantly flooded with vivid memories of those same hands exploring every inch of me. Internally, I scolded myself for being such a pervert.
Just then, his deep voice cut through my mental chaos, edged with barely contained excitement.
“Wait one more minute. I’ve got something for you p>
Wait—what? Something? I looked up at him, puzzled.
Suddenly, the screech of tires shattered the moment as John’s car skidded to a halt. The doors flung open, and he and the driver struggled to unload a massive floral arrangement.
A dozen blood-red roses.
This was his idea of a little something?
The sight was breathtaking.
I instinctively took a half step back, staring wide-eyed at the lush sea of crimson. “This is for me?” I asked, disbelief coloring my voice. I’d never received flowers before—not unless they were part of Liam’s desperate attempts at apology for his betrayals and broken promises.
But never as a genuine gesture to woo me.
Lucien nodded, his gaze locked onto mine. “Of course. Do you like it p>
My eyes widened. The instinctive love all women have for flowers and jewelry made my heart skip a beat. What woman wouldn’t be swept away by this? Especially me, when my ex-mate had never even bothered with a single sincere expression of devotion during our dull, lifeless romance.
A small, guarded part of me softened at this unexpected gesture, aching with sweet longing. But the warmth was quickly drowned by panic. Was this grand display a confession? A demand to define what we were?
It all felt too fast. I wasn’t ready. The fear of commitment twisted my thoughts into knots as I scrambled to think of gentle ways to say no.
Then I heard a soft click. An exquisite velvet jewelry box appeared in Lucien’s hands. He opened it to reveal a stunning necklace, studded with countless rare pink diamonds that caught the morning light, sparkling mesmerizingly.
“This too,” Lucien murmured, leaning in with an unusual shyness. “It’s the first time I’ve ever bought a woman a gift. I snagged it at an auction in BC a few months ago. It matches your dress p>
I could already tell the piece must be incredibly expensive.
Frozen, I stared dumbfounded at his impossibly perfect face. Last night had been just one kiss. Did that really justify such an outrageously lavish gesture?
The sharp contrast with his ruthless reputation made me want to shout that he was some kind of love guru. How was any woman supposed to say no to this?
Before I could even react, he moved behind me and fastened the necklace around my neck. My heart pounded wildly. This was it. He was absolutely going to ask me to be his girlfriend.
After such an over-the-top romantic display right outside my office, would turning him down make him furious? Or humiliate him publicly? What was I supposed to do now? My thoughts spun wildly, panic tightening like a noose around my reason.
Then, out of nowhere, Lucien gave my shoulder a casual pat. “Alright, Claire, get to work. I’ve got things to handle too,” he said.
Before I could even respond, he was back in the Rolls-Royce. The luxury car growled to life and peeled away from the curb.
I stood frozen on the sidewalk, my face a portrait of stunned confusion. After all that buildup, he simply left?
What was it with this man and his sudden, cold departures?
Still, his abrupt exit brought a strange sense of relief. The mere thought of him asking those words had made my stomach twist painfully. Truth be told, I had no idea how to respond.
My hand drifted unconsciously to my racing heart as I exhaled a long, silent sigh. Slowly, the tension in my shoulders began to ease at last.
The morning’s whirlwind of emotions left Claire standing on the edge of a new, uncertain chapter. Lucien’s lavish gestures—roses and a sparkling necklace—were as overwhelming as they were unexpected, stirring a mixture of longing and fear deep within her. The contrast between his tender moments and sudden coldness mirrored the complexity of their connection, reminding her that love, much like life, is rarely simple or predictable. Despite the confusion and hesitation, a small part of her began to recognize the possibility of something genuine beneath the prickly exterior.
As Lucien’s car disappeared from view, Claire was left with a quiet, lingering hope wrapped in uncertainty. The day ahead promised challenges, but also the chance to explore the feelings that had been locked away for too long. In the stillness that followed his departure, she found a fragile strength—a readiness to face the tangled emotions and perhaps, in time, to embrace the unexpected sweetness hidden beneath the spikes.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions swirling between Claire and Lucien, as the lavish gifts and lingering kisses only seem to complicate what was meant to be a simple, no-strings-attached encounter. Claire’s internal struggle between desire and fear of commitment is set to intensify, raising the stakes for both of them as they navigate the fragile line between passion and vulnerability. The tension between their public personas and private moments will likely create an intriguing push and pull, keeping readers on edge.
Meanwhile, Lucien’s unpredictable behavior—his sudden coldness followed by grand romantic gestures—hints at unresolved conflicts beneath his polished exterior. How Claire will respond to his mix of dominance and tenderness could redefine their relationship in unexpected ways. As the story unfolds, the delicate balance of power, trust, and longing will be tested, making it clear that neither of them is ready to let go, even if they aren’t quite sure what they want yet.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.