CHAPTER 66: WHY DID YOU RUN?

Braelyn’s POV

The entire meeting I could barely listen to what Ronan was saying. The livid tension between Lucien and Raphael made the air heavy. Raphael didn’t look at us but I could read through him. We had known each other for long enough for me to know when he was on the brink of snapping.

What made it more unbearable wasn’t the fear of Raphael snapping; it was Lucien’s gaze. He barely looked away from me.

The longer he stared the more uncomfortable it became. It felt like the seat was on fire, my palms were clammy and sweaty.

"Try to breathe, Braelyn. It’s just a conference and not an interview." He teased me. His fingers brushed against my legs under the table, my breath was caught in my throat..

His gaze wasn’t uncomfortable because it was unnerving, it was something else that was driving me nuts, making me too sensitive to every moment. I should not be feeling this way in a conference, especially not in the presence of Raphael.

"Please, can you stop staring at me like that?" I managed to say noticing the looks the others were stealing from us.

Lucien sighed, his gaze flickered to Ronan for a short moment. "Sorry, I can’t. There isn’t much to stare at here. Nothing is as important." He replied, his tone low enough for just the two of us.

I forced a smile trying my best to ignore him. Trying to focus on what Ronan was doing, weird, but at the moment I couldn’t help but recognise the resemblance between Ronan, Lucien and Raphael. The Volkov blood was pretty strong.

My attention was snapped back from Ronan when the pen in my hand was accidentally knocked off the table. Ronan’s gaze settled on me as the sound was distracting.

"Excuse me," I immediately picked up the pen, giving Ronan an apologetic smile. He nodded then went back to the meeting. God, I wanted to glare at Lucien. He did that deliberately.

But his next words stopped me. "You were staring too long at him." He dryly said. My eyes widened at the realisation I was staring at Raphael, who was doing his best to ignore Lucien.

"I dazed off." I hissed at him. "And stop staring at me that way. It’s uncomfortable and draws attention."

Lucien tilted his chin on his arm. "If you want our act to be believable, stop staring at your husband..." He drawled the last word. There was a hint of resentment. I was glad Ronan was speaking over the mic and our whispers were swallowed by others whispering around us

It would be embarrassing if someone heard our conversation. Why wasn’t he cautious in the least way?

"...and besides, what is wrong with the way I stare at you?" He added. My jaw clenched and hissed once more. I was starting to regret this ’ fake relationship’. It felt like an excuse for him to get under my skin.

"It makes me uncomfortable and feels like.. " Lucien cut me off with a short laugh

"Like you are being craved and longed for." He added and I went silent. A lump formed in my throat that was exactly how it felt. There was this intense longing he was even hiding. It didn’t feel fake and just that look was freaking turning me on

"This isn’t the kind of place." I blurted that my voice was almost too high.

"So it is fine if I stare at you this way in closed doors just like that night in the kitchen."

Fuck I fell into his trap. "That’s not what I mean." I snapped at him. I couldn’t hold back the glare. Thankfully, no one was staring at us.

"Then what did you mean, Lynn?"

I drew in a deep breath to get my nerves together and my folds which were misbehaving. Why was his gaze affecting this badly? I didn’t have any feelings for him and honestly found him an insufferable jerk.

Honestly, the only reason I agreed to the fake relationship was because he knew how to get under Raphael’s skin. "Lucien, don’t forget the true nature of our relationship." It was a warning but it came out more like a plea.

Lucien remains unperturbed. Ronan was bringing the meeting to an end and had just announced Lucien’s position. He had a perfect smile on his face. Everyone was staring at us at that moment.

He casually took my pen and then scribbled something on my notepad.

"You didn’t seem to remember how fake it was that night to beg Braelyn. I bet you are turned on right here."

Those were the words he wrote down. It took everything in me to keep a straight face. Why was he bringing up those details?

My throat went hoarse. I could feel my fold due to a weird excitement.

Stop reacting like this Braelyn. You are not a slut.

God, I wanted to scream out those words.

The moment I had the chance to flee I took it without a second thought. I stepped on his feet under the table before I bolted for the door. The jerk smirked at my retreating figure.

Pearl glanced up from her desktop, recognising my fast footsteps.

"Welcome back ma’am." She greeted me, and I nodded at her, then shut the door behind me. My heart was still pounding. I had to take some breath to get myself to relax.

I stumbled towards my desk, and my legs felt wobbly. There was this thrill I couldn’t explain.

"Get your thoughts together," I grumbled leaning against my table. My fingers brushed through my dark locks. I didn’t need to check my panties to know I was already getting wet.

Was my body acting this way because it had been a long time since I got laid?

I hadn’t had sex in a while because Raphael was swamped with work but now I doubt it was work. He was probably already getting under Amelia.

The phone suddenly started to ring. My heart jumped at the sound before I could pick it went off after Genny’s name flashed on the screen.

I dialled her back number to return the call. Before Genny could pick there was a soft knock on my door. Pearl pushed the door open. "Ma’am there is someone here to meet you." She informed

My brows furrowed, "Who is it?" I asked. Her lips parted to explain but there was no need for the explanation. The door was pushed wide open, and he strode in unceremoniously with that annoying audacity like he owned the place.

"No need to explain. She is expecting me." Lucien said. Genny’s voice finally spoke through the phone. "Hello..." She said.

I didn’t reply, more like I couldn’t. Lucien smiled at Pearl, who gave me a wary look. Getting no reply from me, she left the office closing the door behind me

"Hellooo... Braelyn, are you there?" Genny’s voice rang in my ears. I snapped out of it. "Yes, Genny," I replied.

Just a split second, I took my eyes off him, and he was almost by my side. Advantages of having long legs.

"Your voice sounds weird. Is anything wrong?" he asked, sensing something was weird.

"No, I am fine." Lies, I was far from fine. Lucien was standing barely a foot from me. With his brow arched at me, that strong cinnamon scent was crossing my personal space.

"Then why..." I didn’t hear the rest of Genny’s words. The phone was snatched from my grasp.

"Please call later. She is busy now. " Lucien said through the phone, then cut off the phone call. I shrank back.

"You are crossing my personal space," I said through gritted teeth.

"Am I?" He acted oblivious. "Why did you run Lynn? Don’t tell me I was right."