Unbreakable Stories Lucas (Unbreakable Bonds 1.5)

Andrei snorted. “That was different.”

“How?”

Andrei waved his hands around in a moment of agitation as if trying to grasp for the right words. “It…it wasn’t real. That was work. I was there to keep you safe. This is different.”

Lucas relaxed in his seat, crossing his legs at the ankles. “Are you afraid that you can’t be charming if you aren’t being paid to do so?”

“Fuck you,” he growled, refusing to look at him.

“Later.”

“This isn’t some game,” Andrei snapped back at him. He balled his hands into fists, looking as if he were going to jump out of the car even though it had started moving again.

“No, it’s not. I’m trying to understand why brunch has you about to hit me?”

“Because this is your life!” he finally exploded. The energy that broke free dissipated just as quickly, leaving Andrei slumped in his seat. “And I don’t fit in…in this.”

“I don’t understand—”

Andrei turned in his seat to look at Lucas with wide, pain-filled eyes. “Of course you don’t. You’ve worked forever for this. But it’s the fancy suits and drivers and charity functions and brunches with other millionaires talking about offshore bank accounts. I’m the guy who sits at home on Sunday in old sweats, drinking cheap beer while shouting at the game. I…I don’t fit in your world.” Andrei stopped and sighed, closing his eyes as if drained now that all the words had escaped. “There’s a part of me waiting for you to wake up and realize that I don’t fit, no matter how much I want to. I can’t pretend to be something I’m not.”

Lucas ached at Andrei’s heart-breaking expression. He’d had no idea this had been bothering the man. But then, since Andrei’s recovery they hadn’t left either of their places much. Lucas hadn’t wanted to share Andrei with anyone else just yet and between his trip out of the country and Thomas and Marilyn’s schedules, this was the first Sunday they’d been able to align their calendars for brunch.

Lucas cupped Andrei’s cheek, lifting his head slightly so that the other man would meet his gaze. “Have you been pretending with me?”

Andrei jerked as if Lucas had hit him. “No. Never.”

“I didn’t think so. All I am asking is that you be the same person I’ve come to know. That’s more than enough.”

“But—”

“These people aren’t better than you. They’ve got money. That’s all.” He rubbed his thumb along Andrei’s hard jaw, getting lost in the darkness of his expressive eyes. “I’m in this wide awake. I wouldn’t give you up. Not for a single one of them.”

“You’ve worked so hard to get here. I don’t want to embarrass you or screw this up.” Andrei pulled away from Lucas, shaking his head. He sat back in his seat and glanced out the window.

“I’ve worked hard to create my business and nothing you do is going to screw that up for me.” Andrei looked over at him, opening his mouth to argue, but Lucas quickly continued. “And I’m learning that the social side of it is more tolerable when I’ve got someone to remind me what’s important.”

A huff escaped Andrei and he shook his head. “How did I forget that you were this fucking smooth?”

“No clue, but I’m grateful that you do on occasion. Otherwise I’d never have a shot at winning.”

The sound of the driver opening and closing his door drew their attention. They’d been so wrapped up in their conversation, they hadn’t noticed he’d pulled over to the curb outside of the Netherlands Plaza.

“One more thing,” Andrei started quickly. “Thomas knows I was your bodyguard, right?”

“Yes.”

“Does he still think that?”

“That you’re currently in my employ? No.”

Andrei lifted both eyebrows and swallowed hard before continuing. “So…what does he think I am?”

Lucas paused, weighing his answer carefully, but he was running out of time. “I’ve never felt it necessary to explain my relationships to anyone before.”

“Maybe because your public relationships were always with women. Nothing really to explain.” He rubbed his eyes and groaned.

The driver opened the door, but Lucas quickly caught it. “Just a moment,” he snapped and shut the door again before turning to face Andrei.

The other man sighed softly. “Look, Lucas…”

“If you’re about to give me the ‘It’s not you, it’s me’ speech, I will break your jaw,” he warned.

A wry grin flashed across Andrei’s lips, lightening his mood for the first time all morning. “No, I was just going to say that I’m sorry. I love hanging with you, but it takes some getting used to…particularly when it’s out in public.” He paused and ran his hand over his hair, as if he were more accustomed to it being loose and falling in his face. “That’s my problem. Not yours. Besides, this isn’t a relationship, remember? It’s just sex. And I’m sure Thomas only thinks I’m a friend. Nothing more. It’s not like I’m coming out to all of Cincinnati, right?”