99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 185

LUCIEN POV

Not going to lie, I was only half listening. It sounds bad, but my own need largely consumed

I cared deeply for Claire, but she has been the only female ever to have this effect on both my wolf and me. In our world, trust isn’t something I give out often. Despite my fighting it every turn, Claire has won it over completely.

I was feeling confident after my conversation with my cousin. I wanted to redeem myself, but alas, Claire wants to take things slower. If it means I get the woman consuming my every thought, then so be it.

“Fine. One month it is,” I conceded, though my tone was thick with impatience. “But starting today, you are spending every day with me. I am also only in this for mating.”

Since I couldn’t devour her completely yet, I decided to settle for a sampler. In one swift motion, I lay her back onto the sofa, my arms locking her in. She breathed me in deeply, before my lips sealed hers in another possessive kiss.

Twenty minutes later, a persistently annoying alarm blared. With her face burning and her lungs heaving, Claire struggled upright and frantically straightened her dishevelled outfit.

“I really have to go now. I am late for work,” she gasped.

“Alright, go change,” I murmured, my voice rough with desire. “My car is waiting.” With a final, possessive tug, I dragged her back against my chest and branded her neck with a glaring love bite before reluctantly letting her go. My wolf was demanding that we claim her in this moment, but I promised to wait. So we will grudgingly wait.

Claire’s legs wobbled as her feet hit the floor. Face still flaming, she made her unsteady way to the bedroom to change.

While she was gone, I remained perched rigidly on the sofa, my robe hanging open. I pinched a cigarette between my fingers, taking deep, frustrated drags.

The acrid tang of tobacco cut through the lingering sweetness of her perfume in the air. I scrolled through my contacts, stabbed at Lewis’s name, and raised the phone to my ear.

“Lucien, I was just thinking about you. So, tell me, how did round two go for your friend? Any breakthroughs?”

My pause was heavy and spoke volumes. “His girlfriend wants a month to mentally prepare before continuing.”

“Wait, what?” Lewis’s voice teetered between shock and amusement. “Is she politely brushing him off, or just testing that poor man’s patience?”

“That is what I am asking you,” I ground out.

Lewis cleared his throat, adopting a clinical tone. “Look, when a woman says no in that situation, it usually means not yet. If she could still think straight enough to refuse, you clearly did not stoke the flames high enough.”

“I said it is not me,” I interrupted, each word sharp as shattered glass.

“Right. Right, a slip of the tongue,” Lewis said quickly, mentally smacking his own forehead. “But your friend’s girlfriend was she responsive? Was she reduced to a trembling wreck?”

“Eager,” I admitted through clenched teeth. “Desperate. Then she claimed she was not ready.”

Lewis crowed. “Has your buddy even bothered with lavishing her with gifts and grand gestures?” Hearing only silence from me, my cousin groaned dramatically. “The rule is simple, no investment-no return! Lucien, the bigger the sparkle, the quicker she will unravel.”

I brought over a suit for this morning, with full intentions of staying here, and it felt nice starting our morning together like this.

It felt real.

I reappeared moments later in sharply tailored slacks. Claire waited by the door, the lingering blush on her cheeks mirroring the dawn’s first light. Without a word, we walked to the garage together.

I pointed to my neglected Rolls-Royce Cullinan gathering dust in the corner. “We will take this one today.”

Claire gaped at the car, utterly stunned. “This is yours?”

The luxury vehicle had sat there untouched since she had moved in.

“You like it?” Before she could blink, I shoved the keys into her hand. “It is yours.”

“No, Lucien! That is not what I meant!” Mortified, she flailed her hands in protest. “I am not some gold digger. I was just making conversation.”

I quirked an arrogant brow. “Too outdated? When you have time this week, I will take you to pick out a new one.”

Claire was rendered speechless.