Variety Gossip
The City’s Bad Boy
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You’ve missed me, haven’t you?
I certainly have missed you all.
But first, before we dive into everything else, have you seen our notorious, always-up-to-no-good, sinful-as-sin Lucas Rossi?
Cousin to the one and only king of the underworld, Keir Rossi.
But do we know much about Lucas other than he can look at any woman and make her question whatever relationship she is in?
Sources say he likes to do the dirty work.
That there is no other like him.
I guess it’s time we did some digging.
What do you say, readers?
Prologue
LUCAS
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With my back arched, and my knees bent, I wonder if I should stretch.
Is that what people do? Fuck what people do.
“We need to talk about this.” Keir’s voice is right behind me, but my eyes aren’t focused on him.
“About what?”
“Don’t play coy with me, Lucas.” A smirk stretches my lips, but he can’t see from where he’s standing. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“I guess you’ll never know.”
“Oh, I know! We all fucking know, Lucas.” I hear him take a breath, but I stay where I am. “They are not toys.” I look back over my shoulder at him—he appears so large, towering over me. And he is, but I merely smile up at him, showing my teeth at his insistance.
“It’s best you be on your way, boss.”
“Fucking hell, Lucas. One day a woman is going to knock you on your ass and I’m gonna pay her to do it.” He stalks off, shaking his head, leaving me there crouched and wondering…
When is the perfect time?
Is it now?
Or should I wait?
I like the anticipation of waiting.
But let’s be honest, I am far from a patient man.
“Lucas.” I stand, slowly, turning back to see Keir getting in the car. “Behave.” Then he is gone.
Behave?
There’s no such thing.
Making my way into the bar and brushing off the dirt from my knees, I smile at the person my eyes are set on. What a pretty little bird.
I stride right over to her, and her eyes go wide, before offering me a small smile.
“Lucas.”
“Mmm.” She looks behind her to her friends, who glance the other way.
“I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”
“Yes, about that. Let’s go.” I nod toward the door, and she waves goodbye to her friends.
You see, I’ve had a taste of this one before.
But the smell has changed.
This one though, she was my therapist.
Maybe she shouldn’t have mixed business with pleasure.
“How are you, Lucas?” she asks as we get outside.
I keep walking down the alley, not adjusting my pace for her heels, and she follows behind, not questioning where we’re going.
“Why don’t you ask what you really want to, Sarah?” I turn back to see her put a piece of hair behind her ear.
“You’ve been staying away. You have missed vital appointments, Lucas. You need help. You know this.”
“I thought that’s what you were doing when you spread your legs for me, Sarah. Helping.” I let the last word tumble from my lips. The river is coming into view as we walk out of the alley and onto the side of the street.
“I was helping. We could have gotten somewhere, Lucas. You have a problem, and the more you work on it, the more maintainable it can be.”
“And what exactly is my issue?” The water is next to me now, but she keeps her distance. I reach out and pull her close. Her eyes glance at the water before they fall back to me.
I run my hand along her curvy edges—I like that she has something to grip onto. But it’s not enough to keep me hooked.
It’s… the way she smells.
It has changed.
“Lucas, should we make a time for you to come back?” Her voice is shaky because she’s nervous.
She should be.
The back of my hand touches her face, and I stroke down. Her crystal-clear blue eyes watch me.
“I don’t think that’s gonna work any longer,” I tell her, dropping my hand lower until it goes over the curve of her breast. She sucks in a breath, but I keep on dropping lower and lower.
“Why not?” She shakes her head as her lips press together.
My fingers meet the edge of her dress, and I slide it up until I get to her panties, which are already wet.
“Are you excited to see me, Doctor?”
“Lucas.” Her voice comes off raspy when we both know she’s trying to stay still.
“Yes, Doctor?” I push her panties to the side and insert a finger. It slides in easily, and her hand lifts to touch my shoulder.
“We shouldn’t,” she says the words but leans into my touch, as I add another finger effortlessly.
“But we are, Doctor.” My fingers slide in and out while my thumb applies pressure to her clit. Her forehead lays on my chest while my fingers work their magic. I feel her tightening around me, and as she does, I pull them free. She groans, lifts her head, and looks at me with narrowed eyes.