CHAPTER FIVE

Claire’s pov

Breakfast was a lively affair, with Brian chattering nonstop about his design ideas while Lucas listened with rapt attention. The bond between them was palpable, like two kindred spirits connecting on a level I couldn't fully grasp.

As we cleaned up and got ready to head to the office, I couldn't help stealing sidelong glances at the pair, my heart doing funny little flip-flops. Lucas looked so at ease around Brian, so genuinely engaged and interested. And my son, in turn, was positively glowing with the focused notice from his new "friend."

When we pulled up to the office, I wasn't surprised by the curious looks and whispered murmurs from my employees milling about outside. I'm sure the sight of me arriving with the city's most eligible bachelor in tow was quite the gossip-worthy spectacle.

Ignoring the raised eyebrows and not-so-subtle gawking, I ushered Lucas and Brian inside, my son's little hand gripped securely in mine. We hadn't taken two steps through the lobby before Anna was sweeping toward us, all bright smiles and energy as usual.

"Good morning, you three!" She turned her warm gaze onto Brian. "There's my favourite little helper! Come here, munchkin."

With an impish grin, Brian released my hand and launched himself at Anna, who scooped him up with practised ease. The scene was so achingly familiar - Anna had been like a second mother to Brian since he was born, her bubbly presence a constant in our lives. 

Watching them together, playfully nuzzling noses and giggling, filled me with a sense of peace and love. This was my world, the place of refuge I'd carefully cultivated over the years to raise my son in a stable, loving environment.

And now Lucas had stepped into that inner sanctum, and I couldn't quite decide if I was thrilled or terrified by the prospect.

"I was just about to give Claire my report on the Ross meeting yesterday," Anna said, still cuddling Brian close. "Unless you two need a minute?"

"That can wait," I replied, waving off her concern as I stole a glance at Lucas. "We have... other matters to discuss first."

Lucas met my gaze steadily, those piercing brown eyes holding mine with an intensity that made me want to squirm. A tiny smile played about his lips and he inclined his head politely toward Anna.

"I was rather hoping we could speak privately for a moment, Ms. Clarie."

Anna blinked at him for a beat before seeming to come back to her senses. "Oh! Of course, Mr. Anderson. Come on, kiddo, let's give the adults a minute."

Shooting me an exaggerated wink, Anna whisked Brian back out of the office, the little boy waving cheerfully over her shoulder. As soon as they were gone, the air in the room instantly thickened with tension.

Lucas wasted no time closing the distance between us, his larger frame boxing me against the edge of the desk. I tensed instinctively but held my ground, stubbornly refusing to let my body betray how thrown I was by his proximity.

"You know," he murmured in that low, gravelly timbre that made my pulse spike, "when I came here this morning, I thought it was to discuss business. To get that contract signed." 

One finger lightly traced the line of my jaw and I had to suppress a shiver. "But the second I laid eyes on you, Claire...God, I was a goner all over again. Just like that night years ago when you walked into my life and upended everything."

A noise of protest garbled in my throat but he kept going, stepping even closer so that I was caged between his body and the desk. The masculine scent of his cologne and the warmth radiating from him made my head spin dizzily.

"Don't try to deny it, sweetheart," he said huskily. "I saw it in your eyes too - that same spark, that undeniable chemistry. It's still there between us, just as potent as before." His fingers carded through my hair, achingly gentle. "And this time, I'm not letting you walk away again without at least giving us a fair chance."

The words tumbled from my lips before I could catch them. "Lucas... What about Brian?"

He stilled for a moment, eyes searching mine intensely. "Is he mine, Claire? Please, I need to know the truth."

My mouth went dry as cotton as panic gripped me. Of course, he'd suspect - the resemblance between them was too uncanny for even him not to notice. But to confirm it outright, to give him that piece of knowledge he could potentially use as a weapon against me down the road...

Swallowing hard, I forced myself to meet his piercing gaze. "Brian needs a father in his life," I answered evasively. "But I'm not looking for someone to just swoop in and take him away from me. He's my entire world."

A muscle ticked in Lucas's chiseled jaw but his expression remained earnest. "I would never try to take him from you, Claire. From the moment I met that little boy, all I've wanted is to be a part of his life, in whatever way I can."

He drew a shuddering breath as if bracing himself, before going on in a quieter tone. "But I'll be honest with you... Brian resembles me so uncannily, that it's impossible for me not to wonder if he's mine biologically too. Just give me a straight answer - is there even a chance?"

My heart thundered in my ears as I averted my gaze, panic and doubt swirling sickeningly inside me. Part of me ached to end this torture, to confess the truth that had been weighing me down for half a decade. But a larger part, the part conditioned to protect myself and my child at all costs, stayed my tongue.

"I'm sorry," I murmured at last, hating how pitiful I sounded even to my ears. "I... I can't. Not now. Not until I know for certain you want to be a real, permanent part of Brian's life and not just a temporary fixture."

Lucas cupped my chin firmly, forcing me to meet that searing gaze again. For a long beat, we simply stared at each other, the agonizing tension and unspoken words stretching between us like a taut rubber band ready to snap.

"Then let me take you to dinner tonight," he said finally, softly. "Give me a real chance to show you what I want, and maybe then you'll be ready to trust me with the truth."

His thumb brushed my trembling lower lip and I shivered despite myself. "Just say yes, Claire. Please."

Somewhere through the fog of confusion and warring instincts, a tiny spark of hope flickered in my chest. Maybe this was the answer, the opportunity I'd been avoiding for so long to bring Brian's potential father into the fold. Lucas seemed so genuine, so earnest...

"Yes," I heard myself whispering, as if from a distance. "Yes, I'll go to dinner with you."

The brilliant smile that broke across Lucas's face in response was like the sun peeking through the clouds. As he pulled me into his arms and captured my lips in a searing, dizzying kiss, I tried to push aside my doubts and misgivings.

For once, just this once, maybe I could afford to take a chance on happiness.

Our kiss broke apart at the shrill ringing of Lucas's phone. He frowned down at the number flashing on the screen before shooting me an apologetic look.

"It's my assistant at the office. I should probably take this."

I nodded, suddenly aware of just how thunderous my heartbeat sounded in my ears. "Okay. We can, um...talk more tonight?"

"Definitely." Another scorching kiss, this one far too brief, before he pulled away with obvious reluctance. "I'll pick you up at eight?"

"Eight is perfect," I agreed faintly. 

With one last searing look full of banked fire and promise, Lucas turned and strode from the office, phone pressed to his ear. I sank into my desk chair, legs trembling, and pressed a shaky hand to my overheated face.

What had I just agreed to? A date with Lucas Anderson, the man who'd given me my son and then disappeared from my life for five long years? After seeing the way he interacted with Brian, after the obvious unspoken suspicion in his eyes...I'd consented to walk into the lion's den.

Oh my Sweet Lord, what was I getting myself into?

With an unsteady exhalation, I opened my desk drawer and pulled out the simple locket containing Brian's baby photo - my sole reminder of the man who'd given me the greatest gift of all, my beloved son. Popping it open, I studied the tiny, cherubic features so reminiscent of the child currently in the next room with Anna.

"Be patient with me, little one," I whispered, brushing a fingertip over the image as tears stung my eyes. "Mommy's doing her best to protect you, even from yourself. I swear, nothing and no one will ever take you away from me."