Chapter 212

212 Coaxing The Alpha

Ronan had hoped to spend a relaxing day with Lucien the next day, but when he opened his eyes the next morning, the spot next to him was empty.

The sound of running water that came from the bathroom told him that Lucien was cleaning up from the traces of their passionate lovemaking sessions the previous night.

‘Lucien, what’s the rush?’ Ronan asked using Mind Link while rolling inside the thick blanket. ‘It is the last day before the holidays kick in.’

‘Oh, you are awake. Rise and shine, Ronan.’

‘... Nnh.’

Fresh after a hot shower, Lucien stepped out of the bathroom without a single thread covering his body.

Ronan opened his eyes to take a peek. His lips curled up in a lascivious smile while his hungry eyes followed a droplet of water that trailed down the deep lines from Lucien’s torso to his stomach, his shapely leg, and finally dripped to the floor.

“Starting from the second week of January, there will be a section in the art gallery to showcase select artworks of promising and yet undiscovered artists,” Lucien explained while he picked the dirty clothes from the floor. “We dub it the ‘Hidden Treasures Under The Sea’.”

Ronan was barely paying attention. He neither understood nor cared for art.

.....

“It does not sound different from the Annual Art Exhibition,” the taller man remarked casually. He was more interested in his mate’s alluring figure. Ronan became hard just by looking at the marks that he left on Lucien’s body.

“Come here, Lulu,” he said with a husky voice.

Surprisingly, Lucien complied. If Ronan’s mind was not clouded with lust, he would have known that there was a catch to it.

The red-blonde man tossed the dirty clothes into a laundry basket one by one before he climbed into the bed and straddled the Alpha’s lap.

Ronan’s erection rested between Lucien’s buttcheeks comfortably.

“It is not the same kind of event,” Lucien insisted while cupping Ronan’s face in his palms.

Ronan put both of his hands around Lucien’s waist and kneaded at it.

“Oh, really? And how is it not the same?”

“The gallery will feature only three artists that fit the theme instead of showcasing a lot of artworks at once. We need at least a day to finalize the details... Hss...”

Lucien hissed and tilted his head back when the infuriated Alpha nibbled on one of the swollen red buds on his chest. They had been attacked so many times the previous night that they had become sensitive to touch. It was, unfortunately, not enough excuse for Ronan to spare them.

“Ronan, don’t... Ahh... Ahh...!!!”

Lucien smacked hard against his mate’s shoulder. Ronan groaned. He released the swollen nipple and burrowed his face into Lucien’s chest instead.

“Lulu, you are so ruthless,” he complained woefully. “How could you pick some nameless artists over your mate???”

Lucien hugged Ronan’s head to his chest affectionately and slid his fingers into the latter’s thick, lustrous hair. “I didn’t. It is an initiative to help budding artists. It is something that I truly want to be involved in. To build the art community, we need to help each other to grow and shine.”

Ronan growled.

“Then what about me?” He demanded. “What about us???”

Lucien chuckled. He cupped Ronan’s face and pinched both of his cheeks at the same time. The sight prompted him to burst into laughter. That did not make the Alpha any happier. His face was as dark as a pot bottom.

“...”

“Okay, okay. Since you already bought the house, why don’t we stay here one more night? I will go back with you dutifully tomorrow morning.”

Ronan pursed his lips.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am.”

Ronan squeezed Lucien’s butt and grumbled, “Don’t think that you can get away with this forever, Lucien Clearwater. I demand payment with interest.”

“I shall comply with the Alpha’s terms,” Lucien answered with a blinding smile.

Nothing that he had not endured before, he thought to himself. If worse came to worst, Ronan just had to carry him to the car for the trip back to the Great Lake City.

Lucien’s effort to clean himself was futile because Ronan demanded morning sex for bribery purposes. After shaking the bed for an hour, it took Lucien another hour to peel Ronan off the bed and get him ready for the day.

“The faster I reach the art gallery, the faster I finish my work,” Lucien reminded the dejected Alpha when he wanted to lie down again and skip work.

Afterward, the disgruntled man agreed to drag his feet to the car.

When they arrived at a streetside near the art gallery, Lucien asked Ronan to stop.

“I can walk from here.”

“No,” Ronan said. “I will walk you to the entrance.”

Lucien chuckled. “Afraid that I will run away?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, Ronan.” Lucien shook his head with a smile. “You silly Alpha.”

The two men exited the car and walked hand-in-hand until they reached the entrance of the art gallery.

“See you tonight,” Lucien smiled at Ronan.

“Mhm.”

Lucien tugged at Ronan’s tie and gave him a peck on the lips.

Ronan was quick to complain.

“That’s it???”

Dissatisfied with Lucien’s lacking display of affection, Ronan pulled Lucien into a hug and showered him with tiny kisses all over his face. Laughing, Lucien had to ward off Ronan’s attack with both hands.

“You kiss monster,” he told Ronan.

“You can call me whatever you want. I want a proper kiss,” Ronan demanded while leaning closer to Lucien.

“Alright,” Lucien said, tilting his head in Ronan’s direction.

Their lips barely met when they heard a distinct clicking sound.

Lucien and Ronan separated immediately.

“What was that?” Lucien looked around in confusion.

“Not sure.”

Ronan raked across his dark hair with his fingers. He narrowed his eyes at the surrounding hedges.

“Never mind, I am sure it is not important,” Lucien said dismissively.

Ronan rubbed at his chin while staring at a distance thoughtfully.

“Go,” Lucien urged him with a nudge. “I need to get to work.”

Ronan nodded reluctantly.

“Alright, Lulu. I will be back tonight.”

“Mhm.”