CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Lucas's POV

The second I pulled away from Nova Designs, I felt a pang at the loss of Claire's presence beside me. It was ridiculous, really - we'd only been apart for a minute and already I ached to have her back in my arms.

Grinning ruefully, I shook my head at my own foolishness. If this was love, it had well and truly done a number on me.

And God help me, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Still riding the high of the perfect morning with my fiancée and soon-to-be stepson, I made the drive to Anderson Industries in record time. The roads were clear, the day was bright, and my heart felt lighter than it had in years.

I practically bounded into the office, startling poor Jason where he sat hunched over his computer. His head snapped up, eyes going wide behind his glasses.

"Mr. Anderson ! I...I wasn't expecting you so early..."

"I had an exceptionally good reason to start the day off right." I clapped him on the shoulder as I breezed by, unable to contain my ear-splitting grin. "Walk w