Taming the Arrogant CEO

Claire returned home after a long day at work, greeted by the evening darkness spilling into every corner of the house. She flicked on the lights and took a careful look around. No one was home. After checking the living room, she made her way upstairs, peeking into the bedroom. Lucas was nowhere to be found.

*Odd,* she thought. He usually got home before her. Was he still angry about earlier?

With a small sigh, Claire headed back downstairs and began rummaging through the fridge, pulling out ingredients for dinner. As she prepped, she realized she barely knew Lucas's food preferences. In the end, she decided to replicate a few of his mom's dishes that she remembered seeing him enjoy.

*****

At a bar across town, Lucas was far from the comforts of home.

"It's been a while since you came around," purred a sultry voice as a woman's hand trailed across his chest. Her ruby-red lips brushed his jawline and traced a slow, teasing path to his mouth. Yet Lucas's expression remained cold and unyielding. He didn't respond, nor did he push her away, letting her roam as she pleased.

The woman huffed, irritation flashing across her face. "What's with you?" she demanded, straddling his lap with a seductive roll of her hips and guiding his hand to her chest, daring him to respond.

But Lucas sat there unmoved, his lack of interest obvious.

A burst of laughter erupted from a nearby booth. "Lulu, seems like you've lost your touch," a friend teased.

Rolling her eyes, the woman, Lulu, shot back, "Oh, please! As if I can't handle any man I want—unless he's got… issues."

The moment the words left her lips, Lucas's eyes snapped open, cold and piercing. His gaze made Lulu's heart skip in fear, a chill creeping down her spine.

"S-sorry, Mr. Zeller. I was just joking…" she stammered under his frigid glare.

"Leave," Lucas commanded, his tone sharp and final.

"Must you be so harsh every time?" his friend, Roy, sighed, motioning for Lulu to step out of the booth.

Once they were alone, Roy plopped onto the couch beside Lucas. "Seriously, Lucas. Lulu was giving it her all, and you just sat there like a statue. It's hard not to… wonder," Roy added, eyeing him with raised eyebrows.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lucas grunted, annoyance flashing across his face.

Roy shrugged. "You're a guy. You have… needs. But with the way you just acted, anyone would question things." He threw a pointed glance toward Lucas's lower half.

Lucas clenched his jaw. "So if Lulu was in your lap, you'd throw yourself at her?"

"Not a chance!" Roy laughed. "I'm only into my wife. She's all I need."

"Please. Keep the sappy nonsense to yourself," Lucas muttered, shaking his head. He didn't understand how a man could act so… dependent on someone else. It was weak.

"Well, I should probably get home anyway. Wouldn't want the wife to worry," Roy said, grinning as he checked his watch. "Happy wife, happy life, right?"

Lucas scoffed. "Pathetic. I'll never be that kind of man."

But then, as he glanced at the time, he realized it was already late. Begrudgingly, Lucas got up. It might be time to head back.