Chapter 60: Drunkenness (Part 3)

Claire nestled against his chest, nodding slightly. As a woman, she thought she understood his pain. To be a man—strong, successful, and striving for perfection—but unable to perform due to ED (erectile dysfunction) must be devastating for someone as proud as Lucas Zeller. His suffering wasn't surprising at all. And since she liked him, his pain naturally became her pain.

"Lucas, do you feel like something is missing in your life?" she suddenly asked.

Lucas's hand, which had been moving slowly over her smooth back, froze. He had no idea what she meant by that.

"Don't worry. I won't leave you, even if your condition is incurable... or if you can't... I'll still stay by your side," she assured him softly.

What?! Can't?

"Can't what?" Lucas's eyes narrowed, a glint of surprise flickering in them.

"You know... *can't*." She was too dizzy to fully explain. "You know, a man not being able to... with a woman... *that*." As she said the last words, she raised her chin and pointed subtly at the area between his waist and knees.

Lucas was stunned for a moment, and then the meaning hit him like a ton of bricks. The burning desire inside him flared into a wildfire of frustration.

"So, that's what you think *understanding* means?" he growled, exasperated. Was she really that clueless? He was furious, leaning closer to her face. "Who told you that's what's bothering me?" What in the world was she thinking? Her head was full of nonsense!

"Isn't it?" she asked, genuinely confused. What else could possibly be causing him pain? Seeing the red flush of anger creeping up his neck, she began to worry that her words had hurt his pride. "Lucas, it's okay. That kind of condition... it's not such a big deal. I don't mind." She thought she might have cared at first, but now, it didn't matter to her at all.

"But I mind!" Lucas retorted, frustrated beyond belief. He was a man—a proud one at that! How could he tolerate this insult, even if the ED was something he had fabricated to begin with? And hearing her repeat the word "can't" was pushing him over the edge.

"I know you mind," she said sympathetically. She thought he was upset because of his male pride, but there was nothing she could do about it. "But the fact remains that you—"

"Who are you saying can't?" Lucas cut her off angrily, his arm wrapping around her waist, his dark eyes filled with fury.

"Don't get angry. It's fine even if you *can't*..." she tried to console him.

"Shut up!" he snapped. He was about to lose it completely. Taking a deep breath, he suddenly leaned down and seized her lips in a fierce kiss, catching her off guard as he plunged his tongue into her mouth in a punishing embrace.

Claire's eyes widened in shock, her intoxicated mind growing even hazier as his hot tongue tangled with hers.

"Close your eyes!" Lucas commanded in a gravelly voice before reclaiming her lips, devouring them with fervor.

Claire, dazed and overwhelmed, closed her eyes as his hands roamed across her curves. Every touch sent electric shivers down her spine, making her arch against him, gasping softly. Lucas gave her no chance to catch her breath. In the next moment, they tumbled onto the bed, and with swift, determined movements, he stripped off his clothes, his godlike physique pressing down against her.

Their bodies intertwined, skin against skin, as his lips explored her, the scent of her body mingling with the lingering fragrance of her bath. His long-suppressed desires stirred within him.

"Lucas..." Claire whispered breathlessly, gazing up at him through half-lidded eyes. Her voice carried the weight of an unbearable longing. The dizziness that had clouded her thoughts earlier began to fade, leaving her fully aware of what was happening. She knew what they were about to do, but she couldn't bring herself to stop it. Not only did she want him just as much, but she also feared that rejecting him would hurt him even more.

Lucas's sharp gaze caught the sudden hesitation in her eyes, and his frustration surged. He leaned down, his hand sliding from her chest to between her legs. A wicked smile tugged at his lips as he sought to prove himself.

He was teetering on the edge of control, desperate to show her he was anything but *unable*.

With his heart pounding in his chest, Lucas groaned and prepared to claim her—

"Ring—" The sudden ringing of the phone on the table pierced the heated atmosphere like a bolt of lightning. Both of them froze. Claire's eyes fluttered open, looking up at Lucas's strained, pained expression as she whispered, "Lucas..."

Lucas's eyes, filled with burning desire, locked onto her flushed, beautiful body. The tension in his lower abdomen was becoming unbearable, but the incessant ringing of the phone persisted.

What now? Should he answer the phone or continue proving he wasn't *unable*? After two seconds of internal debate, Lucas decided. He leaned down and kissed her again, his hot tongue entwining with hers. Claire's breath quickened under his fervent kiss, but the constant ringing of the phone made the situation feel increasingly surreal.

"Lucas, there's... a phone call," she reminded him gently.

His half-lidded eyes opened slightly, and his gravelly voice rasped, "Don't interrupt!" He refused to believe the phone would keep ringing. And as if on cue, the ringing abruptly stopped.

A smug smile flickered in his eyes. Finally, they could continue. Just as their bodies were about to fully come together, the phone rang again, breaking the moment once more.

Damn it! Lucas cursed under his breath, anger seething.

Claire blinked up at him in confusion. Was he cursing because of the phone or because he was forced to stop due to his "condition"?