Chapter 8 8. The Makeover

Aria's POV

I wake up to something warm and solid under my hand. My brain is still half-asleep, so I let it slide. But then my leg shifts, and-wait. Why does it feel like I'm touching something... hard?

My eyes snap open, and holy fucking moon goddess, I'm sprawled on Lucas's chest, my leg practically hugging his-

"Fuck!" I yelp, throwing myself off him like he's on fire. My foot catches on the blanket, and I nearly faceplant onto the floor.

Lucas just lies there, propped up on one elbow, grinning at me like I've made his whole week.

"What the hell, Alpha Lucas?! What's wrong with you?!"

"Me?" He quirks a brow, sitting up like he's got all the time in the world. "You're the one who had her hand all over my chest. And that leg? Were you trying to cop a feel?"

"I-I didn't-" I stutter, mortified. "I didn't do anything like that! Even when you were naked last night, I didn't look at your..."

"My cock?" He says it so casually I almost choke.

"Can you stop being so raw?!" I snap, wrapping my arms around myself. "Why the hell did you sleep in the bed?"

He stretches like he owns the place, every muscle flexing under his stupidly perfect skin. "Because it's my damn bed. Where did you expect me to sleep? On the couch?"

"Yes!"

He laughs, sliding off the bed and towering over me like the infuriating man he is. "Relax, princess. I didn't touch you. And for the record, I wouldn't. I might enjoy a good time, but I don't do anything without consent."

His words hang in the air, and for a second, I almost believe he's being genuine. But then he ruins it.

"Anyway," he adds, pointing at me with mock seriousness, "you're the pervert. Hands on my chest, drooling and all."

My jaw drops, but before I can argue, he heads for the shower. "We've got a party to attend. Don't take too long getting ready."

And just like that, he disappears in the bathroom, leaving me standing there, boiling with embarrassment and frustration.

I wait until he's done showering before I even think about moving. No way am I stepping into that stupid transparent shower while he's still in the room.

He's done in a few minutes, stepping out of the shower like some sort of god. He quickly throws on a maroon jacket and black cargo pants, his black hair styled to absolute perfection. I can't help but stare, my eyes betraying me as they travel over him. Damn it. He looks so sexy.

And just like that, my thighs clench involuntarily.

I'm not usually one to lust over people. Honestly, that's never been my thing. But with him? It's like I lose all self-control. He does something to me..something I can't even explain.

It's probably my wolf, Gail. Yeah, that's it. She's on heat. That has to be the reason.

"I'll be back to pick you up," he says smoothly. "We're making our first appearance together at the tea party, so don't make me wait."

After he's gone, I finally muster the courage to shower. Of course, I keep throwing paranoid glances at the door, like Lucas might bust in just to mess with me. When I'm done, I rummage through my suitcase, only to remember the sad reality of my wardrobe. Everything I own screams budget clearance sale.

I settle on a simple blue dress and stare at myself in the mirror. I look like a librarian attending a PTA meeting. Next to Lucas, I'm going to look like a total joke.

When Lucas walks back in, I cross my arms and glare. "Ever heard of knocking?"

His eyes trail over me, and then he shakes his head. "Nope. Absolutely not."

"What?" I snap. "Yes, I know I'm not some billionaire heiress-"

"You're not coming with me looking like this," he cuts me off, like the asshole he is. "You're Lucas Russo's girlfriend, for goddess' sake. Now, let's go."

I roll my eyes and follow him out of his suite, only to find my friends waiting right outside the door.

"Aria, we've been waiting for you!" Lily says excitedly. But then, as if on cue, both her and Mia's eyes shift to Lucas. They're gawking at him like he's some sort of popular movie star, that same awe-struck look they always have whenever he's around. It's so embarrassing.

"Sorry, babes, but we've got somewhere to be right now," Lucas says smoothly before I can get a word in. "We'll see you at the tea party."

He grabs my arm and starts pulling me along, leaving me with no chance to protest.

Asshole!

"I'll see you guys at the party!" I call back over my shoulder, giving my stunned friends an apologetic pout before Lucas drags me away.

---

Minutes later, we're standing in front of an elegant boutique that looks so fancy, I'm pretty sure it's illegal for people like me to walk in.

"Cruise ships have boutiques?" I mumble as we step inside.

Lucas smirks. "This ship has everything."

Before I can argue, a man in a designer suit practically prances up to us. "Alpha Lucas!" he gushes, air-kissing Lucas like they're long-lost lovers. Then he looks at me, his smile faltering as his eyes access me from head to toe.

"She's my girlfriend, Max," Lucas announces, and Max looks like someone just told him his favorite designer went bankrupt.

Lucas doesn't seem to care. "Make her hot," he says casually.

Max's eyes light up like it's Christmas morning. "Oh, darling, I can absolutely work with this!"

The next hour is a whirlwind of hair trimming, eyebrow shaping, and more makeup than I've ever worn in my life. Max and his team are dealing with me like I'm their latest art project, fussing over every detail. By the time they shove me into a short red dress and silver heels, I feel like I've stepped straight into a Project Runway nightmare.

Finally, they push me out of the changing room. I hesitate, afraid of what Lucas will say. Then I hear it-a low whistle.

My eyes travel to him, and holy shit-he looks stunned. His jaw hangs slack, and his gray eyes are wide as they rake over me. For once, that cocky smirk of his is nowhere to be found.

"Where's the mirror?" I ask, panicking. "What did you do to me? Do I look fucking ridiculous?"