Mr. Black's Proposal (Part Two: A Billionaire Erotic Romance) by Aubrey Dark

that I would actually have something to serve at this birthday party. I thought about what I needed to get done: bake the cupcakes, finish the frosting, put on my dress, cool the cupcakes, frost the cupcakes— “What can I do?”
    Lucas’s face was bright and cheerful, but it wasn’t helping.
    “Just stay out there and drink wine.”
    “I can do that.”
    “It’ll be another, uh, thirty-five minutes. Is that okay?”
    Lucas quirked his eyebrow at me. He could tell something was up. Oh, God. Was he going to fire me right then and there? He would if he knew what was going on, I was sure of it.
    “You’re sure you don’t need help—”
    “No!”
    “Okay,” he said.
    “Okay.”
    I was already halfway into the kitchen when his hand caught my arm. I turned back.
    “ Yes ?” I said, not bothering to hide my exasperation.
    “I love you, Stephanie Hart,” he said.
    My face froze in an expression of surprise. He leaned forward and planted another kiss on my lips, and then disappeared through the door.

Chapter Eight
    Lucas
    So far, everything was going according to plan. Steph looked a little discombobulated in the kitchen, but that wasn’t any different than normal. She’d looked even more discombobulated when I’d kissed her and told her I loved her. But it was perfect. Soon, I’d be able to introduce her to my mom.
    “Happy birthday, mom,” I said, raising a glass of wine. The living room was already filling up with her guests.
    “Thank you, sweetheart,” she said. “This is a wonderful get together. Weren’t there supposed to be cupcakes?”
    “They’re being freshly baked as we speak,” I said, echoing the excuse Steph’s brother had given me.
    “Oh, how nice,” she said absently. “Do you remember when I said I was bringing a surprise?”
    “Yes?”
    “There they are.”
    She raised her chin to the door way. Alex had just escorted in three women who were definitely not my mother’s friends. They were young, all in their early twenties, if that. One blonde, one brunette, and one redhead.
    “Um,” I said.
    “These are all lovely girls,” she whispered. “I’d be happy if you married any one of them.”
    “Mom!”
    “All from good families, all well-mannered.”
    “You really didn’t have to—”
    “And I thought you might want someone to talk to while the old biddies are having our fun. Think of it as a special treat.”
    “Thanks, mom,” I said reluctantly.
    “You can’t have all of them,” she said, waggling a finger in my face. “I know what you’re thinking.”
    “You really don’t.” But I knew what she thought I was thinking. Two weeks ago, I would have been falling over myself to arrange a foursome with the three girls. Now, though, there was one girl that I had in mind for my bed, and only one.
    “Cheers. To an old lady who wants to be a grandmother someday.”
    “Cheers,” I said, clinking my glass against hers. I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when I showed her my surprise.
    All of the guests had arrived, and I was sick of making small talk with the three girls my mom had invited to the party. They were all trying to one-up each other with stories about their elaborate birthday parties, completely unaware that I didn’t care at all who had booked the coolest band or dressed in the most expensive outfit. I ducked back to the kitchen to see how Steph was coming along.
    “Cupcakes?” I asked.
    “They’re ready!”
    There were six plates of beautiful black and white frosted cupcakes on the counter. I leaned forward, hoping to swipe one, but Steph swatted my hand away.
    “Not yet!” she said. “I just need to change into my dress and I’ll bring them out on the roller cart.”
    “Alright,” I said. “Can I watch you change?”
    “No!”
    She slammed the kitchen door in my face and I grinned. Everything was going perfectly.
    Back out in the living room, I brushed right by the trio of girls, who were arguing about handbags. I clinked a fork