“I don’t know, Luci.”
But I do know. They’re afraid. Afraid that if they don’t work out, they’ll break up the group. Screw up their friendship.
Thinking about how I can make it up to him, I ask, “What’s your favourite food?”
Luc’s quiet for a moment. The rest of the world falls away as Luc speaks. “My mum used to make these brownies. They were chocolate and coconut. She wasn’t a good cook but she knew that recipe by heart. They were amazing,” he says, softly. My heart breaks hearing the sadness in his tone.
I think about any brownie recipes I know. I’m pretty sure there’s one in Mum’s recipe book. I found it in the safetydeposit box at the bank after I saw that guy. I wonder if Alec could help me find out who he is?
“I can try and replicate it if you want?” I tell Luc.
He lifts his head off my shoulder. “Really?” He asks, hopeful.
“Yeah. I mean, it might not be exactly the same,” I warn him.
Luc enthusiastically shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. Can…can I help you?” He asks vulnerably.
I smile softly before hugging his waist. “Of course,” I murmur lightly. “In fact, I expect it.”
His arms encircle me as he exhales, burying his face in my neck.
“Thank you, Rory,” Luc says after a little while. He drops his head, staring into my eyes like he’s searching for answers.
I’m not sure where the others are, but everyone’s gone. Luc seems to realise that at the same time I do because something changes.
I’m suddenly extremely aware of the proximity between us.
Luc’s hands grip my hips, mine tucked under his shirt, his hands are firm without bruising. His breath gently fan my lips. Those green irises are like a gateway to his soul, giving away every emotion—even the ones I can’t read. There’s tiny flecks of gold and lighter hues of green I hadn’t realised were swimming in those gorgeously mischief filled eyes.
I’m not sure who moves first but those sinfully addicting lips find mine. He kisses me like he’s spent his whole life tryingto find me. I kiss him like I didn’t realise what I was missing until him. Untilthem.
He devours my mouth, leaving me breathless and unsteady on my legs. I could melt into a puddle at his feet if not for those strong arms holding me up.
We stumble back until my back hits the counter and Luc easily lifts me onto the counter, not breaking our contact.
Need runs through my whole body. I pull him between my legs. Luc steps into them willingly. My hands roam up his shirt, feeling the ridges of his toned body. His deep groan rumbles through me.
My lips part when Luc probes for access, his tongue stroking mine. I faintly recognise my hand moving from under his shirt to his neck, my fingers sliding through his hair.
My mind becomes dizzy and unfocused, muddled by all that is Luc. I must whimper or make a noise because he pulls back, panting.
I’m left breathless when his mouth finds mine again before he backs away. My heart and…other parts ache with every step away from me he takes.
Luc shakes his head in disbelief. I’m confused by his sudden need for space but I don’t have to wait long to find out.
“You are so addicting.” Luc’s eyes travel over me, still shaking his head. “You’re like a drug I don’t want to stop taking. Being close with the guys is a big enough risk, but you…you’re something else my father can take away from me.”
I realise that Luci’s fear while different, it’s similar to mine. When it boils down to it…it’s just fear. I said I would leave. I toldmyselfthat I would leave. That I wouldn’t get attachedor let myself feel anything for the guys beyond friendship but…I can’t.I’m scared shitless about my father finding me but here, with them…I’m not afraid of him.
I’m afraid of losing them. It’s only been five days but I’m not sure I could come back from losing the guys.
I kissed Jace.
When we were younger, I fought my feelings for a long time out of respect for Dec before I told Jace how I felt. It was only a few weeks before Dec’s death that Jace told me he felt the same but then Dec was gone. And I was taken away. Now he’s back, and my feelings for him haven’t gone away.
I slide off the counter onto my wobbly legs. We just stare at each other, neither of us moving closer or further away.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” I finally get out.
