"Well, I kind of know your brother through his work." That was the politest way of putting it.
"Ah," Stef said with a raised eyebrow.
"I mean, my Dad knows your brother from his work, and I sort of got caught up in it and now we're..."
What were we? We still hadn't sat and discussed things. Luc seemed tired and distracted and I didn't want to hound him about things, but it made me nervous. Like standing at the edge of a cliff while the wind blew, not knowing if you would be safe or freefall.
"You're…" Stefan prompted.
"We're very good friends," I said, giving the most honest answer I could muster. We were very good friends who sometimes breached the boundaries of friendship. "Anyway, how come you transferred back here?"
"We... have some family matters to deal with."
"I thought Luc mentioned it was business this morning."
"Yes, well most things to Luc are business if he can throw money at it," Stefan said with a sniff. His expression had clouded over and he shook his head. Whatever lack of affection Luc held towards his younger sibling was clearly mirrored. "If it's all the same, I don't think it's a bright idea to discuss this if Luc hasn't told you himself."
"No," I said. "I completely understand."
He swiftly changed the topic and I abandoned my book while we spent the afternoon getting reacquainted.
"I'm sorry I never spoke to you in high school," I said to him, looking embarrassed.
"No apologies needed," Stef reassured me. "But I'm glad I'm getting the chance to know you now, Mia."
"We should head inside for dinner." During our conversation, the day had passed us by and the chill in the air made me crave the warmth of the house and the pang of excitement that hit my stomach at the thought of seeing Luc.
Stefan got up and offered his arm to me. I smiled and looped my arm through his before we walked back into the house together.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Lucas
Ihad learned that the moment Dante and I left the office things never ran as smoothly. More people had been through my office doors than I would have liked, and by the time I made it home I didn’t wish to see another person. Slamming the door shut, I dragged myself upstairs, showered and settled in the peace of my room.
A knock on the door made me groan. Rolling out of bed in nothing more than boxers and my hair lying flat, I opened it to see Mia standing there with her hands behind her back.
"Mia!"
"You skipped out on dinner," she said.
"It's been a long day," I said, the weariness lacing my voice.
"I brought you up something," Mia told me. From behind her back, she produced a plate that held a large slice of chocolate fudge cake and a fork.
I couldn't help the smile that broke out on my face. "Are you going to come in and share it with me?"
Company had not been on my list for the evening but for Mia I broke all the rules.
"Is that an invite?" she asked me.
Moving aside, I allowed her to step into my room. I took the plate and fork from her and placed it on the desk before I took Mia into my arms, one hand on her waist and the other tangling itself in her long hair.
"And here I was thinking you were avoiding me," Mia said, her hands splayed on my chest.
"Never," I said. "I just got bu..."
The sentence was cut short the moment Mia placed her lips against mine. It was not an unwelcome surprise given the day I had, and I wasted no time in slipping my tongue into her mouth. I wanted the feeling to consume me. I wanted her to help me forget about every other aspect of my life and let me worship her like she was the only thing to exist.
