CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
BELLA
Bella was applying her lipstick in the mirror of Lucas’ gigantic bathroom. He walked up behind her and smacked her on the ass, causing her to jump and smear lipstick on the side of her face. Bella frowned at Lucas in the mirror. He laughed and handed her a tissue. As Bella wiped her face, Lucas pulled the headphones from her ears.
“You’re becoming obsessed,” he warned.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Bella admitted. “But there is so much going on with this case.”
“Bella, sweetheart, that case was closed when the senator died. You’ve created a dozen more cases for yourself.”
“Lucas, I’m telling you they’re all related.”
Lucas wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back to his chest.
“Maybe they are. But, right now, we’re gonna be late for dinner.”
Bella rolled her eyes. She would’ve preferred to stay in and watch TV or better yet, continue listening to the senator’s tapes. But she and Lucas were taking Rosemary home to her dad, and she had insisted that they stay to have dinner with her and her father.
Lucas kissed the side of Bella’s face and smiled in the mirror. “I have an idea,” he mumbled against her face.
Bella covered his hands with hers and melted against his chest. “I’m listening.”
“Well, since you’re off the next couple of days, I was thinking that after dinner we could drive straight to my family’s lake house in Benton Harbor, Michigan. It’s quiet, secluded, and less than two hours away. We could get awholelot of quality time in.”
The look in his eyes told Bella exactly what Lucas meant byquality time. Bella turned around in his arms, snaked her arms around his neck, and kissed him on the chin. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
Lucas’ brows furrowed. He seemed surprised that Bella had agreed so quickly. Hell, Bella was surprised that she’d agreed so fast.
“Really?”
“Really,” Bella affirmed.
Lucas’ smile prompted Bella’s. For some reason, she loved being the source of his happiness. For the last few weeks, he’d definitely been the source of hers.
Bella stood on her toes and gave him a quick peck. “Now, move. You done fucked up my makeup.”
She gave him a gentle shove and turned back to the mirror. She grabbed the lipstick, and just as she was about to reapply it, Lucas slapped her ass again.
Bella whipped around. “Lucas!”
She was ready to attack, but Lucas had already fled from the bathroom in a fit of laughter.
