Bravo 🤍

Ten

"Your kids aren't going?" Nikki asks as their parents and other siblings walk out the door.

"No," François chuckles, placing his hands behind his back as he leans toward Nikki, lowering his voice. "They have no interest. We only still go to please our mother."

Nikki giggles as Lucas takes François's keys from him. "I will drive your car. You are still drunk." Lucas leads them out to a black sedan, opening the back door for Nikki. François slides into the seat beside her before Lucas takes the driver's seat.

He glances between them in the rearview mirror as François sighs, glancing at Nikki. "I'm sorry about the cellar. I've had too much to drink. And with everything going on with Claudine, I um...it's just been tough."

"It's fine, François."

"You can call me Frank... if you like. Just don't let maman hear you."

Nikki giggles as Lucas laughs from the front of the car. "Yeah, she's been giving me a dirty look when I call Lucas, Luke."

"She will say, I gave you your names, I know what they are supposed to be." Lucas offers from the front as François laughs.

"Yeah, exactly. Anyway..." he lowers his voice for only Nikki to hear, "I didn't realize you were as serious as you are."

Nikki glances up to lock eyes with Lucas in the mirror before looking back at François, avoiding his assessment. "Why haven't you told anyone about you and your wife?"

"Because then I guess I have to admit failure. I'm sorry." He watches her grab his hand, giving it a small squeeze before releasing it. He leans toward her as she glances at Lucas again. "He's in love with you, but I think he's afraid of fucking it up. I'm sorry I didn't see it before."

Nikki clears her throat, shaking her head at him as Lucas stops the car. François gets out first and Lucas comes to the back to help her out. "Thank you, Lucas."

He winks at her as François leans toward them. "No one else knows yet so can we keep this between the three of us?"

Nikki nods, giving his hand a small squeeze. "Of course."

Lucas grabs her hand after François walks away, linking their fingers. "You look beautiful, Nik."

"You look okay too, Luke." She grins as he chuckles, kissing her cheek. "We should talk, when we get back to the house. I'm getting a little annoyed at everyone else's opinions on our relationship. When all I really want to hear is yours."

"I know..." He kisses the back of her hand. "I promise."

***

Lucas rests his hand on Nikki's thigh as it shakes, and she glances around the cathedral. "Are you okay?" He whispers into her ear before squeezing her thigh to get her attention. "Nik..." He glances over her at François watching them as he shrugs.

They both nudge her as she looks back at Lucas, her eyes red with tears. "Sorry."

Lucas grabs her hand, leading her quietly out the back of the church, pulling her into an empty side room. "Poupette, what is the matter?"

"I'm sorry," she groans as he brings his hand up to her cheeks, running his thumbs gently under eyes. "I haven't been in a church since my parents died. All I can picture is my sister sitting in the pew, crying. I'm sorry, Luke."

"Stop apologizing. It's okay. You're okay." He pulls her to his chest, holding her for a few minutes until she pulls away. He places his hands back on her cheeks, resting his head against hers.

"I'm s—" Lucas interrupts her apology, crushing his mouth against hers as she groans, wrapping her arms around his neck. He pushes her back against the wall, lifting her to wrap her legs around him. He grinds against her, eliciting small moans as he trails kisses down her neck. "Luke, we're in a church..." she whispers as he chuckles, looking at her.

"Right," he chuckles against her neck, still laying kisses along the delicate skin. "It would be so easy to do it right now, like this. With you against the wall."

"Luke..." she whimpers as he nods, setting her on her feet.

"First time should be on a bed. In my bed. We can work on your French." He smirks as she giggles, watching him adjust his pants.

"Luke, mon amour..." She leans up to whisper in his ear, "baise-moi plus fort." (Luke, my love, fuck me harder.)

He groans, cursing to himself quietly as she giggles, walking away from him back to sit in the pew quietly. She glances up at François who mouths, asking her if she's okay. She nods, feeling Lucas slip back beside her, squeezing her thigh before grabbing her hand. He whispers softly just for her, "I better hear you say that later."

She swallows hard, squeezing her thighs together as she hears him chuckle softly beside her.

***

"Do you guys want some cocoa?" Marie removes her coat, placing it on the hook as everyone returns from mass.

"No. I think we're just going to bed. It's late." Lucas answers quickly, causing Marie to laugh.

"Alright then. Goodnight guys." She winks at Nikki as she blushes, turning her attention to Eva as she approaches her beside Lucas.

"Thank you for coming to mass with us. I know the kids only go to please me."

Eva offers her a smile as she chuckles. "My pleasure. I'm sorry we left in the middle. Truth is I haven't been in a church since my parents died. I got a little overwhelmed."

"That's okay, dear." Eva smiles, pulling her into a hug, causing her to tense for a moment before hugging her back. "We'll see you guys at breakfast."

"Bonsoir, maman." Lucas kisses her cheek before nudging Nikki up the stairs ahead of him. He closes the door to the bedroom quickly, leaning back against it as Nikki turns toward him, removing her coat and shoes. "Nik—"

"La ferme et fais moi l'amour." (Shut up and make love to me.)