Sincerely, Marlena

73

Sincerely, Lucien.

The sun had barely risen when we began the trek to South Haven. The air was thick with tension and anticipation. Nathaniel, Judah, Mylo, and the rest of Marlena's brothers had commandeered two of the jeeps, loaded with supplies, ready to brave the rugged terrain.

The rest of us - Alistair, Louis, Calvin, and I - took the remaining jeep, a tight squeeze with no room for any extra passengers.

The moment I saw Marlena approach, I knew there would be trouble. The space was crammed with gear and bodies, and the only available spot was on my lap. My irritation flared up immediately. Not only was this situation awkward, but the proximity to Marlena was enough to set my nerves on edge.

As Marlena climbed into the jeep, I could see the reluctant resignation in her eyes. She settled onto my lap, her body pressing against mine in ways that made every nerve in my body stand at attention. I clenched my jaw, trying to suppress the surge of frustration that was mounting with every shift and bump of the vehicle.

Calvin, ever the instigator, leaned back and gave a casual smirk. "Well, isn't this cozy?" he said, his tone laced with amusement. "Lucien, I didn't know you were such a gentleman."

I shot him a glare, but he only chuckled. The joke did nothing to ease the mounting tension in my body. The warmth of Marlena's body against mine was both maddening and intoxicating. I could feel the slight tremor in her movements and the soft hitch in her breath every time the jeep hit a bump.

My hands rested uncomfortably on the edge of the seat, but as the vehicle jostled over the rough terrain, my fingers accidentally brushed against the bare skin of Marlena's tiny waist. The contact was electric, and I felt her stiffen against me. Her breath hitched, a soft sound that made my pulse quicken.

"Sorry," I muttered, though it wasn't entirely sincere. The proximity made it impossible to maintain any semblance of control. The heat radiating from her was overwhelming, and every time she moved, it only intensified the friction between us. Marlena shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position, and my hands inadvertently pressed further into the small of her back. I could feel her body tense, her breath coming in quick, shallow bursts. The sensation was maddeningly distracting, and I had to fight the urge to pull her closer, despite the anger simmering beneath the surface.

Alistair and Louis were occupied with navigating the rough terrain, and Calvin's jokes did little to mask the awkwardness of the situation. "Looks like you've got your hands full, Lucien," Calvin said, his grin widening. "Need any help over there?"

"Just focus on driving," I snapped, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. The way Marlena was pressed against me was pushing me to the brink, and the last thing I needed was Calvin's commentary adding to the frustration. The ride was a constant barrage of shifting bodies and uneven terrain, making it impossible to escape the close contact.

Every bump and turn seemed to draw us closer together, the intimacy of the situation amplifying the tension between us. Marlena's warmth was a constant reminder of how thin the line was between anger and desire.

As the jeep bounced along, I could feel her breathing against my chest, the proximity both frustrating and intoxicating. Every slight movement sent jolts of awareness through me, making it difficult to focus on anything other than the woman pressed so intimately against me.

It was clear that this journey was going to be a test of my patience. The tension between Marlena and me was undeniable, and the close quarters only served to magnify it. As we continued on, I could only hope that this trip would end soon, but part of me knew that it would only make the tension between us more unbearable.