Loving Lucian ✅

Chapter Twelve

We stayed out on the boardwalk all day until it was dark out. We just talked. And kissed. I still felt weird about it, though. Which is why he agreed to not kiss me so often as if we were together, us both making it clear that we're not, nor do we want to be together. I guess I was his PA with nonsexual benefits.

We got back to the house at 9:03, and everyone was already asleep. When I took a shower and changed into a lavender cropped tank and soft pajama pants, I got under the covers but sat up against the headboard. I opened my laptop while he turned off the light and turned on the lamp.

I went to my email and clicked on my digital copy of my letter from Federal Judge Mathis, silently. mumbling it incoherently while reading it to myself.

Dear Ms. Noemi Peyton James, I'm glad to know that he hasn't made a threat and that you're having no problems with your new identity. I will, however, say that you shouldn't make anymore personal connections with anyone until we figure this out. I have had a talk with your guards and they will tell you what we're going to do. We may have a sure fire way to catch him once and for all. Sincerely, Federal Judge Mathis.

I started to smile. They found a way. They finally found a way. I felt the bed shift which meant that Lucian was getting in. He looked at my sudden happy smile. "What?"

"I can't talk about it." I said. He groaned exasperatedly.

"Okay, Peyton." He plopped down on his side turned away from me and I frowned.

I leaned over onto him and my chin rested on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, but I really can't. If I could I would, but I am prohibited to tell you until further notice."

He turned his head to look at me. "'Prohibit': verb: to formally forbid by law, rule, or other authority." He defined. "Peyton, is this secret involved with federal law enforcement? Further notice from who?"

I'll tell him, just to get him off my back. "Even if it is involving federal law enforcement, I still can't tell you. It's further notice from a judge."

Now he was actually concerned, but he sighed. "I won't ask questions, then."

After an hour, he fell asleep, though he slept on his back. He was the type of person to lay on their side, and once they fall asleep, they lay in a different position. I knew on Saturdays he didn't wake up until 12:00 pm, because he used Saturdays to catch up on his sleep. This gave me a chance to rehydrate my eyes, wash out my dye, and put it back in without him seeing or knowing.

I took out my contacts and eventually went to sleep without a mask. It was a good deep sleep, and in the middle of the night I scooted closer to Lucian and he stirred, mumbling something I could barely hear. "You move too much." I refrained from laughing. "Come here." He mumbled, rolling onto his side to face me and his arm draped over me. I was engulfed in his expensive-smelling aroma, and I loved the way this man smelled. This dude smelled like manly heaven.

I grew comfortable, yet even weirder about us because now we were kinda cuddling. But mainly I was freaking out about how I'm gonna get out of this in the morning without waking him up.

*****

It was 11:28 am, I woke up too late. I had 32 minutes to get out of 'cuddle mode', take out my contacts, wash my hair, and put my dye back in. That's not enough time. But I had to try.