How To Love ✓

29.

Amara

"Will you answer my question?" he pouted his lips and pushed a dead daffodil in front of my face to tickle my nose.

I made a face. "Haven't I already given you an answer?"

He gave a shrug. "It's not the one I was searching for," he said, picking at the flower petals and letting them drift away with the breeze.

I let out a dreamy sigh, observing his actions. Lucien caught me glancing at him once or twice, but he didn't chastise me; he was just enjoying the little attention I gave him. He tugged at my chin, drawing me in closer as he pulled a strand of hair out of my eyes and behind my ear. He kissed me wetly, and I kissed him back, putting my hand behind his neck. He flashed me a cheeky smile and pulled away too quickly.

"Not until you give me a proper answer."

I sighed. "I wasted my cancer wish to go to Six Flags."

He fake-gasped. "Did you now?"

I gave him a playful pat on the chest and then reclined on the blanket once more, with the grass providing a soft layer beneath me. "Amara Jordyn, you did not.... go to Six Flags. You did not use your last dying wish-"

"I was 13," I whimpered in defence.

"-to go to Six Flags," he said, looking down at me in disbelief.

I crossed my arms and diverted my gaze away from his half-amused face.

He shook his head. "I've never heard anything so saddening as that. I'm just embarrassed right now."

"Why are you embarrassed?"

"I can't believe I have.... truly, madly, deeply, foolishly, completely fallen.... for a girl who has such cliché hopes and dreams," he smirked when I tried to hide my blush.

"Like I said, I was 13."

I uprooted a couple blades of grass and splattered them all over his face.

"I hate you," I grumbled under my breath.

He whispered, "You know you love me," and leaned in to kiss me. His breath tasted like mint and was hot and flavourful. He drew us closer together, and I felt at ease beneath him. His hands found the sides of my body and with lightning speed, he pulled me up to straddle his lap. His fingers were tickling me, and I couldn't stop laughing. I tried to hide my enjoyment by hiding my face in the crook of his bare neck.

"Lucien! S-S-St-t-t-top it!" and he did, 25 screams after.

"I can't stay away from you," he whispered whilst caressing my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.

"Why do you try to?" I prompted, lacing my fingers together behind his neck.

"Mainly because I'm afraid of hurting you," he cooed. I noted that his mood hadn't changed. I was glad for the while.

"Why would you possibly think that you could hurt me after what I've been through? I'm not afraid of anything. Only...." I sighed and shook my head.

He urged me to continue. "What are you afraid of princess?"

"......Falling in love," I mumbled, playing with his checkered shirt collar to distract his further questions.

He gripped my wrists to prevent my actions, and I forced my eyes to look into his. I sat still, afraid to utter a word, thinking that he would get aggravated by me even squeaking.

"Amara, just say that.... you're afraid of loving me," he muttered under his breath.

He was staring into my eyes, but looked around in search of something, just something.

He was so enigmatic that I was unable to identify him.

I answered a tad more softly than normal. "I'm not."

"I just.......I can't..." With a shake of my head, I moved away from him. I rolled from his lap onto the blanket and stared up at the clear blue sky, contemplating everything.

His modest inquiry to me was, "Are you questioning us?"

"I'm not. It's simply that everything is so damn difficult to comprehend. Really, everything has been going so great for us lately, but I'm worried that it won't end well," I blurted out, biting my lip in exasperation. I tried not to spit out the rage I had when we first met since I felt bad about it.

"I'm also scared that we'll go right back to where we started when the first met," I added.

"Amara, I've changed. I've come to understand you, and I promise never to subject you to anything that will ultimately cause you pain. Don't be doubtful, please," he replied gravely.

There was nothing else I wanted to say, or could say. We both stopped asking each other more questions, and silence prevailed. I did not want him to trip and explode.

"Lucien, I don't want you to change for me. Do it for you. You're a wonderful person. You seem perfect to me, even if nobody is." I took his hand in mine and gently caressed his silky skin, saying, "I like you just the way you are."

"I can't promise you a lot but I too, am trying, really hard."

"I'm trying too, princess," he breathed

"Well we'll try together....okay?" I made a suggestion, and his scowl creeped into a smile. He brought the back of my hand to his lips and gave my skin an intimate kiss.

"You're my saviour, Amara Belle."

***

I really wanted to dedicate a sole chapter just based on Lucien and Amara's relationship without the complications and the drama, something really romantic seeing as I never really published a chapter just focusing on their connection. So I chose this moment to give you all something you truly deserve. I am actually crying as I write this author's note. I have come to love this story! I am also grateful for all of you amazing people who gave this book a chance♡!

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