Heartstrings

(17) Sweet

Sophia

I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw a shadow I've known by heart sitting on the swinging bench of my porch. I carried my shopping bags, the bundle of toilet paper in one arm. He stood and helped me when he saw I was struggling with my keys.

He opened the door and held it open for me. I walked inside, sensing that he was following me close behind.

I headed to the kitchen, shoving my groceries on the counter.

He clears his throat. "You're all alone?"

"Gabby is having a sleepover at his friends. And believe it or not, Agatha is on a date." I sighed, staring at him from across the counter.

He can't stand there looking delectably handsome in his dark suit like he never thought about me at all. I wanted to fling myself at him and bury my face to his chest because I miss him too much, but I held my ground.

"After sending me that letter, you shouldn't be surprised that I'd be here." His eyes roamed all over me appreciatively.

I narrowed my eyes on him. "I wouldn't be surprised had you said your farewell to my face."

His face gave away nothing. "You gave me back your ring."

Anger flared in my chest. "Because you said goodbye via your brother. Whose feelings wouldn't be hurt by that?" I didn't care that my voice raised an octave.

He flinched a little.

"And then just when I come to terms with the fact that you don't have anything to do with me anymore, you send your men to watch over me." I raised my hand warningly when he tries to interrupt.

"Then it's given me false hope that, maybe, you'll come to see me because you've been missing me. But, no. You didn't." Fury boiled over me and I reached for the knife rack, withdrawing one, flinging it at him with a flick of my wrist.

He caught it and put it down the counter, his face stiff.

"You let me be in my misery, holding on to the false hope that you will miss me." I aimed another knife at him.

He puts it down the counter, eyes still glued on me.

"I hoped you will someday. But you let days go by, making me miss you so much. Making me cry in my sleep when I reached for the other side of the bed and realize you're not there." I catapulted another knife.

He caught it again. Now three knives were on the counter.

"I can't believe you wouldn't even care to show up unless I write to you that I miss you." I held another knife. But a sob ripped out of my throat and I was crying.

Lucas walked around the counter, his arms going around me. "Don't cry. I can't stand to see you cry."

I cried against his jacket. It felt so nice having him close.

He stroke my back. "I missed you."

Another wave of anger washes over me. I pushed at him, although it only sent him a step back. "You're only saying that because I said it first."

His eyes flashed. "Is this what it's all about? Who said it first?"

I bit my lip to hold back a sob.

"Fine." He clicked his tongue, emotion finally betraying his poker face. "I love you, Sophie. And it would've killed me to see you go."

The knife clattered on the floor when I lose my grip. My limbs turned iron-steel. "You love me?"

"I didn't want to let you go. But I'm a man of my word. I promised you freedom. I had to give it to you. What difference does it make if I said goodbye?"

My eyes blurred again. "There would've been a difference. Because I would've told you that I don't want the same things anymore. That I belong to you than any normal life I've been longing for. That I will come back to you once I had it all settled with Gabby. That, maybe, I'd live both worlds for you and my brother."

His gray eyes flickered.

"I would've told you," I paused, licking my lips nervously.

He gaze zeroed in on my face, boring into me.

"I love you so much I'd rather live in sin than die a saint."

Lucas reaches for my face, his expression soft. There was something in his eyes that I haven't seen before. "And I would've told you, I'll be patient."

I leaned to his palm.

"I won't mind waiting as long as your mine at the very end. I'll start a thousand wars for you. I'll kill anyone that comes between us."

We stare into each other's eyes. Then in one thudding heartbeat, he grabbed my waist and fused our mouths together.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, parting my lips for him.

He sweeps his tongue inside. I sighed in pleasure when it tangled with my own.

He cupped his hands to my hips and lifted me off the floor, locking my legs around his waist. He walked us to the living room, sitting on the sofa with me draped over his lap.

His mouth hesitated to leave mine. And I don't really want him to stop kissing me either. I wanted the kiss to go on forever.

His hands snuck underneath my dress, kneading my thighs. Then we shifted, my head now on the throw pillows as he laid me down. His fingers curled at the hem of my dress and he tugged it over my head.

His eyes relished the sight of me, drinking in every detail as if it were the last. His hands stroke my side grazing the cup of my bra.

I pant heavily, pushing at his jacket and fingered his buttons loose to touch his skin. "Lucas, I need to feel you," I breathed, practically begging.

He stripped himself of his shirt and pants and now only in his boxers.

My hands travel frantically all over him. I missed his scars. Every rough planes of his warm flesh.

Lucas' mouth closed over my neck, his fingers going around me, unhooking my bra. My breasts spilled into his palms.

I arch my back when he dipped his head and take one of the peaks to his mouth, his palm molding the other.

He pulls back slightly as he eased my panties down my legs. He rid himself of his remaining clothes and lowers himself to me once again, except this time he nudges me open and thrusts himself all the way to me.

I cried out his name.

He braced a hand over my head, watching me with clouded eyes. He pulls back and thrusts back in, holding my hips with his other hand.

My toes curled at the sensation of him.

Just as I thought it was all perfect, he retreats and slams back in, hitting me at a spot that sent me higher than I already was.

He set us both in a delicious rhythm, breaths hot and frenzied.

I clawed at his arm, feeling the familiar trickle inside integrate.

Lucas nipped at the shell of my ear and I shattered. His fingers dug deeper on my hips, his breaths turning into pants until he shuddered on top of me.

He dropped his forehead on my shoulder blade as we both catch our breaths. When we went down from the high, I rolled to my side to give room for him. He draped an arm over my waist, pulling me to his chest. His arm reaches for something that fell to the floor. It was a blanket and he spread it over us.

Lucas stroked my hair, his lips touching the side of my head. "I love you, Sophie."

My mouth stretched into a smile. "I love you too."

His arm tightened around me.