When he said that, I felt butterflies doing somersaults inside my stomach.
Once he was in the bathroom with the door firmly shut, I quickly changed shirts and was sitting on the bed when he came out.
“I was right, I knew you’d look good in that,” he said with a slight smile. “Although you’d look good in anything.” He had changed into plaid cotton pants and his new T-shirt. He leaned over to turn out the lights as I crawled under the blankets.
It was pitch-dark, so I only felt when he climbed in beside me. “Sarah, don’t be nervous, we’re just going to sleep. You know I won’t rush you.”
“How do you know I’m nervous?”
“You’re tense. Relax.” He rubbed my back in a soft, circular motion. His hands felt gentle and strong at the same time.
It worked; I was suddenly comfortable, and snuggled into him. I lay on my side, with him spooning me. We were quiet for a while, both lost in our own thoughts. “I’m so comfortable. I’ve never slept with anyone like this. Can you sneak in at night and do this at home?” I asked, finally breaking the silence, and only half kidding.
“Don’t tempt me.”
“Are you tired?” I lifted my head to look at him.
“Yeah, kind of, I had a nightmare last night, and I couldn’t go back to sleep.”
I guessed what his dream was, but I asked him anyway. “What was it about?”
“I don’t want to talk about it, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t. I’ll be quiet, so you can sleep.” I waited for him to answer. Nothing. “Lucas?” I heard his heavy breathing. Wow, that was fast. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was after one in the morning. Although I was tired, I didn’t know how I would manage to fall asleep with Lucas in bed with me.
I awoke sometime later in a different position. Lucas was on his back, and I was curled into him, my head on his chest and his arm around me. He didn’t have a shirt on. I lifted my head to look at him.
“I’m sorry, did I wake you?” he said in the darkness.
My brain felt foggy, I blinked a couple of times trying to clear it. “I don’t know. I just lifted my head.”
“I had to take my shirt off. I’m not used to wearing one, and I was hot. I thought I could put it back on before you woke up. I was afraid to freak you out.”
“Why would that freak me out, you still have your pants on, right?”
He laughed. “Yes.”
I don’t know what came over me, but I started to rub his chest. Surprisingly, he was very muscular. I knew he had arm muscles, from when we used the heavy bag, but I had no idea that his chest and stomach were so defined. I’d always considered him to be a bookworm, which he was. I was just surprised to find out that there was so much more to him.
I continued to move my hand along his torso. The contrast of the bumps and rises from his muscles against his soft skin was intriguing. I softened my touch to caress his skin. When I looked up into his eyes, they were smoldering. “What are you doing?” he whispered.
“I love the feel of your chest, your skin is so soft, but underneath is hard. I would never have guessed you were so muscular,” I whispered back.
“Is it the glasses?”
“Maybe, why don’t you wear them anymore? Aren’t you afraid of those big bad girls?”
He laughed. “I don’t get confused for Logan, now that I’m with you.”
“Well, if they bug you, just let me know, and I’ll protect you,” I said, continuing to rub his chest. He leaned in to kiss me softly.
“I love you, Sarah.” His words were a soft whisper, but I heard him loud and clear.
Happiness wasn’t a strong enough word for what I felt at this moment. He had spoken what I had been feeling almost since the day I bumped into him. “I love you too, Lucas.”
He smiled, leaning down to kiss me again. This kiss was not as gentle. It was raw with emotion. Every feeling we had for each other went into it. By the time we pulled away, we were breathless.
For the next few hours, we cuddled, kissed, and expressed our feelings. It was the best night of my life, and I didn’t want it to end.
Of course it did, but at least I had the pleasure of falling asleep in his arms.
I awoke completely warm and content, with strong arms wrapped around me. The curtains were drawn tightly, letting in no light; it wasn’t dark though, so I knew it was morning. The events of last night came back to my mind, creating a giddy feeling shimmering inside me. The feeling made me want to wake up like this every day.
“Good morning,” he said as he kissed the top of my head.
I looked up at him. “Good morning.”
“What time do we have to leave? I really don’t want to get out of this bed.”
“I know what you mean. Do you think housekeeping would notice a couple of lumps under the covers?”
He laughed. “They might.”
I snuggled in to the nook of his shoulder, wrapping my arms tightly around him. “I think Emma said checkout was eleven. What time is it?” I asked, unwilling to move.
He lifted his head slightly to look at the clock. “Ten o’clock. I guess we should get up. Do you think they’re awake yet?”
“I’ll wake them. If we get back too late for me to get my car, I’ll have Derrick drop me off at work. Do you want to pick me up? I’m off at nine. Maybe we can hang out at my place for a change. We’ve been at your house most of the week.” A thought occurred to me. “Unless you don’t want to hang out tonight, you might want to spend some time with Andy and Kyle, it’s been awhile.”
“Of course I’ll pick you up, and we’ll hang out at your place. But soon I would like to do something with the guys. I’d like them to get to know you.”
“Sure, sounds fun.”
There was a loud knock at the door separating our rooms.
The door swung open before we could answer it. “You lazy asses are still in bed? We have to leave in an hour.” Emma, who was dressed and freshly showered, jumped onto the mattress, lying down on the other side of Lucas. “Hey nice chest, Luke. Never would have figured you for a muscle guy,” she said with a wicked grin, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
“I’m starting to get a complex,” he mumbled only for me to hear.
“Hey, Emma, I’m right here, could you ogle bare-chested guys when I’m not around?” Derrick walked into our room, giving her an evil look.
“Okay, I think I’ll put my shirt on.” Lucas leaned over to pick up the one I bought him.
“Isn’t that cute, they match,” Emma said, starting to annoy me.
“Let’s get ready.” I scowled at her, hoping to shut her up.
Lucas and I took turns changing in the bathroom. I put my hair in a ponytail since we were in a hurry.
As I came out of the bathroom, I asked, “Who’s up for stopping for breakfast?”
“Me!” all three of them yelled at the same time.
Chapter Nineteen
Disagreement
After a long, leisurely breakfast, we were late getting home, so I was dropped off at work.
“Don’t forget my stuff, Luke, and remember, I get off at nine.” I climbed out of the car and shut the door.
“I won’t forget.” He kissed me through the open window.
I waved to Derrick and Emma and headed inside.
Zack, Marcy, and I worked on concession together. Listening to their banter helped me get through the day. Because of my late night, I was tired and not really in the mood to talk.
“So Sarah, how was the concert?” Marcy asked, two hours into my shift.
I handed popcorn to a customer and then turned to her. “It was amazing. I’m so glad Emma talked me into going.”
“What concert?” Zack asked.
I listed the bands we had seen, just as a new customer stood in my line.
A few hours later, I heard Marcy say in a singsong voice, “Here comes your boyfriend.”
I looked up and saw Lucas opening one of the
big glass entrance doors. He was early. I perked up instantly. A slow smile spread across my face as he headed toward us, and a wave of giddiness shot through my stomach.
“Her boyfriend?” Zack hissed, leaning toward Marcy. “You told me that she didn’t have one.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Chill, she didn’t then. They got together last week.”
Marcy and I gaped at him. “What’s the big deal Zack?” I said. “So you didn’t know I had a boyfriend. Do I have to tell you everything?” Even though I felt guilty for not explaining when he asked me out, I wouldn’t admit it.
He shook his head. “No, of course not, I was just surprised.” He stalked back to his register, where a woman and two cute little girls with matching pink outfits were waiting.
“Hi,” Lucas said with a big smile as he stepped up to the counter.
“Hi.” I turned to Marcy. “Lucas, you remember Marcy from school.” He nodded at her. “And this is Zack, he goes to Washington High.” I gestured to Zack, and since he was two registers away and serving a customer, he bobbed his head slightly in Lucas’ direction.
With the mention of his name, Lucas’ smile disappeared. I regretted telling him about Zack’s odd behavior.
“So did you have fun at the concert, Lucas?” Marcy asked, after she handed a man his change.
Luke looked away from Zack and smiled at her. “Yeah we had a great time. It was a late night, though you look tired,” he said, glancing at me.
“She is, she almost dozed off in the popcorn machine, twice,” Marcy said, nervously laughing at her own joke.
Lucas went into the games room while I finished my shift. As I was pouring a drink for a customer, Zack came up to me. “Why didn’t you tell me that you had a boyfriend when I asked you out?”
“I don’t know. I said I had plans, I just forgot to say with whom,” I whispered, handing off an order.
“Never mind.” He smiled. “He seems nice, are you guys in the same grade?” he asked, and I nodded.
“Someone’s in your line, Zack,” I informed him. He punched my shoulder playfully and went back to his register.
My shift ended a few minutes later, and I left to find Lucas.
“I’m ready,” I said, approaching him as he finished off a game of air hockey.
We walked out hand in hand, waving to Marcy and Zack as we passed.
Once we were in the car, Lucas turned to me. “He likes you, you know.” The engine roared as he started it, and he pulled out of the lot.
Although he didn’t say his name, he was obviously referring to Zack. “I know, he’s asked me out a couple of times. He’s a nice guy, though. He seemed upset at first when he saw you, but he was fine by the time I left.”
“I thought you were going to tell him that you have a boyfriend.” His voice was strained, like he was trying to control his anger. If I wasn’t so sure he knew how I felt about him, I would swear he was jealous.
“He knows now.”
Lucas stared at me; his eyes were filled with irritation. Just as I thought he was about to speak, he turned away and focused on the road, gripping the steering wheel.
“What’s wrong?” I asked him, weary of his silence.
“Nothing, it’s just…since he likes you, maybe you shouldn’t spend time with him.”
“We work together, what am I supposed to do? Quit?” I snapped, unable to hide my annoyance.
“You could work at the restaurant.” His lips turned upwards into a crooked grin, but he kept his eyes on the road.
“Are you serious, you’re not jealous, are you? I just told you that I love you. How could you be jealous of some guy at work because he asked me out a couple of times? Are you going to tell me to quit school, since Pete asked me out? Not to mention the guys in the past. There’s not a lot, but there are a few. Should I quit school, Lucas?” I was yelling now, but it couldn’t be helped. When someone treated me like a child, I usually acted like one.
His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Will you calm down? I just think you should try to keep your distance. I’m not jealous; he just gave me a strange feeling.”
“Listen to me. You will not tell me who I should, or shouldn’t, talk to. I am not a child, and you are not my father.” Feeling frustrated, I leaned my head against the window, glancing out at the streets passing by, and noticed we were almost at my house.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see him glaring at me. “No, I’m not your father, but I am someone who loves you and wants you to be safe.” Although he didn’t yell, his tone was like ice.
“Why would I not be safe?” I asked, puzzled by his whole reaction.
His expression went blank. “You don’t know him that well.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m not safe.” His face was still blank, and I knew he wouldn’t explain. I decided to soften my tone since I really didn’t want to fight with him.
“I don’t know why you think I’m not safe. He wouldn’t hurt me, okay? He’s a nice guy who got a little jealous because he has a crush on me. That’s all.”
He took a few deep breaths, turned to me, and mumbled, “Fine.”
After we pulled into my driveway, Lucas took my bag out of the trunk. I met him on the front porch, and we walked in together. He pulled away when I tried to hold his hand.
My mother came rushing towards us as we stepped into the living room. She gave me a big hug, and the smell of ginger filled my nose. “Oh honey, we missed you. Did you have fun?”
“Mother, I spoke to you on our way home today, remember?” I pulled myself out of her grip.
“I know, but it’s nice to see your face.”
“So Lucas, did you have a nice time?” my dad asked, leaning on the edge of the couch.
“I did, thank you. I thought of bringing you both back a souvenir, but I didn’t think the bands were your taste.”
“You’re right, but it’s nice that you thought of us,” my mom said, smiling.
“Hey, Mom, I took some pictures, do you want to see them?” I held up my camera with the photos of us in our separate rooms.
“Sure.”
As she scrolled through them, I explained each one.
“It looks like you had a lot of fun.”
“Thanks for letting me go, it was awesome,” I said, giving her another hug. “We’re going up to my room so I can put my stuff away.”
Upstairs, Lucas sat on the couch and turned on the TV.
“Are you going to give me the silent treatment all night?” I asked him when I was finished unpacking. I tossed my overnight bag under my bed, giving it a shove with my foot so it wouldn’t stick out and trip me in the middle of the night.
Sitting down beside him on the sofa, I gave him a nudge with my elbow.
“I’m not,” he murmured, eyes still on the screen. Yeah, that was convincing. We sat in silence. I didn’t want to speak first, but the quiet was driving me crazy.
I stood up and locked my bedroom door so I could put on my pj’s. Choosing a tank top and boxer shorts, I went into my walk-in closet and changed.
Now that I was comfortable, I sat beside him again, wondering if he would ever speak. It was quiet in the room except for the cheers from the game show he was watching.
“Are you going to pout all night?” I was annoyed at myself for speaking first.
He finally turned his head from the TV and frowned at me. “I’m not pouting.”
“You haven’t spoken to me since we got here. Seems like pouting to me.” I crossed my arms and stared at him.
He took a second to look at me, his gaze falling to the skimpy top and short boxers. “I think I’m going to head home.” He stood up and started walking to the door.
I grabbed a pink hoodie from the arm of my chair and put it on, suddenly feeling the need to cover up. As his hand touched the doorknob, I said, “Lucas, stop.”
He turned around. “What?” His eyes were blank, his voice cold.
“Talk to me, I don’t want you to be
mad.” I really hated how distant he suddenly was. Just last night he told me that he loved me, and now he felt so far away, I couldn’t reach him.
He sighed, coming back to sit on the couch, pulling me down to sit beside him, taking my hands in his. “I don’t want to be mad at you either. But I really get a strong feeling that you should be careful when it comes to Zack. Please take me seriously. It has nothing to do with jealousy. I trust you. And I know you love me. But I don’t trust him.” He pleaded with his eyes. I thought about it, trying to keep my anger at bay. I’d always had a problem with being told what to do. My parents never really did, they always treated me equally. Well, except recently.
“What is it that you’re worried about?” I asked him, trying to understand his problem with Zack.
He paused, searching for the right words to explain. “I don’t really know, I just think you should be careful.”
Lucas was asking me to trust him, and I did, so I thought of a compromise. “I can’t quit my job. But I will try not to be alone with him if I can. I still say he’s a nice guy, and he wouldn’t hurt me. But I trust you, so I’ll try.”
“Will you let me drive you to and from work when I can?”
Again, I was shocked by his sudden overprotective attitude. “What? That’s stupid, what’s going on?”
He smiled, but since his eyes were still blank of emotion, it wasn’t convincing. “Well, nothing really, I just like to be around you.”
I didn’t believe him, but given the dreams he had about me, he had a right to worry. So I decided to do what he asked. On the plus side, I would be able to see him more often. “I don’t think it’s necessary, but I’ll humor you.”
He smiled and kissed me, leaning in to whisper, “Thank you.” His breath tickled my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
When I was able to think clearly again, I remembered something. “I work noon to five tomorrow, can you drive me?”
“I can pick you up after work. Do you think your parents would drop you off?”
“And what would my reason be? I have a car, remember?”
He thought for a minute. “I’ll try to be here, I’ll call you if I can’t.” He smiled and wrapped his arms around me. “Does this mean I won our first fight?”
Fated Dreams (Book One In The Affinity series) Page 16