Back to my Roots

by Tessa Elaine

  When he was overseas and the IED hit, Wyatt lost his team. He was the only one to survive. I know he blames himself, I shouldn't have said he doesn't know how to lead a team.

  “Damn man I'm sorry, I didn't mean it,” I tell him, he just shakes his head and walks away.

  “Just go back to the office Lucas, I have shit to do,” he says over his shoulder. I walk back to my truck and climb in.

  “Fuck!” I yell, she has my head all messed up. I'm treating the people in my life like shit. I need to get it together. I head back to the office to get more work done. It's almost impossible to stay focused, I can't stop feeling guilty about the way I talked to Wyatt. I know he knows what he's doing or I would have never hired him. It's almost time to head out when the office phone rings.

  “Wayne's Construction, this is Lucas.” I answer, but was not expecting who was on the other end.

  “Lucas Wayne, what in the ever-loving heck is your problem?” My sister yells so loud I have to pull the phone away from my ear.

  “Sarah why are you calling the office? And stop yelling.” I tell her.

  “I called the office because you’re not answering your phone, and I can yell if I want.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and see its dead. Shit I forgot to charge it last night. I can't do anything right.

  “My phone is dead, and why are you yelling?” I say

  “Dad would not be happy if he found out about the way you acted today. That is not the way we treat our employees and it sure in the heck is not the way we treat our friends.” What the hell, how does she know what happened today?

  “Did Wyatt call you?” Why is he calling my sister?

  “Yes, Wyatt called me, he's worried about you. It's not like you to go off without a good reason and you and Wyatt have never fought about anything.”

  “I had a good reason, you didn't see the job site.” I tell her.

  “You could have handled that whole situation better. He told me how you went off on your foreman and then started in on him. Lucas, you should have just pulled Wyatt off to the side and talk to him about your concerns. You know you can count on him, he works really hard to make sure things are done right. Why would you take your bad mood out on him?” She's right I should have just talked to Wyatt about the problems on site. Man, what the hell is wrong with me?

  “Since when do you and Wyatt talk so much?” I have been meaning to ask her that. There's a pause on the other end.

  “Wyatt called me to check on you, we don't talk that much,” she says, but I know something is going on.

  “Sarah, are you seeing my best friend?” I ask, not happy about the idea. She knows I would be pissed. He might be like a brother to me, but she is my little sister.

  “No, Lucas I am not seeing Wyatt. Wyatt doesn't do relationships, he just screws the flavor of the week. But if you want to get into who slept with who's best friend then by all means go right ahead.” Okay she has me there. I still think something is up with those two. I guess that's another conversation for another time.

  “Look Sarah I have a lot of work to get done here, I will talk to Wyatt about my concerns and apologize for my mood.” I tell her hoping to get her off my back. Wyatt and my sister really need to stop discussing my moods.

  “Lucas I'm really worried about you, you're not acting like yourself. Does this have something to do with Elena?” I was really trying to avoid this conversation.

  “I'm fine really, everyone has their bad days, today was mine. As far as Elena, she has nothing to do with me... I mean this. I haven't even talked to her.” Sarah sighs and stays silent.

  “Really Sarah I'm fine, I promise.” I hope that was more convincing than it sounded.

  “Fine Lucas, if you don't want to talk to me about this then you should at least talk to Elena.” I start to protest but she cuts me off.

  “You might not want to admit it but you didn't start acting like this until mom and dad said she was coming back. Go talk to her Lucas, tell her how you feel.” What she doesn't know is that I’ve tried to talk to Elena. She won't give me the time of day. How am I supposed to talk to her? So, I just lie.

  “There is nothing to talk about Sarah, we’ve all moved on. That was seven years ago. My mood has nothing to do with Elena so just leave it alone.” That sounded more convincing.

  “Okay Lucas do whatever you want.” Then she hangs up. Great first Wyatt now Sarah, who else can I piss off.

  After getting off the phone with my sister I decided to call Wyatt later and finish up with my work. It's almost seven when I leave the office. I usually don't work this late, but with my head being elsewhere it took me longer to get shit done. I climb in my truck after locking up and head home. It's only a thirty-minute drive home and that leaves me with plenty of time to think. I really owe Wyatt an apology and the foreman too. As far as Elena, I'm just going to keep my distance until she goes back home. About the time I have that thought I drive by her ranch.

  I'm really surprised to see her car there. I want to keep driving and go straight home but I know this has to be hard for her. She has no one here and that makes my chest hurt.

  I pull down her drive and feel a rush of Deja vu. I climb out and walk to the door, it's open just a little and I can hear soft cry's coming from inside. I push the door open and step inside. I haven't been in this house in a long time. I follow the sound of her crying and find her in the foyer. She's on the floor curled in a ball hyperventilating and shaking. She starts crying harder and I can't stop myself. I sit in the floor next to her and scoop her into my lap.

  I hold her close and tell her, “Let it all out, it's going to be okay darlin’.” As I rock her back and forth.

  “Lucas” she says sobbing and wraps her arms around my waist. My name sounds so good on her lips with her body pressed so close to mine. Her tears soak my shirt but I don't care. My heart aches for her and this makes me wish she would have let me be the one to comfort her all those years ago. But I'm glad I can be here now, she shouldn't do this alone. I look over to see a box with pictures all around it. They are of her parents and her, now I know what has her so upset.

  We sit like this for what feels like hours until the tears stop and her breathing becomes shallow and slow. I look down and see she has cried herself to sleep. I can't leave her here, there's no power and it’s cold. So, I do the only thing I can think of. I stand with her and she wraps her arms around me and buries her face in my neck. Her warm breath against my neck makes me shiver. I kiss her head and breath her in, she still smells like jasmine and vanilla. I walk out to my truck and place her in the passenger seat, she stirs just a little but stays asleep. I start the truck and turn the heat on to keep her warm.

  Heading back into the house I grab her purse and keys then lock the house and her car up. I climb behind the wheel of the truck and look over to make sure she's okay. I drive us back to my house and carry her inside and up the stairs to my room. I put her in my bed, pulled her shoes off, and cover her up. She looks so right in my house and in my bed. I'd planned on sleeping on the couch but before I leave the room I lean down and kiss her on the forehead. When I turn away she grabs my hand.

  “Please don't go, lay with me? I don't want to be alone.” I hesitate, not sure if she's awake.

  “You sure that's a good idea?” I ask

  “Please” she says again, I can't deny her anything. She scoots over so I start kicking off my boots, pull my shirt off, and climb in behind her. I don't make a move to touch her until she pushes her back to my chest. I wrap my arms around her and bury my face into the back of her head. My heart is racing and I can't believe we are here right now, I just wish it was on better circumstance. I feel her body relax and she falls back to sleep, I follow not long after.

  I'm dreaming of soft lips and sweet whispered words, then it's cold. I wake up to the sound of my bedroom door shutting, I'm not sure how long I was asleep. It takes a second to remember what happened, I brought Elena home with me. I look over to see she's no lon
ger in bed with me and panic.

  I'm out of bed and racing down the stairs before I’m even fully awake. The only thing going through my mind is I can't lose her again. I make it to the bottom of the stairs and see her grabbing her purse off the table. I'm frozen there watching her walking away from me again. She gets to the door with her hand on the knob before I can say anything.

  “Elena!” When she hears her name, she freezes with her hand on the handle ready to turn it. She doesn't say anything she just drops her head like she's sad she got caught.

  “Elena, please talk to me.” I ask her, needing her to say something, anything. I don't think I can handle her walking out on me again, especially after having her in my arms again. She turns around slowly and when her eyes meet mine I can see she has been crying.

  “Elena, don't walk away from me again, that's all you’ve done since you got back to town.” I see the tears start to fall down her cheeks and I see the look on her face. All I ever wanted was to make her happy. I can't stand this distance between us any more so I go to her. She backs up against the door and I stop with only a couple inches separating us. She's not looking at me anymore. She takes a sharp breath when I cup her face, forcing her to look at me.

  “Darlin’, tell me why you're crying, tell me how to fix it.” I plead with her in a whisper. She shakes her head and tries to look away from me, but my hands are firm. Not so much that I'm hurting her but enough to where she can't hide from me. She finally looks me in the eyes and more tears start to fall. I whip them away with my thumb and she leans into my hand. She finally says something.

  “Lucas,” breathlessly she whispers my name, like so much emotion is in that one word. I hear the bag fall to the floor and before I know what hit me her lips are pressed to mine.

  She throws her arms around my neck, fingers digging into my hair. I barely have time to process what’s going on before she pushes her tongue into my mouth. Moving it over the roof of my mouth, running her tongue around mine. This kiss has so much desperation wrapped up in it, I'm having a hard time staying in control. I lift her up and she wraps her legs around my waist. Pushing her against the door and we line up perfectly. Her breasts are pressed to my chest and my cock is lined with her warm heat. The kiss grows more urgent, teeth clashing tongues fighting for control.

  I grind my cock into her and bit down on her bottom lip and pulling just a little moan from her. I finally pull myself away and put my forehead to hers, we are both panting hard and breathless. I just stand there taking her in, one hand on her hip the other tangled in her hair.

  “Laney, don't go” I say quietly, I don't think I can let her go even if that's what she wants.

  “Why were you leaving in the middle of the night?” She still hasn't said anything but my name. She looks at my lips and then licks hers like she can still taste me on them. She throws her head back and starts grinding her pussy on my hard cock. I growl and pin her to the door harder with my hips, trying to keep her still. I pinch her chin between my thumb and my finger forcing her face back down to mine.

  “Elena, say something” I raise my voice trying to get her to talk to me. She makes a move to try to kiss me again but I hold her in place.

  “Not until you talk to me. I don't know what's going on with you, but you know I won't take advantage of you in this state. You're hurting Elena, and I just want to be there for you anyway I can.” I feel her relax in my arms just a little. She finally says something but it's not even close to what I expected.

  “Lucas, I want you to make me forget, forget all the loss, forget all the pain, just get lost in the now.” She says as more tears fall down her cheeks, she's shaking now.

  “Laney, how can I help you forget? What can I do?” I ask, but I'm almost afraid I know the answer from the look in her eyes.

  “I need you Lucas, I need you right now” Holy shit!

  Chapter 10

  Elena

  I wake up wrapped in strong arms, with a hard body pressed to my back. I feel so right, I snuggle into the arms of the one holding me. He moans and holds me closer, at that moment my eyes fly open. I realize where I am and who's arms I'm wrapped in. His leg is thrown over mine and I have no idea how I'm going to get out. I slowly untangle myself as to not wake him up, he only stirs slightly. I turn over once I'm free and look at the only man I have ever loved, Lucas Wayne. He looks so relaxed in his sleep, and so masculine at the same time. With his strong jaw, straight nose, high cheek bones. The epitome of perfection.

  He has no shirt on and I just drink him in, wide chest and abs for days. They make me want to run my tongue all over his body, I bet he still tastes amazing. His brow furrows and causes his hair to fall in his face so I reach over and brush it out of the way. I caress the side of his face and the frown smooths out, he leans into my hand and my heart races. He gravitates to my touch even in his sleep. I lean down and kiss his lips thanking him for being there for me. My heart aches with how much love I still have for this man, I have to get out of here before he wakes up.

  I find my shoes on the floor and make my way out the door shutting it softly so I don't wake him. I can't stop the tears from falling. I make my way down the stairs looking for my purse and my keys. I have no idea how I will get back to my car, I guess I could walk it's not that far. I find my purse on the table by the door, I grab it and turn to leave. When my hand is on the door fixing to open it I hear my name.

  “Elena!” Lucas says, and I freeze at the sound of his voice. I know if I turn around I will just run back into his arms, and where would that leave us? I know I should just open the door and walk away but I can't bring myself to turn the knob. I drop my head at a loss of what to do.

  “Elena, please talk to me.” I hear the desperation in his voice, I'm just not sure there is anything to talk about. I turn slowly knowing he's going to see the tears.

  “Elena, don't walk away from me again, that's all you've done since you got back to town.” The pain in my heart is unreal but his words are true. Every time we run into each other I feel like if I don't get out of there fast enough I will fall apart.

  The tears start to fall down my face again. He starts to walk toward me and I press my back to the door, I know if he gets to close I will cave. I have to keep my head. He steps up to me with only inches between us, and I look down at the floor unable to look him in the eyes. He cups my face with his hands and forced my head up.

  “Darlin, tell me why you're crying, tell me how to fix it.” I hear the pleading in his voice at the soft whisper of his words. I shake my head because there is nothing he can do. I try to turn away from him so he can't see the heartbreak in my eyes but his grip is strong and gentle at the same time. More tears fall down my face when I look at him. He wipes my cheeks with his thumbs and I can't help but lean into his touch.

  “Lucas” His name slips out of my mouth.

  Before I can think too much about it I drop my purse, rise up on my tiptoes, and press my lips to his. I throw my arms around his neck, digging my nails into his hair and pulling him closer. That causes him to draw a breath and I delve into his mouth, tasting him, putting all my feelings into that kiss. I feel his control slip, he lifts me off the ground and I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist.

  He pins me to the door and his hard cock lines up perfectly with my pussy. I'm desperate for him, I feel like I can't get close enough. I want to crawl under his skin and feel him from the inside.

  We start to kiss with more urgency, going at each other like we've been lost in the desert for days and this is our first drink of water. He bites my bottom lip and pulls on it. I moan into his mouth and ride his hard shaft. I have never been this gone over someone to the point of losing complete control.

  He finally pulls away resting his forehead to mine. We just stay there catching our breath, he has one hand on my hip and the other tangled in my hair holding me in place.

  “Laney, don't go” He says so quietly I barely hear him.

  “Why are you leavi
ng in the middle of the night?” I'm so lost in the sensation of his hard body pressed to mine I can't speak. I lick my lips still tasting him and wanting more. I throw my head back and grind on him chasing that feeling. He growls and pushes into me harder stilling my movement, but it feels so good. He grabs my chin forcing my head back down to meet his gaze.

  “Elena, say something” His tone is growing more frustrated and his voice is getting louder. I try to kiss him again but he holds me in place by my hair.

  “Not until you talk to me. I don't know what's going on with you. You know I won't take advantage of you in this state. You're hurting Elena and I just want to be there for you anyway I can.” I relax in his arms to his sweet words. He is the most caring man I know, but I don't think he will give me what I want.

  “Lucas, I want you to make me forget, forget all the loss, forget all the pain, just get lost in the now.” More tears start to fall and now I'm shaking in his arms. I feel the panic setting in, not really sure if it’s from all the emotions or the fear of his rejection.

  “Elena, how can I help you forget? What can I do?” Lucas says, and it gives me hope he won't push me away.

  “I need you Lucas, I need you right now.” His eyes go wide and I see the struggle of what to do cross his face. I try to help make a decision for him, with my hands still in his hair I try to pull him closer and rub my body against his. He lets go of my hair and pulls my hands from around his neck. At first, I think he's going to let me go and walk away but instead he pins my hands above my head. I moan as the position brings us closer. His mouth is only a breath away from mine and I can tell he wants this too.

  “Elena, you don't know what you're asking.” He says, but I can see the regret in his eyes. He doesn't want to talk me out of this but Lucas will always do what's right.