by Rivi Jacks
Lucas stands and moves away to return a moment later with a glass he holds out to me. “Take a sip, baby.”
I smile shakily as I take the glass and down the contents in one gulp. I choke for air as my eyes tear up.
Lucas takes the glass from my suddenly limp fingers. “Are you okay?” he asks, clearly amused. All I can do is nod as the fiery liquid sets my belly on fire. “Part of that was for me,” he says, laughing softly. “Would you like another?”
“No!” I gasp.
He chuckles setting the glass down. He then reaches for my hands, pulling me to my feet and into his arms. I wrap mine around his shoulders, burying my face against his warm neck. His chest expands as he breathes in deeply, his arms tightening securely around me as I press my face against the base of his throat.
He places a kiss on the top of my head. “Hey.” He lifts my chin with his finger, and I look up into his disarming eyes. “You’ve now told me the thing that troubles your soul the most.” His voice is deep and gentle. “That which you thought would make me see you in a different light. Possibly see you as not worthy—not good enough.” I swallow convulsively and barely nod. “However, what I see, my sweet, is a beautiful young woman who has not let the selfish ugliness of her parents define who she is. Despite what you had to deal with, you are kind and sweet, generous and giving with your love. We’ve already discussed how strong and courageous I think you are.” He smiles, and my gaze drops to his beautiful mouth before I look back into his eyes and watch as they turn serious.
“Understand me, Sofia Walker Reece, when I say again, that there is nothing that can cause me to not want you in my life. Nothing. Ever.” He brushes the hair off my forehead. “You never have to be afraid to love me, to give me your heart. I will always take care of you and be here for you. I will never abandon you; I give you my solemn vow.”
I find it hard to breathe from the emotions that well up at his words. His eyes search mine and I see something that can only be described as uncertainty in his expression.
“So—now that we have this straightened out between us—” He pauses, and there’s a hesitation in his manner that is so not Lucas, so uncharacteristic of this strong man.
I reach up to touch the side of his taut jawline, and I feel the tension in him relax slightly.
“Marry me. Please,” Lucas whispers with an impassioned plea, his eyes holding mine in their fervid intensity.
I close my eyes briefly. “Lucas—”
When he abruptly pushes me away from his chest only to bring his mouth down to mine, I part my lips in surprise. He doesn’t hesitate taking full advantage and promptly caresses my tongue with his. Lucas proceeds to annihilate all thought and resistance with long, drugging kisses that leave me clinging to his shirt front.
When he lets me come up for air, I draw in a much-needed breath. “Say, yes,” he prompts against my mouth.
“Lucas, please, I—”
He doesn’t let me finish as his lips, his hands, his whole body silence me with a sensual forcefulness that proceeds to obliterate all resistance. I can barely remember why I’ve even resisted to begin with as I clutch at his shoulders. He holds me firmly anchored to his front, and his body’s warmth seeps into mine. Sliding my hand down to his chest, I feel his heart beat against my palm.
He lifts his head, and when I open my eyes, his silvery-green gaze holds mine imprisoned. “You literally hold my heart in the palm of your hand, my sweet,” he whispers. He slides his hand from the back of my head to cover my hand. “Say you’ll be mine.” His eyes implore me to agree.
A multitude of doubt flashes through me as I think of so many reasons to say no.
“Lucas,—” When he starts to interrupt I place my fingers over his lips. “You’re royalty and—rich. I’m not, and I’ve never aspired to be either. Your home is not here—but mine is and always will be.” I feel his lips lift beneath my fingers and his eyes sparkle with amusement. “Our worlds are so very different, and we have too many things between us. You say you’re willing to let me be me, but I know at the next sign of trouble you’re going to have the impulse to whisk me away or hide me deep in this compound so Ezra and the Kihn can’t reach me.” My eyes urge him to understand. “We’ve known each other for so short a time and—”
“Sofie,” he mumbles under my fingers and then lifts his hand to take hold of mine.
“Lucas, we’re—different!” There, I’ve said it and my heart thuds nervously against my breast. I swallow deeply before whispering, “How does that work?”
His answering smile and subsequent chuckle cause me to frown as he leans in closer. “I’d say it works very well,” he murmurs seductively near my ear.
I pull my hand from his and expel my breath in frustration. I am so close to tears, and I desperately need him to reassure me, to give me a reason to say yes.
The corners of his mouth twitch, but he sobers his expression. He reaches for my hand, bringing it up to his lips and then pulls me close. I think he’s about to coerce me with kisses again and I pull away to walk over to stand in front of the fireplace. I instantly feel him at my back, his arms going around me.
“My sweet, the first thing you need to realize—all couples contemplate their future with a bit of uncertainty, maybe even a little apprehension.”
I nod slightly. I guess.
“And in case you haven’t noticed,” —his voice holds a note of humor as he rocks me gently— “I don’t live like royalty. When I do visit the family home, it’s to see my mother, not to preside over the supernatural world.” I smile, and he raises his arm up to rest across my chest. I rub my cheek against the warmth of his skin. “Yes, I have decisions to make that affect a lot of people, but on the whole, I live a simple life.”
A simple life—there’s nothing simple about Lucas.
“As for your second concern—Sofie, my home is with you.” My heart swells at his words. “Why do you think I bought that house or the other land I’ve purchased around Sweetwater?”
He owns other land in the area?
“Or why I built this cabin for you.”
“Because you wanted a safe place to stash me?”
He laughs, and his arms tighten around me. “If need be,” he teases, and I elbow him which earns me another laugh. “Sofie,” —he continues— “I know Sweetwater is your home. It’s where you need to be to be happy, and I need to be with you to be happy. It’s that simple, my sweet.”
His words send a warmth coursing through me and bring tears to my eyes. That’s probably the moment my concerns start to feel insignificant. When he nuzzles the top of my head, I lean back against him.
He continues softly, “I won’t deny that we come from very different worlds, but in some ways, not too different. At least as far as you accepting us—me—for what we are. That’s a rare trait to find in a human and when a supernatural being is lucky enough to find someone like you to share their life with—well, we seldom screw up our chance for happiness. And baby, I’m no fool. I’m not about to let you get away from me,” he teases. I smile when he nuzzles my ear.
“By the way, there are many human/supernatural marriages in this world.”
“There are?” I ask softly.
“Yes. You met Clea and David, I’m sure you sensed their happiness. Our relationships with humans are no different than most of the relationships you have been around your entire life, Sofie.”
The Hunts did seem very happy together. “There is a—small difference,” I say quietly. It’s not really a small difference, though.
“Yes, there is,” —his voice is hesitant— “and it’s a major difference. But it doesn’t have to pose a problem. It’s not like I’d have you go out and procure blood for me.”
“Ewwww.” I turn in his arms and look up into his smiling eyes. “That is not even a
slight concern for me, Lucas, because there is no way in hell—”
His body shakes with silent laughter.
I huff a little breath at his teasing and look away. I swallow deeply before meeting his eyes again. The disparity between us has haunted me since I first knew I loved him. “You won’t grow old—but I will.” I breathe the words.
His eyebrows lift, and his lips turn up at the corners. “That bothers you the most, does it?”
“Yes!” I hiss a little irritated by his amused, nonchalant manner.
Lucas’ gaze shifts past me, his expression turning serious. I watch as a myriad of emotions cloud his eyes.
“Lucas—” I begin with uncertainty, apprehensive once again. “What?” I demand as his silence continues.
He looks down to meet my eyes and the uncertainty I see there sets off warning bells. “I don’t suppose you’d just trust me and let it go for now?”
I frown as I search his face. He’s entirely serious. “No” —I say slowly— “I don’t suppose I would.”
He sighs thoroughly, regarding me with humor once more. He reaches out to pick up a lock of my hair, watching as he curls it around his finger before saying, “I like to think it’s a sign that a marriage between a human and a vampire has been acceptable right from the start.”
I frown, more confused and curious about what he’s not saying by the minute.
His eyes align with mine. “When we marry” —he begins hesitantly, and I fight the urge to smile at his choice of words— “your aging process” —the skin around his eyes tightens— “will slow down.”
I just look at him as I try to sort out what he’s just said. I search his expression but see no trace of humor or inkling that he’s teasing me again. “I—won’t age?” I frown at the thought.
“You will age—just at a slower rate,” he says carefully.
I shake my head still trying to make sense of what he’s telling me. “How much slower?”
The perceptible tightening around the eyes is there again. “A lot,” he says simply.
“How?” I frown. “I don’t understand—” I try to step back but he grips my arms as if he’s afraid I might run.
“It’s a little difficult to explain, Sofie.”
I look him right in the eye. “Try,” I say firmly.
I think I see approval in his expression and then he smiles. “I choose to believe it happens for the simple reason that it makes a union between us—for want of a better word—fairer.”
Fairer? This has to be the strangest thing I’ve heard in the whole paranormal way of life. “I think I need to sit down,” I murmur.
He lets me go then, and I cross to sit down on the couch. Lucas leans back against the fireplace mantel, watching me but remaining silent as I struggle with this new information. After several long minutes, I bring my gaze back to his. “How can that be possible, Lucas?”
He pushes away from the mantle and moves to squat down in front of me, taking hold of my hands. “Don’t let this freak you out, Sofie.”
My eyes widen, and I can’t stop my laughter. “Too late,” I gasp as Lucas stands, pulling me up with him. His eyes are sparkling with amusement as he looks down at me. I make an honest attempt to be serious, but it seems it’s just something I have to get out of my system as I continue to laugh. “I’m sorry,” I gasp as I wipe at my eyes.
Lucas pulls me close, his laugh a low sound in his chest. He tips my chin up contemplating my expression. “Sofie, as for how it’s possible? The most straightforward answer I can give you is that like most things in the supernatural world it’s best explained as—magic.” He smirks and pulls me back into his arms, but his words are soft and sincere. “It’s what makes a life together for us possible and that in itself—is definitely magic,” he says quietly.
My arms encircle his waist, even more in love with this alluring man, if that’s possible. I hope he can see that in my eyes when I look up at him. “Do you really think that?”
He nods. “I do, my sweet.” He brushes the hair back from my forehead. “And” —my gaze is drawn to his lips as they lift at the corners— “there’s no reason to turn a human just because a vampire doesn’t want to lose their mate.”
My startled gaze flashes back up to his. “Oh.” Lucas looks thoroughly amused. “I guess that could be a good thing,” I say, deciding it’s time I tease him a little.
“Is that right?” he says.
“Yes. Neither party is stuck in the marriage—you know—if things don’t work out.” It’s hard to keep a straight face especially when I see his smile waver.
His eyes narrow and then he gives me a small jerk, bringing me flush against his body. “Make no mistake, Sofie, there will be no change of heart between us,” he says with a soft growl.
I look down so he can’t see my expression. “I haven’t agreed to marry you yet, Lucas.”
“I’d threaten to lock you away until you agree but that would hardly be the smart thing to do since that is one of your concerns.”
I snicker, looking up. “No, probably not wise.”
“Wait—” He narrows his eyes. “You said yet.”
I smile and don’t hesitate when I nod.
I watch as a slow, satisfied smile crosses his face. “Yes?”
I laugh and nod emphatically. “Yes.”
My arms twine around his neck as he gathers me into his arms. “You’ve made me a very happy man, my sweet,” he says just before his mouth comes down to capture mine in a searing kiss.
Chapter Eighteen
The next two weeks are a whirlwind of activity. Neither Lucas nor I want to wait to marry, so plans are set in motion to honor our wishes. My aunts and two best friends are hell-bent on giving us the most beautiful, romantic wedding they can organize in the shortest amount of time possible.
Two months.
We’re a fourth of the way there, and in six weeks’ time, I’ll become Mrs. Lucas Santiago.
I’m still in a state of—dazed astonishment. I don’t think I’ve taken a single deep breath in the past two weeks. There are so many decisions to make, but the four women closest to me are working their hardest to keep everything as stress-free as possible. Diane keeps insisting I’m not to worry and to let her and the others handle everything. She continually asks if I’m having a good time.
I am.
But I have to admit, it’s hard to get my head wrapped around the fact that I’m about to be married.
To Lucas.
Who is the head of the supernatural world.
And therein lies the only blight on this happiest of times. I’m assailed by a whole slew of doubt even though I continually push it down. I keep the smile plastered on my face, answer any question put to me and don’t hesitate for a second when making life-altering decisions. Like, what colors do I want for my wedding? What flowers, roses or lilies? Would I like the best cuisine the Ozarks has to offer or surf and turf for our reception?
Lucas insists that it’s my choice, so I make these decisions with perfect aplomb, but deep down… I’m ashamed to say… I really don’t care.
I’m beyond nervous. It feels like the butterflies in my stomach are staging a revolt. I have so many concerns that I’m determined to keep to myself, not wanting to burden Lucas with them. He’s working extra hours just so we can leave for Spain right after our ceremony, because one week after our first wedding here in the Ozarks, we’re going to have a huge social wedding in Spain. One that befits the Santiago. It’s what is expected of the royal family. And that’s where all the doubts come in.
I’m excited to go to Spain, but I’m also apprehensive. This is a big deal, and I’m a small town girl. The biggest affair I’ve ever attended was one of Ben’s college reunion events in Boston with him and Lucy when I was seventeen. That was hu
ge to me, and I don’t even want to think about how many people will be invited to the Spanish ceremony. I feel like throwing up anytime the subject is brought up.
Lucas keeps telling me not to worry, I won’t have to do a thing except show up, and he’ll see to that. I think I’m going to suggest eloping and just skip both ceremonies. We could have two big parties instead.
The problem with that is that his mother is on her way here. She’s due to arrive in six days, and she’s planning to stay for a week and then return home only to come back in time for the wedding here.
Lucas’ mother.
What if she doesn’t like me? Will Lucas change his mind about marrying me?
“What are you doing?”
I jump, startled when Emma Rae plops down beside me. I’m sitting in the seating area of the dark and quiet arena. It seemed like the perfect spot when I sought out a place I thought I could safely mull over all of my uncertainties in private. It’s so hard to find alone time.
“You must have had to look really hard for me,” —I look over at her— “to find me.”
“It wasn’t too hard. Cal was a little worried about you sitting in here all alone.”
I snort softly. I should have known a vampire—somewhere—would be watching me.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
I inhale deeply and chew on my lip, considering how to answer her. “I’m not sure.”
“It’s just nerves,” she says, looking over at me.
I nod. “Yeah, probably.” But I don’t think so.