“Since I may lose my job over this little conversation, can I asked you your name,” he said smiling slightly. I noticed he’d closed the lid on his lunch so I was certain he did lose his appetite.
“It’s Mercy,” I said, giving him a polite smile back.
“Brad,” he said. I looked at him curiously. “I mean, my name is Brad.” I watched his finger fidget with the fork as he twisted in circles between his fingers. It was really cute how nervous he seemed.
“I should probably get back from my break. If you aren’t busy maybe I could take you to dinner,” he said timidly.
Wow, a college guy destined to be a doctor was asking me out. Well I started to say.
“Oh, I guess the family is probably getting together later, huh,” he said. I nodded thanking him for the out. He stood taking his tray. I looked absently at my own bowl of fruit I hadn’t eaten yet. He looked down at me just as Flynn and Luke walked into the room. “It was really nice meeting you,” he said.
Quickly I said, “You too.” I hoped he would be far away before they spotted me, but it was too late. They’d seen him talking to me. Future Dr Brad passed them before Flynn turned back giving him a once over. Suddenly, the fruit looked heavenly. I shoved more than a mouthful in my mouth to avoid the conversation to come.
Luke sat in the recently vacated chair by Brad and said, “We were looking for you.”
I pointed to fruit leaving my palm up gesturing that it was the fruit that brought me here. I shook my Simply Lemonade in my hand prepared to wash down my fruit as soon as I swallowed. I cracked open the bottle when Flynn spoke.
“I bought you a bagel,” he said holding out the bag.
After I swallowed I said one word before taking huge drink, “Fattening.”
Luke then asked the question, “So who was that guy.”
Darn, he wasn’t going to let that go. I guess I couldn’t blame him. But truthfully, I’d been on my very best behavior with Adelina. Trying to keep the answers short I said, “Doctor,” then I proceeded to shovel more fruit in my mouth.
Flynn not really getting it said, “I guess you were really hungry.”
I nodded while chewing slowly but vigorously. I wouldn’t want to choke or anything.
Luke looked at me and said, “Are you mad at me about Adelina?”
I shook my head no dramatically, giving him an expression that said, that’s a crazy thought.
“You sure,” he said.
Still chewing, I almost got dizzy with my head changing directions. I nodded yes I was sure. I swallowed the food and chased it with the lemonade. Figuring the worst was over I didn’t yet take another bite.
“Are you jealous ?” he asked.
Hell yes, I wanted to say, but I just stared at him no longer chewing for a long moment. “No,” I managed to say quietly. “Do I have a reason to believe you’re being perfidious?” I asked.
But with the look on his face I was positive I had no reason to mistrust him. “Now, I know this one,” he said, holding his phone out with the word on the day displayed there. Luke doesn’t have it in him to be unfaithful, Mercy,” he said absently to me.
Luke didn’t speak. And I read everything he didn’t say. It was hurt that I didn’t trust him. He didn’t press me though.
“I do trust him, but the question is does he trust me,” I said, putting it out there.
Luke face changed to an expression of incredulity. “I do,” he said stridently.
Flynn picked a strawberry out of my bowl before I could slap his hand away. He had it in his mouth before I could get it back. Strawberries are the best part of the fruit bowl and no matter who prepared these prepackaged bowls never gave you enough so I was sad to see it go. I was about to make a smart remark when he beat me by saying, “We can see Brent now.”
“Really,” I said grateful for the subject change. The tension died.
“You finished?” Flynn asked. I pushed the bowl over to him assuming he’d eat it anyway.
I looked back at Luke ready to offer him some, when the look on his face said he still didn’t believe I wasn’t mad about Adelina. So I leaned over and gave him a super quick peck on the lips. “You look tired, we should go see Brent and find a place to get some rest,” I said.
He smiled at me. But then his eyes searched mine and I wasn’t so sure my strategy worked. His earlier action today with Adelina hadn’t been perfidious but had mine? I didn’t know but I kept the smile plastered to my face emitting warmth.
We had to take the elevator to Brent’s room. His parents were leaving out when we came in. Luke and Flynn greeted them and introduced me. His mother and father were both very nice and I couldn’t help but think Brent was truly lucky just like Maggie in that area. Flynn, Luke and I, all only lived with one parent.
Brent shoulder seemed swollen but it was wrapped with so much gauze, I couldn’t be sure. I stepped over to the chair Maggie occupied, while Flynn and Luke flanked either side of the bed. They were both so tall, they had to lean in to listen to Brent muffle words. He must have been really loaded with a lot of pain killers.
“How is he?” I whispered to Maggie.
She turned with her Irish twinkle and said, “He’s going to be fine.”
“That’s good,” I said. “How long will they keep him?’ I knew she would have all the answers.
“They say he should be able to leave in a few days,” she said, beaming a smile that was brighter than the brightest star. I gave her a hug just before the nurse came in. She neatly told us that Brent had a lot of visitors, but he needed some rest. Our visit was cut way too short. Maggie talked the nurse into letting her stay. Her reasons were that his parents had asked her to remain until they got back. So with partings words for Brent to hang in there, we left.
Back in Luke’s car, I didn’t know what we were going to do. “Are we going to Brent’s parents’ house?” I asked.
Luke said while pulling out the lot, “No, we can stay at my dad’s house.”
Luke’s dad had a house in the Hamptons. In shock, I didn’t say anything until we arrived. When we drove up, the word house didn’t quite cover the extent of it. Manicured expansive lawns and hedges that framed the modern day chateau with its sandy brown brick façade made for the mansion it was. I had to wonder just how rich Luke really was. I certainly was out of my element. Money had never been important to me. But it seemed Luke, Brent, and Flynn had it in spades. Interestingly, none of them really acted like it. They never made me feel like I didn’t belong because I wasn’t rich. More of my preconceptions shattered. I needed to rethink everything.
Parking in front in the circular drive, I tried not to act like a tourist. I took a look around but kept my gawking to a minimum. I didn’t think they would be bothered by my dropped jaw, but I thought it would be rude to do so. We entered a huge foyer on tile that echoed our footsteps. The style and decor were a dead giveaway that Luke’s dad owned this house. It had the twin staircase that was also found in Luke’s house back home. The main difference was this house and everything about it was twice maybe even three times larger.
Luke turned to me and said, “You can have any room upstairs of your choosing. I’m going to contact my Dad and let him know we will be staying here tonight.”
I saw him pull out his cell phone, so I headed up the right staircase to pick a room. To say I was eager to explore was putting it mildly. I wasn’t overjoyed by the richness of the place. It was more like I felt like a doll exploring an amazing doll house for the first time. My feet didn’t make a sound on the marble staircase. The rubber soles of my chucks barely pattered as I made my way to the second floor. Up at the top there was a long corridor that spread to either side of me. I walked to my right along an expensive rug that lined the hardwood floor down the middle. I walked a bit before on a whim, I absently opened a door.
Behind it lay a large room not much larger than the one I’d inhabited at Flynn’s lake house. It was elegantly furnished with mahogany pieces not my t
aste, but I knew they must cost a pretty penny. Even with the amount of decorating in the room, nothing in there seemed truly personal. So I assumed it was indeed a guest room and dropped my bag on the ground.
I decided a quick warm shower would be just what I needed to bring on the sleep that I had held at bay for so long it just eluded me. Taking my Juicy sweats that I planned for bed out of my bag, I laid them on the bed. I only had one more outfit besides the sweats in my bag for tomorrow. So I would dress for bed even though it was still pretty early.
With my clothes in hand, on the second try, I found the bathroom I knew would be attached to the room. The warm water of the shower loosened my muscles. I had a hard time turning the water off. After the shower, I combed out my damp hair and let it stay loose. The white tank top I wore rose high on my hips leaving a gap between it and my hip hugging sweat pants. I pulled on the matching hoddie which was meant for style not warmth. I left it unzipped as I walked out of the bathroom and into the eyes of Luke.
Feeling self-conscious I crossed my arms over my chest. “Hi,” I said. At this point in our relationship, I shouldn’t be so shy. Luke’s hands had been on me on more than one occasion. But still I felt my blood color my cheeks, giving my emotions away. He gave me an approving once over and I felt the other worldly entity inside me stir.
“I thought I’d take a shower below lying down,” I said nervously, but excited all at the same time. I couldn’t lose control again. What would Luke think of me?
“I can see that,” he said as his eyes roamed me again. Flames burst inside me and I bit my lower lip trying to hold myself back from flinging myself on him.
“You know what is so interesting,” he said taking a step towards me. A part of me wanted to move towards him, but I was still partially in control. So I took a retreating step back bumping into the dresser. The solid wood didn’t give an inch with my weight on it.
He gave me a look of worry. I knew he thought that I was afraid of him. But really I was afraid of myself. The succubus inside me was growing in strength and I could feel it. It had no care for my virginity. We were nearly alone in the house, unsupervised like last night. The difference was this time there was no one that stood between us from moving forward to the next level except me. I really cared for Luke, but I wasn’t ready for that step not to mention I had no desire to steal his life force.
He made another move towards me with nowhere left for me to go. I held my ground. I fought my instincts to reach for him. Fire grew in my eyes as I surveyed his mouth. “No, what’s interesting?” I was finally able to say responding finally to his previous comment.
“Of all the rooms in the house, you picked the one five doors down on the right, which is my room,” he said.
“Gosh,” I said exhaling, hoping to regain some control over the mischievous beast inside me. What were the odds that I would select his room? “I’ll just pick a different one. I’m sorry I didn’t know,” I rambled on.
But he was there now with his hand on my face. I knew he would kiss me and I would fully lose control at his touch. With his hand in my hair and the other on my waist touching my exposed skin I yielded to him waiting for his lips to meet mine.
The door opened and Flynn strode in saying something I didn’t know before he realized what he walked in on. He looked at Luke who now turned back to him and then he looked at me.
“Oh, there you are Mercy. I was looking for you,” he said. His eyes roamed between both of us. I couldn’t blame the look after what happened last night.
I couldn’t see Luke’s expression, but I heard his emotions in his voice. “What could you possibly need with Mercy at this very moment,” he growled.
Flynn took a moment to think. It was a moment for me to regain some control and I was certainly grateful for his interruption. “I can’t get in touch with my dad and I need to let him know where we are staying tonight.”
I kissed Luke’s cheek and said, I’ll be right back. I moved away leaving Luke behind. Following Flynn out of the room, he took my arm in a vice grip. He pulled me down the stairs and through the center hallway to the kitchen.
“What the hell,” he said in a whisper.
I wasn’t confused by his anger towards me. But I had done nothing wrong. “What are you talking about?” I asked.
“You let it out again Mercy,” he said still whispering. “Didn’t you learn anything after last night?”
I paused to think. I did lose control but how did I have control over Luke. “Luke cornered me,” I said, but even to myself I sounded unsure.
“I saw it in your eyes,” he said. But our conversation was soon ended when Luke walked in. Possessively, he put his arms around my waist and nuzzled my neck.
“Can you save that for when you’re behind closed doors?” Flynn said jokingly. But I caught the flash disapproval in his eyes.
I didn’t feel however that stepping out of Luke’s embrace would send the right message to him. He may take it as rejection. Yet his touch still had the same effect on me. The succubus wanted out. I knew as well as everyone in the room that with no control it was too dangerous for it to be freed. But I made no movement from Luke to save myself.
“Jealous,” Luke said then kissed my neck. It tickled and I trembled. I should have noticed this was out of character for Luke. Never had he been this openly aggressive. Or had he? I remember our make-out session in his car at lunch. Finally, I moved to turn around so he would release me but with his arms locked around me I was only able to turn to face him.
Clearing my throat I said, “I’m hungry.” I swallowed.
He smiled and let me go. Flynn handed me his phone and I called my mother. Luke and Flynn began discussing what we could get to eat while I waited for my mom to answer my call. I ended up leaving a voicemail and looked around the kitchen. The cabinets were a cherry wood color and the appliances stainless steel. Too bad they were all void of anything edible. Luke said that his dad didn’t live here year around and since no one was expected, there wasn’t any food in the house. So with little discussion, Luke left with Flynn to find something for us to eat.
Flynn eyed me on the way out and I felt scolded like a child. But who was he? I knew what I was doing, I thought defiantly as the door closed on their departure. But honestly, I felt deflated. I wanted to explore but sleep called my name. So much so, I didn’t bother to choose another room. Until last night, Luke ended us sleeping with me anyway. So, I fell on Luke’s bed curled in a ball and stumbled my way into deep sleep. Even as I drifted off to la la land something inside me hoped Luke would be here when I woke up.
Chapter Twenty Eight
prepossessing (adj.) occupying the mind to the exclusion of other thoughts or feelings.
Nestled in Luke’s embrace was how I woke up. Gratefully I placed my hand on his. My stirring woke him as well. He brushed my hair from my face and kissed me on my cheek.
“Afternoon,” he said. Feeling refreshed, I must have slept a while.
Content in his arms I smile instinctively. “Afternoon,” I said. For practical reason I hoped with us being so close that my breath was still pleasant.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” he said. I had no answer for him. Flynn seemed to think it was my fault.
“You know I would never push you into anything you weren’t ready for,” he said continuing.
I opened my mouth to speak but he gave me one of his famous airbrush kisses.
“I should warn you that Flynn invited Adriana over and well now it seems we may have a party on our hands.”
I didn’t know why everyone was going to celebrate. “A party, Brent’s still in the hospital,” I said with dread. Really I didn’t want to deal with the evil twin who wanted my boyfriend.
“Apparently, since he is on the mend, it’s cause to celebrate,” he said sounding as if he wasn’t as keen on the idea as I was. “About Adelina,” he said.
I knew what he was going to say. “You don’t have to explain,” I said. Sleep can do
wonders for your mind. I knew that I had been overly obsessed with him and Nina and now Adelina but something had changed in me. “She’s your past. I do trust you.”
That brought a genuine smile to his face and he drew me near. Our lips touched quickly before he pulled back. I smiled up at him enjoying the fact that he understood me and trusted me enough for that quick contact. He was acting like himself again. Something had been wrong earlier. I was sure of that now. That added to whatever went wrong last night; I was beginning to believe Sebastian was right. There was something different about me. I was affecting Luke, I was certain of it. Could the demon power inside me truly be contagious when in close contact?
He got off the bed and helped me to my feet. Perhaps, I should have spoken up, but I didn’t. Instead I walked to the bathroom to brush my teeth and rinse my mouth out before we headed downstairs. Something told me the party had already started.
Well, sufficed it to say it had. There were a bunch of people out back. From the deck, I had a clear view of the ocean. The view was spectacular. The crashing waves cresting then rolling gentle up onto the sandy beach should have been relaxing to look at. But the sand beyond the deck area held a bunch of people tossing a football.
I caught the sight of the Luca sisters and my mood soured. Tony showed up but I didn’t see Tom. There were also others I didn’t know. Then I saw Flynn tackle who I thought was the Adriana. I didn’t know a lot about football, but the girl didn’t have the ball. So the physical contact wasn’t necessary to the game. That was Flynn. On second thought giving him the benefit of the doubt, he probably needed to feed.
I sat in on a deck chair with Luke next to me. “You don’t want to go play?” I asked flirting.
“Are you going to play?” he asked back.
I would have if not for the Luca’s. “No, but I’ll watch.”
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