Chapter 11 - Gina
I closed my eyes and threw my head back, laying it against the couch cushion. My eyes burned from staying up all night instead of sleeping.
Lucas was working overnight on border patrol, and I figured I could work since I was up and had quiet time. So, I stayed up until two in the morning working. Instead of going to bed after that, I decided to start planning the looming wedding.
I had thought of going to bed, but I knew I would just toss and turn because of everything going on. My mind never shut off when it was time for bed, so I figured if I worked until I dropped, I could sleep then.
I pinched my eyes, suddenly cursing myself for not wearing my blue screen glasses. I was going to get a headache soon if I didn't get some sleep. But sleep wasn't coming right away.
I looked at my watch, and it was a little past six. I needed coffee, a shower, sleep, and food—not all in that order.
I closed my computer and pulled myself off the couch. I looked at the mess I’d made in the living room, knowing I should clean it up. Lucas never complained, but I saw how his jaw clenched when he saw it. He liked things organized, and I was not that person.
I gathered everything into a pile and left it on the coffee table. I then made my way into the kitchen. I couldn't help smirking at the small changes that he'd made.
Lucas came back one day and bought me various things. He'd bought snacks since he noticed I snacked while I worked. He also bought me a larger coffee mug since he said it was clear I drank it like an alcoholic. He'd even got a little girly calendar that sat right by the coffee maker. His words, since you can't seem to keep track of the days.
I couldn't help smiling. Lucas wasn't who I had thought he was. Sure, he was still cold and said the wrong things sometimes, but he also was considerate. He'd opened his home to me and had yet to yell at me for how I did things. He would bring me meals since I would either snack or eat nothing at all.
I found myself enjoying everything. Living with Lucas had been easier than I expected. There was no stress or stepping on each other. It was almost like we'd been doing it for years instead of just a handful of weeks.
I started the coffee and frowned when I smelled something bad. I quickly sniffed my shirt, realizing it was me.
"Ew," I said to myself. I hadn't thought I sweated that much yesterday, but clearly, I had. I'd been running around once the electrician and plumber really got going. I hadn't settled until I got home, so instead of showering and going to bed, I sat my perky ass on the couch and started work.
I knew Lucas wasn't going to be home for another hour, so I figured I should shower. After I showered, I could eat and maybe get some sleep since Lucas would be sleeping when he got home.
I headed into the bathroom and turned the water on. I winced under the lights and decided to shower with them switched off.
I stripped and stepped under the water, letting it relax my body. I closed my eyes and stood there, allowing the water pressure to soothe me.
I thought of what I'd accomplished last night. I'd found a venue for the wedding. There was a church online that did weddings on weekends, and from their calendar, they had an open date. I'd snagged it, quickly reminding myself I needed to tell Lucas about it.
I also looked for a baker and flower and wondered if they were even necessary. If it was just Lucas and I, would we need those things?
I shook my head, feeling the ache starting to grow. I needed sleep.
"Gina?"
I opened my eyes and frowned. How long had I been standing in the shower?
"Lucas?" I said, poking my head out of the shower. Lucas stood in the doorway. He looked exhausted as he stood there. He rubbed at his neck and then made a face as he looked around the space.
"Why is the light off?"
"I have a headache," I said, moving back under the water. I let the water flow over my ears, and Lucas's words became muffled.
"What?" I said, trying to unplug my ear.
"I asked, how long you were going to be? Also, did you start coffee?"
"I just got in..." I think. God, I had no idea how long I'd been standing under the water. "And yes, I started coffee."
"Good, I'm exhausted. Did you sleep?"
"No, I stayed up," I said, grabbing some shampoo and scrubbing it in. I massaged my head, feeling movement felt good for my head. "I stayed up working and doing some planning for the wedding. I found a venue."
I could hear his footsteps, but the light was off, so I couldn't see anything. I leaned back, letting the water fall over my hair and ears.
"How much…."
I rubbed at my ears and turned my head. "What?"
"I asked how much longer?"
I pulled my hand up to my nose and winced. My head pounded. "Please whisper," I asked.
I could hear him softly sigh, his voice coming closer to the glass. "Gina, if you have a headache, why aren’t you lying down?"
I placed my hand on the tile and felt my headache suddenly aching even more. I waved a hand. I wasn't even entirely sure of what he'd said. He was still talking, but it wasn’t registering to me. I focused on deep breathing, laying my forehead against the cold tile. Maybe a shower was a bad idea.
"Sure, whatever." I pinched at my eyes, suddenly feeling the pain subside for a moment.
The room fell silent, and suddenly, the glass moved, stiffening my body. I turned my head, and Lucas poked his head into the shower.
I quickly looked away, feeling my entire body heat up, and it wasn't from the water. “What are you doing?”
“Gina, it’s dark. I can’t see you, and I need a shower. And you sound like you're going to faint. So, you either get out, or I’m hopping in.”
I winced, pinching at my eyes again. Pain radiated through my entire skull, and I squeezed my eyes shut. "Please…whisper when you talk loud…it hurts more."
The space fell quiet, and he softly sighed. After a moment of silence, I felt his fingers rubbing at my temple, massaging where the pain was. I could tell he had stepped in the shower, and I knew better than to open my eyes.
“Do you get headaches a lot?” he asked, his voice a whisper.
I nodded, not even caring that he was standing in the shower with me. His fingers felt like magic against the ache.
“Do you take anything for them?” His voice was soft, speaking so concerned it caught me off guard.
I opened my eyes, staring at the tile. “Normally, sleep helps,” I said, stepping aside. “You can have the water. ”I could hear Lucas moving around. The sound of him grabbing a bottle and the smell of his shampoo filled the small space. It was cedar mixed with something.
I tried not to think about the fact he was bare-ass naked behind me. And if he was naked, that meant...
"Why didn't you sleep?" he asked softly.
I shrugged. "Too much on my mind."
I could hear him moving, the water spraying onto me. I swallowed suddenly, very self-conscious. Could he see me? The lights were off, and the water was steaming up the space. There was enough steam to say I had been here longer than a few minutes.
I turned my gaze, looking over my shoulder at him. Lucas stood just under the water a few inches behind me. The water soaked his hair, where he had his eyes closed, letting the water wash it off. The soap tumbled down his perfectly chiseled pecs and over his six-pack. I swallowed, knowing I shouldn't look, but I did.
Lucas had a long, hard dick, and I felt myself clench just staring at it. Well, he was cocky for a good reason. He had the package to back it up.
Lucas cleared his throat, and my eyes snapped up at him. He stared at me, and I saw hunger sitting in his eyes. I quickly turned back, feeling a blush cover my entire face.
"Sorry," I said.
"For which part? Staring or getting caught?"
I felt my face grow hotter. "If you didn't want me to look, you should have put boxers on."
"I didn't realize I was showering with a pervert."
My jaw dropped, and I turned. "I am not a pervert!"
He chuckled, and I watched as his eyes gazed over me. I knew for a fact he saw everything. I quickly turned back. "Who's the pervert now?"
"Tit for tat," he whispered, and I felt his hands reach out. "Now, take a step back and come under the water. You're shaking."
I wasn't shaking because I was cold. I was shaking because of how wrong this was. Lucas was my childhood bully, and I was showering with him. If my past self knew this, she would have been horrified.
I stepped back under the water, closing my eyes. Even as hot as the water was, I could still feel his hands on my hips. I swallowed, knowing this was dangerous territory. This was like walking into a minefield. Something was bound to blow.
"Did you wash your hair?" he asked, his voice still soft.
"I didn't condition it yet."
I could hear him moving, and after a moment, his hands traveled up to my hair, and his fingers massaged my head again. I leaned into it, loving the feel.
"Does that help your head?" he asked.
I nodded. "Yeah. That feels good."
I could hear him chuckle softly. "So, did you enjoy what you saw?"
My eyes snapped open, and I bit hard onto my lip. "I've seen better."
He laughed, and I could feel the vibration fill the space.
"Really? Who?" he asked, his voice right in my ear.
A shiver ran down my entire body, and I searched for a lie. "Lots…. I've dated plenty."
His fingers froze, and the space was silent for a while before he spoke up in a soft tone. "Gina, are you a virgin?"
I wanted to tell him no, but I suddenly found myself unable to lie. Maybe it was the fact we were both naked, and I felt my body would give the truth away. "Yes."
His fingers resumed moving. After a second, water tumbled over my hair, and he scrubbed the soap away. "I'm surprised."
"Why?" I asked, "You shouldn't be. I'm just the frail, small girl that's going to end up dead."
His voice dropped, and he whispered into my ear. "Trust me when I say that you have a perfect figure. I mean it. I'm shocked because if people knew what was underneath your clothes, they wouldn't be able to keep their hands to themselves."
My eyes snapped open, and I swallowed, feeling heat building in between my legs. This was bad. Oh, so bad.
"You're only saying that because you're being nice," I said.
I felt his lip brush against my ear. "Since when am I nice?"
I felt a shudder run down my entire back, and I had no response. Lucas wasn't nice. Lucas was truthful, which meant he really meant what he was saying.
I looked back at him, looking into his eyes and seeing the softness there. I swallowed, looking at his lips, suddenly wanting that feeling of them pressed against mine again.
He reached a hand up, his eyes staring deep into mine. He frowned. Worry swam in his eyes. "Your eyes are bloodshot," he said.
"Because I didn't sleep," I whispered. "It's part of the headache."
He smirked. "You know, I had a wonderful cure for that. That is if you're willing."
I knew what he was hinting at and wondered if I should. This was like walking on a balance beam; suddenly, one side was getting heavy. Did I let it tip? Or did I place more weight on the other side?