3. Sienna
3
Sienna
"M ommy!" Lily squeals, running towards me with her arms outstretched.
I scoop her up into a tight hug, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. "Good morning, baby girl."
Over her shoulder, my gaze meets Lucass. Hes standing at the stove, spatula in hand, a soft smile on his face that Ive never seen before. Its a smile that reaches his eyes, making them crinkle at the corners.
I set Lily down and she scampers back to Lucass side, tugging on his pant leg. "Can I flip the pancake? Please?"
"Sure thing, kiddo." He lifts her up, supporting her with one strong arm while guiding her hand to the spatula with the other. "Ready? One, two, three, flip!"
Lily giggles as the pancake soars through the air and lands back in the pan with a sizzle. The sight of them together, so natural and at ease, makes my heart clench in a way I dont quite understand.
I lean against the doorframe, watching as they continue their culinary adventures. Lucas is patient, kind, and attentive in a way I never would have expected from the ruthless businessman I thought I knew.
As if sensing my gaze, he glances up, our eyes locking. Something unspoken passes between usa shared understanding, a mutual appreciation for this unexpected moment!
"Pancakes are ready!" Lily announces proudly, breaking the spell.
Lucas sets her down gently. "Great job, sous chef. Why dont you go set the table while I finish up here?"
"Okay!" She bounces out of the kitchen, leaving Lucas and me alone.
He approaches me slowly, almost cautiously. "Morning." His voice is low, intimate.
"Morning." I echo, suddenly very aware of his proximity, of the heat emanating from his body.
His hand comes up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek. "Did you sleep well?"
I nod, not trusting my voice. The memories of last night flood backhis hands on my skin, his lips trailing fire down my body, the way he made me feel more alive than I have in years.
"Sienna, I..." He starts, but Lilys voice interrupts from the dining room.
"Im hungry! Hurry up!"
We both laugh, the tension dissipating. "Duty calls," I step back and he catches my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Lucas and I join Lily at the table. Shes already digging into her stack of pancakes, syrup smeared across her cherubic face. Lucas chuckles as he reaches over to wipe it away with a napkin.
"Slow down, munchkin. The pancakes arent going anywhere," he teases.
Lily grins up at him, unabashed. "But theyre so yummy!"
As we settle into our seats, I cant help but marvel at the ease of their interaction. Lily is usually shy around new people, but with Lucas, its like theyve known each other for years.
Throughout breakfast, they chatter away about everything from Lilys favorite cartoon characters to Lucass love for basketball. I sit back, content to listen and observe.
Its a side of Lucas Ive never seen beforerelaxed, playful, attentive. The way he engages with Lily, genuinely interested in her six-year-old musings, makes my heart swell.
"Mommy, can I play with my princess dollhouse with Lucas after school?" Lily asks, turning to me with hopeful eyes.
I glance at Lucas, expecting him to politely decline. But to my surprise, he nods enthusiastically.
"Id be honored, Princess Lily." He gives a little bow, making her giggle.
I shake my head in amazement. "Lily, Lucas has already done so much for us and hes a very busy man."
"Actually," Lucas interjects, "Ive cleared my schedule for tomorrow. I thought maybe we could all do something fun together, if youre up for it."
Lily claps her hands in delight. "Yes, please!"
Spending the day with him, letting him further into our lives...its a risk. But looking at the joy on Lilys face, I cant bring myself to say no.
"That sounds great," I agree softly.
Lucass smile is blinding. "Perfect. But today, we need to get this little lady to school."
"Ill call a car" I start, but he waves me off.
"No need. My driver can take her. Hes great with kids."
I hesitate, not used to accepting help. But the sincerity in Lucass eyes makes me relent. "Thank you."
After breakfast, Lucas helps Lily gather her things for school. I watch from the doorway as he patiently listens to her detailed description of each stuffed animal in her backpack. At least we were able to pick those up, from the house, unaffected.
With Lily safely off to school, Lucas and I find ourselves alone once more.
I busy myself with clearing the dishes, needing a moment to collect my thoughts. But as I stand at the sink, I feel Lucas come up behind me.
His arms wrap around my waist, his chest pressed against my back. I inhale sharply as his lips find the sensitive spot on my neck.
"Sienna," he murmurs against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.
I lean back into him, my eyes fluttering close.
His hands roam my body, slipping under my shirt to caress the soft skin of my stomach. I turn in his arms, capturing his lips with mine.
I pull back from Lucass intoxicating kiss, laughing as he tries to chase after my lips. "Easy there, tiger. I actually have to go into the officeto work today. I still have bills to pay, remember?"
He lets out a whine thats entirely too endearing. "Do you have to? I was rather enjoying our...activities."
Swatting his chest playfully, I step out of his embrace. "Down, boy. Duty calls." I wink at him over my shoulder as I gather the dishes.
Lucas huffs in mock exasperation but joins me at the sink, taking the plate I hand him and drying it with a towel. We settle into a comfortable silence and after a few minutes, Lucas breaks the stillness. "Can I ask you something?" His voice is uncharacteristically hesitant.
I glance at him curiously. "Of course."
"What happened with Lilys dad?"
The question takes me by surprise, and I freeze, with a dish clutched in my soapy hands. Lucas seems to sense my discomfort immediately. "You dont have to answer that. Im sorry, its none of my business."
Shaking my head, I rinse off the plate and pass it to him. "No, its okay. Its not...a sad story, really." I take a deep breath. "We were in love, I thought wed get married. But a month before the wedding, he left. Just like that."
Lucass jaw tightens and he gives me a sympathetic look. "Im sorry to hear that."
"Dont be," I wave it off with a shrug. "It was a long time ago. Besides, he still gave me my beautiful little girl."
Silence falls between us again as we continue washing and drying. After a moment, I ask a question of my own. "What about you? Ive never seen you in the tabloids."
He lets out a humorless chuckle. "Thats because there havent been any serious relationships for a long time." His gaze grows distant, pained. "I...lost my wife. And our child. Fifteen years ago. The doctor said it was complications during the birth."
The plate slips from my hands, clattering into the sink. "Lucas, Im so sorry. I had no idea." My heart aches for the unfathomable grief he must have endured.
He shakes his head, jaw clenched tight. "It was a long time ago. Ive had time to...heal, I suppose."
I set down the plate Im drying and reach for Lucass hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I cant even imagine what that must have been like for you."
He squeezes my hand back, his eyes regaining some of their usual intensity as he holds my gaze. "It was...the darkest period of my life. For a long time, I was just going through the motions, burying myself in work to numb the pain."
My thumb caresses the back of his hand, silently urging him to continue. Theres vulnerability in his expression and I feel an inexplicable need to soothe the hurt little boy within this powerful man.
"After a while, the grief turned to anger," he confesses, his voice low and gravelly. "At the universe, at God, at myself for not being able to protect them." His free hand clenches into a fist.. "I lashed out, made terrible decisions, lost myself in a haze of alcohol and self-destruction."
Instinctively, I step closer, my body pressing against his as I wrap my arms around his waist. Lucas goes rigid for a moment before melting into my embrace, his arms enveloping me, holding me flush against the hard planes of his chest.
"Im sorry that happened to you," I murmur against the warm skin of his neck.
His fingers tangle in my hair as he presses his lips to the top of my head in a tender kiss. We stand there, holding each other in silence.
Eventually, Lucas pulls back just enough to look me in the eyes. His thumb traces the curve of my cheekbone as he studies my face intently. "You know, when we first met at that open house and you challenged me on that deal, I was infuriated. No one talks to Lucas Hollister that way." A wry smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "But there was something about your fire, your passion, that captivated me from the start."
I cant help but grin at the memory. "I just gave as good as I got, Hollister. You can be a real ass when you want to be."
He chuckles, the sound deep and rich. "Fair point. But I have to admit, Im glad you didnt back down. Youve been a breath of fresh air."
My breath catches at the sincerity in his voice, at the open affection shining in those piercing blue eyes. This man, this complex, brooding enigma of a man, is letting me see behind the veil. And what I see both terrifies and enthralls me.
Before I can overthink it, I rise up on my tiptoes and capture his lips in a searing kiss. Lucas responds instantly, his arms tightening around me as he deepens the kiss. Its passionate, desperate, conveying everything neither of us can find the words to say.
When we finally break apart, were both breathing heavily, our chests heaving.
"I should...probably freshen up and head into the office."
Lucass hands tighten possessively at my waist. "You know, taking separate showers is just wasteful." His voice is a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine. We could...conserve water."