Chapter 16
sixteen
. . .
Lucien’s softened face is the first thing I see when I open my eyes. He looks so peaceful beneath the bright glow of the sun’s rays cascading through the room. I must’ve forgot to shut my blinds last night, and I’m surprised he hasn’t woken up from the light.
Squeezing an eye shut, I turn away, glancing at the time on my alarm clock.
1:28 PM.
Both my eyes shoot open as I nudge him quickly. “Luce,” I say softly.
He hums quietly. I forgot he isn’t a morning person. With another nudge, his eyes flutter open, locking with mine.
A crooked grin plays at his lips. “I could get used to this,” he murmurs sleepily.
“Oh yeah?” I tease.
“Mmm. Absolutely,” he replies, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
“We slept late.”
“What time is it?”
“Almost one thirty,” I tell him.
Lucien’s eyes immediately open. “Oh, fuck,” he blurts out, nearly jumping out of bed. “My flight leaves in an hour!”
“Oh my god!”
“Shit,” he laughs, running a hand through his tousled black hair.
“Are you serious? You’re going to be late,” I warn.
“I know. I really hate to rush out of here.”
“Is it refundable?”
“Nope.”
“I’ll call you an uber!”
“Save your money. Use mine,” he says, unlocking his phone and handing it to me. “I’m going to get ready real quick.”
“On it,” I say, searching through the different ride options.
A few minutes after I’ve ordered it, he returns from the bathroom dressed in black sweats and a tight t-shirt, the fabric clinging nicely to his biceps. God, he’s fucking hot. I can’t get over it.
“Thankfully there was a driver right around the corner,” I tell him. “He should be here any minute.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
He puts his toothbrush away and zips up his overnight bag. He’s tucking it away in his backpack when I notice his black shirt and hoodie from last night still on the end of my bed.
“You forgot those,” I say.
He shakes his head. “Nope. All yours.”
Swoon. I can’t remember the last time a guy gave me his clothes. The cute gesture gives me butterflies as I pull the shirt over my head, breathing in the scent of his intoxicating cologne.
“Does Kaelum know you came here?” I ask.
“He suspected it, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted him to know,” he answers. “I’m pretty sure he’s jealous.”
A flustered grin claims my face. “How do you feel about that?”
“I can be cool with it,” he begins, hesitating, gauging my reaction, “if that’s what you end up wanting.”
“You don’t strike me as the sharing type,” I tease, arching a brow.
“I’ll be whatever you want me to be,” he flirts.
Internal screams.
As soon as I pull on some shorts, we rush into the kitchen and down the hallway.
His eyes soften as he turns to face me. I gaze up at him, a slight feeling of sadness creeping up on me, not knowing when or if I’ll ever see him again.
He reaches out for me, lightly brushing my cheek with the back of his hand.
A ping sounds from his phone. The uber must be here.
Before I can even get a word out, he closes the distance between us, his lips sealed with mine. He doesn’t just give me a quick peck. This man kisses me passionately, holding my face gently between his hands. My knees are only seconds away from buckling.
His phone pings again.
We both part our lips, deepening the kiss, his tongue eagerly brushing mine. He rests his hands on the small of my back and brings me closer. Finally, we pull apart, staring at each other breathlessly.
“Fuck, I don’t want to leave,” he says, tracing the tip of his thumb along my bottom lip.
“I don’t want you to leave, either,” I admit.
He bends down, kissing me once more. I grab him by his shirt and pull him closer, clinging to him as he cups my face with his hand.
Suddenly he’s walking us backward, pinning my back to the wall beside the door.
He presses his body into mine until there’s no space left between us, exploring my mouth hungrily, his hand leaving my face and tangling in my hair.
I link my arms around his waist and clutch him tightly, my fingertips tracing the muscles in his back.
Tilting my head to deepen the kiss, I hum softly. In his embrace is right where I belong.
Ping.
We pull apart reluctantly, staring at each other intently, breathing hard and fast. My gaze wanders to his swollen lips, and I fight the urge to draw him in once more.
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and leans down, kissing the tip of my nose. “Miss you already, princess.”
With a grin, I watch as he opens the front door.
Ping.
“I’ll text you when I get to the airport,” he tells me.
“Sounds good,” I nearly whisper.
“My shirt looks good on you, by the way,” he points out.
“You look better on me,” I tease.
“Damn right I do.”
He winks playfully before shutting the door gently behind him.
My heart flutters.
“Oh my fucking god,” Jasmine’s voice echoes from over my shoulder.
Turning to face her, I giggle, blushing like crazy. “You nosy bitch,” I joke. “What exactly did you hear and see?”
“Like, basically all of it,” she gushes. “Making out the morning after is a damn good sign.”
“What are you talking about?”
Rolling her eyes, she sighs. “Doesn’t seem like just a one-and-done hookup to me. You looked and sounded like two lovebirds. I mean, hell, you couldn’t keep your hands off each other as he’s literally walking out the door. Hello?”
I smile, bringing the neckline of his shirt to my nose and breathing in.
“Did he give you that?” she asks pointedly, eying me closely.
“I have the biggest crush ever, I fear,” I admit.
“And the biggest bruises,” she points out comically, gesturing down to my thighs. “Jesus fuck, Nor. Did he toss you around all night or what? That’s really fucking hot.”
“Ugh! I know!” I screech, falling onto the couch dramatically.
“You still like him, huh?”
“Yup. Not totally sure if he feels the same, though.”
Suddenly, my phone pings. My heart leaps the moment I see his name.
Lucien
Couldn’t wait til the airport to text you, sorry
Me
I’m glad you didn’t wait
Lucien
<3
Your iced coffee will be there in ten
Me
You’re the best
Thank you <3
Lucien
Of course, love
Is it bad I already can't stop thinking about you?
Me
The feelings are mutual
Lucien
Are they?
Me
Definitely
Lucien
Cheesing so hard rn in this uber
Thoughts on last night?
Me
Definitely a night I’ll never forget
Lucien
Oh wait
You thought that was it?
Me
Was it not?
Lucien
I’m just getting started, baby
How does next weekend sound?
Dissolving into a giggle fest, I kick my feet, blushing hard. While smiling from ear to ear, another ping catches me off guard.
Kaelum
Jealous that Lucien got to visit you
Me
Ooo
Are you?
Kaelum
When’s it my turn?
Smiling widely, I toss my phone across the couch and squeal. Things just got a lot more complicated. Ping. Ping.