by Zavi James
"Oh my God!" Lydia came into the hallway. "BOYS!"
Stefan and Luc wrestled on the floor, trading blows and ignoring the pleas to stop. For every punch Stefan landed, Luc hit him back twice as hard. It was easy to see who the seasoned fighter was. The sound of each hit made my stomach turn as I tried to pull Luc away. Luc’s hands wrapped around Stef’s throat and squeezed, watching his face turn red as he clawed and kicked in an attempt to free himself.
"Where's Dom?" Lydia asked, panicked.
"He's not here," I told her.
After a few moments, I was pushed out of the way and a pair of arms hauled Luc off the Stefan. He was restrained in Dante's grip, the reinforcement I had called for. Stefan remained on the floor, gasping for breath as Lydia hovered over him.
"What has gotten into the both of you?" Lydia demanded.
"Ask him!" Stefan rasped.
I moved and offered a hand to Stefan to help him off the floor, hoping to avoid round three of this bout.
"Don't touch her!" Luc yelled as Stefan reached out, making me jump. I looked back to see him struggling against Dante, but Stefan took my hand and got to his feet.
"Both of you in separate rooms," Lydia told them. "Now!" She pulled at Stefan to follow her while Dante pushed Luc into the living room. I took a moment before walking past the living room and following Lydia.
“Mia!” Luc called my name and tried to push past Dante.
"Not a smart move," Dante told him.
In the kitchen, Stefan sat at the table as Lydia stood in front of him. "I don't know what has gotten into the both of you, but you can both calm down and talk it out."
That wasn't likely to happen. If Dante hadn't stepped in it could have ended worse than what it had.
He perked up when I walked into the kitchen. "Mia..."
"Don't." My tone was sharp, but Stefan didn't let it stop him.
"I know I lied but I did it for you. Look at what happened to you."
"So, you decided to lie and Luc left for a month and what exactly did you think would happen, Stefan?" I asked him.
"Exactly what should have happened the other night."
"Nothing happened."
"But it would have, Mia," Stef persevered. "You were going to kiss me."
"You kept asking!"
Stef reached out to me, but I stepped back out of reach. "Just don't, Stefan."
"Mia. Honest to God, what do you even see in him?"
Anger bubbled inside of me as I glared at Stef. "Stay away from me from now on."
As I went to leave, Stefan leaned forward and grabbed my hand. I turned back around quickly and slapped him across the face, causing him to hiss out in pain.
"Don't," I warned him.
Stefan let go of me and rubbed his cheek as I left the room. I made my way into the living room, taking deep breaths to calm myself down.
"I get what he did, but you need to calm down," Dante said.
Luc looked ready to fight his friend. "She went to go and see him!"
"I went to go and see him so I could tell him to leave me alone," I informed them.
Both men turned towards me. I walked over and looked at Luc's face. Stefan had managed to throw some decent punches but there was only a single cut across Luc's cheekbone. Luc had inflicted more damage and Stefan would feel the repercussions for some time.
"D," I said. "Can you go and grab me some rubbing alcohol and ice?"
"Sure," he said and left us.
I guided Luc to the couch and made him sit down. "You shouldn't have hit him."
"No, I should have done worse," Luc seethed with rage.
"Luc," I started, not sure how to calm him down.
"Mia! He did this on purpose," Luc told me angrily. "That manipulative piece of shit. I want him out."
Luc attempted to get up from the couch and I pushed him back down. "Where's he going to go?" I asked.
"Do you think I care?" Luc responded. "I'm not having him under the same roof as you. I don't trust him."
I wasn't sure I trusted Stefan either, but I thought of Maria at the hospital. She was the reason that Stefan came back home. They didn't know how long she would be here for and the stress wouldn’t help her condition.
"Think about your Mom," I told him, taking his face into my hands.
"He lied," Luc said, calmer now.
"I know."
"Would you have kissed him?" he asked me.
I thought back to that night and just how resigned I’d felt. I had spent so much time with Stefan that he had become my normal, what I believed my life would be. I felt that if I had kissed him it would have been paying back a debt that I owed. After all he had done for me, this was what he wanted in return. Looking at Luc now, I knew it wouldn't have come from the same place. Wanting to kiss Luc felt like an overwhelming desire that I had no power against whereas wanting to kiss Stefan had felt like a duty because of how kind he had been to me.
"I don't know but it's not what you think," I said. I couldn’t lie and tell him no.
"I don't want an explanation, Mia."
I closed my mouth. The way Luc looked at me reminded me of when I first met him. There was a reason Lucas ran this town and why people listened to what he said.
"You're mine," he told me firmly. I felt goosebumps appear on my skin from the statement. "If he comes anywhere near you..."
"Luc, we live in the same house," I reminded him.
"I don't care, Mia. I broke Dante's arm for less and that was before anything happened between us."
It was difficult to forget the weeks Dante was in a cast for simply being himself. I dreaded to think what Luc would do to Stefan given half the chance.
"You're mine and if I find anyone near you, I won't hesitate. I told you that."
I nodded my understanding as Dante walked back into the room shaking a bottle and holding some cotton pads out to me. This was no longer a game. There was no question that hung over us anymore, no uncertain territory. Luc had staked his claim.
"Say it, Mia," Luc demanded.
I ignored him and turned to Dante. "Thanks, D."
I took the bottle and pads as he tossed the bag of ice on the couch. Luc grabbed me by the hips and pulled me against him. He stood up and towered over me. "Say it, Mia," Luc said again.
My face flushed at Luc's insistence while Dante was there. Dante raised an eyebrow as he watched us, trying to figure out what he'd walked in on. I dropped my gaze to the floor but Luc's hand on my chin brought my dark eyes back up to his.
"I don't like to repeat myself," he reminded me.
"I'm yours," I whispered. No doubts would plague us anymore.
"Took you fucking long enough," Dante muttered.
I went to reply but it was lost when Luc placed his mouth over mine and everything else around me became irrelevant.
Chapter Forty Four
Lucas
Meals at home were awkward. With our mother and Mia in mind, I hadn't kicked Stefan out of the house for the games he had played, but if he looked at Mia, I had promised myself I would do more than break an arm. I had never been required to exercise so much self restraint, but for Mia, I would do what was necessary to keep her happy.
Instead, Stefan took his meals either before or after the rest of the house. Lydia had made a few comments about the inconvenience, but she hadn't tried to force us together, which I was grateful for.
"I still think it's unfair that you can eat like this three times a day and still look like you do," Mia huffed as I bit into a slice of cake.
We both laid on my bed with Mia reading a book beside me as I made my way through the second slice of cake. It had been a long day at work.
"And what is it I look like?" I asked her.
Mia rolled her eyes as I placed the plate on the nightstand next to me. "I'm not feeding your ego, Luc," she told me, then placed her book down and made to move off the bed, but in moments I had her pinned under me, arms restrained above her head. "Luc!"
&nbs
p; "I told you I don't like asking twice," I reminded her. I dipped my head so that my lips brushed against her neck and Mia's body twitched under mine. I found the sensitive spot and grazed my teeth against it, eliciting a soft groan from her. "So, are you going to answer me?"
Mia struggled against me and I laughed at the effort.
"I'm sure this is some form of coercion."
"Sweetheart, it's cute you think I care about the law."
She bit on her plump bottom lip and looked up at me from under her lashes.
"Tell me," I demanded.
Mia shook her head and I growled. She always made me work for what I wanted. I dropped my hips and rubbed myself between her legs so she could feel how hard I’d become. Stealing a kiss, my tongue found its way into her mouth and as I let go of her hands, Mia pushed them into my hair. When I pushed my bulge against her again, she moaned into the kiss.
We had danced around this for a while. Stolen kisses and touches had been as far as we’d gone, and it had almost killed me to be on my best behavior, unsure of if I would run her off if I pushed my luck.
I broke the kiss and looked down at her. "You can tell me to stop."
"Don't stop," Mia told me. Clearly, we were both done with the silent vow of celibacy.
"I think we should even the playing field," I said. I stripped her out of her t-shirt and shorts so that she lay on the bed in only her underwear.
Mia became aware of the scar on her side and moved her hand down to cover it. I gently moved it away. "Mia, you are beautiful, regardless of the scar."
I guided her hand across my upper arms and chest, so she felt the way the skin changed in places. Years of work decorated my skin and reminded me that there was no place for complacency in my job. Feeling more comfortable, Mia let her hand slip lower down my body until it teased the waistband of my boxers.
We kissed again, a hot, wet rush of tongues. My hands traced along her curves and then slid behind her back to unclasp her bra before getting rid of it. Mia placed kisses my jawline as my hand cupped one of her breasts, thumb rubbing at the nipples until she moaned in my ear.
"Luc." My name was breathy and quiet. Mia nipped at my earlobe and I groaned.
"Fuck. I need you."
I always needed her but now it was in the most primal way. She was mine and I’d finally be able to worship her like she deserved.
Pushing her down into the bed, I trailed kisses from her lips to her neck and paused before placing a single kiss on the tattoo that lay between her breasts. I looked up at her, overcome with lust as she bit her lip. I was a lucky bastard to have a woman like this who put up with all of my shit.
"Mia, you're beautiful," I told her.
A smile tugged at her lips and I maintained eye contact with her as I dragged my tongue across one of her nipples and pinched the other. Mia's body arched to my touch and I grazed her nipple with my teeth.
"Oh," Mia gasped.
I continued to kiss down her stomach before dotting more along the waistband of her panties. Mia bucked her hips instinctively and I laughed. "Someone's a little impatient."
"Please, Luc," she pleaded.
"Lift up, princess."
Mia raised her hips off the bed so I could free her from her underwear, leaving her completely naked. No fantasy could live up to the reality of seeing her in my bed and knowing she was all mine. It knocked the air out of my lungs to know she trusted me enough to be in this position of vulnerability with me.
My impatience rode me as I pushed her legs apart, mouth moving along her thighs and hips, causing her to squirm.
Mia implored again, "Please."
"Tell me what you want."
When I looked up, she had turned red and averted her gaze. With my face between her legs, I flicked out my tongue to give her a taste of what she wanted, making her gasp.
"Tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you," I said with a smirk.
She whimpered before she answered quietly, "I want your tongue."
I flicked it out against her clit again. "Like that?"
"Yes. Yes," Mia breathed. She closed her eyes and buried her hands into my hair. My tongue worked against her core in strokes and her body arched. "Luc... keep going," Mia urged.
I took a finger and slid it into her, and Mia let out a loud moan before she ground against it. I added a second while my thumb rubbed against her clit and she pushed against my hand. The sweet sound of her begging for more filled the room.
"What do you want?" I asked her with a wicked grin. Moving back up her body, I kissed her again. Kissing Mia was like drinking liquid sunshine; it warmed my soul.
"I'm close," Mia mumbled against my lips. "God, it feels so good. Don't stop."
Mia writhed on the bed, nails sinking into the skin of my shoulders and tugging at my hair. There was a deep satisfaction in the way her entire body responded to the smallest touch. When I curled my fingers inside her and hit the spot, Mia tipped her head back and let out a moan and before long I felt her tighten around me as she reached her climax.
Her body relaxed slowly, and I pulled my fingers out of Mia before licking them clean. "You taste so fucking good." Mia blushed and went to cover her face. I grabbed her hands and told her, "Don't hide from me."
"Sorry."
"Don't apologise. I don't want you to ever hide from me, understand?"
"Mhmm," Mia hummed her understanding.
I lowered my hips so she could feel my hard bulge against her thigh. I’d seen her come undone, but I wanted to unravel with her. I nipped the skin at her shoulder and Mia trailed her fingers along the side of my face before she made me look at her.
"I want you, Luc," Mia told me, no longer shy.
I growled at how direct she was. This woman had me wrapped around her finger and I was starting to see the appeal of her taking charge. My fingers brushed against her wet core again before pulling away. "How badly?"
"Really badly."
"Badly enough to tell me what you think of my body?" I asked, bringing up the earlier conversation.
"Luc," Mia frowned at me.
I smirked and whispered in her ear, "You tell me, and you get me."
Mia bucked her hips upwards, wanting to find her bliss again.
"No," I told her. "My rules now." I pinned her hips to the mattress and Mia whimpered.
"You have an amazing body, Luc," Mia conceded. "You know that, you self centered pri—"
I cut her off with a kiss. "I just wanted to hear you say it. And I always get what I want, princess."
Mia wiggled her hips under my hands, and I knew what she wanted. She wasn't being shy right now. Stripping out of my boxers, I lined myself up with her opening before pushing myself in. Mia kissed any part of my skin that her lips could reach, and I groaned at feeling her all around me.
Slowly, we found a rhythm among wandering hands, hungry kisses and loud moans. I carefully flipped us over so that Mia straddled me, and she pushed her hair to one side. I couldn’t help but stare at her and think that I had cashed out all the luck I was due for one lifetime. Her hands found my cock and lined us up again, unhappy that we were apart, before she sank back onto me and let out a satisfied hum.
"You're so perfect," I told her, watching Mia ride me, pushing herself up and down along my length. My hands ran down her body, landing on her hips to help her keep the pace, and Mia leaned back, placing her hands on my thighs.
"Keep going. Don't stop," I grunted, and my fingers sank into the skin of her hips as I closed my eyes. "Yes. Yes, Mia." The gravelly, husky way I said her name pushed Mia further and after a few moments she reached her peak again and I followed not far behind, before Mia collapsed against me, both of us breathing heavily.
I placed a soft kiss on top of her head. "Are you okay?" I asked her, as I caught my breath.
"Are you seriously asking me that?" She moved from on top of me before I pulled her back into my arms.
"I just wanted to make sure," I told her. I had wanted this for
so long and I didn't want her to regret our actions.
"Luc," Mia said and reached up to give me a lazy kiss on the lips, eyes hooded from the pleasure we’d just partaken in. She pulled the sheets up around us and any doubts I had disappeared when Mia rested her head on my chest. She dotted a kiss just above my heart. "Are you okay?" she asked me.
"Mia, I'm the best I've been in a long time," I answered. I ran my fingers through her long hair and struggled to believe just how content I felt with this woman in my arms. Her fingers traced patterns along my stomach, and I pulled her in a little closer.
"Mia," I said.
"Mhm?"
There was a silence and Mia shifted so she could look up at me. I felt the nerves flood my system as she cocked her head to the side. "What is it, Luc?"
"I..." I hesitated with my words and she looked worried.
Mia brought a hand up to my face, her thumb rubbed across my cheek. "What's wrong, babe?"
"I'm glad I have you in my life," I told her, deciding against what I had wanted to say. I couldn't bring myself to do it. I wanted so desperately for her to feel the same way.
"I'm glad I have you in mine too," Mia told me. She settled down against my chest and sighed softly. "Luc, what are we doing for Christmas?"
"I don't usually do much."
Mia moved so that she could look at me. "Maybe we could throw a dinner here on Christmas day?"
I wasn't impressed by the suggestion. Why would we want to entertain on Christmas day? Especially when I could spend it with Mia, and I now had plenty of ideas on how we could spend the day alone together.
"Mia, I'm not sure about that," I told her.
"Please. You and me. Dante. We can bring your Mom home for the day and Stefan," Mia listed everyone. My body tensed at the mention of my brother and Mia kissed my chest again. "He lives here, Luc. You need to talk to him eventually."
"I don't see why."
"For your Mom if nothing else."
I relaxed slightly.
"And," Mia continued. "I was thinking maybe we could invite my Dad."
I looked down at her and raised an eyebrow. "You want a family dinner?"
"I guess."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea," I mused. The guest list sounded like a recipe for disaster.
