by Mia Michelle
“I do too, baby. And that’s what I’m working on. Until then, this is how it has to be.”
“I love you.”
“And I fucking love you! Now hurry your ass back home!” he teases before ending the call.
I’m just tucking my phone back into my purse when a familiar black truck pulls up beside me, rolling down the window.
Lucas.
“Get in!” he demands.
“I’m not going anywhere with you!” I return, walking around the truck to head to the elevators. His door flies open and he moves to stand right in front of me, blocking me from going any farther.
“Get out of my way, Lucas,” I say, trying to push him aside, but his full wall of muscle doesn’t budge an inch.
Before I know it, I’m being lifted and carried to the truck.
“PUT ME DOWN!” I scream, hoping someone will hear me. I don’t know what has gotten into him, but he’s seriously freaking me the hell out right now. When he opens the door and sits me inside, I slap him hard across the face. My hand stings and I watch the fury and hurt register on his face before he climbs in beside me.
“Stop it, Skylar! You have to come with me. There is some heavy stuff about to go down and we need to talk.”
“Then fucking talk, but I’m not leaving with you.”
“I was afraid you might say that,” he says, pulling out a pair of handcuffs and slapping one on my arm and then the other on his.
“What the fuck, Lucas? Are you insane?” I scream as he throws the truck in gear and barrels out of the parking garage and out onto the street. Angry drivers honk their horns, but Lucas just ignores them, his eyes fixated closely on the road. I can still see the handprint I’d left on his face. I don’t regret hitting him and the moment he lets me out of these handcuffs I’m going to bust him in the nuts.
“Stop the truck, Lucas.” I demand, yanking our handcuffed arms.
“I will when we get there. And stop doing that before you hurt yourself!” He presses down on the accelerator and changes lanes quickly.
“What are you trying to do, get us killed?” I scream as he rushes around traffic and pulls onto the interstate.
“Calm down, Skylar.”
“No! I am not calming down until you tell me what the hell you’re doing. I think you’ve caused enough trouble already, don’t you?”
He doesn’t respond to my last comment, but I can see the effect of my words. He has no idea the hell my life is now because of him.
No other words are spoken until he takes the familiar turn off of the interstate. Immediately, I know where he is taking me. When he turns onto the long gravel drive, my heart sinks. The white lake house comes into view and makes my head swim with memories from the last time he and I were here together. Turning the truck off, he sits there for a few moments before reaching in his pocket and handing me a tiny silver key. Hesitantly, I take it and unlock my side of the cuff, leaving his arm still connected to the metal.
His brow furrows and he grabs for my hand, looking down at the red rims that have formed around my wrists.
“Look, I’m sorry, but I had no choice,” he apologizes while tenderly rubbing my wrist.
Yanking my hand away, I glare angrily at him.
“Save it, Lucas! There is always a choice.” I say, throwing open the door of the truck and climbing out. Digging my phone out of my bag, I’m just about to call Sebastian when Lucas yanks my phone out of my hands.
“Give that to me now, or so help me,” I demand, now ready to beat the hell out of him.
“Or so help you what? You’re here now, so deal with it, Skylar. I’m going to talk and you’re going to listen,” he snarls, pointing at the chairs on the front porch of the house.
“What has happened to you?” I ask, shaking my head in disbelief as I sit down in one of the large wicker chairs.
For a few seconds his harsh look softens, but he refuses to sit down. Instead, he leans against one of the large white porch columns and crosses his arms. For a few moments, he looks out at the lake in front of us without saying a word.
“It’s funny, I guess, because I thought things would be different. I thought that the next time the both of us were here together, it would be for good. I really love it out here, you know. Until you, I’d never given any thoughts to settling down. The first time I saw you standing in this yard, looking at this place with the same wonder and admiration that I do, well… I knew. All along, so many things told me I could trust you with my heart, but I’d been wrong. I don’t regret trusting you, I regret that you didn’t trust me enough back. We can’t change how our heart feels.”
“Lucas, I…”
He interrupts me by holding up his hand. “I love you so much, Skylar. I’d convinced myself that I could love enough for the two of us. Deep down, I knew… I’d always known that you’d pick him in the end. You even warned me of that yourself, but I still thought there was hope if I just had enough patience and waited. Love makes us do all kinds of things, Skylar. Desperate. Ugly. Things. I’m not proud of who I am now, nor am I proud of what I’ve done. But no matter what, the one thing I won’t apologize for is loving you.”
Choking up, I reply, “What do you want from me Lucas? I swear with everything in me that I never wanted to hurt you.”
“I know that,” he whispers, his voice softer.
“It kills me that I’ve caused you this much pain. That you would do the things you have done just to get your revenge on me.” I sob as I stand and walk towards the rail of the porch.
“Do you honestly believe that this is about me getting revenge on you? Because that isn’t what I want at all.”
“Then what do you want from me, Lucas? I know you love me, but you have to let me go.”
“What do I want? I tell you what I want. I want you to choose me. I want you to want me… to love ME! I would happily give up my life just for one of the looks you give him. So don’t you dare ask me to walk away and let you go. My heart will never allow it, and I will never survive it.”
His words cut into me like the sharpest of daggers. All of this is because of me. Another life destroyed and hurt because of me. When is anyone going to realize that I’m not worth it?
“You really have no idea do you, Lucas? All of this is, every fucking last thing, is my fault. If my parents hadn’t taken me out to celebrate my birthday that night, then none of this would have happened. There would be no wreck. Everyone’s life would still be normal. My family would still be here. My grandmother would be alive instead of being so stressed with the extra burdens of raising two young girls. Hell, I would be away at a dance school right now, far away from the deranged psychopath that attacked me. So don’t you see? This is all MY fault. I have to live with it every single day. I hurt everyone. Everyone always leaves me. It’s just a matter of time before everyone else sees that.”
“Stop it!” he says, taking me into his arms. It feels so good for him to hold me again, but it’s never been an ounce of what I feel when I’m in Sebastian’s arms. “This is not your fault.”
“Yes it is!” I scream, pushing off his chest. “All I want is to be happy, and I’m never going to have that now.”
“I’m trying to fix this, Skylar. I brought you here to let you know that.”
“How, Lucas? How are you possibly going to be able to fix this? It’s too late now for any of that.”
“No… no, it’s not. I have enough on Maverick that he won’t want to risk exposing Sebastian. Trust me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I bribed him to help me in the first place, now I’m going to bribe him to forget.”
“You and I both know Maverick isn’t going to forget.”
“That is why you are going to help me talk to Sebastian. It’s the only way we can be on the same page to make sure this stops. I may hate your husband, but I can’t allow the chance of you getting hurt. That has never been the plan. Enough hurt has happened already.”
“W
hat do you want me to do?” I ask and he hands me back my phone.
“Call your husband and have him meet us here.”
“What? Why?”
“He and I have a lot of talking to do.”
“He will kill you for this.”
“I don’t care, Skylar. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I had to talk to you. Now call him.”
After I dial his number, his frantic voice answers on the first ring.
“Skylar? Where are you? I’ve been going crazy. Sara said you’d never arrived.”
“I’m fine, Sebastian. I’m with Lucas.”
Sebastian
I’m still panic stricken from not being able to reach her by phone and now I learn she is with Lucas? None of this makes sense to me.
“Lucas? Why the hell are you with that motherfucker?” I exclaim, not trying to hold my fury inside.
After she’d left the house earlier, I hadn’t been able to think clearly enough to get anything done. I’d decided to head on into the office and see if I could hurry her back home where she belongs with me. The last thing I expected when I walked into my office was for Sara to tell me she’d never shown up. When I’d phoned Sam and he told me where he dropped her off, I was pissed. I ended up using lots of profanity and firing him. I can’t have her life risked on incompetent people.
“Calm down, Sebastian. I’m fine. H-he wants to talk to you.”
“I don’t have anything to say to that asshole! I want you to get away from him NOW!” I order.
I hear a bit of background noise before I hear his voice on the line.
“Don’t fucking yell at her, you piece of shit! I asked her to call you because I’m trying to help.”
“Help? Are you fucking kidding me right now? Give my wife back her goddamn phone. When I get my hands on you, you’re dead!”
“You’re dead if you don’t listen to me. And if you don’t let me help you, we’re all dead,” he says, keeping a calm even tone about his voice. He’s right. Even though this is his mess, he’s got to be the one to help clean it up. It’s the only way.
“Where are you?” I demand and he takes in a deep intake of air. I don’t have patience for him and I’m doing my best to keep my shit together right now.
“I’m texting you the address. We’ll be waiting here for you. Make sure you are not followed.”
Forty-five minutes later and I’m pulling onto a long gravel drive. The sun is quickly dropping behind Lake Austin. The huge white house is spectacular and very well kept for its obvious age. This place looks to be one of the biggest lots on the lake.
Exiting the car, it takes me all of two seconds to feel her. She stands on the front porch holding her stomach with a troubled look on her face. I hate all of this, but right now, I hate the motherfucker that is standing behind her. For a minute, my mind goes somewhere it shouldn’t.
This could be her life now. What if she had chosen him instead of me? What if the life growing inside of her wasn’t mine? Could I have ever survived? The answer cuts into me like a sharp blade. No. Losing her isn’t something I’d ever survive. I’d die without her, not by taking my own life, but simply because my heart wouldn’t beat without her.
My eyes leave her gorgeous face as I turn my attention to Lucas. Slowly, I climb up the large wooden porch steps and hold my arms out to my wife. She wraps her arms around my neck, and I feel the fear inside of her.
“Don’t be mad at me.”
“I’m not mad, baby. Not at you, at least,” I say, kissing her hair. God, she smells so fucking good. Everything about her calms me.
“Please, just listen to what he has to say. Promise me you won’t lose your temper.”
“I don’t make promises that I can’t keep, baby.”
“It’s fine, Skylar. I can keep control of the situation even if your husband doesn’t think he can,” Lucas chimes in behind her. When I clench my jaw and fists, Skylar places her hands on my face and makes me look at her.
“Listen to what he has to say. That’s all I’m asking. Please.”
Please? I can’t deny this woman anything. It is hopeless. If she were to ask me to bring her the stars in the sky, I would, or I’d die trying.
I take her hands in mine and look down at them, holding them tightly. Leaning in, I give her a soft kiss on the lips.
“Leave us for a bit, okay?” I ask her, but she swallows the lump in her throat.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. What if–”
I cut her off by placing my finger on her lips.
“We’ll be fine. Let us talk alone.”
“You promised me that you wouldn’t keep me in the dark about any more stuff.”
“I know that, baby, but this is different. There are things you don’t need to be involved in for your own safety. This is one of them.” Before I can continue my argument, Lucas unexpectedly speaks.
“He’s right, Skylar. Let us talk. Why don’t you go in and fix some tea? I’ve still got that kind that you like in the cabinet from the last time we were here together.”
I snarl at him, but Skylar looks at me, begging me not to lose it.
“I’ll just be inside,” she says before opening the creaking screen door.
“Do you mind telling me why you are here with my wife, Drake?”
“Believe it or not, I brought her here to help. I needed to apologize.”
“It’s a little late for apologies, don’t you think? Besides, I don’t accept your apology.”
“My apology isn’t meant for you. It’s for her. I have been so hell bent on bringing you down for this that I didn’t think about her. Even if I can’t have her, I don’t think she should be with someone who makes her lie and protects a killer.”
“I know what I am, Drake. I live with it every fucking day. I was a stupid kid who fucked up and trusted his father. I’ve regretted leaving her that night ever since. By some miracle, I have her forgiveness and her love now. I know I don’t deserve her, but she is mine, not yours. We need to get that straight once and for all.”
“I know she isn’t mine. She never was.”
His words confuse me.
“I watched her for months Sebastian. Every single day she cried and mourned over you unlike anything I’ve ever seen. No matter what, I was determined to love her through it. I wanted to prove to her that, in the end, I’d always be there for her. That I’d never hurt her like you did. We loved each other, but she has never been in love with me. It is, and always will be, you that she loves. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still love her. I will love that woman until the day I die.”
“How is this going to work then? There is no way I can trust you to help us after everything you’ve said and done. How do I know you aren’t just trying to make a move to have me thrown in jail and then take what’s mine? I’d rather die than for that to happen.”
“I can’t take what will never be mine. I’ve already tried. The only thing I want is her safe and happy. Do I want her to be with you? Fuck no! But she loves you and I have to let her go. As much as I can, that is. I warn you Thorne, I protect what I love, and I will kill for her if I have to. I will keep her and that baby safe at all costs, even if that means working with you on my plan.”
“Let’s hear this plan of yours.”
Skylar
The sunlight spilling into our bedroom makes me groan in protest. I don’t know what time it had been when we finally arrived home last night. The last thing I remember is him laying me in our bed and pulling the covers over us. Now I’m awake and all alone in this large bed. I hate waking up like this, but I guess I will have to learn to get used to this since we will be apart for a while. I leave tonight for the airport. My plans weren’t to leave until Friday, but since Lucas and Sebastian had their meeting, they felt it was best to make a move fast on Maverick. Sebastian wanted me to leave this morning, but I have a doctor’s appointment for my monthly checkup and I don’t want to miss it. I look forward to those visits because I can never
get enough of hearing my baby’s heartbeat. It soothes me in ways I can’t explain and right now, I need it.
Sebastian enters our bedroom looking like a divine perfect Greek God in his black and grey flannel lounging pants. The way they hug his hips and showcase his intoxicating V makes me want to rip them off with my teeth. God these pregnancy hormones are horrible. I want him all the damn time. Smiling knowingly at me, he raises his eye and stalks towards the bed.
“Like what you see there, Ms. Thorne?” The heat on my cheeks sets my skin on fire.
Damn this man!
“No, not at all,” I tease, unable to hide the smile on my face.
Before I know it, I’m on my back, and he is carefully straddling my body. My arms are held down firmly beside of my head, and he moves in closer to me. I zone in on his lips and my mind races as to where I crave that mouth to be.
Kiss me.
“I think someone needs something this morning,” he whispers against my ear as he presses a kiss to my skin. Slowly, he traces my neck and jaw with his tongue before blowing hot air back over the area, sending me into electrified chills.
I want him so much!
“Do you want me?” He breathes into my ear as he rotates his hardness into my opening.
“Yes,” I whisper, arching my back to the intense pleasure. He releases one hand and trails it down in between my legs. Pulling my thong to one side, he slides his fingers into me, groaning at how wet I am for him.
“Always. So. Ready. Taste how perfect you are,” he says, bringing his soaked fingers to my mouth and pressing them between my lips.
I wrap my legs around him and work my hips to grind against him. My hands shove down his pants just far enough for his long thick cock to spring free. He wastes no time pulling my panties aside again before plunging inside of me. At first, it takes my breath, but I want all of him. Raising my hips up, he slides further in and moans. Relentlessly, he begins working his cock in and out of me, sending ripples of sensations all through my body. Suddenly, those feverish movements turn to soft and gentle. Stopping, he looks down on me, his eyes glowing with love.
