by Dani René
His hands were on my hips in a painful vice grip. My body flush against the door with the full weight of his body pinning me in place. His hips rolled into mine, and his arousal pressed against my core. His one hand found my slick sex. He stroked me, plunging two fingers inside me deep and fast, my body tightened around them. The rasp of his zipper echoed in the quiet room and suddenly his fingers were replaced by his rock hard cock. My body filled to the brink as he slammed inside me. He fucked the emotion into me and through me. His pain, my pain. Our anger colliding as our bodies molded into one. He drove into me violently.
My gaze locked on his and the pain slipped from his eyes. “My lumiére, I love you so fucking much.” His raspy whisper sending me over the edge. My teeth bit down on his shoulder to keep from screaming. He thrust into me one more time, growling out his release. As we caught our breath, he lowered his forehead onto mine and planted a soft kiss on my lips. We stayed like that for a few moments as we both came down from the intense orgasm that shattered us both.
He pulled out of me and I winced. The emptiness was unwelcome. “Shit, I am sorry baby. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“You didn’t, Lucien.” cupping his face in my hands I placed a kiss on his lips.
“Do you mind staying here? I can have Robert take you home?” There was no way I would leave him when he was going through so much turmoil. I shook my head. “I need to talk to you about what happened at the office. Claudia has been trying to break us up for months and Isabel is part of it. I need you to trust me please baby?” He pleaded with me and I realized I had walked in on something I didn’t have the whole story about. He needed to explain, but not now, not here. After his father goes home, then we can talk.
With a small smile, I nodded, I wasn’t leaving. This is where I belong, with the man I love. “I want to be with you Lucien, please don’t send me away?” With his arms banding around my waist, he pulled me into his arms. As he held me I felt the tension in his body calm. The anguish he is going through is something I understand, the stress of losing your father, a parent. It’s something nobody can ever imagine until it happens to them. I remember losing my own father, blaming myself for years, that love is something you could never get back. Ever.
“Never baby. Never.”
We stepped out of the room into the hallway, walking towards the room where his father was laying in ICU. I can’t believe this is happening. “Luke!” We both turned to Jayce. His eyes faltered for a second at our linked hands, but he seemed to recover quickly.
“Jayce, what are you doing here?” They shook hands, tugging each other in for a quick hug. Jayce’s eyes fell on me and he pulled me into a hug. Once he released me, and stepped back, the flicker of emotion in his eyes was noticeable. I realized he still had feelings for me, even though he denied it.
“I heard about your dad from Sash, Claudia called her about something and mentioned it.” A frown creased his brows, something seemed strange about this.
“Why would she be calling your sister?” Lucien voicing the question I was too scared to ask.
“I don’t know man; she’s been on at Sasha for weeks now. Like they’re fucking BFF’s or something.” Walking to the coffee machine, I release Lucien’s hand for the first time since we arrived. I grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee, listening to the boys.
“I don’t like it Jayce, I don’t fucking trust Claudia. She’s up to something. I can feel it and with Isabel in the picture, something’s not right.” My body shivered with cold fear that Claudia somehow had something to do with Luke’s father being in hospital.
“Mr. Verán, can we talk?” We all turned to come face to face with the doctor.
“Yes, whatever you want to say can be said in front of my brother and my girlfriend.” Lucien reached for my hand. Jayce placed a hand on Luke’s shoulder. The doctor nodded.
“Please follow me.” He turned, and we made our way down the corridor to a small office. When the doctor closed the door, fear ran through my veins. This could not be good news. Deep down in my gut fear took hold, and it didn’t let go. Lucien pulled me onto his lap and Jayce took the other chair opposite the dark wood desk. “Mr. Verán, your father isn’t well. I am afraid the tests show that the stroke your father suffered was more severe than we thought. He had suffered a heart attack prior to the stroke. We have to guess that’s what brought on the stroke. He must have been under a large amount of stress before the incident. Do you know if he was working? Or if there was something that could have upset him to the point of causing something so severe?”
I glance down at Lucien and my eyes flit to Jayce, we were all on the same page. This had to do with Claudia, the company was doing well, and Lucien was working with his father, they were happy and enjoying spending time together, so work wasn’t the cause. The tension rolled through Luke’s body like an electric current.
“My father was definitely not stressed at work. There is one thing that would have been playing on his mind and that is a pending divorce which he filed for recently. Other than that, there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary that could have caused this. What do we do now doctor?”
“We wait. I am afraid I can’t do much more. We will stop the medication that has kept him sedated and wait for him to pull through. Then we can decide if surgery is an option. He will need a pacemaker, but we need him to wake up of his own volition.”
“And how long will that take?” Lucien’s voice is strained. It’s clear he wants to leave this room and most probably kill Claudia. I glance at Jayce and he is as on edge as Lucien.
“If he pulls through, it should be in about twenty-four to forty-eight hours.” The doctor placed his hands on the desk, holding on to a folder I guess was Mr. Verán’s.
“I would appreciate this to stay in this room, please doctor. My step-mother need not know any of this, not right now.” The doctor nods and rises from his chair. I follow suit and Lucien grabs my hand. His stare is on the doctor and he offers a small smile. “Thank you, doctor.”
Once we step out of the room, Lucien and Jayce stare at each other. “I told you man, this stinks of Claudia.” We turn and make our way to the reception desk, we round the corner and find Sasha and Claudia whispering to each other. As soon as we close in on them, they straighten.
“Luke, are you okay babe?” Sasha grabs Lucien into a tight hug and bile rises in my throat.
“Lucien, Sasha was worried about you. She needed to spend time with you. So I told her to come and support you.” Claudia’s tone was icy cold, when her gaze landed on me, I shivered.
“I have my girlfriend here, Sasha, so you don’t have to worry about me.” As Lucien steps back, the look on his face is of complete disgust.
“Lucien, there is no need to be so rude.”
“You’re not my fucking mother, so stay out of my life.” Lucien’s grip on my hand releases and he storms off down the corridor leaving us all standing there. I turn to follow him when Jayce grabs my arm.
“Can we talk?” I nod. Watching Sasha and Claudia disappear into the family room. “Luke told me you walked out.” His voice was low, but it sent shivers over my body.
“How do you know?” He pulls me into the stairwell, and carries on explaining.
“The girl that you caught Luke with, that’s Isabel. She’s Luke’s ex from a long time ago. I overheard my sister and Claudia on a call and it sounded like they’re planning on getting the company from Luke by breaking you and him up. I can’t tell Lucien because he isn’t thinking straight at the moment. Sasha hates Luke, for the past, but also that he didn’t want her back. His guilt ate him up for so long when she couldn’t forgive him. It’s understandable, but she hasn’t been the innocent one here either. I think—” My phone buzzing startles me and I jump. I tug it from my pocket and Lucien’s name flashes across the screen.
“Hello?”
“Where the fuck did you go? The doctor just called me.”
“I am coming.” I glance at Jayce, givin
g me a nod he waits till I make it back to Lucien before making an appearance himself. “What’s happened?”
As soon as I find Lucien he tugs my hand and pulls me down the hallway. When he spins to me again the heartbreak in his eyes rips my heart open. I swallow a lump in my throat when I realize what must have happened. No, no, please no!! I can’t. Lucien can’t! Shit!
“He’s not making progress, they’re keeping an eye on him, but the doctor doesn’t sound positive.” I pull him into my arms and hold him. “Please don’t leave me baby.” His words are strangled and I realize he’s trying not to lose control of his emotions. I glance up and my eyes lock on bright sky-blue eyes.
“I am not leaving you, Lucien. Stop thinking it.” Jayce stares at me and turns to walk away. Leaving us standing there embracing. I need to tell Luke about what Jayce said, but I know this is not the time or the place. We need to be prepared for whatever Claudia has planned. I will have to talk to him later.
Lucien
There is so much going through my mind right now. I need to talk to Jayce, there’s something that Claudia has planned and I will be damned if she will win this fight. There was never a time I thought I could hate, but right now, when Claudia is near me, I do. It’s inside me like a poison running through my veins. She’s tried taking Cassie away from me and now my father, but she will not win.
The hours pass as we wait. What’s killing me is the waiting. Not knowing if my father will wake up or not. “Luke.” I turn to see Jayce walking towards me. Cassie went to grab two coffees, and I think that’s why he’s here. There’s something in his eyes when he looks at her and I realize it’s because of their time together which must have meant a lot more than he’s letting on.
It’s not his fault. I walked away, letting her go. After a month apart, she moved on. Even though it was with my best friend, it was my fault. “Jayce, what’s up?”
“I spoke to Daniel and Robert; they have phone records. Claudia had contacted Isabel when Cassie first started at Verán publishers. Although they’re not sure why.”
“I do. Claudia wants something. Although I do not understand what it could be.” I have a million ideas passing through my mind, but none of them make sense.
“There’s something else.”
I glance up to see a guilty expression on his face. “What?” This can’t be good.
“I overheard my sister and Claudia a couple of days ago. They didn’t realize that I was home, but, they were talking about Verán Industries. Claudia wants ownership. Although I have no idea how she would get it since you’re already running it. I mean—”
“Shit. If something happens to my father. The will.” My eyes cut to his and I realize something that Claudia said earlier. “She mentioned my father’s will and last requests. There must be something in there, but what? I mean he’s always left everything to me. He told me so before I even finished school.”
“I can get Daniel to do some research into it. Robert is downstairs.” I nod. Jayce can handle this; I need to find Claudia. When Cassie returns with our coffees, I take in her appearance. She’s tired, we both haven’t slept. “Come on baby, let’s go sit down. You need to sleep.”
I grab the coffee from her, but she shakes her head. “No, I am fine. This is where I need to stay, with you.” With my arm around her we make our way to the small family room. There’s a sofa in here. I slip into the one corner and pull her into the crook of my arm. “Sorry I walked out. I thought you were—”
“It’s okay. I know.”
“No Luke, I should have trusted you.”
“Baby. If you don’t stop, I will be forced to spank you.” Her sharp intake of breath makes me smile. “Now just relax. We’re here together.”
“Yes, Sir.” Her voice is a low whisper and if I wasn’t listening I would have missed it, but it still has the effect that she was eliciting. I have to take a large gulp of coffee to calm myself. My phone buzzes interrupting my thoughts. I unlock the screen and see a message from Jayce.
* All sorted. Will get news to you asap *
Cassie lays her head on my lap and I lean back and close my eyes. Sleep comes easily, but the dreams haunt every moment.
“Luca! Come here!” Isabel is running through lavender fields. We’re on our family holiday in France. I met Isabel at the guesthouse where we were staying. Her mother and father owned it and were old family friends of my parents. As I run up to her, I wrap my arms around her. She’s lovely, but for some reason I can’t say the things she wants me to say. I am only sixteen, she talks of love and I don’t.
“Luca, what are you doing?” Her voice is shrill and grates at my nerves. My eyes dart around, I am back in my dorm. I am at University. On my bed is Isabel. What the fuck is she doing here? Bound to my bed with ropes. She wanted this, came here asking for me. I know she’s looking for the boy who she remembered from that summer. He no longer exists darling. “What the fuck are you doing here Isabel?” My voice is harsh and I see her flinch at my anger.
“I missed you Luca. I love you.”
“Fuck love. It doesn’t exist. I don’t love you! Don’t you remember?” My legs on either side of her, I see the fear in her eyes. Good, you should be scared. “I never wanted you, don’t you get that?” Tears form in her eyes. I love seeing her cry. All these fucking bitches want me, but they’re just never going to be the One. The girl with the mocha eyes and the curls. I don’t know her; I can’t remember her name. My mind is filled with messed up images, it’s too much. I lean over and snort the last bit of white powder, letting the effects take over me. That’s better. “Now, you came here for what? Me? That stupid little boy you remember is gone!”
I start at the sound of the doctor’s voice. Shit, those dreams again! “Mr. Verán. You can see your father now.” I nod and watch him leave. When I glance down at my girl my heart rate calms. Cassie was always the one. Even though we both didn’t realize it. The girl with the mocha eyes and the curls. Jayce is awake when my eyes lock with his I realize he knows what was in my dreams. “Did you hear?”
“Yea, you had that dream again. You need to let it go man.”
“It’s difficult. Cassie changes me. Deep down there’s still something that’s bothering me.”
“Give it time. Just don’t hurt Cassie again.”
“Fuck you, Jayce.”
“Fuck you too, Luke. I care about her.” His words are sincere. I realize he does, and it makes me angry. Even though he is the only person I would trust her with.
I keep my voice low. “You do. I can see it. You don’t love her though.” It isn’t a question, it’s a warning. He isn’t allowed to love her. My eyes lock on his and I know without him saying it that he does.
Cassandra
“Baby.” I am woken up by Lucien’s hand stroking my hair. “The doctor said we can go inside and see my dad.” I sit up slowly, groggy from the terrible night sleep. I had some strange dreams, but Lucien doesn’t look like he’s had any rest. He leans in giving me a loving kiss. “Do you want a coffee?” I nod and smile. When I reach up I groan as I try to smooth my hair that feels like a bird’s nest. As soon as Lucien walks out the door, I sit up properly.
“Good morning gorgeous.” I start at the sound of Jay’s voice.
“Jayce. Shit, I didn’t realize you were here.” He cocks his head to the side, amusement in his blue eyes. His gaze rakes down my body and back up to my hair.
“You look beautiful, so does your hair.” I groan. Not believing a word he says.
“Jayce, please don’t—”
“I know, just stating a fact.” He holds up his hands in defense.
“What fact?” I turn to see Lucien at the door with my coffee.
“That her hair doesn’t look like a bird’s nest.” My eyes flicker to Jayce, willing him to not say the other so called fact that I looked beautiful.
“No, baby, it doesn’t. You are gorgeous always.” Lucien slides into the chair next to me.
“That’s my c
ue. Catch you both later. I need to get myself some caffeine.” Jayce leaves us, closing the door behind him. I watch the door close, but I can’t bring myself to calm. There is something bothering him and but I have no idea what it is. I just want to help him.
“What was that about?” I glance at Lucien and he shakes his head. The most frustrating thing about the man I love was that he loved to hide things from me. As much as it frustrated me I couldn’t get him out of it. “Luke?” I sip my coffee, staring at him, willing him to tell me.
“Jayce reckons that Claudia is trying to get her grimy hands on my father’s company. I don’t doubt it. Also there’s this whole fiasco with Sasha, I mean she’s moved on. So have I. There is nothing between us.” His gaze falls on me and I can just about bring myself to say what I need to.
“Except for the charity and the fact that she was your first love?” As soon as the words are out of my mouth I want to swallow them back in.
“She and I have nothing in common, there is nothing between us. My future is with you Cassie!” His words are adamant and they make me smile. Even in this sad time the love that burns in his eyes makes me feel like a princess. My thoughts drift to Jayce’s words. Princess. That’s what you are.
“Okay Luke. I am still sleepy.” With his heated stare on me, I raise my cup and drink my coffee. He smiles and turns his attention to his phone and I watch him tap a message to Robert. When his green gaze meets mine again, he smiles.
“And you’re adorable. Ready to go see my dad?” I nod. When he laces his fingers through mine, we make our way towards his dad’s room. Before we step inside, I give him a reassuring smile.
“Let’s go.” Luke’s hand on the doorknob twists it. As soon as we’re inside, the site takes my breath away. I hated hospitals. All my life. As a child refusing to walk into any hospital, the pain and despair in the air always tugged at me. Mr. Verán is still unconscious, I let Lucien go to him and wait in the seat at the foot of the bed. My heart is in tatters watching the man I love try to talk to his father, who might not be able to hear him. Memories of my own father come to mind, and I am forced to blink back tears.
