Page 32 of Fire in My Blood
Rolling over to my side, I try to relax. But every time I close my eyes, my attacker’s cold eyes are staring back at me.
I fling back the sheets and get out of bed. My heart is still racing, and being alone is the last thing I want to be right now.
After leaving my room, I walk softly along the hallway to the closest door. It opens soundlessly, and I stare into the dark room.
There’s a large shape in the bed, and in the light from the hallway, I can make out Lucas’s familiar profile. He looks sopeaceful with his eyes closed and his chest moving at a slow and steady rhythm.
After tiptoeing into the room, I close the door carefully. Then, I move around to the other side of the bed before creeping under the covers.
I slowly inch closer to him until I’m lying on my side with my body flush against his. He’s wearing a thin pair of silky pants, but his upper body is bare beneath the covers.
Resting my head on his thick bicep, I breathe out a long sigh of contentment. His body is so warm, and I smooth my hand over his stomach to settle on his hard chest.
Without warning Lucas, rolls toward me. His arm wraps around my body and crushes me tightly against him. The side of my face is pressed against his chest and his hard cock digs into my belly.
I let out a squeak of surprise.
“Fuck.” He yanks his arm back and launches himself out of bed. Before I can even blink, he’s standing by the bedroom door, breathing hard.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to touch you.” He runs a hand through his hair, his muscles tense and magnificent. “What are you doing here? Are you all right?”
Mortification tightens my chest. This isn’t the reaction I anticipated. Not after the passionate kisses we shared and how he acted when I caught him ogling me yesterday. I’ve obviously misunderstood his interest. Lucas doesn’t want me. He has just made that perfectly clear.
“I’m sorry.” My voice is no more than a whisper. “I’ll go back to my room.” My eyes fill with tears, the humiliation and pain making my body stiff and cold. Keeping my head down to avoid looking at him, I get out of his bed and move toward the door.
“Erica, what’s wrong?” Lucas maintains his place in front of the door, preventing me from leaving.
“I didn’t mean to invade your privacy like that. I’m sorry.” My throat is partially clogged with the sobs I’m desperately trying to hold back, and I don’t know for how much longer I’m going to be able to keep it together. Staring at the floor right in front of my bare feet, I hope he doesn’t notice the tears that have started to overflow down my cheeks.
Lucas puts a finger under my chin, and I don’t resist when he gently tips my head back. But I close my eyes so I don’t have to witness the pity in his eyes when he discovers my tears.
“You’re crying. I’m so sorry I scared you.” His voice is soft and filled with regret.
Anger suddenly bubbles up inside me, and my eyes snap open. “I’m not scared of you, Lucas!” I shout at him. “I’m sorry I want you, okay? I realize you don’t like me like that. I shouldn’t have snuck into your room. It won’t happen again. I’ll keep my distance.” I grip his biceps and try to push him out of the way so I can get to the door, but it’s like trying to move a brick wall.
Two hands close around my upper arms. “Erica, look at me.”
“No.” I twist to the right to get away from him, but his hands are like steel bands holding me firmly in place.
“Erica, please. I can’t let you go. Not like this.” He suddenly spins me around until my back hits the wall and cages me in with his big body. “What did you mean when you said you want me?” His mouth is right next to my ear, and his voice has gone deep and husky.
A delicious shiver runs up my spine and without thinking I brush my lips over his warm hard chest. “I want you to touch me,” I murmur as his salty taste coats my lips.
His hot breath fans my ear and neck, and heat starts simmering in my lower belly. It’s intoxicating having his half-naked body so close.
“Are you sure?” His voice is a low rasp like he has just swallowed a mouthful of sand. “I want to touch you, Erica, but I don’t want to frighten you. You’ve been through so much.”
“And I want to get past that. I want to forget all about what happened. I trust you, Lucas. Please touch me.” I brush my lips over the warm skin of his chest again before finding his nipple and sucking it into my mouth.
His whole body jerks, and he lets out a groan. His hand cups my chin, and he tips my face up toward his. Then his head comes down, and he crushes his lips to mine.
The kiss is frantic and wild. Our tongues wrestle and explore, and I wrap my arms around his waist to anchor him to me. His hands caress my neck and shoulders, and I moan into his mouth while wondering how I can remove the T-shirt that’s blocking his access to my body without letting go of him.
Lucas abruptly ends the kiss, but before I can voice my protest, he bends and lifts me into his arms. After striding to the bed, he lays me down on top of the covers.
Putting one knee on either side of my thighs, he plants his hands next to my shoulders. He’s on all fours above me, and the desire in his eyes makes them practically glow as he stares into mine. “I’ll take it slow, okay? If you want me to stop at any time, just tell me.”
“Okay.” I nod, and heat flares between my legs.