Chapter72
Hisshirthunglooselyinfront,flutteringgentlyashemoved,
revealinghiswell–definedmuscles.FromAveline’sangle,shehadaperfectviewofhischiseledabs.
Herheartbeatseemedtoquicken.
Lucashadalreadyreachedherandleaneddownslightly,hishandsomeandsharpfaceholdingahintofasmile.“Notlooking?”
Aveline’s faceturnedadeepshadeof red.Then,asifathoughthadstruckher,theembarrassmentandhesitationdisappeared.
“SowhatifIlook?Wehaven’tdivorcedyet.You’remyhusband.Icanlook,andIcantouchtoo!”
Shereachedouttotouchhisabs.
Hmm…theyfeltreallygood!
Lucasfrozeforamoment,hercoolbutsofthandonhismusclesmakingtheminstinctivelytenseup.
AgleamoftriumphappearedinAveline’seyes.“Alright,it’te.Let’ssleep.”
Shestartedtopullherhandback,butLucasgrabbedherwrist,leaningoverandpressingherontothesofa.
Avelinewasstunned.“Hey,whatareyoudoing?”
“Youtouchedme,”Lucassaid.
“SowhatifIdid?”Avelineblinked.
Lucaslookedatherintently.“Youthinkit’soverafterjustatouch?”
Whatelse?
Aveline’seyesclearlyshowedherconfusion.
15BONUS
Lucasmovedcloser,hisweightpressingdownonher.“Ave…”
Hemurmuredhername,hisbreathwarmonherface.Theatmospheregrewthickwithintimacyandtensionasifheading.towardsanuncontrobledirection.
Butjustthen,aphonerang–itwasLucas‘phone.
Thesharpsoundofthephoneinstantlyshatteredtheintimate.atmosphere.
Avelinepushedhimaway.“Yourphoneisringing.”
Lucas‘gazewasdarkashestaredatherforamomentbeforestandingupandansweringthecall.
“Sophia.”
Hearinghiswords,Avelinebitherliphard.
Itfeltlikeabucketofcoldwaterhadbeendumpedoverher,bringinghertohersensesabruptly.
Whatwasshe doing?Ifitweren’tforthephoneringing,thingswouldhavespiraledoutofcontrol.
Thisshouldn’tbehappening.Sheshouldn’tallowherselftokeepfallinglikethis.
Afterashortconversation,Lucashungupthephone.HiseyesweretingedwitplexityashelookedatAvelineonthesofa.
“Ihavetogoout.”
Aveline’sexpressionchangedasshelookedathim.“Doesithavetobenow?”
Lucasreplied,“She’shurt.Sheneedsme.”
Atthatmoment,itfeltlikeherheartwasbeingshatteredintopieces,
leavingherinsomuchpainthatshecouldhardlyspeak.
Og
debelongedtoSophia.Itwasherintrusionthathadtartedtheirlivesintoamess.Sheshouldhavesteppedback.
Asuddenwaveofbitternessroseinherheart.
“Lucas,whatifIsaidIneedyoutoo?”
Hercleareyesstaredat<b>him</b>,filledwithsuppressedemotions.
Lucas‘lipstightenedintoathinline.“Thisceissafe.Youwon’tbeinanydanger.”
Avelinegaveabittersmile.Whatwassheevendoing?
Theanswerwasobvious.Fromthemomentheregainedhismemory,hishearthad<b>leaned</b>towardsSophia.
“Alright.”shenodded,then closedhereyes,refusingtolookathim<b>any</b>longer.Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
ThedaysinLarborCity<b>felt</b>likeadream.Nowthatshewasawake,itwastimetofacereality.
Asshe<b>heard</b>hisfootstepsreachingthedoor,shespokewithoutanyemotion,“Tomorrowmorning,Iexpectyouatthwyer’soffice.Lucas,ifyoudon’tshowup,there’snoneedforthedivorce.”
B