Uncharted Hearts: From Casual to Forever

021~ MIGHT

Aria

The drive here was supposed to be straightforward. Jaxson filled me in on Lucas after the party, and my sole purpose was to be there for him – to lighten Lucas's mood, encourage him to talk, and then head back home. So why the heck am I here in the kitchen, watching him cook?

Perched on the kitchen island, I couldn't help but be captivated by his movements. His shirtless figure moved with a casual grace, the muscles beneath his skin playing with every action, and the tattoos decorating his back added a layer of allure. My eyes traced the contours of his form, drawn to the permanent inks etched into his skin.

As he turned away to fill a pot with water, my attention lingered on the flex of his muscles and the light sheen of sweat that highlighted his physicality. The tattoos beckoned, and an urge to run my fingers over them emerged. Lowering my gaze, I found myself involuntarily fixating on his ass, quickly averting my eyes when he turned, catching me in the act.

"Like what you see?" He teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

A flush painted my face, and I mumbled, "You wish."

His laughter resonated in the kitchen, and when I stole another glance, he was still watching me.

"Do you need help?" I attempted to shift the focus, and Lucas approached, our eyes locking.

"What can you help me with?" My heart raced as he stood before me.

"Anything that doesn't involve doing the actual cooking," I replied, earning another laugh from Lucas.

"Yeah, you are a terrible cook," he quipped.

My fingers gripped the edge of the kitchen island as he placed a hand gently on my thigh, parting them. Breath caught in my throat, he leaned in.

"I just what?" he inquired, his warm breath brushing against my face.

Avoiding eye contact, I felt the intensity of the moment.

"I- I just made a mistake then," I stuttered, my gaze fixed on his neck.

"You call almost food poisoning me four times a mistake?" He chuckled.

"I- I didn't force you to eat them," I replied, my words hanging in the charged air. The kitchen fell silent, and Lucas remained still, not uttering a word. I dared not move either; all I could hear was the rhythm of our breathing.

"Look at me," he ordered. I pressed my lips together, my nails still digging into the kitchen island. His finger found my chin, tilting my head up to meet his mesmerizing blue eyes. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

"Now repeat what you said," he challenged.

"It was my fault," I conceded. A small smile played on his lips as he released me.

He raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You are not going to help me out on your heels, are you?" he quipped, moving back a little and grabbing my leg. Before I could respond, he swiftly began to remove my heels himself.

His fingers grazed the skin on my legs, and a subtle shiver ran through me. I couldn't deny the tingling sensation his touch ignited. As he continued to unstrap the heels, his fingers left a trail, and I found myself captivated by the intimate contact.

The warmth of his touch lingered even after the shoes were off. I couldn't help but glance at him, catching a playful glimmer in his eyes.

Help! who is this man?

He was acting weird.

After removing my heels, Lucas grabbed my waist and gently pulled me down the kitchen island.

The cool floor met my legs as he asked, "You are good with the tomatoes, right?" I nodded obediently, waiting for him to release his hands from my waist.

"When do you plan on letting me go?" I asked, attempting a playful tone. He chuckled and released me.

Walking over to the sink to wash the tomatoes, I couldn't shake the feeling of his gaze lingering on me. What the hell was happening? Why was he acting different? Perhaps it was the side effects of his mother's words. It has to be it.

"Not bad; your cooking has improved," I complimented the food after we finished eating. He smirked, dropping the plates into the sink.

"Should I be grateful that a bad cook complimented my dishes?"

"Are you going to taunt me with that forever?" I pouted, groaning.

"Yes, because it's fun," he said. I stood up from the stool, grabbing my heels that were discarded on the floor.

"Where are you going to?" He asked.

"Home," I replied matter-of-factly.

"I thought you were spending the night here?" He c****d an eyebrow.

"I wasn't," I replied. I couldn't imagine staying the night with Lucas alone. So many things can happen in one night!

"It's almost ten; do you think it is wise to be driving home by this time?" He asked.

"My family would be worried; I didn't tell them I was coming here," I said, imagining my family's reaction.

"They haven't even called since you were here," he pointed out. I bit my lips; he was right. Should I stay the night, but...

"I swear I won't touch you," he said, as if reading my thoughts. I raised my brow, not believing anything he said.

"Okay, I won't do anything you don't like," he laughed. I knew this was not one of my wisest decisions, but I was tempted.

"Let me make a call," I said, finally giving in as I went to retrieve my purse in the living room. I took my phone out and thought of the right person to call.

Ivy and my mom were out of the picture. My father would end up telling my mother. I was left with Leah; she was the best choice. I dialed Leah, and she picked up almost immediately.

"Let me guess, you are staying over at Lucas's place," Leah said, and I coughed nervously, denying it. How the hell did she know?

"You can't lie to me, Aria. Don't worry; I got you covered. Unlike you that snitch, I am as loyal as a dog," she said, her words sounding reassuring until the last part.

"I swear; I didn't mean to tell her. You know how mom is; I couldn't say no to her," I explained.

"Thanks to you, I am being treated like a child at home," Leah complained. I felt strong arms wrapping around me, and I hiccupped.

He pulled me towards him, my bare back against his bare chest. My breathing deepened as electric surge coursed through every part of my body.

His touch sent a thrilling surge through my body, temporarily diverting my focus from the conversation. The warmth of his lips, tender and inviting, pressed against my bare back, creating a magnetic connection that resonated within me.

Lucas moved with practiced grace, trailing kisses along the curve of my neck. Each touch left behind an imprint of desire, and a soft whimper escaped my lips as he reached my ear, gently biting and sending shivers down my spine. Instinctively, my neck tilted, granting him more access, and I closed my eyes, savoring the sensations he stirred within me.

His whispered words and warm breath teasing my ear disrupted my composure. "Aren't you done yet?" he asked, his voice sending shivers through me. As he continued his exploration, trailing kisses and bites down my neck, my breath hitched, overwhelmed by the sensations.

"s**t, is it starting? I won't be the third wheel then. Tell Lucas to take it easy on you," Leah chuckled, and I wanted to explain, but she had already hung up.

"You said you weren't going to touch me," I managed to say, my voice shaky. Lucas, with a playful smile, corrected, "I said I wouldn't do anything you didn't like."

Caught in the intensity of the moment, I couldn't deny the growing desire within me. "Do you want me to stop?" he asked. I hesitated, conflicting emotions evident, but desire won over reason. "No," I moaned, succumbing to the intoxicating dance of passion.

He turns me so that I am facing him, his eyes now dark with lust locking onto mine with a smoldering intensity. The charged atmosphere between us is palpable, and I feel a surge of desire coursing through every inch of my being as his gaze holds mine captive.

His hand traversed my face with delicate, teasing strokes before slipping around to cradle the nape of my neck. A charged silence enveloped us as he wordlessly closed the gap, his breath setting my skin ablaze with anticipation. The air crackled with desire as his lips hovered just inches from mine, his intoxicating masculine scent wrapping me in a fog of lust.

As he sealed the final distance, our lips collided, igniting a fervent blaze that consumed us. His tongue traced a heated path over my lips, and I willingly granted him entrance. A symphony of sensations played out as his hands caressed down my spine, leaving a trail of goosebumps, and I moaned into the embrace of his mouth.

In an effortless motion, he lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, arms secure around his neck. Breaking the kiss, he locked eyes with me. "I'm not letting you get another boyfriend," he declared, though the words barely registered as I nodded, lost in the haze of desire. Drawing me closer, he carried me toward the couch without breaking our passionate connection.

Seated, my legs now straddled him, and I felt the undeniable hardness beneath me. Unable to resist, I pressed my hips into his, eliciting a low growl. His hands gripped my hips possessively, guiding our sensual dance as the intensity between us escalated.