Chapter 10
1669 Words
I sat across from Lucas at a small table outside the campus café, my gaze shifting uneasily between the tall glass of chocolate parfait in front of me and my cell phone on the table. The contrast between the sweet treat and the dire situation left me feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
Lucas, sipping a glass of Coke, studied me quietly. I ignored him, anxiously waiting for Elena to reply to my text messages, asking where she was and how she was doing.
“You seem distracted,” Lucas said. I glanced up at him, meeting his amused gaze. “Is the parfait not to your liking?” he continued with a hint of a smile. “I can order something else if you like.”
I shot him a frustrated look. “It’s not about the parfait. I can’t believe we’re sitting here, having this... this conversation, while Elena’s left behind in all that mess.”
Lucas leaned back, seemingly unbothered. “But your best friend is with Fernazo right now.”
“I know but—.”
“But what?” He raised an eyebrow, the smirk on his lips barely concealed. “You don’t trust him, is that it?”
“I do trust him,” I replied irritably. “It’s just that Elena might need me. And you saw what Luna did to her.”
“And you think you could have done something differently? You’re not exactly a superhero. And from what I saw, it’s more a matter of watching her.”
“I could have at least stayed to make sure she’s okay.”
Lucas took a slow sip of his Coke, looking entirely relaxed that it was beginning to piss me off. “Sometimes, Coline, you have to let things play out. Panicking won’t help anyone.”
“I don’t see how sitting here, eating ice cream, is supposed to help.”
There was an odd sparkle in his eyes and then he was grinning at me. I didn’t know what to make of that strange behavior. “I thought you needed a break. You were looking pretty stressed.”
I glanced at the melting chocolate parfait.
Stressed was an understatement. I hated how powerless I was. I couldn’t help Elena, couldn’t even get away from those girls to shield her from Luna. How could Lucas expect me to just sit here and enjoy a parfait when I was feeling this way?
My gaze returned to Lucas, trying to reconcile the calm, almost serene demeanor he was displaying with the menacing aura he’d had earlier.
It felt like a switch had been flipped. Just moments ago, I’d been afraid of him. Where had that intimidating aura gone? The one that had made me feel like I had no choice but to obey him? Now, he was the picture of composure, casually sipping his Coke while I wrestled with my anxiety.
Still, it was suspicious that he was being so considerate of me.
That jerk? He’s not the type to help someone on purpose.
Anyway, it’s difficult to understand him. He might have helped me this time, but I shouldn’t get involved with him anymore.
I should be careful.
Lucas stared back at me, and I could feel his eyes assessing me back with a hint of amusement.
“You shouldn’t suppress your feelings, Coline,” he began to say. “You need to find an outlet. Do you want my help? I’m sort of an expert on the subject.”
“I’m good,” I sighed. “I don’t need your help.”
“But you still look pale,” he remarked. “And I know just the thing to bring some color back to your cheeks.”
The innuendo in his words was unmistakable this time.
I shot him a dark glare. “Seriously? Are you trying to make a joke right now?”
His smirk widened. “Well, look at that. Your cheeks are already a lovely shade of red.”
“You’re such an assh*le,” I snapped, my irritation bubbling over. “You do this every time. You say things in a way that you know will bother me.”
“Why do you think I do it?”
I clenched my jaw. “You think you’re so clever, aren’t you?”
He nodded. “I did qualify for Mensa.”
My jaw dropped. “Oh… I-I see.” Then I shook my head. So what if he was practically a genius? He was still an assh*le. “But seriously, Lucas. Why did you really bring me to this café?”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “I like spending time with you. You’ve been so busy lately, I thought it’d be nice to catch up.”
“I’m not obligated to spend time with you,” I retorted. “That wasn’t part of the deal.”
“And here I thought we were close.”
I stared at him, perplexed. “We aren’t. And I don’t think you even liked me to begin with. You didn’t even know my name. Didn’t you blatantly ignore me when you first met me?”
“But didn’t I show you how much I regretted doing that?” he said, leaning in slightly, his gaze warm and intense. “All night long?”
“You—.” I swallowed down the curse words I was about to say. “I told you to stop bringing that up.”
“You brought it up first,” he pointed out smugly, leaning back in his seat, and I realized I did.
I sighed, feeling my frustration mix with a strange flutter of nerves “Fine. That was on me. Now let’s stop talking about it.”
His grin softened, but his eyes remained locked on me, as if he was savoring every moment of our interaction. “As you wish. But if you ever need someone to talk to—or bring color back to your cheeks—just let me know.”
I refused to let Lucas’s words bait me any further. Instead, I turned my attention to the tall glass of chocolate parfait in front of me. It had melted a bit, but the sweetness was a welcome distraction, soothing my frayed nerves. I took a spoonful and let the creamy richness calm me down.
After a few moments of silence, I decided to shift the conversation away from our earlier exchange.
“So, about Luna,” I began tentatively.
Lucas’s demeanor changed instantly, the menacing aura that had surrounded him earlier seemed to reemerge. His eyes grew colder, and a shadow seemed to settle over him.
“I’d rather not discuss her,” he instantly said, his tone taking on a dangerously flat quality.
It was clear that bringing up Luna was not something he wanted to entertain, and I shouldn’t try to push him any further.
I did, anyway.
“Why?” I challenged him.
“It’s complicated.”
“Uncomplicate it,” I shot back defiantly.
Lucas’s expression grew colder, his voice taking on a steely edge. “Don’t push it, Coline. Not even your loveliness will save you if you keep this up.”
I wasn’t sure where I found the nerve. I set my spoon down, meeting Lucas’s gaze with a resolute look. “And, what if I don’t stop? What will you do?”
Lucas’s eyes narrowed, and a hint of a smirk played at the corner of his lips. He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low, dangerously calm tone.
“If you don’t drop it, I’ll kiss you.”
The suddenness of his statement made me inhale sharply. My heart began to race. The weight of his threat, if it could even be called that, settled heavily between us. It was clear he wasn’t bluffing.
He continued, his eyes never leaving mine. “I’ll kiss you. Right here, right now. And not just a quick peck. I’ll make sure everyone knows exactly what’s happening.”
My belly melted, my blood heated and my mouth went dry.
He leaned closer, his fingers brushing against mine, setting fire to my skin where he touched. The contact sent shivers down my spine, and I struggled to maintain my composure.
“I’ll take my time, Coline, make it slow and deliberate, savoring every second. You won’t be able to ignore it, and neither will anyone else. The way I’ll touch you, how I’ll let my lips linger on yours, it’ll be impossible for anyone to miss. You’ll be on display for everyone to see.”
“F-fine,” I stammered, pulling my hand away. “Fine. You made your point, so shut up.”
Oh, God. His voice was amazing.
Do I really have a voice fetish?
“Good,” he whispered, his never leaving mine. “Now, enjoy your parfait.”
I nodded, unable to speak, my heart pounding in my chest. As I picked up my spoon again, I couldn’t help but feel the tension between us. Or how hot I seemed to be feeling right then.
Lucas leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. I couldn’t look back. His piercing gaze gave me goosebumps, like he could see right through me. I could never figure out what his intentions are. And that, I think was what made him feel dangerous to me.
“This is s****l harassment,” I mumbled, more to myself than to him.
“So, sue me,” he replied, his tone light and teasing.
I let out a resigned sigh just as my cell phone pinged on the table. I quickly picked it up, relief washing over me as I saw Elena's message. She told me she was alright and that Jonathan had taken her home. A small smile tugged at my lips as I read her words.
Then I noticed Lucas looking at me with an ill-concealed smirk and my smile turned to a frown.
- Writer
