Chapter 32: Sutton

 

Tarrah had helped me feel better but I wasn’t ready to face Lucas just yet. I needed time to work through the day. I owed it to myself to figure out how to follow her advice. I wasn’t sure how I would manage it, but I wanted to. The best place to start would be convincing myself I could do it.

I stayed in the bedroom the rest of the evening thinking things through. I decided to take a long hot shower to help organize my thoughts. I kept going back to the good moments Lucas and I had shared over my time here. The shared touches. The intimate exchanges. Some of them were more than just good. They were incredible. Looking back, the only thing shadowing them was my own insecurities. If I could keep those at bay, I may actually be able to create some memories I would want to hold onto. Whatever that would take, it seemed I would have a few days to think about it.

I had thrown on a nightgown and was brushing my hair when Lucas came into the room. He didn’t bother to knock, which wasn’t like him. But he didn’t say anything to me, so I didn’t say anything to him. I just continued with my routine. That is until he started to strip down right in there.

“What are you doing?” I asked, turning away as my face turned red.

“I’m going to bed, Sutton,” he said plainly. “I have an early morning.”

“But… you don’t mean in here,” I protested. No matter how we woke up in the morning, he had always gone to sleep in the room across the hall. “You don’t sleep in…”

“We’ve been doing this every night, Sutton,” he retorted. “We both know I’m going to end up back in here. I’d like one night of uninterrupted sleep. Whether you want to admit or not, that will only happen if I’m in here with you.”

I looked away, crossing my arms over my chest. Refusing to acknowledge that he was right. Then an idea popped into my head. Right or not, I could use this to my advantage.

“Fine. You can sleep here but only if you take me with you,” I stated.

Lucas looked at me as he pulled the covers down. “This isn’t a negotiation, Sutton,” he replied. “You’re not going to keep me out of my own bed and I’m not risking your life by taking you to the border.”

“Okay, then I’ll sleep in the spare room,” I said, heading for the door.

Lucas’ arm shot out and wrapped around my waist.

“No, you won’t,” I ordered. “It won’t change the outcome. I’ll still end up with you by morning. So, stop arguing and go to bed.”

I chewed my lip as I tried to think fast. I stepped away from his hold.

“Who said I was tired?” I told him. “I may just stay up all night. It’s not like I have anything pressing to do tomorrow. I don’t need to…”

His hand was gripping my jaw and I was pushed against the dresser in an instant. A low rumble emanated from Lucas’ bare chest as he pinned me in place.

“You need to do what you’re told,” he growled.

The electricity coursing through me fueled my courage. I met his eyes and squared my shoulders.

“If you want me in that bed, I gave you my terms,” I said confidently.

Something flared in Lucas’ eyes as he held my gaze. I could swear I saw a grin tug at his lips, even if he didn’t want it to. But he wasn’t budging.

“I need to see Dr. Callahan anyway,” I pointed out. “To see if it’s time to get the cast off.”

That seemed to sway him enough to back up. The cold of his absence made me more aware of the heat he invoked inside me. He pushed his hands through his hair with a frustrated groan.

“Fine,” he surrendered reluctantly. “But only as far as the farm in Wildmore and you don’t leave the damn property. Dr. Callahan can come to you.”

I grinned in triumph, pushing away from the dresser and heading to the bed. “Deal.”

I gasped as I was spun around, hitting Lucas’ chest as his arms wrapped around me. His lips slammed into mine, demanding that I relent to him. The adrenaline from my victory and his touch had me doing so eagerly. His hands slid down my sides and over my hips. Gripping the top of my thighs, he hauled me up, forcing my legs around his waist.

“You should have just gone to bed, Sutton,” he whispered, his deep voice resonating through me. My back hit the mattress. Lucas took my arms and pinned them above my head, making my heart rate spike. “But you had to temp the wolf. There are consequences.”

Fear should have boiled up inside me but there was no room. Intrigue and desire forced it away. I swallowed as heat bloomed between my thighs. Intensified by the hard length pressed against my belly.

“Lucas…” I breathed, feigning protest.

“You will let me make it up to you,” he ordered.

“Make what…”

“You won’t be afraid of me, Sutton,” he growled. He pulled the top of my nightgown aside. I gasped as he cupped my breast, accompanied by his lips on my neck. “I’m going to show you what my passion for you means.”

He moved down my chest until his mouth found my nipple. I inhaled sharply at the sensation, quickly followed by a moan as his tongue swirled around the taught peak. Pushing the fabric out of the way, he moved to the other. My back arched up toward him. One hand still pinned my arms while the other moved down between our bodies. A finger hooked into my panties but stopped.

“I will make my outburst up to you, baby,” he whispered against my skin, “but you have to say you want me to.”

The finger grazed along my belly, just above the apex of my legs, fueling the need that had grown in my core. I whimpered as the heat threatened to overtake me. I needed relief. I needed more. But could I take it?

“Just say yes, Sutton,” Lucas instructed. “If you want me to keep going, just say yes.”

I bit my lip. His teeth tightened ever so slightly on my nipple sending flashes of light through me.

“Tell me, Sutton.”

“Yes,” I cried out.