His husky chuckle caused me to grin.Oh yes, I was falling for him, and that didn’t worry me at all now.Probably because Lucas had always held a piece of my heart, and I was finally acknowledging it.
“Carrying me wasn’t necessary,” I said as he kicked the door closed, then sat on the sofa with me in his lap.By some miracle, not one drop of my coffee had spilled.
“It was quicker, and I was freezing.”He took my mug from my hand and set it on the side table before he cupped the back of my head and captured my mouth.
Now this was a wake-up kiss.His lips devoured me.I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him close.I could get used to waking up this way every morning.
Be careful, girl.
But I didn’t want to be careful; I wanted to let go and be with Lucas.It felt right.
Lucas’ cell phone rang.He broke the kiss and looked at me.
“Not mine, I haven’t turned it back on after last night.”
“Then it’s mine.”It stopped ringing and then a ping sounded.“Voice mail.Let me go see what it is.”
“Okay.”It was a little disappointing to be interrupted, but we had all day.“I’ll start breakfast.”I went into the kitchen and Lucas into the bedroom.
A few minutes later, Lucas walked into the kitchen.“I hope cinnamon rolls are okay?”I turned to him.“Lucas?”His face was tight.
“I need to leave.Mindy needs me.”
His sister.“Is she okay?”It must be urgent if he had to go right now.
“It looks like our parents dropped the ball again.”
“I’m sorry.What happened?”
“Mindy said something about our parents promising to pay her tuition, and they didn’t.”He ran his hand through his hair.
“Why do you need to leave?I have my laptop.You can use it to transfer the money.I can leave you alone to do that.”
“I…” He paused and closed his eyes.“Why didn’t I think about that?”
“Because your emotions are running high.”I walked over to him, placed my hand on his arm, and squeezed.Here was the caring brother who always made sure his sister would be taken care of.Just like he took care of me last night.“Follow me.”
I released him and walked into the small bedroom I’d turned into an office, booted up my laptop, and logged in.“All yours.”I swept my arm out.“Breakfast in ten.”
“You’re the best.”He gave me a quick kiss before he sat down.
I left him to do what he needed to do.After putting the cinnamon rolls in the pre-heated air fryer, I poured him a cup of coffee and took it to him.The soft clacks of computer keys sounded loud in the silence.Funny how I never noticed the silence before.
Lucas stared at the screen as he typed.I quietly set the mug on the desk next to his left hand.“Thanks.”He fisted the mug.
“Breakfast in ten,” I reminded him.
“You got it.”
His attention never wandered from the screen.He was as single-minded as I was at times.I puttered around the kitchen, trying not to feel disappointed that Lucas hadn’t looked at me.
Get over yourself, girl.He has to take care of his sister, and you have all day.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lucas
Valerie was an angel for suggesting I use her computer.I didn’t want to leave, but Mindy needed help.Once in my bank account, I started the transfer to Mindy’s school.Since it was Sunday, the school wouldn’t see it until tomorrow.
