AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know something?” he said, leaning back. “I like that about you.”
“Like what?”
“The way you just seem to brush me off every chance you get.”
“That’s not quite what I’m doing.”
“Au contraire. You’re so different. Most girls would have jumped at the chance.”
“But I’m not most girls, Lucas.”
He leaned forward and gazed intently into her eyes and butterflies exploded in her belly. She loved the way he looked at her that way. Hungry passion burning in his eyes. A possessive interest in her. “I know,” he cooed with a wicked grin.
“Come here,” he said softly, getting up, reaching his hand to hers.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Over there to a better location. The sun will rise soon.”
“Oh?”
Lucas guided her to another side of the venue where there was a tinted window and a breathtaking view of the city by the lake. Beauty was not adequate to describe it.
“It’s a one-way visual. We can see out but no one can see in.”
“Oh, this is nice, Lucas.” And what a scenic view it was. She could see Lakeside Drive with a pier and a few yachts docked. Over to the left some tall, glass, high-rise buildings that reflected the glistening sunrise overlooked the rich, sparkling blue lake that seemed to stretch for miles along the coast. They didn't call it a “great lake” for nothing. Ontario was surrounded by a few great lakes the size of some cities and even some states. Glancing at the waves in the water outside was refreshing and soothing.
But it was the deep orange and red sun rising in the east that captured her as the reflection on the water was a warm orange over the blue. Darkness was melting into light. The dawn of a new day—and a new phase in Maxine’s life.
“I love watching the sunrise in the morning,” he whispered. “My mother used to tell us that when we rise with the sun we get more energy to start the day. It’s a wonderful way to renew your strength.”
When Lucas spoke, his eyes glittered with what looked like raw hurt. Maxine was sure there must be some story there but decided not to probe further. Not now. She just could not believe that Lucas was sharing this magical, intimate moment with her and it had nothing to do with them getting naked in bed. She’d never felt so sensual, so close to a man like this. He was opening up in a way that was indescribable, yet sweet.
Lucas sat beside her and placed his arms over the back of the chair around her. She wanted to snuggle in his embrace. This was so not the bad boy image the media painted of Lucas. She would never again believe everything she read about a celebrity or public person. Never again. She learned a lesson in that there was always more to a story.
To her delight, Lucas and she spoke practically through the night to early morning. They spoke about many interests and family stuff and all sorts of things while the city slowly woke until they heard the honking of horns and the busy traffic outside. Yep, the city was wide awake now. But she was grateful to have this time to feel protected after what had happened to her at her apartment.
And all through this she wasn’t even tired. How weird was that? She guessed Lucas was right about getting energy from the sun. Only once before did she remember pulling an all-nighter, while studying for finals, but it was nothing like this. Maxine always slept well during a twenty-four hour period. And she knew she would have to get some sleep sometime soon—if only in Lucas’s arms.
Lucas spoke fondly about his family. His grandfather, whom he adored more than anything on this earth—though they’d sometimes butt heads about issues. He spoke about the bond he had with his cousin Antonio and his six brothers. All of his family members were doing well in their chosen industries. They all worked under the umbrella of Romero Corp. and the Romero Foundation. The foundation especially brought so much to the community and it hosted the famous annual Diamond Ball that raised millions of dollars for various programs to help young entrepreneurs, fixed-income families and funded affordable housing for low-income families.
Maxine felt a pang of longing. She was happy that after all Lucas and his family had been through that he was doing well but she wished she had a large family too. It must be amazing, simply amazing to come from such a huge family—and a close-knit one at that, Maxine surmised.
