Lucas was disturbed from his deep sleep. There were faint murmurs that disrupted him. He woke up and found the source to be Velia.
Velia appeared restless. Her sleep was troubled, as if something terrible was disturbing her. Something like…
~
“What did you forget about what I said? How many times do I have to tell you? Look at who you are.”
“No. Please.”
“Oh, of course. The lowly nature of your parents truly flows in your blood, Velia.”
“No. Not my parents.”
“So, go. Go as far as possible until Lucas can never find you again.”
“I promise. I will go.”
“I’m not joking. If you still get close to Lucas, I will ruin your life.”
“I promise. I will stay away from Lucas.”
“I’ll hold you to your promise, and if your life falls apart someday, don’t be surprised. It means you’ve broken your promise.”
“I won’t break it.”
“Don’t let Lucas find you, or else I can do anything. Starting with your parents.”
~
Sweat dripped. The murmurs grew louder. Velia appeared tormented, trapped in the clutches of a haunting nightmare.
“Ve.”
Lucas got up. Gently, he tapped Velia’s cheek. Unfortunately, the murmurs continued.
“Ve.”
The murmurs turned into faint sobbing. Panic began to creep into Lucas’s eyes. His taps became slightly firmer.
“Ve.”
Lucas shook Velia’s body, jolting her, and her eyes suddenly opened.
“Ve?”
Velia stirred. Her vacant gaze fixed somewhere, and she did not utter a single word.
“Are you okay?”
Velia blinked. Awareness returned, and her gaze instantly filled with Lucas’s face.
“Luc.”
There was something different in Velia’s eyes. Something that left Lucas stunned for a moment. He tried to observe and find out, but a thin mist slowly formed there.
“Luc.”
Unexpectedly, Velia rushed into his arms. She embraced him, and Lucas was taken aback.
Velia’s body trembled. Her breath was irregular. During it all, there were lingering sobs that she tried to suppress.
“Did you have a nightmare?”
More than just a nightmare. There would be no terrifying nightmare like that. One that evoked such unspoken fear, making her sobs so real.
Lucas calmed Velia. He let her find peace in his embrace before getting up to fetch a glass of water for her.
Velia finished it in no time. She resembled a weary traveler who had just completed a long journey.
“Thank you.”
“How are you feeling now?” Lucas asked with lingering concern. “Are you calmer?”
Velia’s faint nod didn’t dispel Lucas’s worry. He wiped the sweat from Velia’s face and asked.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
The gentle gaze in Lucas’s eyes left Velia stunned. However, she shook her head.
“No. I-I don’t want to remember it.”
Lucas understood. “You better go back to sleep now.”
Unfortunately, she could not. Velia lay down again for a few moments, but sleep didn’t come. Instead, the lingering fear decided to stay.
Fear played with Velia. It raced her heart in an uncomfortable manner, making her feel unsafe.
Velia opened her eyes in the dim light of the bedside lamp. She didn’t want to close her eyes. What if the nightmare came again?
Velia could not face it. Even if it was just a nightmare, she could not dare. The shadow aimed at her weakness. The most vulnerable point in her life.
“Ve.”
Lucas clearly realized that Velia was not asleep. Even if Velia did not speak or move at all, he could feel it. Her body felt stiff in his embrace.
“Can’t you sleep?”
Half rising and propping himself up on his elbow, Lucas approached Velia. He gazed at her, and the soft light of the bedside lamp did not stop him at all.
Velia shook her head. She surrendered to the unexpressed fear that gripped her.
“I’m sorry,” Velia said helplessly. “I didn’t mean to disturb your rest.”
Lucas tidied Velia’s hair. His touch was filled with tenderness. “It’s okay. I have plenty of time when it comes to you.”
Not just once, Lucas made sure that Velia’s hair was completely swept away from her face. He also wiped away the sweat that resurfaced. Simultaneously, his gaze followed every movement he made. He was careful and made sure his touch did not hurt.
“Do you want me to help you?”
Lucas’s touch stopped exactly when that question reached Velia’s ears. She blinked and found Lucas’s gaze had turned intense. The uncomfortable pounding that had been hitting her heart vanished instantly.
Velia looked back at Lucas, her gaze uncertain. Her voice carried doubt as she responded with a question of her own instead of answering.
“Help me?”
“Yes,” Lucas nodded meaningfully. “I can help you forget about the nightmare.”
Velia did not understand. However, Lucas quickly explained Velia’s confusion. Miraculously, without words.
Lucas’skiss landed directly on Velia’s lips. It was gentle and unmoving for a moment. It seemed as if he was waiting. Would the fear be more powerful in shaking Velia, or would it be the other way around?
As it turned out, Velia was waiting too. She wondered. Could that kiss drive away the fear from her mind?
Maybe yes. Maybe no.
Lucas had waited long enough. It seemed that was not the right approach. He intended to pull away, but just for a moment. He was taken aback.
There was a movement. Faint. It did not come from Lucas but from Velia’s lips. It was a signal of acceptance, proving that the second possibility was the answer.
It might seem childish. It might sound irrational. However, Velia needed something to push away that terrifying shadow from her thoughts. After months of enduring solitude and emptiness, she did not want to be plunged back into despair.
Velia opened her mouth. She welcomed Lucas’skiss as the tenderness pressed against her. There was no coercion, but she could not resist.
Lucas tilted his head. Velia’s acceptance deepened the kiss. Without a second thought, he slipped his tongue inside.
Velia welcomed Lucas’swarmth. She reciprocated with a similar warmth. She ensnared him. As if not wanting to let go, she entangled her tongue with Lucas’.
Lucas let out a low growl. It resounded not only in his throat but throughout Velia’s entire body.
The tingling sensation shattered all the thoughts that had filled Velia’s mind. The uncomfortable pounding in her chest vanished. It was all replaced by sparks that made Velia’s moans replace her fears.
Velia’s fingers rose. They cupped Lucas’sjaw and held on. She didn’t want the kiss to end when her instincts urged her to demand more.
The stiffness and frigidity that had once imprisoned Velia melted away. Now, Lucas felt her body relax.
Velia’s moans were heard once again. However, this time, they were different from her previous cries. There was no accompanying fear, but instead, she uttered a single name afterward.
“Luc.”
Velia’s heart pounded harder. It throbbed with an uncomfortable sensation that strangely made her addicted.
No fear. No dread. All that remained was the desire to keep indulging.
“Luc.”
Lucas kissed as if he had never tasted before. It conveyed both demand and adoration simultaneously, creating a harmony that left Velia breathless.
Slowly. Gently. The rhythm of their lips melted Velia away.
Continuously. Flowing. Removing all clothes in their body.
Innocently. Then they became one.
Lucas did not immediately move. Instead, he sheltered Velia for a moment. He gave her time to catch her breath and adjust.
Lucas’sstroke on her cheek made Velia roll her eyes and then close them. She cleared her mind, trying to fill it with anything other than fear, and a whimper escaped her.
There was a slight twitch at the corner of Lucas’slips. He smiled and continued to stroke her cheek. This time, his hand trailed down to another area.
Velia moaned again. Her lips slightly parted, and she tilted her head. She allowed Lucas’sfingers to move down to her chin, caressing it.
Once. Twice. Velia’s expression changed with each passing second. Her breath gave a signal.
“Luc.”
Velia’s moans seemed to contain an addictive substance. More than enough to activate dopamine within Lucas. Stirring up and awakening euphoria. It sparked a passionate turmoil.
Velia squirmed. Her body moved sensually as Lucas’slips descended further, teasing her neck. Her legs parted, and her hands moved upward.
It seemed that Velia’s moans were not the only things containing an addictive substance. A little late to realize, Lucas acknowledged that Velia’s touch had the same effect.
Velia might not have known, but she clearly knew how to conquer Lucas with just a single touch. It was as if she was born into this world solely for that sacred task. To subdue Lucas under the influence of passion.
One proof was established. The gentleness of Velia’s fingers that greeted his chest caused Lucas’sexploration with his lips to pause. He couldn’t move as he growled like a hungry predator.
“Ve.”
That deep and heavy voice opened Velia’s eyes. A slight fear emerged in her mind. Did she do something wrong?
“Carry on.”
Perhaps it was not a mistake. On the contrary.
“Carry on,” Lucas growled against Velia’s neck. He kissed and then sucked, leaving a red mark. “Touch me.”
Velia’s fingers moved again. Without exception, all ten of them trembled with a thrilling exploration. They crept and traversed every corner of Lucas’ssmooth skin.
Lucas closed his eyes. His body trembled under the surge of desire. His teeth clenched, and his breath roared.
“Touch me, Ve. I want you to touch me.”
In truth, it was not just Velia’s moans that were addictive; her touch was as well. It created an irresistible craving that Lucas could not avoid. He was infatuated and lost his senses because of it.
Velia took a deep breath. Along with it, she inhaled the masculine scent of Lucas. It shook her lungs and contaminated her blood with undeniable pheromones.
Velia’s primal instincts awakened. The fear that always existed when it came to Lucas was overridden by primitive desires. She grew bolder. Ignited by Lucas’sresponse, Velia reciprocated everything she received.
Velia stroked. The gentleness spread along Lucas’schest and over his shoulders. It moved and explored his back.
A vague turmoil emerged. The muscles there struggled in an attempt to defend their last stronghold.
“Ve.”
Apparently, Velia’s touch had a greater impact than Lucas anticipated. He tried to warn her, but Velia ignored it.
Velia interpreted it as an order to touch even further. So this time, it wasn’t just her fingers moving; her legs joined in as well.
Velia’s toes gently touched Lucas’sshins, transmitting a shiver that further shook Lucas’sdefenses.
Lucas growled. Louder and louder. He could no longer bear the assault.
Velia’s touch stopped. Replaced by surprise when Lucas suddenly grabbed both of her hands.
Lucas gripped tightly, holding Velia’s hands beside her head. His eyes darkened. His breath grew hot. His face reflected a boiling turmoil.
“Luc.”
Slightly, Lucas initiated the intimate game with a single thrust. His masculinity emerged, leaving Velia’s femininity behind. However, of course, it did not last long. A moment later, he pushed and plunged.
Velia’s body responded. Her eyes closed. Her head tilted back. Her chest swelled. She sensually responded to Lucas’s urging in an exquisite manner.
Lucas was aroused. Velia catered to his ego perfectly. It fueled his confidence, making him even more assertive.
Lucas’s mouth caressed Velia’s breasts. His masculinity explored her femininity. He moved relentlessly, continuously seducing her.
Velia’s body writhed. In the onslaught of temptation and desire, she could not do anything. Her limitations forced her to surrender. She could only moan.
“Luc.”
Lucas’s hand gripped Velia’s waist. With deliberate intent, he held her there firmly. He reciprocated by embracing her, ensuring that Velia would not move even an inch.
Lucas slightly adjusted his position. He pushed, and Velia’s cry broke out. It took the form of his name, passionately exclaimed.
“Luc!”
Velia’s body trembled in waves of pleasure. She tensed, and her embrace almost took Lucas’s breath away.
Lucas waited for a moment. His movements slowed down as he gave Velia time to calm herself. No longer fervent, but rather a gradual pace, like a cooldown.
Briefly, Lucas wiped the sweat off Velia’s face. This one was clearly different from the perspiration a few moments ago. There was no fear. No terror. All that remained was the trembling pleasure.
Velia opened her eyes. As her breathing gradually recovered, she gazed at Lucas. A glimmer of mist in her eyes indicated that it was not over yet. Lucas had not yet experienced that pleasure.
In and out, repeatedly. Pulling and pushing, over and over again. Everything seemed to vanish from Lucas’s world, leaving only the two of them.
Lucas’s movements grew faster and stronger, igniting an endless heat and wetness.
Sweat splattered, emerging from every pore. It seeped and merged, no longer distinguishable as belonging to either Lucas or Velia.
Stickiness formed. Friction was created, making their embrace even tighter.
“Luc.”
As swiftly as Lucas thrust, Velia’s femininity was thrown into disarray. His urge pressed on, touching every nerve inside her and igniting flickers of desire that had not entirely subsided.
Lucas rekindled it. Reignited it. Fanned the flames as he became increasingly reckless.
“Ve.”
At another time, Velia would have feared the growls. Not just because of their intensity, but because they carried all the turmoil. But not now.
The growls were like a signal. A sign of something about to engulf them. So, Velia closed her eyes and bit her lower lip hard. She endured, hoping not to faint.
Lucas pressed against Velia. His flat chest pressed against the softness of her breasts. Invading and ravaging them along with the nibbles he placed on her earlobe.
It was truly intoxicating. Everything Lucas did was like a whip that craved more. Once he thrust, he wanted it twice.
Continuously. Uninterrupted.
Lucas’s thrusts grew more intense. He pushed forcefully, and darkness loomed before his eyes.
Lucas’s face hardened. A reddish hue spread with tension. Sweat poured down, and his primal instincts screamed.
No. Lucas could not hold on any longer. As a result, he held Velia’s shoulders and completed it with one incredibly deep thrust. Powerful. Swift.
Velia could not help but recoil. For the impact and the heat that shattered within her femininity, all she could do was scream.
“Luc!”
Not just Lucas, but Velia, too, was thrown. Floating and disappearing into a world of haze. Without any solid ground, they soared together.
Floating.
Continuously floating.
Then, vanishing.
*