Once we got back to Grandma Jo's house, Lucas was acting strange for the rest of the day.I wondered if it had anything to do with the knowledge that his father had a percentage of the casino where my father had gambled away money. Money, he didn't even have.But as I sat in my bedroom, trying to forget about everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours, Lucas opened my door.I looked up at him with a raised brow. "Are you okay?""You should pack up some of your things," he said gently, his eyes glancing around the room.Pack my things?"What are you talking about?" I asked, suddenly feeling very confused. Was he kicking me out?"I have something planned for us. Something to help you take your mind off of your father and the debt.""What do you have planned?" I questioned. My mind started to race with the possibilities."Just pack a small bag," Lucas ordered, ignoring my questioning. "I'll be waiting in the car."Lucas drove us for a long time, and I was starting to lose
Lucas wasn't graceful as he threw me onto the bed.My body bounced off of it as I let out a laugh."I'm soaking wet," I brushed my hair out of my face. "I'm going to ruin the bed.""I don't care." Lucas moved forward, bending down to continue kissing me.One of his hands was placed firmly around my neck as he angled my mouth up to his.My fingers wrapped around his wrist, pulling him down to join me on the bed.Lucas's lips tasted deliciously of the dessert we had just enjoyed. Strawberries and chocolate. The perfect combination.I melted into him, savoring the sensation of his lips brushing mine.His hand moved up to caress my cheek before he shifted his attention to my neck. His breath was hot as it ghosted against my skin.He planted tender kisses along the sensitive skin behind my ear and I gasped, feeling shivers rack down my spine.My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. The connection between us was growing undeniable and all-consuming.Lucas's fingers worked to pul
Lucas POVShana had fallen asleep over an hour ago as I held her in my arms. I watched as her chest rose and fell peacefully, savoring the quiet moment between us.Never in a million years did I think I would be cuddling Shana in bed like this, as boyfriend and girlfriend. Memories from our childhood came flooding back to me and knowing that I shared so many precious memories with Shana made the realization all the more meaningful.Back then, Shana had always had my back. I remember how cruel students were to me simply because of my weight.I remember feeling grateful for her friendship, and my deepest desire was to always stand by her side. I wanted to protect her the way that she had protected me.I would gladly do it, but in a way, I felt like I owed it to her. She deserved nothing but the best, and if I could shelter her from all of the bad things, then that's exactly why I would do.That's why this entire situation with her father was so tricky. The fact that he could hurt her an
Lucas POVVictoria and I decided to meet at a local diner in a dimly lit corner booth.The scent of sweet pancakes and coffee filled the air, providing a comforting contrast to the serious conversation we were about to have.To make things somewhat easier for myself, I had to lie to Shana about where I was going. After we spent the night at the hotel, the two of us spent most of the next day together.As it was nearing nighttime, I had plans to meet with Victoria and I couldn't tell Shana the truth. It was eating at me, but I had no other choice.When she asked where I was heading off to, I casually mentioned, "Oh, I'm just going to hang out with James. I'll see you later?"I planted a kiss on her lips and rode off on my motorcycle, preparing what I was going to say to Victoria.By the time I got to the diner, Victoria was already seated at the table by the time I had arrived.I had always admired Victoria for her confidence and poise. A lot of alpha females were snobbish and thought
Lucas POVMy father greeted me at the front door with a smile that seemed a bit too victorious.There was something in his smile that made it seem as though he had anticipated my arrival. An air of self-satisfaction radiated off of him and it made my nerves itch with anger.But I needed to be strong and focus on the reason why I was here. I didn't want to start any arguments with him. I needed to tell him what I'd decided to do."Well, well, well," he said with a hint of mockery in his tone. "If it isn't Lucas. My boy. To what do I owe this rare and unexpected pleasure? Have you finally managed to come to your senses and realize that the company business is where you truly belong?"There was so much that I wanted to retort with, and it took everything in me to hold back.I reminded myself that I needed to keep my emotions in check. I had to convince my father that I was really changing my mind about everything.I nodded slightly. "Can I come in?"My father stepped aside willingly, gra
Lucas POVMy father's smug expression remained as he released his grip on my hand.I knew I was the one making a deal with him, but it felt like he had the upper hand here. I didn't like the feeling.He leaned back in his leather chair, reveling in his so-called victory. He must have expected me to agree to his terms so easily, and I can see that it satisfied him to know that he still would be able to control me in some capacity.I hated that it had to be this way."That's not all," Kendrick continued, the grin never leaving his face.I watched him cautiously, trying to hide any emotion on my face. What more could he want from me? I should've known this wouldn't be as easy as I thought. There was always a catch when dealing with my father.By the way he was currently looking at me, I had a feeling it was something significant."The will," he said with an air of finality, amplifying the dramatics. "It must be amended to reinstate you as the heir.""You removed me as heir?" I asked, rai
Lucas didn't get home until late last night and ever since then, he's been awfully distant.As the two of us got ready for school this morning, I watched as he rushed around the house like he didn't get up early enough this morning."Sleep past your alarm clock?" I asked as I sat at the dining table, drinking my orange juice and eating Grandma Jo's delicious blueberry muffins.Lucas shoveled eggs into his mouth. With a full mouth, he said, "Didn't get any sleep last night.""Why?" I asked, sipping on my juice.Lucas shrugged, avoiding my question.I couldn't help but feel like he was hiding something from me because of how strange he'd been acting.We had spent the night together at Victoria's parents' luxury hotel over the weekend. It had been the perfect escape from reality and it made me truly appreciate how Lucas had been there for me through everything I was going through.He showed me that he cared and was willing to make an effort to make me forget about things for a little whi
"Why do you think that?" I asked as I tried to understand the unspoken motives behind his words.It seemed as if this was coming out of nowhere and I couldn't wrap my head around it. What was he thinking?I couldn't help but be taken aback by his sudden shift in perspective on our relationship. Originally, it seemed like he wanted this more than me. He was the one who wanted to tell everyone, and I was the one who wasn't quite ready.It all happened so quickly, and now I wondered if that was what caused this. Did we move too fast and now he's realizing it was a mistake?Lucas's eyes remained fixed on the road like he was trying hard not to glance at me. His hands firmly gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white. "Things have gotten really complicated since then, Shana. Your father's situation, and now there's... more."More? More what?His cryptic words left me hanging and I struggled to unravel the mystery of what he meant. What else has happened that I'm unaware of?"Are yo