Page 95 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

Lucas's arms tightened around me, his scent deepening with something warm and possessive. "For what it's worth," he murmured, his voice lower than before, "falling feels a lot less scary when you know there are people waiting to catch you."

I looked up, meeting his gaze. Gone was the playful flirtation that usually danced in his eyes, replaced by something more serious, more sincere. It was a side of Lucas I hadn't seen often—the man beneath the charming exterior.

"Is that what you're doing?" I asked softly. "Waiting to catch me?"

"All four of us are," he replied without hesitation. His hand came up to cup my cheek, thumb brushing gently across my skin. "In different ways, maybe, but with the same intention. You matter to us, Vivian. To all of us."

His words touched something deep inside me, a longing I'd buried for years beneath layers of independence and self-protection. Before I could overthink it, I moved so I was facing him, leaned forward, and closing the distance between us. Lucas's lips met mine with surprising gentleness, his hand sliding to cradle the back of my head as he kissed me with a tenderness I hadn't expected from him.

Unlike Dakota's fierce intensity or Gabriel's commanding presence or Theo's analytical precision, Lucas kissed like he was savoring every moment—playful yet sincere, his lips moving against mine with a warmth that melted something frozen inside me. When he deepened the kiss, there was nothing demanding about it, just an invitation that I found myself eagerly accepting.

By the time we broke apart, both slightly breathless, his eyes had darkened to his usual playful smile replaced by something more heated. "Now that's something I've been wanting to do for awhile now," he murmured, his voice rougher than before.

I felt my cheeks flush, suddenly aware of how intimately we were positioned in my nest—me practically in his lap, his arms around me. "I think I've wanted that too," I admitted quietly. "Even when you were driving me crazy with all your teasing words."

Lucas grinned, some of his usual mischief returning to his expression. "Especially when I was driving you crazy. The way your eyes flash when you're annoyed is irresistible." His thumb traced my lower lip, sending a shiver down my spine. "Though I think I prefer this reaction."

I laughed softly, shaking my head at his incorrigible nature. "You're impossible." I didn’t get to say anything else as his mouth was on me again, Lucas's kiss was different this time—more heated, less restrained. His hands slid down to my waist, pulling me closer as his mouth moved against mine with growing intensity. I found myself responding in kind, my fingers threading through his hair, holding him to me as warmth spread through my body.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Lucas tilted my head to the side, nipping and kissing a trail down my neck that made me gasp. His lips found a particularly sensitive spot just below my ear, and I couldn't suppress the small moan that escaped me.

"God, the sounds you make," Lucas murmured against my skin, his voice thick with desire. "I could listen to them all day."

I clutched at his shoulders, my body responding to his touch in ways I'd almost forgotten were possible. It had been so long since I'd allowed myself this kind of vulnerability, this kind of pleasure. The realization both thrilled and terrified me.

"Lucas," I whispered, unsure if I was asking him to stop or continue.

"I love the way you say my name," he murmured against my skin, his voice a low rumble that I felt more than heard. His hands at my waist tightened slightly, pulling me more firmly against him. The evidence of his desire pressed against me, sending a jolt of heat straight to my core.

“Lucas.” I say again, my voice sounding breathy even to my ears. I heard him give a low growl as his hands on my hips tightened, shifting me against him in a way that made me gasp. His mouth found mine again, hungry and demanding this time, all traces of his earlier gentleness replaced by something more primal.

"You have no idea what you do to me," he breathed against my lips, one hand sliding up my back to tangle in my hair. "How much I've wanted this."

I arched against him, my body responding with a mind of its own. It had been so long since I'd felt this way—desired, wanted, needed. The sensation was intoxicating.

“Gods.”I moaned. His hand moved to cup my breast through my shirt, and the sensation sent lightning through me. I arched into his touch, a whimper escaping my lips as his thumb brushed over the sensitive peak.

“Tell me to stop and I will.” Lucas growled, but I could only let out a small whimper at his words.

“More.” I breathed. Lucas growled in response, his hands sliding under my shirt, fingertips tracing hot patterns against my skin. I shivered at his touch, my body hypersensitive after so long without this kind of contact. His mouth found mine again, hungrier this time, and I welcomed it, losing myself in the sensation.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured against my lips, his hands exploring the curves of my body with reverent attention. "So perfect."

I arched into his touch, my own hands sliding beneath his shirt to feel the warm skin beneath. His muscles tensed under my fingers, a low groan escaping him as I traced the contours of his abdomen.

Lucas shifted us so I was on my back, his weight a delicious pressure above me as he settled between my thighs. He paused, looking down at me with eyes dark with desire but also searching, making sure I was still with him.

"Still okay?" he asked, his voice rough with restraint.

I nodded, my hands sliding up his arms to his shoulders. "Yes," I whispered, surprised by how much I meant it. "Don't stop."

Lucas's smile was almost predatory as he lowered his head, trailing kisses down my neck to my collarbone. His hands pushed my shirt higher, exposing more skin to his hungry gaze. I felt a moment of self-consciousness—it had been so long since anyone had seen me like this—but the look of pure appreciation in his eyes banished any doubts.

"You're gorgeous," he murmured, his fingers tracing patterns across my ribs, each touch sending shivers of pleasure through me. When his mouth moved lower, pressing hot kisses along the edge of my bra, I couldn't suppress the moan that escaped me.

"Lucas," I breathed, arching up against him. "Please."

He growled against my skin, the vibration sending another wave of heat through me. His fingers found the clasp of my bra, hesitating for just a moment. "Can I?"

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