Claire Grace's eyes fluttered open, but before she could register what was pressing against her chest, a sharp, searing pain swept across her head, leaving her dazed.
"Ahhh… it hurts! It hurts so much!" she thought. The buzzing in her head felt like thousands of bees singing in unison, the noise so deafening it seemed her skull might burst.
Groaning, she pressed her fingers against her throbbing temples and brow, forcing herself to focus. As her vision cleared, she glanced toward her chest—wait, was it just her imagination? Or was there an unfamiliar arm draped across her? Worse yet… was she unclothed?
Her gaze followed the arm to its owner. Oddly enough, the person seemed to be lying on their stomach, obscuring their face. Judging by the familiar build and hairstyle, though, it looked like Lucas Zeller? The pain in her head momentarily forgotten, Claire's eyes traveled from the back of his head, tracing the smooth, muscular curve of his shoulders and down to his broad back.
No, no, no! This had to be a mistake! There was no way Lucas could be in her bed—let alone unclothed.
Her heart raced as she hesitantly lifted the edge of the blanket to confirm her worst fear. Sure enough, her body was entirely bare. And Lucas?
All she needed to do was turn her head to know the answer, but her body froze in place. Her eyes refused to move toward him, as if paralyzed by the implications. Instead, one trembling hand inched under the covers, creeping toward him almost instinctively.
Her fingertips grazed his lower back, the skin smooth and taut like silk. The sensation was so unexpectedly pleasant that, despite confirming the truth, she couldn't bring herself to pull away. Instead, her hand wandered further, tracing the subtle curve of his hip with hesitant fascination. Unbeknownst to her, Lucas, who had been feigning sleep, was struggling to suppress the tension building in his body.
Regret tore through Lucas as he buried his face deeper into the pillow. He cursed himself for letting his inner demons take over the previous night, for succumbing to his desires and losing all restraint. Not only had he crossed the line, but he had done so shamelessly and relentlessly.
He wasn't a saint, but he'd never imagined he'd care for Lily Grace's younger sister in such a reckless and impulsive way. The thought of Lily glaring at him from beyond the grave was enough to send a shiver of guilt through him. Yet, no matter how much his brain condemned his actions, his body betrayed him, recalling vivid flashes of the night with unrelenting clarity.
Was it the years of celibacy catching up to him, or something more primal? Either way, the aftereffects had left him defenseless.
Lost in thought, Lucas didn't notice that Claire's wandering hand had ventured too far until it brushed somewhere entirely off-limits. His body jolted, a shiver running down his spine as though struck by lightning.
"Claire, what do you think you're doing?" His voice broke the silence, laced with tension and incredulity.
Claire gasped, her hand withdrawing in panic. Unfortunately, the abrupt movement only worsened the situation, accidentally grazing against the sensitive spot again.
"Claire!" Lucas growled, his self-control snapping. "You're asking for it now!"
Before she could react, Lucas flipped over and pinned her beneath him in one swift motion. His body radiated heat, pressing into hers with an intensity that left no space between them. Without giving her a chance to explain, his lips crashed onto hers, silencing her startled gasp.
His kiss was demanding, almost punishing, yet it sent a wildfire of sensation through her entire body. His tongue invaded her mouth with fervor, tangling with hers in a dance that left her breathless. His hands explored her trembling form, igniting sparks of electricity wherever they touched.
Claire's wide eyes stared up at Lucas, who loomed over her like a storm ready to consume her. It wasn't a dream—it was real. Lucas Zeller, the man she had secretly loved for five years, was kissing her. And not just any kiss, but one that left no doubt about his intentions.
Her heart swelled with overwhelming emotion, a strange mix of disbelief and joy. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as the realization sank in. This wasn't just a fleeting fantasy—it was reality, raw and unfiltered.
Sensing her distraction, Lucas pulled back slightly, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. "Claire," he murmured, his voice rough with desire. "Could you focus a little? You're the one who started this, and now you're zoning out?"
Before she could protest, he leaned back in, his lips reclaiming hers with renewed urgency. The tension between them escalated, his fiery passion pulling her into an irresistible spiral. Claire could only surrender, her soft moans betraying her growing longing.
Lucas smirked at her reaction, his predatory instincts taking over as he fully gave in to his impulses. His body moved instinctively, fueled by an insatiable need to claim every part of her.
And Claire? She could only cling to him, her flushed face buried in his shoulder as her world dissolved into a blur of heat and ecstasy.
---
Later, Claire groggily crawled out of bed, her body aching from the events of the night. She shuffled into the bathroom, emerging ten minutes later in a fresh set of clothes.
The apartment was quiet. Lucas was nowhere to be found, but a note was stuck to the fridge:
"Drink the ginger tea. It'll help with your hangover and keep you warm. Breakfast is on the counter—eat something. If I come back and find out you skipped it, you'll face the consequences."
Claire pouted, her lips forming a soft smile despite herself. "Consequences? What more could he do?" she muttered, flopping onto the couch.
Her cheeks flushed as snippets of the morning replayed in her mind. Who would've thought a drunken night would lead to this? The thought of Lucas holding her so intimately made her heart race.
Did he feel the same way? Was she just a fleeting indulgence, or was there more behind his actions? She bit her lip, her hands fidgeting nervously as she pondered the possibilities.
Still, as her fingers brushed the edge of her lips, she couldn't help but smile. For the first time in years, she felt truly happy.