Page 65 of Caught in the Middle

Chapter Twenty Two

When Lucy got back to her living quarters, she ran the hottest bath she could stand, and tried to wash away more than just the sweat from her first ever run.

She didn't let herself think. To be consumed of thoughts of Oliver, to analyse their encounter in Hyde Park. She had become good at this, pushing unwanted feelings and thoughts to the side. At the moment, it was whatever would get her through the next minute without having a breakdown.

When she finally emerged from the bath, she hunted around in the dressing room to find the cosiest pyjamas she could, and curled up onto the bed, sinking into the endless pillows.

Her eyes and limbs grew heavy, and eventually she dozed off, into a fitful, restless sleep.

Lucy awoke sometime later to a loud, authoritative knock on the door.

Her heart started racing.

There was no doubt that was a knock used by somebody with a lot of power. And she knew exactly who it was going to be.

'Come in,' she almost squeaked.

The door clinked open before she could finish her word, and there stood Joey Leonardo, blocking the soft light from the corridor with his tall, muscular figure.

'You missed dinner,' he said, 'are you not feeling well?'

Flustered, Lucy scrambled to sit up in bed. 'No-no, sorry, I fell asleep...' her voice trailed off as he clunked her door shut and sat on the edge of her bed.

She leaned over to turn the bedside light on, but he grabbed her wrist to stop her.

'That's a shame,' he purred, stroking a soft finger up her arm, 'I was looking forward to seeing you.'

Lucy didn't know what to say. His velvety voice vibrated straight down to her lower stomach as she tried to catch her breath.

'Oh,' she managed.

'Are you enjoying your new home?'

'Yes - yes, it's lovely...' her voice trailed off as his hand snaked up her shoulder, and started massaging her clavicle with his firm grip.

'I'm glad to hear that.' Lucy could see his gleaming white teeth reflecting in the moonlight as he grinned.

He massaged her shoulder in silence for a couple moments, as Lucy closed her eyes in pleasure.

He stopped, abruptly. 'What are you wearing?'

Lucy's eyes popped open in surprise. Was it a trick question? 'Um, pyjamas?' she whispered.

'They are incredibly ugly,' he laughed, 'take them off.'

'Um, pardon?'

Joey traced her clavicle with his soft finger until he got to the middle of her chest. He slowly moved his hand down - then popped open the first button on her shirt.

'I said, take them off.'

He undid the second one, a little more aggressively this time.

Lucy could feel her nipples harden as he ripped open her shirt, leaving her laying there, breathing heavily, with her breasts on display.

'Now, that is much better, no?' His hazel eyes flashed in the moonlight, before he leaned over her and gently placed his mouth over one of her nipples.

Lucy gasped in shock. His hand cupped her breast, as she felt his warm, wet tongue circling her nub, making it even harder.

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