Page 100 of Don't Make Me Beg
I snuggle into the warm blanket as Luka rubs my feet. His skilled hands massaging and caressing my sore muscles, melting all my stress away with every touch.
“I was going to tell you, I’m uh… I’m going to be taking some vacation time from work… so don’t worry about being behind on the mural. I’m happy to help you as much as I can.”
I shake my head. “Luka, you don’t have to do that. Please don’t take time off because of me. I can handle it. I don’t want you to inconvenience yourself any more than you already have?—”
“It’s done,” he says, and there’s finality in his tone, so I stop trying to argue. “Besides, that just means we get to spend more time together now.” He winks, returning his attention back to massaging my foot.
I try to pull away from him, but he only tightens his grip, pinning me with a stern look. “You’re not supposed to exertyourself. Don’t make me tie you down… I promise it won’t be as much fun without the happy ending.”
I blow out a huff and sink back down, knowing he’s not going to let up about Dr. Stone’s orders, especially with this big fat reminder right in front of his face.
“So, you’re taking the rest of the summer off… like a vacation? Why?” I ask, feeling curious.
“Yeah… I thought a break could be nice, and I could help you with the mural. I haven’t taken a real vacation in… well… ever, I guess.” He sounds genuinely surprised by that realization. As sweet as the sentiment is, I can’t help but feel like there’s more that he’s not telling me.
“Are you happy with how your life turned out?” I blurt out the question surprising both of us.
He smirks before planting a kiss on the top of my foot. “It’s hard to complain. I think I’ve got a pretty good thing going here.”
“Yeah, but are you fulfilled?”
He narrows his eyebrows incredulously. “Why are you asking?”
“I just mean… I don’t know… I’ve had a lot of time to myself over the last few weeks, painting and reconnecting with parts of myself I’d forgotten about. I’ve found myself thinking about my life and how different it is from what I thought it’d be.”
“Different better or different worse?” he asks.
I shrug. “Both. Depends on the day, I guess. But I was asking about you.” I move to sit up a little. “Are you happy working for your family’s business?”
“Yeah… I mean… what else would I be doing?”
“I don’t know. I remember how passionate you were growing up, how you wanted to make a difference. I guess I just thought you’d have a side project or two. Something to give back to causes you care about.”
His hands stop moving on my foot. “I give back. I donate to charities all the time. I’m heading up the fucking Phantom Festival this year. What makes you think I need to do more?” His words are defensive and laced with anger.
I shake my head, the grogginess of the medicine making it hard to think clearly, and now I’m wondering if that’s why I started this conversation to begin with. “No. I know that. I was just saying… I thought you’d be more passionate about something… I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m making sense right now.”
“Then why don’t you stop talking and rest,” he snaps back. His jaw is tight, and he’s clearly annoyed, but judging by the way he just freaked out on me, I think it’s safe to assume I struck a nerve.
I wasn’t trying to offend him, but why is it that he can call me out, but I’m not allowed to do the same for him?
I want to ask him, but my eyes are growing heavier, and my brain is too fuzzy. I lay back down and snuggle into my blanket. I just want to close my eyes for a minute and rest.
I feel myself drifting off, teetering on the edge of sleep, but just before I tip over, I hear L.O.K.I’s voice. “Now that she’s asleep. Would you like me to tell you what I discovered today?”
I feel Luka’s weight shift beneath my legs, and then he’s standing. “Why don’t we discuss this in my office.”
That’s odd… Why is he being so secretive?
I wish I had the energy to ask, but before my thoughts can go any further, I feel myself finally lose the battle, and I drift off to sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Scout
The thunderclap rattles the windows, stirring me awake, and I jolt up in the pitch-black room… or at least I try to. There’s something heavy pinning me to the mattress.
It takes me a second to realize that thesomethingis Luka—sprawled across me like I’m his body pillow. He’s lying on his side, one leg thrown over my lower half, while his arm wraps so tightly around me that it’s tucked beneath my back, pinning me in place.
