Page 25 of Sprite Wedding
ZOE
After finishing up at the Network, I stopped by my apartment and showered. Then I met up with Lucas at his place. When I entered, he embraced me. After he pulled away, he caught my eye, but then glanced away with a guilty expression.
What was that about? Throughout my years as a detective, I had studied body language. Even if I hadn’t, I thought I knew Lucas well enough to sense something was off. “Is everything OK?”
“Sure,” he replied quickly with one of his easy-going smiles. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Considering all that has been going on lately, it’s not an outrageous question to ask.”
“True.” He chuckled. “I appreciate you checking up on me, babe, but there’snothingto worry about.”
The back of my neck tingled. Why couldn’t I shake the sense that something was indeed off? I studied his face and body language. His posture was straight, not as relaxed as usual. His hands weren’t clenched, but his fingers were curled as if on the way.
Maybe I was being sensitive and was just being extra vigilant. “Okay.” I glanced into the living room where Shadow was curled up on an afghan. Whenever there was a blanket around, he’d claim it. I returned my gaze to Lucas. “Are you hungry?”
He slumped forward and groaned in a playful way. “You’ve got to feed me, Zoe, or I’m going to waste away.” He pretended to stumble and reached out for me.
“What?”
He straightened to his full height, which made him tower over me at barely five feet. “I can’t believe Sebastian moved out. How could he spoil me with food for all this time and then leave me to fend for myself?”
I laughed. This was Lucas back to being Lucas, joking around. “Someone’s being a little dramatic.”
“I can’t help it. What am I supposed to do—live off cereal?”
Lucas’s morning habit of eating sugary cereal that likely didn’t have an ounce of nutritional value was well known.
“You can cook,” I countered. “And there are plenty of places where you can order food if you don’t feel like it. Besides, I know Sebastian still spoils you. I bet there’s half of a lasagna waiting for you in the fridge right now.”
Lucas chuckled. “Perhaps.”
I glanced into the kitchen. “We can whip something up for dinner. Or order something.”
“Let’s go out to eat. And then we can do something.”
“Like what?”
“It doesn’t matter. As long as it’s fun.”
I laughed. “Weren’t we just on a week-long cruise?”
He nodded with vigor. “Yes, and I miss it. I’ve been working all week.”
“As have I. That’s what happens after vacation—you end up paying for it with all the work that piled up while you were away.”
He exhaled. “It’s getting to me,” he said with dramatic effect. “All this work and no play.” He pressed the back of his hand to his forehead. “Fortunately, I got us tickets to a show coming up. Gogol Bordello is coming to Boston. You’ll love them. Our whole gang is going. They’re great fun, and you know how fond I am of having a good time. “
“Oh, I do indeed.”
He winked at me. “That’s why you keep me around.”
I widened my eyes at him. “You think that’s the only reason?”
He raised both hands, entwined his fingers beneath his chin, and cocked his head. “I’m thinking a few orgasms here and there might also contribute.”
A surprise laugh escaped me. When it came to the bedroom, I was the one who was spoiled. Lucas was an amazing partner, so attentive and ensuring I was satisfied, if not mindless and boneless.
Did all the women before me have the same Lucas treatment? If so, I’d be surprised that they ever let him go.
