Page 156 of A Very Merry Enemy
“Can I ask you something?” I say after a moment.
“Anything.”
“How are you so calm about this contest? Doesn’t it make you nervous knowing so many people will be watching?”
“Hell yeah, it does.” He smiles and kisses my nose. “But in the grand scheme of life, it’s just a blink in time. We walk in there with our heads held high and we show everyone what we’re made of. And then it’s over. A little over three hours of our lives, and then we’ll never have to do it again.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not. But it’s going to fly by, and when we’re eighty, we’ll laugh about it.” His fingers trace lazy circles on my arm. “You and me, we’re a team. And we’re going to remind this damn town why we’re at our best when we’re together.”
I tilt my head back to look at him, admiring his features in the firelight. He leans down and kisses me, taking his time.When he pulls back, his eyes are full of mischief. “Now, I have a surprise for you.”
“You know how I feel about surprises.”
He chuckles. “Shut the hell up.”
Lucas stands and holds out his hand. “Come with me.”
I let him pull me up, and he leads me upstairs to his bedroom. Candles are already lit on the dresser and nightstand, casting the room in a warm glow.
“Lucas Jolly, did you set the mood?” I tease.
“Maybe.” He grins. “Now lie down for me.”
“Should I take off my clothes?”
He smirks. “If you want. But it’s your choice.” He cracks his fingers. “Thought I could give you a massage to loosen you up.”
My breath catches as I lift my sweater over my head, then slide out of my leggings.
His brow lifts. “Lie down on your stomach for me, Peaches.”
I do as he says and feel the bed dip as Lucas sits beside me. His warm hands rub on my shoulders, and he starts working the muscles with firm pressure.
“Holy shit, you’re tense,” he says.
“Yeah, stress will do that.”
“Mm. Good thing I’m here to fix it.” His thumbs dig into a particularly tight knot, and I groan. “That’s it. Let it out.”
His hands work from my shoulders, down my spine, finding every tight spot and coaxing it loose. The tension I’ve been carrying for weeks starts to disappear under his touch.
“Your hands are magic,” I mumble into the pillow.
“I know. I conveniently have a few body parts that are magic.” I can hear the smirk in his voice.
“Cocky as hell.”
“Confidentas hell. There’s a difference.” His hands slide lower, working the muscles in my lower back. “How’s that feel?”
“Like heaven.”
“Good. That’s what I’m going for.”
His fingers trace along the waistband of my panties, and goose bumps trail over me.
“You cold?”
