Chapter 9
Elena — Present
Elena's night was restless too.
She lay sprawled across tangled sheets, the city's hum a distant lullaby. She stared at the ceiling, replaying Lucas's voice on her phone, the raw honesty in his late-night message.
She slid a hand down her stomach, fingers tracing the lines of her own tattoos. She imagined Lucas's hands instead—rough, desperate, reverent. She remembered the way he'd looked at her last time, eyes dark with longing and fear.
Her breath quickened as she imagined him kneeling between her thighs, mouth hot and hungry, voice rough with need.
She arched into her own touch, chasing the memory of his lips, the scrape of his teeth, the way he'd curse and beg and surrender all at once.
She came with a gasp, Lucas's name a secret on her tongue.
After, she reached for her phone, thumb hovering over his name.
Can't sleep. Thinking about you.
She hit send, heart pounding.
Lucas — Present
Lucas's phone buzzed. He read Elena's message, a slow smile curving his lips.
Door's open. Come over.
He didn't have to wait long. The sound of her boots on the hallway floor, the click of the door, the rush of air as she entered—Lucas's heart hammered in his chest.
She didn't speak. She just crossed the room, eyes locked on his, and pushed him back onto the bed.
Her mouth was on his in an instant—hungry, claiming, tasting. She bit his lower lip, tugged his hair, her body pressing him down.
Lucas surrendered, letting her take control, letting her burn away the ghosts.
She stripped him bare, her hands everywhere—rough and gentle, worship and demand.
She rode him hard, nails raking down his chest, hips grinding until he saw stars. Their bodies moved together, sweat slicking skin, the air thick with moans and curses and whispered promises.
When they finally collapsed, tangled and breathless, Lucas pressed his face to her shoulder, inhaling the scent of ink and sweat and something that felt dangerously close to hope.
Elena traced the labyrinth on his arm, her voice a low murmur in the dark. "You're not lost, Lucas. Not with me."
He closed his eyes, letting himself believe her—just for tonight.
To be continued...