Michael I see the lights still on as I approach The Little Red Bookshop. Hopefully, that means Lucia is inside despite it being past opening hours. She’s probably sorting things out before going home. At least she doesn’t have to go far.If I’m lucky, I might be able to catch her before she shuts the door on me. If I’m not, I will have to think of something else. I am not leaving until I know for sure that she’s safe and well. The thought of her being unwell makes me concerned for her. If she’s sick, she shouldn’t be alone.I keep kicking myself for not going to see her sooner. Being away from Lucia for a month has been more challenging than I thought. How could a woman like her, someone who drives me crazy with frustration as well as desire, make me feel like this? It doesn’t make any sense.Fingers crossed, she doesn’t push me away this time. And hopefully, she won’t call the cops on me. I don’t want to have to deal with them as well.There doesn’t seem to be any movement inside th
“It’s just a one-off. I’ve been working a lot; lately, that’s all.”“I’d like to believe that.”“That is exactly what is wrong with me. You don’t need to be so concerned.”I can see she’s not going to budge on this. She’s far too stubborn. Well, I can be persistent as well. I look at the folder that is on the floor. Somehow, whatever was in there hasn’t fallen out.“Are you heading up to your apartment?”“Yes. I’m locking up right now.”“I’ll help you. And I’m not taking no for an answer,” I add sharply as Lucia protests. “You just fainted. The last thing I want to do is let you walk up a steep flight of stairs on your own.”Lucia’s mouth opens and closes. Then she huffs and looks away.“Okay, fine. If you can lock it up for me, that would be great. I’ll do the alarm.”“Sure.”I pick up her keys from the floor and turn off the lights. Lucia slowly gets to her feet and hovers by the alarm system until I join her. She sets the alarm, which bleeps in response, and we step out into the st
“I…I know I ate today.” Lucia frowns. “But I’m not really sure when.”“You don't pay attention to when you need to eat?”“I’m busy. I’m sure you know what it’s like,” she sneers.I try to ignore that and put the bowl on the table, a spoon, and the bread roll on a plate beside it.“It’s not much, but that should be enough to settle your stomach.”“This is your medicine for me, is it?”“It works for me.”Lucia looks like she doesn’t know what to say. But she approaches the table and sits down, glancing at me before looking back at the food.“I was thinking of making a grilled cheese instead,” I go on, suddenly feeling like I need to fill the air, “but you didn’t have any cheese.”“Right. I need to do the shopping at some point.”“Do you have time to do the shopping?”Lucia gives me a sharp glance. But she doesn’t answer as she picks up the spoon and begins to eat. Soon, she’s practically wolfing her food down, and the soup is rapidly disappearing, along with the roll. I sit on the couch
Not when Lucia is involved.For a moment, I think Lucia is going to argue with me. But her shoulders slump, and she looks away with a heavy sigh.“Okay. Fine. But you’re staying on the couch. That’s where you’re staying.”I don’t respond. I would prefer to be in bed with her, but I’m not about to push it. Sighing, I get my cell phone out. I will need to call Mom to make sure she’s there for Lucia.She’s right. I do need to hire a helper. And I hope Mom isn’t going to be smirking, knowing that I’m spending the night with a woman she thought might be a good match for me.She knows me far better than I want to admit.LUCIA God,why can’t I sleep? I’m sure I’ve been lying in bed staring at the ceiling for hours now, but my alarm clock says it’s just been a couple of hours. It’s not even ten yet. I was barely in bed around this time, but after eating and getting my paperwork sorted, Micheal ran a bath for me and told me to have an early night. I’m not about to argue with him.It’s been a w
“It's my ex. I keep him unblocked so he doesn’t try to get hold of me through friends or unknown numbers, and he’s taking advantage of it.”“Maybe you should change your number,” Micheal suggests.“I’ve thought about it, but knowing my luck, I’ll forget to tell those who really need it, and then there’s changing it for the doctors and all that….” I shake my head as I delete the entire text thread from Nate. “Besides, I’ve got a business number. I can’t change that, unfortunately.”“And you can’t block him because he’ll try to go through a friend or a new number.”Exactly.”Micheal shakes his head and sits on the edge of the bed. He’s taken off his coat and jacket, leaving him in just a shirt open at the neck. He looks good in pale blue.God, I need to get rid of these dirty thoughts building in my head.“You need to call the police and make a report,” Micheal says. “Even if you can’t get him arrested, at least you have a paper trail, and they could have a word with him, at the very le
“I thought you didn’t want that anymore.”“Let’s just say you make me want things I shouldn’t. And,” I shift onto my knees and put my arms around him, “for some reason, I’m feeling very horny.”That part is genuine. I can feel my arousal building despite feeling off-color, and now I’m touching Micheal; it’s building tenfold. I’m desperate to get his clothes off.“What about your sickness?” Micheal asks, still not reaching for me. “I'm still worried about your condition.”“Do you normally push away a woman wanting sex with you?”“No…”“Then don’t start with me.” I start to undo the buttons on his shirt. “You did say you would look after me tonight, yes? Then look after me.”Micheal groans, and suddenly I’m on my back as he kisses me fiercely. Our hands are everywhere as we pull at each other’s clothes, almost getting tangled up as we try to do the same thing simultaneously. I kiss his shoulders and chest as he throws off his shirt, and then his mouth devours my breasts once my pajama t
What’s the harm in trying? If I want to pursue something with Lucia more than just the occasional round of sex.I’m going to have to leave and give her the space she needs before getting those answers.With a heavy heart, I put on my shoes and socks, checking that I have everything on me as I put my jacket and coat on. Then I walk back to Lucia, who is watching me with an expression that doesn’t know whether to be shocked or upset, her arms wrapped around her waist. She looks so delicate and innocent that I want to hold onto her and not let go.Instead, I kiss her forehead and step back before I pull her into my arms.“I’m just a phone call away if you need me for anything. You’ll let me know, won’t you?”“Sure.” Lucia’s mouth twitches. “I’ll let you know.”Something tells me that she’s pulling away again. I really don’t want that. But Helen is practically nudging me towards the door. Whatever is happening is not going to be revealed right now.And it will leave me in knots until Luci
“Well, the pill isn’t working if you’ve still managed to get pregnant. And Micheal was just here, so why didn’t you tell him?”“I don’t know.” I try to drink my tea, but it’s too hot, and my hands tremble. I put it to one side. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. I just needed him to get out of here before I had a panic attack.”“Oh, honey.” Helen looks torn. “I wish I knew what I could do to make you feel better. If I could take away…”“I appreciate you feel that way about me, Helen. I love you for it. But I have to deal with this.” I sigh heavily and rub my hands over my face. “I feel like crap. How do I tell someone I’m not even in a relationship with that I’m pregnant? I can’t see that going over well.”“How do you know? You need to tell him, and it can’t be that bad.”“But…”“Besides, he’s a dad already, isn’t he? And from what you’ve said, his kid is cool. I think it’s safe to say he’s a good father.”There is that. I can be sure that Micheal will be a good parent if Regina is anything