Shattered

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

As if it were a reflex, I felt myself grow tense (or tenser should I say) hearing the word 'wife' leave her lips. Outwardly, I flashed another tight smile, trying not to grimace from the way she was beginning to act. I had made it clear from the very beginning that this would never progress into a genuine relationship. So I wasn't quite sure why she thought it even mattered what type of wife she was to me.

"Sit, Lucas!" She gestured over to an empty breakfast stool. "Please try it and tell me what you think. It's the first time I've attempted this batter."

Taking pity on her, I found a seat reluctantly across from her and said nothing as she placed a golden, buttery crumpet in a single white plate across from me.

"Dig in."

However the second I did a salty, buttery, floury taste welcomed my taste buds, and I declared something to myself.

Crumpets were no longer my favorite English snack. 

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Blowing out a deep breath, I anxiously rubbed my hands together, my mind thinking of several scenarios that could end up playing out tonight. As I neared towards the door, ignoring the hard to miss scent of what smelt like dog urine, I reached out and hesitantly knocked on the light brown wooden colored door. 

It felt like hours had passed as I cautiously awaited for the door to open and when it did, I felt as if I could finally breathe again. Her curly brown hair reached the top of her breast as her blue eyes stared back at me in surprise. My eyes wondered across her figure, noticing the lazy clothing that consisted of matching grey sweatpants, but couldn't help but find the beauty in her simplicity.

"Hey," I roughly breathed out.

"Hi," She whispered out quietly a moment later. Neither of us said anything after that, letting the silence consume the air as we stared back at each other. Her eyes were speaking a thousand words; words that she looked physically strained to say out loud.

I couldn't keep away from her. Hopping into my car after having a terrible crumpet made by Veronica, I was practically chased to see her. I needed to see Nina. She was plaguing my mind with images of her beautiful face, alongside her soft voice which seemed to be echoing consistently throughout my mind. 

I just couldn't control myself.

Unable to stop my hands, I wrapped them around her slender waist, pulling her warm body close to mine. A shaky breath escaped her lips as she gazed up at me, a sudden nervous expression crossing onto her face. But yet, I could see the little familiar bubble of excitement brightly shining in her eyes.

"I can't stay away from you, Nina." The words full of truth found themselves leaving my lips. "I can't find myself to stay away."

Her full, pink lips were suddenly latched under the hold of her front teeth. I was pulled to the action, feeling my own desire grow for her. Her blue orbs gazed up at me, all the flood of emotions splashing within them, only showing me she felt the same way I felt about her.

Taking a chance, I leaned in closer, closing my eyes as I inhaled the familiar scent of her shampoo. It sent me to a state of comforting nostalgia, my heart jumping as I tilted my head and pressed a gentle kiss against the side of her throat.

"You feel the same way, laces." I whispered in her ear, sliding my tongue out to trace her earlobe. "Your eyes tell me everything I need to know."

"Lucas," She breathlessly said, her hand reaching out to grip my arm.

"Just say the words, laces." I moved my lips further down against her soft neck. "Say you want me, baby."

Her body trembled in my arms and I wished nothing more than to capture her lips with my own, the faint memory of me doing so a few days ago, taunting my mind.