Chapter 28
"So, you like seafood." He asked, amused to watch her eat her food with enthusiasm. So far, he had not seen her say no to good food, which he found amusing and adorable.
He remembered she had always had a good appetite when they were kids. But he thought she would have changed as she tried to maintain her beautiful figure.
Damn! Of course, he thinks she is gorgeous.
He was not blind not to see how she had grown into this stunning woman before him. But he always had his reasons for staying away from her.
But now?
Did he still want to keep his distance as he stared into her alluring eyes and delectable lips? Could he still keep up the act of being unaffected by her presence?
Fuck! He wanted her.
He could not deny it anymore as he watched her every movement. He had always wanted her. But he knew he could not have her.
Fuck it, Lucas! You have no right to be with her.
He reminded himself that this was just an arrangement to protect her. The marriage was not real. He had no right to claim her as his.
I have a promise to keep. I could not break it.
He should stop his thoughts before losing his control. The last thing he needed was to complicate their situation. He had to stick with the plan.
"Yeah! They are my favorites. But I also loved steaks, sweets, chocolates... I guess everything." She smiled before shoving another shrimp into her lips with her fingers, seemingly clueless about what she was doing to him with those innocent gestures.
However, tried as he might, he could not take his eyes away from his wife's lips as the melted butter dripped down from her fingers to her lips.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Control yourself.
It took everything in him not to touch her glistening lips and kiss her. She was like a forbidden fruit that he could only look at but could not have.
"You should try this." She picked up a piece of the buttered lobster meat and raised it to his lips. "This is delightfully mouthwatering."
He knew he should refuse, but how could he say no to a delicious treat as he opened his mouth to take the bite? Suddenly, he wondered if he would regret inviting her on this trip.
Perhaps he should have stuck to work rather than take her into this journey of discoveries. He should have let them be strangers than to remind him why he liked her in the first place.
Yeah! I have always liked her.
He started noticing her when she turned fifteen. He just came home from the university to visit for the Christmas break. Then, he saw her coming down the stairs, smiling to greet him.
"Lucas, welcome home." She excitedly greeted him with a beautiful, youthful smile. She looked like a radiant sun as she brightened the room with her presence.
He could not help but imagine her running down the stairs toward him. Unfortunately, she strode past him and clung to her brother instead.
"William, I thought you won't be back until tomorrow." She happily greeted her brother, who came back with him.
He watched as his best friend swirled his younger sister around, dancing and twirling her around. Her laughter filled the air, which was like music to his ears.
"Andy, I was gone just a few months. Look how much you have grown." William held his sister with affection and pride. "I could hardly recognize you."
He agreed with his friend, seeing that the young girl he once knew had transformed into a beautiful young lady. But, of course, he should not think of her other than a sister.
First, she was too young for him. Then, she was his best friend's younger sister. They had a bro code. He could not break his best friend's trust by liking his little sister.
"What do you think of my new earrings?" She asked, showing off the sparkling diamond gem by tacking the strands of her hair behind her ears.
"It looks great on you." William complimented them while he teased her cheeks with a light pinch. "I'm glad you like them. You deserve so much more."
He knew how William spoilt her sister. Truthfully, everyone did. She was the sole princess of the Bennett and Preston family.
"What do you think, Lucas?" She suddenly turned to him as if waiting for his opinion. "Do you like it?" She smiled at him while her eyes captured him.
Frankly, he had never seen anything so lovely and captivating. "You look cute." He said instead.
Of course, she looked exquisite. But the earrings had nothing to do with it. However, he could not express what he truly felt.
"Cute?" The pout on her lips and the sound of disappointment in her voice told him she did not like his comment.
Oh! How much he wanted to take his words back, wishing to see her smile again. But he held his tongue and stayed quiet.
"Don't mind, Lucas. You know he is a grumpy old man." William jokingly said as he grabbed his sister's hand, dragging her toward the living room, where everyone must be waiting for them.
That year, the Preston family hosted Christmas festivities with the Bennett family as their guests, and vice versa.
"Earth to Mars..." Her voice suddenly penetrated his thoughts. "Anybody home?" Then, he snapped back to the present, realizing he had zoned out for a second.
He found her waving her fingers before his face as she tried to catch his attention. "I'm sorry." He quickly apologized.
"It is delicious." He grabbed his table napkin and wiped his lips, unexpectedly finding her stare awkward and unnerving.
Suddenly, he was afraid she could see through into his mind and read his thoughts. No! She could not find out about his secrets.
She could not know the truth. Not yet.
"Anyway, do you mind if I ask you a question?" She looked behind him as if checking if they had company.
But, so far, the crew had stayed away unless called upon. They were alone on the boat's deck, with just the wind to listen to their conversation.
"Sure, what is it?" He welcomed a change in topic. He needed something else to talk about to distract himself from his line of thought.
He could not deny his attraction anymore. But he could not let her know that. He thought the years apart would change that. On the contrary, it seemed he wanted her more now.
"I am curious. I know why I married you. But why did you marry me? What do you get from this arrangement?"