Chapter 8: Playing with Fire

True to his word, Lucas began teaching Sophia the mental strategies she lacked. They sat in the diner, practicing on each other and on unsuspecting diner patrons. They laughed at some of the thoughts they pulled from various people and Sophia had fun trying to read Lucas's thoughts, though they were usually very naughty. She knew he did this on purpose. He seemed to enjoy making her blush. Most importantly, she practiced blocking her thoughts from him as he would try to guess what she was thinking. This proved very difficult, as Lucas was very good at mind reading. In fact, he seemed really skilled in all areas and Sophia found herself amazed at all he could do.

"My father started teaching me a lot when I was little. I've had lots of practice," he explained. Thinking about his father made him suddenly quiet.

"You must miss him a lot," she ventured.

Lucas looked at her, thinking how she had comforted him when his father died. He was always grateful for her concern and for understanding his need to mourn. The others always expected him to be strong about everything. Sophia seemed to be the only one who let him be real about his feelings. She was still human when it happened and even then her comfort drew him closer to her. Now she sat across from him, a skinwalker female, still warm hearted and caring.

Yeah, I do. Especially when I feel like I need advice from him. It's hard not having him around to ask about all the stuff that comes up. There's mom, but it's not the same thing.

He projected these words to her on a private mental path and Sophia understood why. Lucas could not show any weakness in public. Admitting you need help sometimes was not what people wanted to see in an Alpha. She was flattered that he trusted her so much and could be open with her.

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Lucas drove her home after a few hours when she said she had to get home. She wanted to make some new dish for dinner that she learned in Italy. Soon they pulled up in front of her house. "Are you coming to the rave tonight?" Lucas asked. "I can come back later and pick you up if you want."

Sophia thought about it. "Are Randy and Sean going to be there?"

"Chicken shit!" he laughed. "You can't hide from everyone Sophia."

"I'm not chicken! I just don't want that kind of pressure." she smiled back.

"Then you'll just have to hide under me," he teased with a grin.

"YEAH RIGHT!" she rolled her eyes and let out a laugh. "There won't be any pressure there!"

Lucas shook his head and tried to look innocent. Finally he said, "Well, I guess if you're not ready, then you're not ready."

"I've been to those raves before, you know," she reminded him.

"Yeah, but you were human then. And you never stayed long enough to see what really happens."

Sophia got out of the car, but leaned her head into the window. "Gee, let me think what that could be?" and she put on a dumb look.

Lucas smiled at her. "Anytime you want to know, I could show you." His eyes flashed and Sophia felt a wave of warm energy hit her. It felt good and she stood up and stepped back away from the car. She knew she needed to stop this flirting or she would never get dinner done. She really wanted to surprise her dad tonight.

"Bye Sophia," Lucas called after her. "Hope you change your mind." He torn off down the street, way too fast.

Sophia stood on her porch looking at him turn the corner. He's absolutely right, she thought. I'm the biggest chicken shit in the world.

She rushed into the house and ran upstairs. She wanted to shower and start dinner before her dad got home. It was true that she did not want to run into Randy and Sean in a dark forest, but mostly she felt like spending the evening with her dad. They had not had that much time together since she arrived yesterday.

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Matt thoroughly enjoyed Sophia's dinner and was very pleased that she chose to spend the evening home with him. "Hey, after the meal settles a bit, do you want to go for a run?" he asked.

"Sure dad, that sounds great! I didn't get to run at all in Italy. I was really looking forward to it all this time," she replied.

"Great!" he said enthusiastically. He really found he enjoyed running as well, now that he returned to his old ways.

They got to discussing Sophia's first day back at school and Sophia filled him in on everything, except the part about Randy and Sean. Matt did not seem surprised about what the females did. He told Sophia that he had already found out from the nurse, who called him shortly after it happened. He knew that something like this might happen.

Matt was surprised at how Lucas seemed to stick up for her all day and he also thought the after school lessons were a very unselfish act. He reflected on the fact that perhaps Lucas Cates was finally growing up and taking more responsibility.

After awhile the phone rang and Sophia went to answer it. Sarah's voice came on the line.

"Hey, you didn't call me!" Sarah began.

"Sorry, I had to make dinner and I forgot." Sophia apologized.

"Well... how did it go? I want all the details!"

"Nothing like that happened. We went to the diner and ate and talked." Sophia did not want Sarah to know about the lessons. She already felt lame in many skinwalker areas as it was.

"Yeah, right, come on. You can tell me Sophia. I won't tell anyone, you know that."

"I am telling you! Nothing happened!"

"Not even a kiss?"

"Nope. He was a perfect gentleman."

"I don't think we are talking about the same person." Sarah laughed. "Anyways, keep your secrets. Are you coming tonight?"

"No, I'm going to spend time with my dad. He really misses me."

"All right." Sarah sighed. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Wait! Sarah, you didn't mention that the prom was next month!"

"I didn't think about it," Sarah said. She was silent for a few seconds. Then she asked cautiously, "Sophia? Lucas spoke about the prom with you?"

"Why are you saying it that way? And no, he didn't. I heard from someone else."

"Well... you know he's going with Presley, don't you?" Sarah said carefully.

Sophia felt her heart drop to her stomach. She said softly, "No, I didn't know that."

Sarah could sense that Sophia was upset and disappointed and she hated being the bearer of bad news. Then a thought hit her.

"Sophia, Presley asked him about a month ago, before anyone even knew you were going to be back."

That caught Sophia's attention. "Presley asked him? Not the other way around?"

"Yeah, I was there when she did. I mean I was nearby, not actually standing there. But I heard everything. She said to him, "So we are going the to prom right?" and then Lucas said, "Yeah, sure". I don't think he was that excited about it."

Sophia felt a little better, but not much. "Thanks Sarah. I'll see you tomorrow."

"O.K. Sophia. Have fun with your dad. Bye."

Sophia sat back on the sofa, thinking about Presley's smug face and how she'll be in all her glory with Lucas to hang on to. I don't want to look like a loser by staying home or going stag, she thought. Well, I guess I do have another option.

She picked up the phone and dialed Scott's number. Scott was happy and surprised when Sophia told him that she would like to go to the prom with him. When Sophia hung up the phone, she felt anything but happy.

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The next day at school seemed uneventful compared to the previous day. The females, except for Sarah and a few others, seemed to ignore her for the most part. No thanks due to Presley, Sophia thought. As for the males, Sophia had learned that her best defense was not to linger in any one spot too long where males were gathered. She found herself rushing to her classes and leaving them right as the bell rang. Luckily in P.E. class, she found that the males and females were separated.

Lucas had noticed her strategy of rushing around and was amused at how quickly she was learning. After their last class, Lucas slipped his arm around her as they made ready to leave. Sophia looked up at him. "What are you doing?" she hissed.

Staking my claim before the others try anything.

He sent this thought to her and she looked around at the males looking at her. She projected back to him.

Fine! Just don't expect to collect on that claim!

She heard laughter in her mind. I know baby. I know.

She was actually still angry about the prom situation. How could he be spending all this time with her and then take Presley to the prom? They made it outside but Lucas made no move to remove his arm from around her. Sophia finally wiggled it away.

We wouldn't want your prom date to get upset!

She shot at him. She also thought about how Scott might see them like that.

He stopped walking and stood there looking at her. Sophia stopped too and turned around to face him, and angry look on her face. He felt taken aback. Was she actually jealous? He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the car. "Come on, we can talk in the car." He did not like how angry she looked, and the last thing he wanted was a public scene.

By the time Sophia got into the car, she felt like an idiot. Why did she say that to him? Now he would think she was hoping for more than friendship. She just made a big ass of herself, she thought. He's totally going to tell me that I'm way out of line and that I should mind my own business.

But Lucas didn't say anything for awhile, as he started to drive. He didn't know what to think. He was use to Presley getting possessive on him, and he always hated it. But somehow a possessive Sophia didn't bother him at all. In fact, he kind of liked it. This fact alone shocked him and made him quiet.

Sophia finally broke the silence. "I'm sorry Lucas. I don't know why I said that."

He looked over at her and knew that she was just covering up now.

"Sophia... it's just a dance. It really isn't a big deal to me. It really was Presley's idea to go."

Sophia already knew this was true, but she still felt bothered by it. She said anyway, "I understand. It's no big deal."

He couldn't stand this. He pulled over and stopped the car and turned to face her. "You want to know something Sophia?"

"What?"

"If I had known you'd have been back for the prom, I would have waited for you."

"You would?" she swallowed. Her heart started beating faster and the air felt warm.

"Yeah, I would have. I like being with you Sophia. I would rather be with you. But now that I said I would go with her, I can't go back on my word. What kind of leader would I make if I don't follow through with what I say I'm going to do? I don't have the luxury of breaking promises like others do. It would weaken me in other people's eyes."

Sophia looked down and sighed. She felt like a big whiny baby, but she also felt an excitement inside. He would rather be with her! She felt like jumping for joy. Huh, take THAT Presley!

He reached over and put his arm on the top of Sophia's backrest, curling a finger through her hair. When she looked back up at him she noticed his eyes were slowly traveling up her body and they stopped at her lips. Oh god, he's going to kiss me, she thought. Her heart kept racing and she gazed down to his lips. Together their heads slowly moved towards each other.

When they were but an inch apart, Lucas whispered, "Sophia...I really..." he kissed her softly, "really..." he kissed her softly again, "like you..." another soft kiss, "a lot." He pressed his lips harder this time and pulled her head more firmly to his. Sophia was totally caught up in the magic of the moment and opened her lips, welcoming his skilled tongue. She moaned and put her arms around his neck, running her hands through his hair as she returned his kiss. Never before had she been kissed like this. The kiss seemed to go on forever and neither of them wanted to pull away, feeling like they could never get enough.

She felt his other hand come up gently against her cheek, stroking it softly. She felt as though she was floating on a cloud of pleasure as he continued his mind numbing kiss. His fingers on her cheek slowly began to trail down her neck and on to her shoulder creating tingles of electricity in her body as the kiss further drugged her mind.

Then she felt a jolt when one of his fingers brushed softly against the side of her breast. The sensation sent a liquid heat low in her belly and she broke off the kiss, looking at him with glowing eyes. Lucas looked back at her, his own intensity flashing gold and he let out a gruff growl, "Sophia?"

She knew he was giving her a choice, before it was too late. Sophia's mind reeled! Oh god! I just can't! I just can't, she agonized to herself. She turned her body forward in the seat and put her face into her hands.

I'm so sorry, Lucas. I just can't. Not yet.

Lucas sat back in his seat and took a deep breath. He opened the window to let the cool air outside help return him to his normal senses. He was so damed confused himself. Hell yes he wanted her! He wanted to pleasure her for the rest of the day and all through the night too. But he wanted her to want it too. He wanted her to have some control, some choice. Because he knew that was important to her.

But that kiss! It was heaven kissing Sophia, he thought. I would trade all the nights I've had with Presley for another kiss like that from Sophia. He leaned his head back and smiled. Finally he looked over at her, she was still upset, looking away out the window.

"Sophia?" he said, much calmer now. "It's all right. Really. I'm not going to push you baby."

She risked a glance and him and found him smiling at her. "You're not upset?"

"After a kiss like that? There's no way I'd be upset." He kept grinning at her and she couldn't help but grin back. "In fact, I'm feeling pretty damn good! You ready?"

Her smile faded, "For what?"

"For our lessons? We can go to the diner again. I could use a drink."

She had forgotten all about the lessons. The kiss had really blown her brains out the back door!

"Yeah, o.k." she stammered. She had little hope for her concentration level this afternoon.

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Hi Everyone! Please send me a review and let me know how you like it so far. I know the system was down for a few days and none of us could do anything but read. So if your reading this now, please send me a note.

Thanks!!

On another note: Someone had a the whole season one on video for sale on ebay last week! I missed out on this, but I checked it out anyway. It looks to be professionally done, not some home taped product. I really want to know who is producing these. If any of you know this, please pass on the info. TYVM