Grace crawled out from the table carrying her cup and wiping tears of laughter.
Lucas was right behind her with a grin on his face.
"I'm going to be a dead man in the morning", he laughed, sending Grace to a fit of giggles that warmed his heart. Smiling, he pulled her back in his arms and whispered huskily "But, it was worth it", he leaned down and kissed her smiling lips once again.
Grace smiled into his kiss, warmth pooling inside her again.
"Do I have to put Bill as a guard in front of your bedroom?", she giggled as she pulled away only a tiny bit from his hot lips.
Lucas groaned.
"Please, don't! I couldn't stand to be both cross-questioned and murdered by noon", he quipped, sending Grace into laughter again "Ssssh", he playfully shushed her "They'll hear us".
Grace put a palm on her lips and shaking with laughter ran out from the kitchen.
Lucas put his cup down in the sink, deciding to take care of it later and ran after her.
He saw her reaching the second doors on the left and smiled.
The room where he stole a kiss or two from her before their meeting with Susan and Harry the other day.
He quickly followed her and quietly shut the doors, finally enabling Grace to laugh her heart out.
She doubled over, holding her sides, tears of laughter coming up again. She wiped them with one hand trying to calm her laughter down, but failed miserably.
Lucas felt his heart clenching.
She was a sight to behold.
He laughed happily as he walked over to the small table by the window that held a mini bar. Uncorking a wine bottle, he poured the dark red fluid in two glasses and walked back to Grace.
She smiled as he offered a glass to her.
"Thank you", she slowly clinked her glass against his and took a small sip, her eyes closing in delight at the taste "Mmm. It's delicious".
She watched him as he slowly smiled and putting his glass down, he stepped in her personal space, wrapping his hands around her waist and leaning his forehead on hers.
She put her glass down too and gently rubbed her nose on his.
"Thank you for tonight. It was amazing", she whispered.
He gently smiled at her, the warmth and love from his eyes caressing her senses.
"You're welcome", he whispered "You deserve nothing less than to be treasured and cherished".
Grace's eyes misted with tears as she let out a shivering breath, bringing her left hand to his cheek and cupping it lovingly.
Lucas closed his eyes, leaning into her palm and gently brushing his lips over it, causing Grace's heart to beat faster.
He looked at her, storm pooling in his eyes, making Grace's insides burn with a roaring fire.
They both moved at the same time, crashing their lips in a passionate kiss. Grace felt a huge tremor run through her body, causing her to shiver as she drank his lips in.
The man was a fire and she felt the flames swallow her up.
His lips stole every sound she made and she swore she would faint in his arms. Her fingers sneaked up in his hair and roamed around, causing him to groan in pleasure. She dived in, pulling his head closer, her tongue caressing his loving mouth.
The reaction she got was perfect.
He trembled in her arms, pulling her flush against his hard body, his lips going wild on hers.
Grace gasped, trying to breathe, but Lucas stole every attempt away devouring her with his lips and tongue.
Oh, God.
I will faint.
Grace pressed her fingertips into his hair, causing his hands to slide down her spine and squeeze her hips.
A moan escaped Grace's mouth, so strong that her lips unlatched from Lucas'. Her knees buckled and he caught her before she could fall, both of them breathing heavily.
She hid her face in his chest, her skin burning.
Lucas was trying to catch a breath, delicious fog slowly disappearing and he kissed her silky hair.
"I should take you home… If you stay, I won't be able to control myself…and I love you too much to let that happen", he whispered in the dark, his fingers caressing her brown silky tresses as he slightly moved his body away from hers.
God, give me strength.
Grace nodded and tried to move, but her legs wouldn't hold her. She swayed dangerously and managed to catch the edge of the settee to hold herself up.
"Yeah", she managed to whisper "Make that two of us".
She didn't dare to look at him, afraid that she won't be able to resist him if she takes one more glance at the perfection that was Lucas Bouchard.
Looking down, she took a deep breath in and went toward the doors. He ran his hand through his hair and followed her.
They left the mansion, both welcoming the cold air that greeted them the minute they closed the doors.
Both were silent as they crossed a short distance to the car.
As they reached the car, Lucas couldn't take it anymore.
"Grace, wait", he called out, catching her arm.
She stopped and slowly turned around and looked up at him.
Lucas approached her and caressed her cheek with his hand.
"I'm sorry if I crossed the line", he mumbled silently "You make my mind turn into mush and I know I got carried away, but please know that I would never take advantage of you".
Grace's face softened as she heard him.
"Oh, my Lucas", she gently said "I am not worried about you. I am scared of myself because I have no power over myself whatsoever when you kiss me like that", her cheeks burned as she
brushed her fingers down his lapels "If you didn't stop, I don't think I would be able either", she looked down, embarrassed.
Lucas quickly reached out and gently picked her chin up with his fingers.
"Hey, hey", he whispered "Come here", he slightly opened his arms and she went in for a hug, hiding her burning face in his chest.
Lucas inhaled deeply, reveling in how perfectly she fits in his arms.
He slightly pulled away to look down at her.
"My lovely Grace, don't ever feel embarrassed about being such a passionate woman. Never apologize for losing yourself in love", he caressed her hair as she still hid her face in his chest "Never apologize for making me the luckiest man alive simply because I am the one you love".
His heart sang with love for this amazing woman.
She hesitantly looked up.
"Really?", she whispered in a small voice.
He gave her a warm smile and kissed her forehead.
"Absolutely", he whispered gently "Come on. Lets get you home".
She gave him a small smile and they went to the car.
A short drive to the orphanage was spent in comfortable silence and occasional holding hands which ended in Lucas' kissing her knuckles.
They stopped in front of the orphanage and Grace turned to look up at him.
Lucas' eyes shone warmly as he leaned toward her and gently kissed her lips.
"I love you", he whispered "Never forget that".
She smiled, her heart full.
"I love you too, my Lucas", she gave him another soft and gentle kiss "Good night".
He smiled back at her.
"Good night, sweetheart".
He watched her retreating form until the doors of the orphanage closed behind her and he exhaled, leaning his forehead on the wheel.
A few moments later, he turned the engine on and drove away.
—--
Love is a burning thing
And it makes a fiery ring
Bound by wild desire
I fell into a ring of fire.
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down and the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire.
The taste of love is sweet
When hearts like ours meet
I fell for you like a child
Oh, but the fire went wild.
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down and the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire.
("Ring of fire" - Johnny Cash)