Chapter 209: Felt like first kiss

lightly, the moment his fingers touched him, Lucas instinctively shut his eyes.

Alex let out a quiet laugh.

“Baby, look at me.”

Lucas hesitated before opening his eyes again.

Alex brushed his thumb across his skin and held his gaze.

“It’s not about enduring it.” His voice was low and calm. “It’s about feeling it. Being here with me.”

Lucas swallowed.

Alex smiled faintly. “And it’s not just me kissing you.” His eyes stayed fixed on Lucas’s. “It’s us kissing each other. If I move closer, you don’t have to stand there and panic.” He gave a teasing smile. “You kiss me back. That’s how it works, hmm?”

Heat climbed into Lucas’s face.

He gave a shy nod.

Alex’s hand remained on his cheek as the space between them slowly disappeared.

Lucas could hear his own heartbeat, too loud as it thudded in his chest.

Alex didn’t rush. He leaned in carefully, giving Lucas enough time to relax hoping he wouldn't pull away.

Lucas didn’t. Instead, his fingers tightened lightly against Alex’s shirt.

Their eyes stayed locked until the very last second.

And when Alex finally closed the distance, Lucas didn’t freeze this time. He stayed. And for the first time, he let himself wonder, maybe this was something new to feel.

Then finally, their lips met.

It was so soft that for a second Lucas almost thought it hadn’t happened.

Alex didn’t rush into it. He only brushed his lips against Lucas’s once, lightly, like he was asking instead of taking.

Lucas’s breath caught. His eyes stayed open at first. He was too aware of everything. The warmth of Alex’s hand on his cheek. The closeness and the quiet between them. The strange way his chest tightened and loosened at the same time.

Alex slowly drew back just enough to look at him. His lips curved faintly.

“See?” he whispered. “It’s nothing scary.”

Lucas stared at him. Then, unexpectedly, he gave the tiniest nod.

Alex smiled, caressed his cheek gently, and leaned in again.

This time Lucas didn’t tense up.

Their lips met once more. It was gentle but it lingered.

Lucas felt something inside him go completely still. There was no confusion or racing thoughts, just warmth.

His fingers slowly rose and held onto the front of Alex’s shirt.

Alex noticed it and his eyes softened. Without breaking the kiss, he tilted his head slightly, and Lucas, awkward and uncertain, remembered what Alex had said.

It takes two to tango.

So he moved in carefully, though a bit shy. His lips pressed back.

The moment he did, Alex paused for half a heartbeat as if surprised.

Then he smiled against Lucas’s mouth.

That tiny reaction made Lucas’s face flush instantly.

Alex pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against Lucas’s.

“There you go…”

Lucas looked away immediately, embarrassed, making Alex chuckle lightly.

“Come on, baby, you did great.”

Lucas frowned and looked back at him.

“Don’t say it like I passed an exam.”

Alex laughed. Then his thumb brushed across Lucas’s cheek again.

“No love, I’m saying…” His voice softened. “Thank you for trusting me.”

Lucas looked at him for a moment. Then, surprising even himself, he leaned forward first.

Only a little, just enough for their noses to brush.

His voice came out in a whisper.

“Can we… do it one more time?”

Alex stared at him for a second before a smile curved his mouth. His heart raced happily at their progress.

He leaned in and this time, when their lips met again, Lucas kissed him back without reserve.

As their kiss deepened, their breathing changed before they finally pulled apart.

It wasn’t because they wanted to, but because they had to breathe.

Alex stood still, chest rising harder than before. His hands remained at Lucas’s back, slowly moving as though making sure he was real and not another memory.

Lucas’s forehead rested lightly against his.

For a moment neither spoke.

Then Alex let out a quiet laugh under his breath and closed his eyes. “Oh gosh…” he whispered.

Lucas looked at him.

Alex opened his eyes again and held his gaze.

“Baby, I’ve missed your kisses so much.”

The words came out softer than Lucas expected. He felt it because those words weren't out of hunger. It wasn’t reckless, but honest.

Alex’s eyes stayed on his face, warm and intense at once. Slowly, his thumb lifted and brushed across Lucas’s lower lip. His expression softened even more.

“You have no idea how many times I wondered what it would feel like if we became one again.”

Lucas swallowed.

Alex’s hand slid from his back to his waist and settled there.

“I just hope I'm not dreaming right now. Are you really here with me?”

Lucas swallowed and whispered, “Yes, I'm here with you.” A shy smile curving his lips.

Alex’s thumb trailed over Lucas’s lips once more before he smiled faintly.

“I'm glad you’re here.”

Lucas stared at him. Something in his chest twisted. He raised a hand and covered Alex’s where it rested against his cheek.

“I pray you remember us soon.”

Alex let out a small breath and leaned closer until their noses barely brushed.

“How could I forget this?”

Lucas’s heartbeat stumbled.

Alex looked at him for another second before pressing a slow kiss to the corner of his mouth. It wasn't demanding but it lingered a bit. Like someone savoring the fact that after weeks of waiting, hoping, and wondering, he finally got to hold him again.

Lucas smiled helplessly and whispered to his ear, “You make it sound like I disappeared.”

Alex looked at him with quiet certainty.

“It felt like you did.” His fingers tightened gently at Lucas’s waist.

“And now I found you again.”

Lucas leaned in for more kisses.

At one stage, Alex had to control himself to avoid scaring him off. So later that night, they talked more over a glass of wine.

“How I wish, you would go home with me to our love nest,” Alex said, making a sad face.

“Love nest?” Lucas gazed at him, wondering what he meant.

“Yes, baby, our love nest. A house for me and you. Maybe next time, we will dine there, hmm.” Alex said, kissing his nose.

“Okay, I would like to see it,” Lucas responded cheerfully.

Lucas left later with the guards for the mansion.

He walked into the house carrying a feeling he hadn’t expected to have that night. He felt warmth and his lips still felt strange.

It wasn't because of the kisses themselves, but because he had wanted it.

That realization kept replaying in his mind and for once, the noise in his head felt quieter.

As he opened the door to his room, Derby’s voice poured, “Hey, sweetheart. You’re home at last.”

Lucas paused on his track.

His smile disappeared instantly.

His eyes slowly shifted toward the bed.

Derby sat there in a silk nightgown, relaxed as if she belonged in the room. His shoulders stiffened.

The warmth he carried home vanished.

She stepped down from the bed and smiled.

“How was your outing?”

Lucas closed the door behind him and looked at her.

“What are you doing here, Derby?”

His tone made her pause. Her smile weakened but she recovered quickly. Then she walked on.

“I’m your wife, Lucas.” She spread her hands slightly in annoyance.