Chapter 35

Azalea’s Pov.

I felt my breath hitch as I looked up into those warm eyes of his. The soft golden glow of the light cast on his face, and all I could see on Lucas right now was determination. I carefully reached over and caressed his face, and that was all it took for Lucas' restraints to break free.

His hands found my waist, drawing me close, his touch searing through the fabric of my clothes. I barely had time to catch my breath before his lips were on mine, desperate and hungry.

It was almost as if we were making up for all the time we had lost, all the moments we could’ve had but fate had intercepted. Now, there wasn’t anything to stop it.

Lucas tasted like mints, his firm hand on my back spreading warmth on my skin. At that moment, the outside world had ceased to exist as our lips moved in sync. Lucas' kiss was passionate and hungry, mixed with a blend of sweetness and urgency that left me eager for more of him.

I could practically melt in his touch right now. I carefully traced my hands up his arms, reveling in the touch of his bulging biceps. My fingertips danced across his neck all the way to his hair. I ran my fingers through his soft blonde hair and tugged him closer to me until I felt his muscular body pressed against mine.

It was as if a dam had burst, flooding us with all the pent-up emotions we had.

Lucas backed me against the wall, his body pressing against mine, each touch sending shivers down my spine. Lucas trailed his hands down my curves before grabbing my hips. He picked me up and wrapped my legs around his waist as he moved to press me against the wall. His hands roamed my body and, like his lips, they explored and claimed me.

"God, I missed you," he murmured against my lips between kisses, his breath hot and ragged.

I pulled away from the kiss and gently caressed his face. I stared at him, admiring my dearest Lucas. I carefully traced the outline of his jaw, and he only smiled and brought my hand to his lips. He placed soft kisses on the palm of my hand and continued to look at me.

Lucas smiled briefly, then started kissing me again. I felt the butterflies in my stomach swirl with excitement. Oh, it had been far too long. Lucas carried me to his couch and gently put me down as he came to hover above me. A hand of mine slowly traced down his back. God, he had gotten so much more muscular over time, it was unbelievable.

What I would’ve given back in the day to share such a heated kiss with Lucas, my best friend. I gasped as I felt his fingers dance on the bare skin of my collarbone, heading down and ghosting over the top of my breasts. I closed my eyes as his hand moved down further and further.

I tugged him down for a kiss yet again and kissed him hard. Lucas' hand moved over my breasts, where he gently squeezed me, eliciting a moan from me. My leg was loosely wrapped around him, and I slid it over his body.

Lucas kissed down the side of my neck, the kisses slow and passionate. It was like he was making the best of this moment, which I truly appreciated. He kissed the spot right under my ear, his tongue darting out and shooting waves of pleasure down to my core.

It was then I came to my senses and jumped to sit up instantly. I pulled away, and Lucas immediately moved his hand from my midriff and gently brought it to my face. He stroked my face and looked at me with an inquisitive look.

“Is something wrong?” Lucas asked tentatively, still staring at me with heart eyes.

“Lucas, I don’t want to mess this up,” I admitted and looked at him with a soft expression. I was speaking the truth, but there was more to it. If I didn’t secure this deal, I’d be leaving him once again, and Lucas made it clear that he did not want to change his job. He loved the hard work on the farms, and I didn’t blame him for it. He was damn good at it.

“I understand,” Lucas smiled, not a single worry on his face. “I got in way over my head,” he admitted and began to sit up. He respectfully fixed my dress, then pulled me to sit up too.

“Please don’t feel guilty, I was the one that kissed you back with just as much need,” I was quick to say, patting his back as I stared at him. “Your kisses are so damn perfect,” I confessed. If only time could stay still like this if it could be just Lucas, Lynn, and me. How perfect that would be.

“You’re perfect,” Lucas leaned over and kissed the side of my face. “But you’re right, I don’t want to mess this up either,” he said as he reached to hold my hand in his. “I want to give us a proper chance, so I will do all the steps necessary to get there,” Lucas said with determination swirling in his eyes.

“Lucas, how the hell did you change so much?” I asked before I could properly think. I didn’t mean to let the words come out loud. But they were already spoken, and I thought he’d be affected by them, but instead, he just smiled at me weakly.

“Because I realized living without you was agonizing,” Lucas confessed with a gentle smile on his lips. “No matter how much I tried to be angry at you, it came back to me because I was the one who let you go. I let you go again in Philadelphia, but I had plans to see you again,” he then revealed, and a frown formed on my face.

“You had plans?” I asked.

“I was going to put in a transfer,” Lucas told me, and I tried not to gasp in surprise. “Not for Philadelphia, for Austin when you had moved to Dallas. Austin is still a lot closer to Dallas compared to this place,” he then explained, and all I could think about was how he’d actually try. He truly wanted this. “I remember Richie had an interest in me, and I actually planned on calling him this weekend to see if he still had that offer for me,” he said in a shrugging manner as if it was nothing.

“You would’ve moved for me?” I realized and just couldn’t stop staring at him.

“I would’ve tried, yes,” Lucas corrected me, but still, it was more than he would’ve done in the past.

“Oh, Lucas,” I smiled and reached over to caress his face.

“Come on, I prepared dinner for us,” Lucas got up and took my hand in his. He brought me to the dining room. His house sure had changed a lot. It looked a lot cozier and warmer now compared to when it was just him and his dad. It had more of a bachelor pad vibe then.

I remember he had told me his father retired and moved back to their family. Lucas had been alone here for the past three years, and surprisingly, he made a home of the house.

“Your dining room is stunning,” I admitted, admiring the photos on the wall.

“Thank you, I had a bit of free time and wanted this place to feel like a proper home,” he said and pulled the chair for me. I thanked him quietly and sat down.

“Now, I’m not the best cook, but I did whip us up some spaghetti and garlic bread,” Lucas said as he walked back to the kitchen.

“Oh, it smells lovely,” I smiled. “Need me to help with anything?” I offered.

“Nope, just sit your pretty ass down and let me treat you,” he scoffed.

I smiled and watched as he put everything on the table, including some wine. Lucas then sat down, and we began to eat. The food was tasty and truly surprised me. Living on his own had changed him, he claimed. When it was time for dessert, he had some ice cream and apple pie from the farmer’s market.

It was every bit perfect, and talking to Lucas again was amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better night. I knew for sure that if Lynn had been here, she’d be laughing endlessly from all the stories Lucas told me.

“Thank you so much for dinner, Lucas,” I hugged him tightly.

“Of course, Azzie, I hope the deal works out because I can get used to having you in my life again,” he admitted.

“Me too,” I smiled and grabbed his hand.

After dinner, Lucas walked me back to the guesthouse. Lucas was careful with the route he picked so we’d stay out of sight of the ranch. It was only in case Laura or Damon or anyone else would spot us.

“Have a good night,” I wished Lucas.

“You too, Azzie,” he smiled and gave my hand a quick squeeze. He couldn’t risk kissing out here, so this was the best we could do. Lucas then left, and I entered the house and found Rowan on the couch with a beer and the TV on.

“A soap opera?” I teased and grabbed a beer to join him too.

“Don’t judge me, I need it after the long day I had,” he narrowed his eyes on me.

“Did the dinner go terribly?” I wondered.

“No, in fact, it went great,” Rowan straightened up. “The mother let it slip by accident that they lost their main partner when it comes to the wine, and they also lost the main dairy fabric,” he then mentioned, sharing all he has gathered.

“Those were two of the largest incomes that they used to have,” I realized.

“Exactly.

The mother knows nothing of business, but they did just expose their cards to us,” Rowan shook his head in disbelief. “They are desperate, Azalea, and they’re trying to hold onto the wealth they have and aren’t willing to invest it into the company,” he continued. I was well aware of their several vacation homes, and it didn’t surprise me that they didn’t want to make offers.

“That’s good for us,” I said with a smirk. “We can strike up a deal and take everything fair and square,” I continued and smiled about it.

“Mhm, it’s just those two. From what I’ve gathered, the two younger siblings took their inheritance and left,” Rowan explained, and I nodded along. That explained why they weren’t here.

“I see… I can think of several ways to flip this place around. Thank you for everything, Rowan,” I said sincerely.