Chapter 10 Necessity.

Chapter 10 Necessity.
Chapter 10.
Necessity.
Alicia turns around and stares at him with tears in her eyes.
“You’re so foolish, Lucas, how can’t you realize you’re jealous? So much so that you haven't even noticed that this…” she points to the mark on her neck with her index finger. “is a bite mark. Deny it all you want, but you and I know that you don't see me as a niece. No matter how much you try to hurt me, you won't make me see you differently, or think differently. You were the one who taught me to fight for what I want. I love you, and I can't avoid this feeling, nor can you.”
Alicia grabs her things and leaves, abandoning Lucas in complete agony.
Dawn.
The small sting from the previous night's disdain and the morning's flirtation have activated something latent in Lucas. He sees the flowers and chocolates Alicia has received; gifts from a supposed admirer at the university. The sight of these attentions from others inflames his authority.
When Alicia enters that night, she finds him in the living room, asleep on the sofa, just as he found her the night before, but this time, with a lightness in her clothing that reminds her of her provocation. She approaches and finds a blanket for him, covering him, she leaves a short kiss on his lips and a soft caress on his cheek, as she moves away.
“I love you so much.” Alicia’s voice is melancholic, loaded with longing and sadness, which cloud her heart.
Days later.
Lucas arrives home, noticing a floral arrangement in the entrance addressed to Alicia. Seeing such a detail, he approaches and, without hesitation, throws the roses into the wastebasket, looking at her with disdain.
“Why?” Alicia asks, her voice full of confusion.
Lucas, sensing her, turns around, focusing on her intently.
“Who sent them to you, who?” His voice is low, dangerous, charged with a possessiveness he can no longer conceal.
“I don’t know, uncle, but they are very beautiful. It might be an admirer from the university,” she says, standing up with studied slowness, her green eyes defiant. “I also wish to meet him.”
That is too much. Lucas takes her by the neck with a firm hand, pulling her closer until their faces are inches apart, in a lethal proximity. “Does this amuse you? Do you like to annoy me?” His hot breath pressing against Alicia’s lips.
She, for her part, takes his hand resting on her neck and slowly removes it, without stopping focusing on him. “Why would I want to annoy you, uncle? I’m just happy to feel flattered as a woman and not be treated like a child.”
She takes a step forward so close to his lips that the brush is an electric shock, causing an unsettling sensation in both. She tries to move away, takes the roses from the wastebasket and attempts to leave the spot, when suddenly, Lucas acts on instinct, traps her from behind and presses her against his body, snatching the bouquet of flowers from her.
“What are you doing, uncle, give them to me!”
In an abrupt turn, he presses her against him with such force that the fabric of their clothes cannot hide the deliberate contact of his crotch against her rear. “Stay still, Alicia.”
“No, they’re mine!” she struggles, the physical contact elevating the adrenaline of both.
“If you want flowers, I will give you flowers. I forbid you to receive gifts from anyone from outside.”
“This is ridiculous, you can’t…!” Amidst the struggle, Lucas’s strength and Alicia’s resistance cause both to lose their balance and fall to the floor.
Lucas receives her, cushioning the fall. He holds her tightly by the head and back, trapping her against him. Their gazes cross again, agitated, filled with a repressed tension that now explodes. They are so close that his ragged breath caresses her hair. For an instant, she caresses his cheek, delighting in the sensation of his rough beard. There is a closeness they cannot avoid, their lips brush, causing an electric shock that envelops them in a soft kiss, which intensifies, becoming more exciting, more addictive, a constant brushing of their lips, which pauses for only a few seconds in search of breath, and continues for one more instant, until a familiar voice echoes from the great hall.
“Alicia, my child, come down, dinner is ready.”
She gives him a short kiss and stands up, taking the roses from his hands.
“They’re mine.” She says and runs away.
“Alicia.” Lucas exclaims.
“Aaah! Nana, help me, he wants to take my roses.”
“Oh, oh, Child, you’re going to knock me over, I’m too old for these things, calm down.”
The nanny loves seeing them like this, for her it is a sign of relief and amusement.
“Hand them over, Alicia, it’s an order. From now on, you are forbidden to receive gifts from outside, no matter who they are from, I don't want them in the house. Have you understood?”
“That's unfair.” Alicia affirms, focusing on him with a raised eyebrow.
“I have spoken, you will obey my orders.”
She looks at him and he at her, both pretending that what happened a few minutes ago did not happen.
“Well, well, sit down and eat, come on, finish this.”
They both take their places at the table, facing each other, as if nothing had happened, but with their adrenaline pumping.
For a few minutes, there is only a deafening silence, a tense and momentary peace. When suddenly, a familiar voice, breaks the silence.
“I’m sorry, there was a lot of traffic, I’m late.” Carolina declares. Her presence, disarming Alicia. “Hello, my love.” She gives Lucas a kiss on the lips, causing Alicia one more blow to her heart. “Alicia, how are you, dear?”
“Fine, forgive the question, what are you doing here?” Alicia is direct, without pretense.
“Oh, I’m sorry! Did Lucas not tell you? He invited me to spend the weekend with you, I’m going to stay here, isn’t that wonderful? We can share as a family.”
Alicia focuses on him directly, both look at each other with such tension and intensity, that it envelops them in their own bubble.
“He didn’t tell me anything, I don’t know if he planned to say it before or after putting his tongue…” Lucas firmly bangs the table, silencing her.
“It is a decision I made, I don’t have to inform you of my matters, you are my guest, she as my niece, doesn't have to interfere.”
Alicia nods with a mixture of anger and resignation.
“You’re right, uncle, I apologize, I have misunderstood things. Carolina, welcome! Have a nice evening. Excuse me.”
Alicia stands up, her heart pounding, she runs up the stairs, leaving Lucas and Carolina in a palpable tension.
“What’s wrong with Alicia?” Before Lucas can answer, his cell phone rings with a new message from Alicia, “If you don’t want me as a woman then don’t get in the way if another man wants to try.”