A Perfect Darkness by Jaime Rush Page B

distance. She knew the feel of this dream, and she anxiously searched for him. Lucas always brought some beautiful place with him, and here he had chosen a spot that spoke to her soul. But where was he?
    She saw him up ahead, his hands draped above him on a branch, his body relaxed but eyes sparking with desire. All these months she couldn’t see his face, and now she saw all of him: his strong jawline, captivating eyes, and waves of dark hair. He wore a button-down blue shirt that was open to reveal a sculpted chest, and old and comfortable blue jeans tight enough to show muscular thighs. Her heart raced as she came to a momentary stop, taking him in. His mouth quirked in a subtle smile as he released the branch.
    As though something broke loose inside her, she ran to him. Her body slammed into his and her hands went to his face, and then up into his hair, and their mouths collided. His hands moved over her, as though he couldn’t get enough of her. They moved in circles, getting dizzy and devouring each other.
    â€œLucas,” she said on a breath, just wanting to loseherself in the fact that he was real and here with her, loving her.
    Framing her face with his hands, he looked at her as though etching every feature into his memory. “God, it’s good to see you. Are you all right?”
    She kissed him again, not wanting to get into everything, not able to get into so much of it. None of that mattered right then. She wanted him, to touch her, inside of her.
    When they took a breath, she said, “Why did you hide your face from me all these months?”
    â€œJust in case we ever happened to run into each other. Wouldn’t that have freaked you out?”
    â€œYes,” she admitted. “But I would have gotten over it. And then—”
    â€œNo, it had to stay just like it was.”
    â€œWhy?”
    His fingers massaged her scalp, sending pleasurable sensations through her body. “It’s just better this way.”
    Words begging him to tell her where he was threatened to pour out, but he kissed her and stole them away. Still, she had to know…
    â€œLucas, are you all right? Are they still—”
    â€œI don’t want to talk about what’s going on here. I want to get lost in you while I can.”
    He began to kiss her again, but she pulled back. “While you can? What does that mean?”
    He closed his eyes, obviously regretting those words. “We won’t ever be together, love,” he said, warming her heart with his endearment and crushing it with the words preceding it. “Except for here, for now. Maybe I’m selfish for wanting you when I can’t give myself to you—”
    â€œNo, Lucas, don’t even say that. I’m the selfish one, because I want to save you so you’ll be mine, so we—”
    He kissed those words away, too, and she tasted sorrow and regret. He pulled away to look at her. “I want you, but when I’m gone, when I don’t come anymore, I want you to forget me.”
    She couldn’t pretend to agree with that. “What about Eric and Petra? Can’t you give me some clue to give to them?”
    â€œI don’t want them hurt either. This is my problem.”
    She wasn’t going to mention that Eric had said the same thing.
    He held her chin, making her look into his eyes. “You promised you wouldn’t get involved with all this. You’re not, right?”
    How well could she lie in her dreams? “I promise. But—”
    He put his finger over her mouth. “No buts.” He pulled her close and she heard his soft sigh. “I’m sorry about Cyrus. I’m sorry you have to feel this pain.”
    She pulled back. “Why did you say that?”
    He gave her that provocative Mona Lisa smile. “Remember when I told you we weren’t strangers?”
    â€œHow could I forget? But that’s because we’ve…well, the dreams.