Page 20 of Lumi

CHAPTER4

Cross-Fit

Damian

I woke up on my stomach, and as soon as I opened my eyes and saw my hand, I knew something was wrong. The handcuffs were still on my wrist, but the other part was dangling over the bedside, empty.

“Lumi.” I pushed up and looked around when I noticed the sound of running water coming from the bathroom.

Getting out of bed, I walked to Lumi’s small guest toilet in the hallway to empty my bladder, and as soon as she came out of the bathroom, I went in to get my morning shower.

I’d left the handcuffs on the bed because I knew I’d need my right hand to start me off on a good note.

Letting my inner movie screen roll, I brought back the memory of a random woman I’d seen walking down the street a few days ago. She’d been in a hurry and hadn’t seen me, but the way her sweater suggested the curve of her breasts, and the jiggle of her unselfconscious walk, had been sexy as hell. I closed my eyes and imagined what her body might feel like, but then another image popped into my mind, making me frown. It was the mental clip of when Lumi walked out of the bathroom before, with her long wet hair hanging down her back, and her wearing nothing but the white towel wrapped around her. I groaned as I remembered her curves and long legs.

Don’t go there!

I forced myself to think of the stranger again, using my imagination to play a sexy movie of her and me.

Five minutes later, I dried my body in Lumi’s large fluffy towels that smelled of lavender detergent. I should feel guilty about her being part of my sexual fantasies, but at least I knew it had once been the same for her. My vault of memories brought up one memory that she and I had never spoken of since it happened.

July –Eleven Years Ago

“I’ve packed everythin’ for the beach,” my sister, Kit, said and pointed to the things by the door.

“Maximum and Nathan are brushin’ their teeth, and River is finishing her breakfast. I want to leave in thirty minutes. Will ye check to see if Lumi is awake?”

I nodded and took the stairs two steps at a time. Lumi’s room was the third door on the left, and with a single knock, I opened the door and stepped in.

Lumi wasn’t sleeping. She was in a t-shirt, red-faced and out of breath. With frantic movements, she pulled her cover higher to cover her panties, but it was too late. The glimpse I’d seen had told me why she was flushed and embarrassed.

“I’m sorry,” I said and was about to retreat when a familiar sound made me stiffen and widen my eyes in confusion. Lumi’s laptop was open, and I couldn’t see the screen, but I still knew what she was watching.

My voice played from an interview I’d given on the news after I saved her life last November.

We stared at each other. Lumi, with clear mortification on her face. Me, with surprise and shock.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated and backed out of the room.

Standing outside her door, I closed my eyes and rubbed my face.Fock!

The thought that Lumi had pleasured herself to a video of me made me dizzy. I couldn’t decide if I was flattered or disturbed. She was seventeen years old, and even though sex between us would be legal, I felt dirty just thinking about it. I loved everyone in this house and couldn’t hurt them by touching Lumi after she’d already been traumatized. Besides, I was in a relationship.

I backed away from her door and hurried back downstairs.

“Was she awake?” Kit asked as she walked past me with a bag in her hands.

“Lumi is awake.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“Did ye tell her to get ready?”

“Mhmm.” I walked into the kitchen and wrote a quick text to Lumi.

Damian: We’re leaving for the beach in 25. Get ready!

Lumi: I’m never leaving my room again. EVER!

Damian: I’ll keep your secret if you go to the beach with us. Otherwise, I’ll have to tell Kit why you’re upset.