Page 18 of Searching for Sadie (Mystic Falls #5)

LUCAS

As he rounded the corner he tried to look out of the window at the top of the door, but whoever it was wasn't tall enough to see. As he turned the handle and opened the door a wide grin spread across his face because it exactly who he was hoping it would be.

"Hey there, neighbor," he said as he folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the door frame.

Her deep brown eyes met his as she gave him a crooked smile with half her lip trapped between her teeth, and damn, all he wanted to do was kiss her again.

"Do you want to come in?"

"Yeah."

He pushed off the door frame and held the door open inviting her in.

As she walked in, she took in his space. What he would give to know what she was thinking. He'd done a lot of work on his house over the years.

"Wow, this is just like my aunt's house, but nothing like my aunt's house," she said with wide eyes, taking it all in.

"Yeah, they have the same lay out, but I've put in some upgrades over the years."

"It looks really nice."

There was something about her that he couldn't quite put his finger on. She seemed... "Have you been drinking?"

The cutest little giggle bubbled out of her. She turned to him with a grin and nodded her head. "I was at book club and Hannah kept filling my glass."

"Book club, huh? I didn't know book clubs had alcohol."

"Only the best ones."

"Can I get you something to drink? Alcohol or otherwise."

"I think I'll just have some water."

"Coming right up."

He made his way into the kitchen and got her a glass of water. When he came back, she was in the living room looking at the guitar in the corner.

"Do you play?" she asked.

"No, I can play a few chords for a couple songs, but that's all. Do you play?"

She nodded. The wistful expression that crossed her face wasn't lost on him. "Play me something."

She shook her head slightly.

"Why not?"

She sat down on the couch and looked up at him with that plump bottom lip trapped between her teeth again. He sat next to her and waited for the answer.

"I haven't played since everything went down in Nashville."

"You're a songwriter, aren't you?"

"No, I'm a waitress."

"Bullshit."

"It's true. I work the lunch shift at Mae's tomorrow." The playful innocent smile she shot at him warmed his heart.

"You know what I mean. Let me hear something."

"You really want to hear something?"

"More than anything," he said before he got up and brought her the guitar. "I'm sure it needs to be tuned but give it a go."

She took it and strummed a few chords and fidgeted with the knobs before playing a chord she was satisfied with.

Then she took a deep breath and closed her eyes and started strumming the guitar. It was a good thing they were closed because he couldn't take his gaze off her. She was incredible. Then she started to hum a melody that made his heart thump in his chest.

Her head began to sway as she hummed and played. He was riveted. She was beautiful.

After one final slow strum she opened her eyes and looked at him. He had no idea what his face looked like. He could only imagine it was filled with as much awe as he currently felt.

"That was beautiful."

"It's just a little something I was playing with."

"You're so talented. I mean, I've heard you sing Dolly, but I'd love to hear something of your own."

She cocked her head to the side as a pain expression flitted across her face. He didn't like that one bit, but then she said, "Why are you so wonderful?"

That statement wrapped around him like a warm hug. "You're pretty wonderful yourself, Songbird."

As he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear the want to kiss her was beginning to feel overpowering.

Even though they'd kissed last night on the swing he wasn't sure what she wanted from this.

He knew what he wanted. He wanted to spend more time with her and take her on dates.

Wanted to kiss her again and feel all her supple curves under his hands.

Wanted to listen to her sing. Wanted her in his life cheering him on, but more than anything he just wanted to be there for her.

She shifted beside him, gently setting down his guitar. "Lucas," she said in a tentative voice that he was almost ashamed to admit started to tent his pants.

"I had a really nice time at book club. All the women there were so wonderful and supportive."

He nodded. "Good I'm glad."

"And also had a really good time last night," she said. Her gaze pinned him in place.

He nodded his head again, ever so slightly. "I did too," he said barely above a whisper.

The energy in the room had shifted. She had to feel it too, but he still wasn't sure.

But then she sunk her teeth into her bottom lip and placed her hand on top of his.

His heart thumped in his chest as his hands itched to hold her and pull her close.

He watched as she licked her lips and scooted just a little closer.

Just the small contact of their laced fingers was everything.

As his thumb started to slowly graze along her hand, she looked up at him with her big deep brown eyes.

He turned to her a bit more fully and brought his hand up to cup her face.

Leaning into his hand, she let out a shaky breath.

Was it possible she was just as turned on as he was?

Slowly he lowered and pressed his lips to hers.

This was their second kiss, but it felt just as magical as it had last night.

But then she scooted closer to him, opened her mouth, and teased his lips with her tongue.

He opened to her as she kissed him. It was just as good as he had imagined it would be.

His arms slid around her waist pulled her closer as their kiss deepened.

The feel of her soft waist as she sucked on his bottom lip just about did him in.

Her hand that had been cupping his jaw scratched through his beard before traveling up and fisting into his blond hair.

A groan escaped his throat as he pulled her closer, and to his pleasant surprise she moved over him and climbed onto his lap.

Fuck yeah , he thought as his hand settled on her hips and pulled her closer.

Both of her hands were wrapped around his neck as she deepened the kiss.

He wasn't sure what'd changed her mind. But he knew she'd had a little too much wine, so it would be not going any further than this, even if he was more than ready to whisk her up to his bed and undress her and spend the night exploring her wonderland of a body.

She pulled away and sat up slightly out of breath. Her cheeks were a little flush and her lips looked perfectly kissed.

"Damn, you're so hot," he said as his rough hand rubbed her thighs.

A small furrow appears between her brows. He didn't care for it one bit. "What is it?"

"Nothing," she said as she dipped her head to kiss him again.

"Sadie?" he asked again as he pulled back, searching her eyes for what was wrong.

With a slight shake of her head she said, "You don't have to say things like that."

"Things like what?"

Her brow furrowed even more, and she broke eye contact. "Things like I'm hot. It's fine."

"What? I'm just stating facts here, Songbird."

She closed her eyes and shook her head. While he wasn't sure exactly what happened on the show, it was obvious it had shaken her confidence. Maybe this was part of that.

"Sadie," he said. But she wouldn't look at him, she just sat there chewing on her lip.

"Hey," he said in a low voice before moving one of his hands up to cup her chin. "What's going on?"

She moved to get off his lap and while part of him wanted to hold her there and keep the contact, he would, without question, give her the space she needed.

"Does this have something to do with the show?"

Her shoulders raised in a sigh as she blew out a breath and hugged her body and gave a barely perceivable nod. Slowly he rubbed her back and waited for her to take another breath.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Sadie, you have no reason to be sorry."

"I ruined it."

"No," he said firmly. "You didn't ruin anything. Do you hear me?"

She looked over at him and a corner of her mouth turned up into a slight smile.

"Now, I do think you're hot, and that's just something you're going to have to deal with. But everything else is in your court. I like you and I'm always here, right next door."

She flung her arms around his neck and nuzzled into the spot between his shoulder and her neck.

He held her close for as long as she needed.

What happened on the show was a mystery, but he still found himself wanting to kick someone's ass.

.. he just wasn't sure whose yet. He was willing to wager when the show aired, he would know precisely who.

He held her close, and she melted into him. She felt so good in his arms. And even if they had a long way to go, he was beginning to think she would be worth all the work.

"I like you too," she said barely loud enough for him to hear.

That was it. She would be his, he knew that now.

All he needed to do was figure out what she needed to get over whatever had happened in the show.

But he was a patient man, and he would gladly wait if it meant he got a chance with her.

All he needed was a chance. Some might call him cocky, but he knew once he had her, he would take such good care of her, she'd never let him go.

"I think I better go," Sadie said as she sat up.

"I'm glad you stopped by," he said, as they both stood from the couch.

He walked her to the door with her hand in his.

"Goodnight Lucas." When she reached up on her toes to kiss him goodbye. His arms slid around her for a quick embrace as he deepened the kiss before pulling away.

"Good night, Sadie."

He leaned against the door frame and watched her walk across their driveways.

When she got to her door she turned. Their eyes connected, as if they were both acknowledging what had just happened.

He wagged his eyebrow, and a bright smile beamed across her face.

His eyes stayed glued to her as she opened the door and slipped inside.

This was not how he thought his night would go, but he was thrilled.

"That's right Songbird," he said into the warm night air before turning and heading back inside.