Lia's POV:-

"Isn't it a little too early, to start feeling me up?"

I feel Luke's lips on my eyes. "How come you're so soft?" his hand slowly glides up my spine.

"Luke," I complain, opening one eye sleepily. "It's still dark outside. Come back to sleep," I put out my hand, and put his face in my neck. He moves my hair away, and presses his mouth to the side of my neck.

"I'm going for a run. Come with me," his teeth grazes my neck. I moan softly.

"Lia wake up." His voice is a cajoling whisper. I stubbornly shake my head no, persistent to go back to sleep. His teeth graze my jaw, immediately replaced by soft wet kisses.

"I'll be doing push-ups by the lake," he tempts me. I breathe out irritated, and open my eyes. Momentarily I forget what was going on, and just stare. Luke, bare chest, hair ruffled, bright green eyes, pink mouth curled into an triumphant smile. 

"You can do push-ups over me," I suggest. He grins and slowly shakes his head. I scowl. He knows, I get all raunchy and excited when he does push-ups. 

"Afterwards, we can shower together like you said," his heavy voice, rumbles through me. "I will lather soap from here," he starts at the bottom of my thighs, "to here," he spreads his hands over my butt, "then here," he's licking my earlobe and stroking my waist, "and my favorite. Here," his thumbs nudging my nipple.

He observes my face amused. I must probably looking like I'm about to get a cardiac arrest. "But we'll run first," he says innocently.

"You are such a pain," I grumble looking at ceiling.

 "What are you thinking?" he asks after a while.

"That I've got to pee," I blurt out. Why am I so sexy?

"I was hoping for a more kinkier thought, but go ahead," he bumps his hip with me. 

"I'm using your toothbrush," I inform, disappearing into the bathroom. I quickly freshen up, and use his comb to brush out my hair, and neatly braid it this time. Luke was lying on the bed, hands crossed behind his head.

"Hey, get your lazy ass up," I throw a towel at him. He catches it, and gets up, slapping my ass on his way. I clip on my bra, and put on Luke's hoodie over my head because it's chilly in the morning. 

I'm all done, by the time Luke comes out of the bathroom. Like a lecherous creep, I watch Luke put on a sweatpants over his boxers. I bite my lip at the taut muscles of his thighs. He puts on a white tshirt, and straps on his sports watch.

"Ready?" I ask standing up. He nods, and takes my hand. 

I don't know whether it's the city, or the way Luke showed me the city, but I fell in love with it. Luke showed me all his favorite spots, ordinary spots that weren't worth sightseeing the other day. He showed me his favorite café, the library he visits, the tree under which he would read his books. I memorized it all, feeling like his special someone with whom he can share anything. And I love being that special someone. All cheesiness and cringe aside. 

"This is where I come, to gawk at pretty girls," he says stopping in front of the lake, where girls in boy shorts and tight tanks, were doing hamstring stretches. I pinch his arm, then punch it.

"Sorry sorry," he laughs. "I'm just kidding. I usually spend my early mornings, working on my codes."

"This is such a lovely place," I say breathing in the fresh air. I don't understand how Luke stays cooped up in his room. If it was me, I'd be out in the sun everyday.

It's all about priorities.. my subconscious says like a smart-ass.

"Do you have to go today?" Luke asks meekly from beside me. My stomach folds in half on seeing his forlorn face. "Trust me, I don't want to go," I say with a sad smile, pushing away the sweat-slicked hair from his forehead.

"Can't you stay for another day? Maybe two? Or better yet, a whole week. Then I'll drive you back," Luke says hopefully.

"Hey, you're the one who taught me to take school work seriously," I poke his chest. "Don't confuse me."

"Alright," he mumbles.

During the walk back, Luke sulked. I tried to cheer him up, by making the most inappropriate jokes, but no luck. 

"Okay. Only if you stop sulking like a cow, you're allowed to join me in the shower," I warn, tossing off my shoes and going into the bathroom. I step under the cold water, yelping when it burned my hot skin. I loosen my hair, and soak it washing off the sweat. The curtains part and Luke steps in.

"Hey," he says coyly.

"Hello," I reply amused, foaming shampoo in my hair. He steps closer, and starts to wash my hair. I let him, feeling too lazy.

"You won't even consider staying?"

I turn around to scold, but stop on seeing his playful expression. "Dumbass," I mutter smiling.

I move and give him space under water. I watch fascinated as his hair tries to fight the water by spilling it off at first, but soon soak up in defeat. Water droplets obscenely slide down his body, enticing me to lick them away. His fingers comb back the wet locks, his eyes hungrily roaming across me. I see a flash of the caveman inside Luke, and all my erogenous zones tingle together.

"Now that we've warmed up, it's time for the main exercise," Luke says, his eyes glinting with mischief. His tongue licks off the water droplets from my collarbone. He spreads some body-wash on my back. My senses get filled with the smell of lemongrass and something minty. 

Water is an intruder in our kiss, slipping into our mouths, getting caught between our tongues. Luke rubs my shoulders, his hands slippery from bubbles. I press more firmly against his stomach, sliding my tongue against him till he groaned. 

His thumb tilts up my face. His fingers scoop away the hair matted across my shoulder. He presses open mouth kisses down my neck, to my chest, above the fleshy parts of my breasts. I moan loudly when he bites down. His hands are on my hipbone, holding me in place. I am panting wildly, the continuous shower of water making it more difficult to breathe. At this rate I'll fog up the bathroom. 

His hand cup me between my thighs, and I shiver so hard that I have to take support of the wall. I take hold of him, and we let out twin groans. He thrusts into my hand, his hand wrapped around my shoulder blade, his face in my neck.

"Lia," he breathes. His hands grip my hand, stopping me. His eyes darken every passing second. He turns me around, kissing the back of my neck. The cool tiles press against my stomach, as I'm sandwiched between him and the wall. "Luke, quit teasing," I whimper, when he cups my breasts. I turn my head, and he kisses me, his hands toying with my girlie parts.

"After this even if you drown me, I won't hold it against you," I gasp. Luke breathes a laugh, and kisses beneath my ear.

....................

"That's all you're gonna offer?"

I look at Luke with puppy-eyes. "No Lia," he shakes his head. "You know, what happened the last time I cooked."

"But seriously, I need more food," I shake the box of cereal at him annoyed. "I'm very hungry after you took out all your pent-up frustration and stress on me, which may I remind you, was a lot. I think, I've got carpet burns... Don't fucking look so smug."

Luke arranges his face to a blank one. "Look, I offered to take you out for breakfast. You denied. I'm allowing you to raid the kitchen, which you again refused. I am a horrible cook. What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to cook," I say simply.

"Didn't you hear what I just said?" he asks irritated.

"Luke, just make me toast and omelet. That's all I'm asking. Pretty please," I use my sweetest face and cutest smile. He narrows his eyes at me, "Fine. If it tastes bad, I'm not liable."

Watching Luke cook is a whole level of entertainment. He carefully cuts some vegetables, in agonizing perfection. Then cracks three eggs into a bowl, uses a knife to remove eggshells.

Noobs, I scoff in my head.

I stifle a laugh when he frowns at the bowl, as if asking it "Why can't you get cooked yourself?" He adds salt, pepper, and the vegetables, and whisks it. My phone rings, when Luke was pouring the batter into a pan.

"It's your mom," I say to Luke. "Hey Jane. Good morning," I greet, picking up the call.

"Morning dear," she says, sounding awake. "Where are you?"

"Oh, Luke called me to join him for a morning jog," I answer smoothly. Luke hides his smile behind his fist.

"That's good.. I was just deciding to get some breakfast."

"You should come here. Luke's cooking," I grin at Luke's disturbed expression.

"Dear Lord no," Jane laughs. "I'll rather eat out."

"Wise choice."

"Speaking of Lord, it's Sunday. Shall we all go to church?"

So that my scandalous, immoral, corrupt self, combusts into ashes? Sounds perfect.

"Sure, of course," I shrug. "Here, talk to Luke. He'll finalize it."

Luke takes my phone, all the while keeping an alert eye on his omelet.

"Yes, that'll be no problem," he says, bending down to analyze his dish closer. The phone is pressed between his shoulder and ear, while he carefully flips the omelet and looks at it victorious. 

"Okay, got it," he hangs up and returns my phone. 

"Your mom likes me lot," I muse.

"She does. You don't try too hard," Luke says taking out a plate. 

"I'll take that as a, compliment?"

"It is babe," he says putting away the pan. "You are yourself, and you let others be themselves. It's refreshing," Luke puts the steaming plate in front of me. I give a beguiling grin and dig in.

"Hmm.." I mull over it, chewing slowly to antagonize him. "It's better than last time," I declare. He fist-bumps the air and takes a fork to try it himself. I grab the salt shaker and sprinkle some over it.

"It's decent," he summarizes swallowing. "You won't fall asleep in the church, would you?"

"Fosho," I grin mouthful. Luke leans over and wipes a bread crumb, from the corner of my mouth.

I get up to get some juice from the fridge.

"Regarding that threesome."

My head bangs on the fridge's ceiling so hard, that all the bottles rattle loudly.  

"How serious are you about that?" Luke asks calmly, cutting a square of omelet using his fork. I close the fridge, watching him chew with an archly look.

"Julian, and his fucking big mouth," I curse closing my eyes. "Wait a sec," I hold up my finger, and take out my phone. Dylan was visiting this weekend, and Julian had texted me this morning. Which means they're definitely going to do it, or better yet, they are doing it. So, I send him a little text present.

"Luke, I was tipsy, and I was babbling stupidly," I explain sitting in front of him.

"That's a bummer. I was hoping you were serious," he says gravely, making my eyebrows raise. "But let's not take chances. I don't want you ending up in a circus cage."

I give him a pissed look, "Since when were you and Julian so buddy-buddy?"

"You have my mom to tell you embarrassing stuff about me. I think it's only fair-  Baby your phone's ringing."

"Let it be," I dismiss, not needing to look to know it's Julian.

"Very well. I was just saying-" His phone starts to ring, and he picks it up before I could protest. I could hear Julian's annoyed whining.

"You sent Julian, a picture of a dead vagina?" he asks me, amused. "He says he can't get an erection."

"Excellent," I nod solemnly.

..................

"GPS says turn right," I signal at the next turn.

"I can't believe you haven't been to church yet," Jane scolds from the back seat. Luke doesn't argue, just continues to drive. 

"Drive straight," I say looking into the map. "We're almost there."

St. Xavier's Cathedral was a cute, quiet, place. Apparently people are really busy around here, cause it looked like a regular weekday. I mean there were some families huddling outside on the steps, some already seated and singing hymns. But considering it's size, it could definitely handle many more people. 

My face is a picture of glee, when I see the street vendors across the streets. Luke shakes his head amused as if saying Not now baby, and guides me towards the steps of the church. He always kept his hands on me. They either spread on my lower back, or on my waist, or weaved themselves with my fingers. Always touching, as if trying to believe I was here.

"Luke look at that little girl," Jane cries, putting a hand over her heart. We stop at the steps, looking at the girl running around in her frock. "She looks just like my Jae," she whispers. 

Luke frowns, "Mom-"

"Oh no, no. I'm fine," she waves him off. "C'mon Lia," she smiles and walks in. I quietly follow behind Luke. We both sit on either side of the Jane. I was glad the seats were near the door, in case I needed a quick escape. 

Jane sucks in a sharp breath. I look at her worried, but she was unblinkingly looking at the altar. Turns out the little girl from before, was in the choir. Luke and I exchange glances over Jane's head.

"Let's leave. C'mon," Luke starts to get up, but Jane shakes her head linking her arms with Luke. Seeing no other choice, we both reluctantly turn towards the Mass. I made it till the ending, without feeling any sudden pain to my heart, or my skin burning like dry paper.

Recessional hymn was being sung, when I heard a sniff. Jane was wiping her nose using a napkin. She was silently crying. Luke puts his hand around her, and she leans against his shoulder sobbing. 

Wanting to give them privacy, I quietly get up and go out. People were chatting around, catching up. I make my way across the street, to buy pretzels.

"There she is." I turn around to see Jane coming out, her eyes and nose bright. People had left, and I was sitting on the steps.

"I'm sorry," she says in an embarrassed laugh, when I stand up. "I feel silly, crying over something so superficial." Luke looks at her gloomily.

"It's okay. You're a mother," I squeeze her hand, offering a comforting smile. Her eyes glitter again, but she blinks them away. "Oh I forgot." I give her the pretzel I bought. She laughs delighted, and kisses my cheek.

"Thank you sweetheart... Now let's go and explore more," she grins and marches to the car. I look at Luke who was already smiling at me. He drops a kiss to my forehead, and follows Jane with a hand wrapped around me.

......................................

"You eat more," Jane firmly says to Luke. "Eat healthy, and drink water, okay? Take it easy honey. Remember, you always have a business as your backup," Jane affectionately touches Luke's ear, but he frowns. 

"Don't deny it Luke," Jane sighs. "You know it already. Just accept it."

I was slowly crawling farther away. We were in the foyer of Luke's building, saying goodbyes. I was dreading this. I didn't want to say goodbye. It would be better if I just jump into the car and drive away, and tell Luke over the phone. That'll be so much easier.

"Lia, don't you dare," Luke calls out, making me jump. He gives me a knowing look, and I wobble back to the pair. Jane chuckles and pats my arm.

"Okay sweetie, I'm gonna go wait in the car. You two say your goodbyes," Jane looks at both of us. "Just please don't start dry-humping in the lobby."

"Mom," Luke groans embarrassed, while I laugh my ass off.

"I can't believe she said humping," Luke drags a hand over his face, leading me to a darker corner.

"I thought no dry-humping," I joke, trying to break the tension. "How could I resist?" Luke gives a half smile. We stand there hands entwined, just staring. I memorize his face, updating his features into my brain, for fresh memories.

"Don't go," Luke whispers. 

"I have to, so that I can come again." I cringe hard at my lame innuendo, but Luke laughs however.

"Make some friends," I spread my hand over his heart. I know Luke hasn't bothered socializing at all. He attends his classes, and reaches the safety of his room before anyone could even try interacting with him.

"Lia, I like being alone. It's you I miss," he takes my hand, kissing the palms and guiding them around his neck, stepping closer. 

"Please take of yourself." I kiss the corner of his mouth. He nods, touching his mouth to mine. His lips move in a slow, wet, slide. He doesn't allow me to go fast. It's like he was teaching me a secret. Something to cling on. 

He opens his mouth, and softly pinches my lower lip with his teeth. I repeat the same to him. But languid kisses aren't enough for me. I turn us around, and press him against the wall, attacking him like a hungry bear.

"Slow down," he laughs pulling away. Annoyance and impatience, makes me clutch the collar of his shirt. "Baby, I can't go in front of my mother with a boner," he smiles. I release his collar, and turn around to lean my back against him.

He cages me in his arm, brushing away my hair to drop kisses to the side of my neck. His hands spread over my stomach, the warmth seeping in through my clothes.

"This is so hard Luke," my voice trembles. 

"I know," he snuggles me against him. 

"You'll visit right?" I sound scared.

"I don't think, I can stay away," he smiles against my skin. 

"I love you," I hold his hands. 

"I love you more," Luke kisses my ear. My heart swells.

"I should go," I stand straight. Luke makes an indignant sound, and tightens his arms. "Luke let go," I laugh. He grudgingly releases me, and we walk out.

It's mid-afternoon. "About time kids," Jane says absently, scrolling through her phone. Luke presses a final kiss to my hair.

"Bye sweetie," Jane smiles. "Take care." Luke nods, putting his hands in his pocket. I give him my best sunny smile, as we drive away.

"Goodbyes suck," I groan miserably, sinking into my seat making Jane laugh.

..........................

Hope you liked this chapter!