"It's the first time I open up like that with someone I've just met," Lucas says, his eyes shining with such a mix of curiosity and affection, I need to look away.

"I know... I can't believe I'm here hanging out and..."

"Tell me something real about you." He touches his pinky finger to my hand for a quick second, pulling me away from my thoughts.

"I was moving in here with my boyfriend..." I feel Lucas tense but I go on, "We were together forever, but then one day he told me he was not sure about us anymore, you know? He just- I feel so stupid, so angry with myself. How could I have not seen it coming? I was so happy, so sure about us."

"I'm sorry."

"The worst part is that now I think the problem is me, and I hate myself for feeling so insecure. That's not who I am. At least, not who I want to be."

"Hey, look at me." He uses his other hand to raise my chin so I am looking at him, and I realize how close we are. "I bet it took a lot from you to start over so far away from your family and friends and all by yourself. Any guy would be lucky to have you," he says, making me roll my eyes.

"Of course, you're also stubborn as hell-" he teases and I laugh, shoving his shoulder playfully. "And feisty-" I pinch his side without thinking. "Ouch! And you fight dirty-"

"Oh! Come on! You love my shining personality," I say, enjoying the way he's making me feel way too much.

"I do." He holds both of my hands now.

"You're too nice for your own good." I shake my head, pulling my hands away.

"And beautiful! I remember you saying it, though I've already said you should never call a man that." He chuckles.

"Yeah..." I whisper, thinking about what it would be like to be kissed by him. I know he is the last person I should be thinking about kissing. We want totally different things from life. But there is just something about him that makes me want to throw caution to the wind, something in his eyes that pulls me to him as if we have known each other forever.

"What are you thinking?" His voice is husky, his eyes on me.

I look from his eyes to his mouth and wish I could have the guts to make the first move. I don't want to mess up our recent friendship, but damn, I miss being wanted and by the way he is looking at me; I wonder if he is feeling the same.

"I am thinking..."

"Hmm?" he whispers, his gaze on my mouth now.

A shudder works through me, making Lucas take a deep breath. He runs his fingers through my arms and I close my eyes, savoring his touch. What am I doing?

His hand stops on my hair, and he grips it, making me look directly into his eyes. "Tell me to stop." His face now inches from mine.

"No..." I take a quick breath, our lips almost touching. He makes a sound deep in his throat, his entire frame tensing up, his eyes full of emotion. I want him to make the next move so I stay like that, breathing him in, waiting.

And as if he can't contain himself anymore, he dips his head and brushes his lips over mine. Once. Twice. "Alexia..." He breathes.

"Yes," I murmur as our lips touch.

His taste sends a wave of heat through my lower belly, my body responding easily to his touch. I don't know how to explain, what to think, everything in me loving how his lips are soft but demanding, how fast we both get lost in the moment. 

I'm so lost in him, it takes me a moment to realize I'm lying, my back on the sofa while Lucas leans on top of me. He senses me tensing up and stops the kiss, keeping his forehead pressed to mine.

"That was even better than I imagined," I whisper.

"Alexia-" he says, his voice pained as he sits back.

"Hey," I say and sit close to him, touching my fingers to his lips. "Let's not ruin this moment by saying anything, okay?

"I..." He tries but I stop him.

"I know we are both not ready for anything, but that was the best kiss I've had in a long time." I bite my lips and wiggle my eyebrows like he did the other day, and he chuckles.

"Let's keep it simple. We're still Alexia and Lucas. Neighbors. Friends." I kiss his cheek and head to my apartment, hoping I know what the hell I'm doing.

Because as much I loved the kiss, my mind is telling me I'm only setting myself up for disappointmet once again, 

*****

Sitting on the balcony while having one more cup of coffee, I can still feel Lucas's lips on mine and I can't help but compare him to Greg.

Greg and I were good together; like fantastic. However, if I look back, I can't say our first kiss was so consuming that I couldn't think straight hours later.

Maybe we were too young...

I shake my head and start my laptop, focusing on preparing some last-minute things for my class.

But who am I kidding? After being alone all afternoon, I'm so bored I decide to text Lucas. In my defense, he is the only person I really know around here.

Or you can't get him out of your mind... My subconscious murmurs, but I pretend not to listen.

Me: Hey neighbor.

Lucas: Hey there.

Me: So I think I'm dying of boredom.

Lucas: Can a person actually die of it? :P

Me: Of course. These may be my last words, actually.

Lucas: I'm honored you chose me to say your last words to.

Me: Come on, what is there to do around here to have some fun?

Lucas: A coffee shop? :D

Me: HaHa Funny.

Lucas: Seriously, I know a nice coffee shop near here. Want to check it out?

Me: Ok! Give me 10.

As I freshen up, I try to convince myself it's just coffee, nothing more, but deep down, the truth is that Lucas is intriguing. I've never known a guy to open up about his feelings so easily, especially to a practical stranger, and this is refreshing. It's like I'm dealing with a real man, and not the boys I'm used to, even though he's just a few years older than me.

I know I'm not ready to think about a romantic relationship just now, but damn, I want to get to know him better. Maybe Lucas was right and I can give this friendship a go. Friends are easy to deal with. Friends are forever.

Friends don't kiss like that, though.

I am tying my hair and changing my clothes when I hear the bell ringing. I rush to open the door and bang my foot on the sofa. "Ouch!"

"Hey," I say as I open the door.

"Hi, are you okay?" Lucas asks.

"Yeah, I just banged my foot on the sofa... I think I broke a nail." I sit down, crossing my legs to exam it.

"Oh let me take a look." He sits by my side and pulls my feet to his lap.

"Oh, you broke the nail of your little toe. It's bleeding a little." He caresses my feet, then my leg with his thumb, and I feel my heartbeat increase. I can't take my eyes off his face. His eyes are on my legs and I see the exact moment he starts breathing faster. I wish he would look at me, so I could see his eyes and maybe have a glimpse of what he is thinking.

"Lucas-" I start, but he interrupts me.

"Do you have a first-aid kit?" He gently puts my foot on the floor.

"Uh... no. I still have to get one." I clear my throat.

"You should do it soon. I'll get mine. Just a second." He stands up and leaves so fast I don't have time to say anything else.

He takes some time to come back, and I'm considering going to his place to check on him when he enters my place looking upset.

"Sorry I took so long, I had to take a call," he says but doesn't look at me as he starts cleaning my  little toe. When he finishes, he looks down before saying, "Look, I'm sorry, but I won't be able to get that coffee with you today."

"Oh? Is everything okay?" I ask.

"Yeah, it's just that my mom called and I'll have to go to their place to get Nate. My sister is back and my dad is probably getting the flu. She is worried Nate can get it from him." He looks at me and again I can see he is hiding something.

"That's fine. Do you guys want to get some pizza when you come home?"

He doesn't say anything for a moment. He just stares at me, so I get confused by his reaction.

When he doesn't answer I snap my fingers in front of him. "Lucas?"

"Uh, I, yeah I do... I just- Uh..." He stutters and it's quite funny.

"Hey, it's just pizza. I'm not asking you to marry me."

"Yeah..." He rubs his neck and I see he is trying not to smile. "It's because I don't really introduce Nate to..." He doesn't need to finish. I can get what he is trying to tell me. He doesn't introduce his son to "his girls". 

Thing is, I'm not one of them and have no intention to become one.

No matter how hot he is.

"Lucas, I'm not one of your hook-ups and I have no intention to become one. We kissed. It was great! But you are right. E
We want different things from life. I want a family someday... A man to love me unconditionally. A future. Your only focus is your son, and it's beautiful, you know? But I don't do hook-ups, so you are safe with me, okay?" I hold his stare.

He searches my eyes as if to see if I'm telling the truth. "So we're really trying this friendship thing, huh?" He smiles shyly.

"Well, it's not like I know anyone else around here, and not like I'd never meet your son since we are neighbors and all." I raise my eyebrows.

"I guess you're right." He shakes his head and smiles. "I'm sorry. It's just that... I don't want him to get hurt," he says, and I wonder if he is talking just about his son or himself.

"And you, for once, are right." I get up and pull him to the door. "Come on! Go get your son. I'll order some pizza."

"Yes, ma'am," he says, making his way to the door.

_____

A/N: Thanks so much for your support, guys! How are you enjoying Alexia and Lucas's story so far? I hope you're having as much of a good time reading it as I had writing it! :D

Please don't forget to vote and make sure you're following me here: CelesteABrook for news and updates.

XOXO

- Celeste