Chapter 40

**SCARLET**

I fell asleep in the car. It was an exhausting day. I met two people I was afraid to face in my life. They all brought up the past I was trying to bury, to forget. Luke woke me up with a kiss on my lips. I opened my eyes and found we were in front of his apartment building.
“We’re here,” he whispered.
“I’m aware.”
He chuckled softly. “I can’t wait to have you alone.”
“Our parents are still in your apartment, Luke.”
“Dad isn’t home right now. I was told that he was in the office. I’m sure Gene won’t bother us in the shower.” Luke unbuckled his seatbelt and then stepped out of the car. He turned to the other side to open the door for me.
I stepped out; he caught my waist immediately. Our chest adhered.
“Join me,” he whispered in a low tone.
Damn, his flirting. My sex clenched. A cold bath would suffice to bank the heat I was feeling, but not today.
“Mom will suspect if she sees me coming into your room, Luke. Don’t you have work to do?”
He scratched his temple with his index finger. “Yeah, I have to make a few phone calls.”
“Good, because I need to sit with my mother’s endless story-telling.” I crossed my arms.
“Make it up to me tonight, then.” He kissed my mouth. “I miss you sitting on my mouth.”
I broke off the kiss and pressed a finger against his lips. “I also have to see Katherine at dinner, and my apartment misses me.”
He groaned. “Are you sure it’s just your apartment who misses you?”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing. Just make sure you’re here at night.”
“Of course, I’ll be back. I need to sleep too, you know?”
“That’s disappointing. I don’t really plan on just sleeping tonight.” He leaned over my ears and whispered. “I plan to fuck you until morning. There’s still a part of my room we need to try. I think it’s by the window.”
I slapped his arm, and then I chuckled. “And I have to go to school tomorrow, Luke.”
“Damn it. Your tight schedule is killing me. I’ll wake you up, then I’ll just drive you to Harvard tomorrow.”
“Really? You’ll do that?” I bit my lower lip, smiling.
“Yes,” he answered, then gave me a quick kiss. “Come, I’m sure Gene can’t wait to tell her endless story.”
I laughed with him.
**
LUKE**
I left Scarlet with Gene in my living room, where they started to catch up. Gene always had a story to tell. She missed her daughter. I get it. I didn’t want to get in the way for now.
I went to my room and took a shower to ease my body heat. I was getting more and more addicted to her. It wasn’t like me to think of women this way; whenever I was done, I had to move to the next.
But with Scarlet, it was never enough. I always wanted more.
The more I learned about her, the more I found out how complicated she was. She was married at such a young age to a man who she referred to as a dangerous person. The mere fact that she married the guy was what bothered me.
Did he love the man that much, and she ended up marrying him? Did he hurt her? Why did she call him dangerous? Why did this man vanish into thin air, leaving her behind? Did he cheat? Yes, maybe… He was married to another woman, after all.
Damn. Tons of questions were messing with my mind, and I wanted to know the answer.
As soon as I finished, I started working. I decided to call Aries first. I needed to know what had happened to their conversation. I didn’t have the right to know, but it won’t make me sleep tonight if I don’t find out.
“Aries.” I slightly rub the back of my head.
“Luke, we need to talk.”
“That’s why I called.” I sat on my desk.
“Is there something you need to tell me?” he asked.
“I thought you had something to tell me. I need to know the details.”
“I’m sorry, man, but I must respect every patient’s privacy.”
“Fuck privacy. I brought her to you because I think you can help her.”
“Are you and your stepsister dating?” he asked.
I rolled my eyes. “You can’t tell anybody.”
It took him a few more seconds to answer. “Damn, I knew it! I knew you liked her. Did she know you’re dating her?” he joked.
“Very funny.”
“Anyway.” He cleared his throat. “You have to be careful, man. Your father won’t like this. That’s dangerous. How long do you plan on doing that?”
“I know that, of course. It’s not a long-term thing. We already talked about it. We are just dealing with the attraction, but this isn’t why I called you, man.”
“That’s not such a good idea if you ask me. She’s your stepsister, Luke. Gene’s daughter. What the hell are you thinking?”
“It just happened. Are you going to tell me what happened to her?”
“She didn’t tell me much since she didn’t have a clear mind, I tell you. I think something happened to her, Luke.”
“What do you think it is?”
“Hmm… I can’t tell you anything definite, but I’m certain she had a traumatic experience. You’re better off asking her about it.”
I groaned. Does this something have to do with the guy? “That’s the problem. She won’t tell me a single thing.”
It was a quarter after nine in the evening, and I didn’t find Scarlet when I came out of the living room. Gene was watching TV alone. I walked closer and sat next to her.
“Oh, Lucas. Have you eaten yet?”
“Yes. Where is everybody?”
She yawned. “Your father’s going to be late. Scarlet’s going back to her apartment to get some of her stuff.”
Ahh, of course. She told me that. “What time did she leave?”
“Around five, I think.” I stood up and grabbed my keys from the table.
She looked at me. “What is it, Lucas?” she asked as she watched me put on a coat.
“I’m going to pick up Scarlet.”
She’s a bit surprised. “Don’t worry about her. I asked Nathaniel to bring her back on time.”
“Nathaniel? You mean her friend?”
“Yes, Nate. I called him to come over and have a snack. He didn’t stay long. They left at five. What’s the matter?”
Fuck! I ran my fingers over my head in frustration. My blood began to boil. “I have to go.”
“Lucas?” I heard Gene call out, but I ignored her. I needed Scarlet now. I needed to taste her pussy. I needed to be inside her again, then we would talk.