One Year Ago
Reagan woke from another nightmare, panting and trying to catch her breath. All she could see was her parent's car going over the mountainside cliff with their distorted faces looking through the glass for someone to save them. Her long blond hair was damp and strands stuck to the sides of her face. She willed herself to calm down by taking in deep soothing breaths just like Lucas had taught her.
She looked up to see Lucas asleep in the chair next to her bed. He looked so peaceful. The way his arm was stretched out toward her reminded her of the protection he vowed to her mother and Reagan. To always keep her safe and never leave her alone. She touched the top of her head feeling the goose egg that had grown considerably.
Earlier in the day, they had gone horseback riding. Her horse had gotten spooked and threw her off violently giving her a nice bump on the head. When Lucas had tried to get to her, he slipped and fell in the thick mud becoming filthy. Reagan loved the thoroughbreds that Lucas had at his private estate that was situated just outside of La Jolla. During the week, this was her quality time with Lucas, while her brother thought she was away at college or with friends. She would always return home Friday mornings and put on her game face and pray that her nightmare would soon be over.
She eased herself off the bed and noticed how filthy Lucas still was. He obviously hadn't showered and his hair was matted with thick clumps of mud. She padded off and ran a bath for him. She sat on the edge of the tub, running her fingers in the water as it reached the right temperature when she heard him yell.
"Reagan! Reagan!"
She ran out of the bathroom to see him lurch toward the door to the hall. His eyes frantic.
"Lucas, I'm right here."
He jerked his head toward the sound of her voice. His long strides ate up the distance between them and then he took her face in his hands, kissing her mouth deeply. Reagan was surprised at how worried he was.
"Jesus, baby, when I woke up and you were gone, I thought something happened." The hitch in his voice revealed his concern and before she could decipher the crazy look in his eyes, he pulled her roughly into his arms.
"It's ok, Lucas. I'm ok," she murmured, sliding her hands up his back and leaning into him. As she rested her cheek on his chest, he hunched his shoulders and his hot breath drifted through her hair.
She pushed away and looked up at him. "I ran you a hot bath." She tried to run her fingers through his hair but they just caught and she laughed. "You need one pretty bad." She watched a smile creep to his lips as he kissed her again. "Come on big guy, in the tub you go." She told him as she turned the water off.
For a moment he just stood there, breathing deeply and staring at her. "What?" she asked smiling.
"My robe looks good on you."
She could see the possessiveness in his eyes and she loved it. Reagan was his and only his. For the last six months after she lost her parents, Lucas had been there for her night and day if she needed him. At first, he was only there to look out for her, but then it turned to lust and the attraction grew so strong she couldn't deny it any longer. When she had turned eighteen only a month ago, they both couldn’t deny the chemistry that was there but he refused to have sexual intercourse with her considering he was eleven years older and even though she was a consenting adult.
She loved the respect he had for her and it only allowed them to grow closer. But there was certainly nothing stopping them from having a little fun experimenting.
"Come on. In you go." She said firmly.
"I don't usually take baths."
She cocked an eyebrow. "Well, today you are." Reagan didn't give him a chance to protest and proceeded to strip him, muttering how dirty he was. Seconds later he was naked, sliding into the hot water. A groan of pleasure escaped him as he submerged himself completely; the liquid heat surrounded him and he gradually let go of the rigid control that he normally wore like armor. After a few moments of indulging, Lucas sat up and Reagan was grinning at him. He gave her a wide smile. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this good without sex.
She grabbed the soap and started lathering up his chest when his hand came up and cradled hers, stopping the motion. "I can do it."
She got to her feet and stood there with her hip cocked. Her brows were drawn together in a frown and her arms were crossed like she was angry. "You're hopeless, Mr. Ferris." She said with a grin.
A strange lump rose in his throat. Her hazel eyes were like summertime, full of welcome and promise and youth. When he looked into them it felt like his dark indomitable heart felt like it was being bathed in the hope and sunshine of what was to come for the two of them.
He'd lived his life taking what he wanted from women according to his own strange sense of honor and he'd been satisfied. He had never once wished for a normal life of a love that most people had always sought out. Lucas had always known that wasn't for him but in the short amount of time being with Reagan...he knew she had changed that in him. He realized now how much he needed her in his life, and not just in his bed.
He suddenly felt overwhelmed, happy and hopeful of what was to come. The possibilities of marriage and children. His entire body ached as he pictured her curled up by the fire in his chalet, completely naked. My god, how he wanted that. To make her smile and be happy like she had always deserved. He sucked in a breath as reality hit him hard. Unfortunately, those thoughts would have to be tucked aside for now.
He had just told Reagan last week about her brother doctoring her father's will. At first, she was in disbelief; she refused the idea that her brother would go to that extreme. She had been so distraught over it. She loved Aiden like a blood brother and could not process that he would betray her like this. Lucas finally had no choice and told her about what her mother, Carey had felt.
"But why wouldn't she have told me her suspicions?" Reagan cried, clearly distressed.
Lucas grabbed her trembling hands and held them in his. "Reagan, she didn't want you to have to be concerned with any of this. That is why I came into your life. No one knew for sure if this is what he had planned on doing and she knew you loved Aiden like he was your blood. But now things have changed and I'm here to take on this burden with you, to make it right. I vowed to you and your mother that I would not allow him to hurt you or take what was rightfully yours and when I make a promise, I make damn well sure I follow through with it." He kissed the top of her head and from that moment on their bond had been sealed as though they were always meant to be with one another. Each being their purpose in life.
It took Reagan over a week to accept the situation. Lucas could see how it turned her harder, made her skin a little tougher and then the following week she had come to Lucas asking, "What do we do?"
Lucas had explained that they had to be patient and wait for Aiden to make a mistake. They both knew he would eventually, however they just didn't know how long it would take and it killed Lucas that Reagan had to live under the same roof with the slimeball playing this game. Making her prance around in front of business associates as a distraction made Lucas want to take him out right then but Reagan had assured him she could handle herself.
And she did. She played her hand flawlessly.