Chapter 3

"My mouth hurts," I said, tilting my head up and giving Lucas my most pitiful look. "Maybe I'm just run down? Or maybe it's from eating too much spicy stuff lately."

Lucas sighed, looking like he was at his wit's end as he walked over.

"Open your mouth, let me take a look," he said.

I just opened my mouth for Lucas, playing the good girl and waiting for him to check me out.

He leaned in with a slight frown. "Looks like you've got a mouth ulcer. Let me treat it for you."

I just opened my mouth for Lucas, playing the good girl and waiting for him to treat me.

Seeing me so obedient, a soft smile appeared in Lucas's eyes. He grabbed the mouth ulcer powder, tapped a bit onto his fingertip, then slipped his finger into my mouth and carefully applied it to the raw spot.

It stung a little, and I instinctively tried to pull away, but Lucas gently held my chin steady with his other hand.

"Hold still. The powder needs a moment to work," he said.

With no way to move, I just blinked at him, letting him know I understood.

When Lucas's fingertip brushed the sore spot, it sent a weird mix of tingles and itchiness through me. I shivered, and before I knew it, I gave his fingertip a playful nibble.

Lucas's eyes went darker, his breath caught for a moment, and his voice went low and rough, trying to soothe me.

"Don't rush, Chloe. I'll hold it a bit longer so the medicine works better," he murmured to me.

I just blinked at him, letting him do his thing.

By the time he finished, my saliva was dripping onto the table.

When he pulled his finger out, a thin strand of saliva stretched between us.

His eyes grew even darker.

But I was so embarrassed. Ugh, this was just too messy. I quickly grabbed a tissue and handed it to him, my face burning.

"Quick, clean it up," I urged.

Lucas took the tissue, but instead of wiping himself, he gently dabbed at the corner of my mouth first. "You come first," he said.

Once he finished wiping my mouth, I finally worked up the nerve to say what was on my mind.

"Um... I don't really want to drink milk anymore," I said.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "What's up? You said you had trouble sleeping, and milk helps you sleep better."

I pressed my lips together and mumbled quietly.

"It's not the first time. Every time I drink milk, either my lips get sore or I end up with a mouth ulcer. I think maybe I'm allergic to milk," I mumbled.

It went way smoother than I expected. Lucas just nodded, his voice still gentle.

"Alright, no more milk for you," he said.

After I finished my skincare routine, Charlotte called. "Come downstairs, I'm here."

Suddenly, I kind of wished I hadn't agreed so soon. Today, I was just wiped out.

"Do I really have to go? I'm so tired," I whined to Charlotte.

"No way. I'm already downstairs. You're just like those girls who say they're on their period when their boyfriend's all ready to go. Total cop-out," Charlotte shot back.

She was right. Making excuses was pretty lame. "Alright, alright."

After hanging up, I hurried over to let Lucas know, "I'm heading out. Charlotte wants to hang out."

Lucas was just about to climb into bed.

He raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-move. "It's pretty late. What's so urgent?"

"Just some girl stuff," I mumbled, avoiding his eyes. "I'll be back soon."

"Where are you headed? Need a ride? I can swing by and pick you up when you're done. Don't worry, I'll just wait outside. I won't crash your girls' night."

He got up and grabbed his jacket from the rocking chair.

"No, no." I waved him off, stepping back. "Charlotte drove; we're going together. Seriously, I'm not a kid. Stop fussing."

Before he could say anything, I grabbed my bag and bolted out the door.

Charlotte always finds the coolest places.

The masseur who came in was tall, with clean-cut, boyish good looks and a faint dimple when he smiled. He was seriously hot, like he could be in a boy band.

Charlotte nudged me with her elbow, winking and making faces, then snapped a quick selfie of us and posted it on her social media with the caption: [Late-night chill session.]

Honestly, when we paid for a massage, we really got our money's worth. I was so relaxed that I was about to doze off.

Right when I was finally letting myself unwind, the door swung open, and a group of men in uniforms stepped in, all of them tall and imposing.

The guy in front had sharp, commanding features, and he was so good-looking it was almost distracting.

I waggled my eyebrows and couldn't help blurting out, "Dang, is this VIP treatment or what? You guys even got the whole uniform fantasy going on? I'm definitely coming back next time."

The next second, the guy in front pulled out a police badge, his face cold as ice.

"Police. We're conducting an inspection. Everyone, please cooperate," he said.

Charlotte and I froze on the spot.

Charlotte's face went pale as a sheet, her anxiety written all over it.

Charlotte stammered, "What a coincidence."

I watched as Charlotte forced herself to greet the lead officer, her movements stiff and uneasy.

But Lucas just kept his cold face and didn't even bother to look at me.

There was definitely something going on between them.

But this wasn't the time for gossip. I'd grill her tomorrow, so I held back my urge.

Half an hour later, I finished signing the last document in the police station's interview room.

As soon as I stepped out the door, I spotted that familiar car parked right outside. Lucas was slouched against the car door, his face looking absolutely furious.

I hurried over with my head bowed, apologizing nonstop. "Honey, I'm so sorry for dragging you out here so late.

"I swear I didn't do anything. I just came here with Chloe for a massage, and who knew we'd end up in a routine check?

"I promise. We literally just got a massage, nothing else."

I was babbling explanations the whole ride, but he stayed completely silent the entire time. He just opened the car door for me to get in.

I kept sneaking peeks at him, but his jaw was clenched tight, eyes locked on the road, and he didn't even glance my way.

My muscles felt like jelly after the massage, and with all the late-night chaos, I was feeling guilty and worn out. I leaned back in the passenger seat, and before I knew it, I was out like a light.

I had no idea how I even made it home.

Maybe it was because I ran into that hot guy today, or maybe it was just my own pent-up desires, but I ended up having a whole night of steamy dreams.

In my dream, Lucas and I were kissing like we couldn't get enough of each other.

Our breaths tangled together, the heat of his body and the slick sounds of our skin lapping against each other like waves on the shore.

Rising and falling, swept away by the tide.

I was completely lost in the reckless, passionate dream.

It felt like I was teetering between life and death, overwhelmed by pleasure.