Chapter 100: Tenderness vs. Heartstrings

As Blaire Zeller excused herself upstairs to arrange her room, Lucas Zeller took the opportunity to slip into the kitchen. There, he found Claire Grace engrossed in organizing the ingredients for dinner. Without warning, he wrapped his strong arms around her slender waist from behind, his warm lips grazing the delicate curve of her neck.

Startled, Claire flinched, her cheeks flushing a soft pink. "Lucas! What... what are you doing?" she stammered, her heart racing from his unexpected closeness. She had just left him in the living room where Blaire had been energetically recounting childhood memories. 

"What do you mean, what am I doing?" Lucas replied, planting a light kiss on her now-rosy cheek. To him, embracing his wife was as natural as breathing, and he saw nothing strange about it.

"You shouldn't," Claire whispered nervously. "What if Blaire sees us? She might feel awkward." 

Lucas leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "What did Blaire say to you earlier at the supermarket?" His real intention for sneaking into the kitchen wasn't just affection but to gauge the damage his mischievous sister might have done to his reputation.

"Oh, not much," Claire replied, her tone light but slightly teasing. "Just that she asked if I knew about your... *condition*."

Lucas stiffened, pulling back slightly to study her expression. "And what did you say to that?" he asked, turning her to face him fully. His nose brushed hers, their faces so close that the faint flutter of her lashes became impossible to miss.

Caught in his intense gaze, Claire felt her heart pounding like a drum. Even the tips of her ears began to heat up. "I told her it might be untreatable since I've tried giving you so many remedies without any success," she admitted sheepishly. In truth, Lucas's so-called condition had been resolved after just one dose of medication—something Blaire didn't need to know.

Lucas smirked, a mixture of amusement and satisfaction in his eyes. "Good. Let's keep it that way. Blaire doesn't need to know that her big brother is completely... healthy." His tone carried a mischievous undertone, but beneath it lay the resolve to maintain his carefully constructed facade.

Claire tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "But why hide it from her? Wouldn't she be happy to know you're fine?"

Lucas chuckled softly, the sound resonant and rich. He didn't answer immediately, instead brushing her lashes lightly with his tongue—a playful gesture that made Claire shiver and avert her eyes, her hands fumbling with the disposable gloves she was holding. 

"Let's just say it's better this way," he said cryptically, his grin widening. "Besides, I suddenly wish the day would hurry up and end. It's about time for bed, don't you think?"

Claire blinked, startled by the unexpected remark. "Are you tired from work? Is that why you want to rest?" she asked, concern coloring her voice.

"I'm tired, yes," Lucas replied, a wicked glint in his eye. "But I want to rest while holding you." His grin broadened, revealing perfectly white teeth that shone so brightly Claire had to glance away, her cheeks burning even more fiercely.

"Lucas!" she exclaimed, flustered. His sudden transformation from cold and distant to warm and affectionate had left her reeling. The man who once seemed as icy as winter now burned like summer, igniting a storm of emotions within her.

"What's the matter?" Lucas teased, his tone both affectionate and smug. "Not long ago, someone was complaining in my office about how I didn't cuddle her last night or... show her enough love."

"W-what? I never said that!" Claire protested, her embarrassment spilling into her words. 

"Oh, but you meant it," he said, his voice playful. "You little tease." With that, he tapped her nose gently before capturing her lips in a kiss, his hand sliding behind her head to hold her in place as he deepened it.

The kiss was long, passionate, and all-encompassing—until a voice shattered their bubble. 

"Well, well. No wonder I couldn't find anyone. Turns out my dear brother and sister-in-law were hiding in the kitchen playing kissy-face," Blaire remarked coolly, her arms crossed as she leaned against the doorframe. Her sharp gaze was fixed squarely on Lucas's back.

Lucas sighed inwardly, reluctant to release Claire from his embrace. With a rueful glance at her flushed face, he smoothed a stray strand of hair from her forehead before turning to face Blaire. 

"Blaire, ever heard of knocking? Interrupting a couple's private moment is very rude," he said, his tone stern but not without a hint of exasperation.

Blaire smirked, unfazed. "Oh, please. Spare me the lecture. I'm starving, so how about you two save the romance for later?"

Claire, flustered but ever polite, managed a small smile. "I'm so sorry, Blaire. I'll finish up quickly." She turned back to the ingredients, her cheeks still glowing. 

Lucas, however, wasn't ready to let Blaire win. "I'll help Claire here," he said, settling back beside his wife. "You're not a guest, Blaire. You can manage without me." 

Blaire rolled her eyes but perched herself on the armrest of the nearby sofa, her long blonde hair cascading down and faintly brushing against Lucas's shoulder. The scent of her perfume—a subtle blend with a hint of sweetness—wafted through the air, making her presence impossible to ignore.

Lucas groaned inwardly. Blaire, always the disruptor, was determined to keep him on edge. And yet, as much as she tested his patience, she was still his baby sister—the one person he could never truly bring himself to be angry with. 

Claire, meanwhile, glanced back at the siblings, her heart tugged by the peculiar tension between them. Perhaps this was just how they showed they cared—through banter and mischief. 

Lucas exhaled, resigned. "Fine. I'll join you in the living room," he said, knowing there was no way Blaire would let him off the hook easily. 

As the three settled into the evening, the air was thick with unspoken feelings, teasing remarks, and the kind of love that only family—no matter how complicated—could understand.