Chapter 214: Don’t Leave

Lucas Zeller gently cradled Claire Grace in his arms, carrying her from the couch to their bedroom. Her tear-streaked face was calm now, exhaustion pulling her into a light sleep. He placed her gently on the bed, carefully pulling his arm from beneath her. But just as he straightened up, he felt her hand tighten around his neck, her slender fingers locking him in place.

"Claire, were you awake this whole time?" Lucas's warm breath brushed her face as he leaned closer. She wrinkled her nose in response before opening her eyes.

"Where are you going?" Her voice was soft but laced with apprehension.

"I saw you had fallen asleep," he explained patiently, "so I thought I'd get a warm towel to clean your hands. They're red—probably from chili sauce." He recalled how, earlier in the car, she'd dozed off against his shoulder, her hands faintly stained. The thought reminded him of what Lena had mentioned earlier: Claire and Blaine Jackson had grabbed a bite together at the local food market. Judging by the stains, it seemed they had indulged in spicy street food.

"You knew I snuck off for spicy food?" Claire asked, her tone tinged with guilt as she noticed the lack of surprise in his expression.

Lucas chuckled softly. "You're so mischievous. Just promise me this—if you really crave it, tell me. It's not like I'm unreasonable. You know I'm just worried about your health." He lightly pinched her nose. "Or is it that you didn't tell me because you were sneaking around with Blaine?"

"What? No!" Her startled denial came quickly.

"Then why the tears earlier?" Lucas tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. "If it's about me finding out, the worst I'd do is scold you a little. You didn't need to cry so much."

"I…" Claire hesitated, unable to summon the courage to confess her deepest fears. *Please forgive me for not being brave enough to tell you the truth—I just don't want to lose you,* she thought to herself.

Sensing her reluctance, Lucas softened. "Alright, I won't push you. Say it when you're ready. But for now, let go of me—I need to grab that towel."

"Don't leave me," she said stubbornly, her arms tightening around his neck.

"Claire, you're making this difficult for me," he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "If you keep holding me like this, I might think you're inviting me to stay for something more."

"Huh?" It took her a second to process his implication, and when she did, her cheeks flushed crimson.

"Lucas, I just want to hold you like this. Stay with me until I fall asleep. Please?" Her pleading gaze was impossible to resist.

"You're so good at torturing me," Lucas groaned, pretending to complain as he relented. "Fine, I'll stay. But I'm not standing here with a crick in my neck all night. I'm getting in bed." His grin widened as he climbed onto the bed, his movements deliberate and confident.

Before Claire could protest, Lucas had enveloped her in his arms, their faces mere inches apart. His dark eyes sparkled with mischief and something deeper, while hers reflected alarm.

She knew that look all too well—a mix of affection and desire. The realization hit her just as she felt his hand slide under the hem of her shirt.

"Wait! I… I'm not in the mood tonight." She quickly grabbed his hand, holding it firmly in place.

Lucas blinked, momentarily startled by the rejection. But then he smiled gently, the heat in his gaze cooling. "You're really something, you know that? Fine, I'll behave. Now, go to sleep."

"You won't leave me, right?" she asked again, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lucas frowned slightly, his brows knitting together. "You've asked me that a lot tonight. Is something bothering you?"

"I'm fine. Really," she insisted, though her words lacked conviction.

"Claire," Lucas began softly, brushing his lips against hers, "we promised to be honest with each other. Whatever's troubling you, I want to know. No matter what it is, I want to be the one standing by your side—not Blaine. Do you understand?"

"Blaine is just a friend," Claire replied earnestly. "No matter how close we are, that's all he'll ever be."

Lucas sighed, his expression turning sheepish. "I guess I owe him an apology, huh? I've been pretty hard on the guy."

"Wait, did I hear that right?" Claire's jaw dropped. "You, Lucas Zeller, want to apologize to Blaine Jackson?"

"Why not?" Lucas smirked. "I'm a reasonable guy. Besides, I let my jealousy get the better of me before."

Claire shook her head in disbelief. "You've really changed, Lucas. You're becoming… well, a better man. It's almost unfair—I don't know how I could ever let you go."

"For you, I'd change a thousand times over," he murmured, his voice rich with sincerity as he pulled her closer. Their bodies pressed together, the rhythm of their heartbeats syncing in the quiet of the room.

"Claire, can you hear it?" he whispered. "That's my heart telling you I love you."

Claire's lips quirked into a smile. "You've changed in other ways, too. You used to be sharp-tongued and stubborn. Now you've got all these sweet words ready at a moment's notice. How do I know what's real and what's not?"

Lucas grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "If words aren't enough, I could show you. Actions speak louder, after all."

"Goodnight, Lucas." She shut her eyes firmly, cutting him off before he could escalate things further.

Lucas exhaled deeply, a mixture of amusement and resignation in his voice as he tightened his arms around her. "Goodnight, Claire."

And with that, they drifted off to sleep, wrapped in the warmth of each other's embrace.