Lucian Divine(42)

“I want you now,” I told him.

“Patience, Evey.” He pulled the slip up over my head as he rose to his feet. Running a smooth index finger down the side of my breast, he shook his head and said, “I can’t believe I get to have you this way.”

I continued unbuttoning his shirt before undoing his belt and pushing his slacks down his thin hips. With a little finesse, I forced his boxer briefs down. We stood there, staring at each other, bold… unwavering. It wasn’t a dream anymore. We were still and naked, like winter trees. His eyes scanned me slowly, his chest pumping in and out, then instinctively, I jumped into his arms, straddling his waist. We were frantic then. He pushed me against the wall, moving inside me while his mouth was on my neck, sucking and tugging at my skin. I kept my hands tangled in his hair as our breaths got heavier and heavier.

“I can’t slow down, Evey,” he said.

“Don’t stop, Lucian.”

I could feel him trying to get a grip, so human, so uncontrolled. He moved us to the bed and took a step back, then for a moment, we were apart. He climbed up and was inside of me again, moving slower this time with his calculated grace.

“I’ve always loved you,” he said as he kissed my ear.

I could not form words. He pulled my hands above my head. I watched the flexing muscles in his abdomen as he moved inside me. I was lost in his eyes, this being who had watched over me, protected me, taught me things, cared for me, comforted me, loved me. Now he was making love to me, and he was the only one who could do it—who could make true, perfect love this way.

Closing my eyes from the tingles bursting through my body and between my legs, I arched my back as his thrusts became harder.

“Open your eyes, Evelyn. Let me look at you.”

The moment I did, I felt our release everywhere. He collapsed on me, sweating, smelling perfectly male, and breathing with such pleasure and contentment. We stayed connected for a long time.

“I want to sleep tonight, like a normal person.” Lucian had been sleeping occasionally, but not at all like a human.

“Then sleep.” I stroked his hair.

His breathing evened out, and before long, I felt myself dozing off right alongside with him.

“Lucian,” I said, just before we were about to fall asleep.

“Yes, my sweet wife.”

“What’s my last name?”

He let out a tired laugh. “I don’t know. I guess we can make one up.”

“How about we take mine?”

“Deal.”

“My parents will wonder why,” I said groggily. “But who cares?”

“Right. Who cares?”

A moment later, we were asleep.





IN THE MORNING, I woke to Lucian’s head on my chest and his hand pulling my legs around him. He stopped and sat up on his knees. He cupped and kneaded my left breast, but not in a sexual way. His eyes were open, wide and weary.

“What is it, Lucian?”

His face scrunched up. He swallowed. It looked like he was going to cry. “No, God.” He breathed hard as he looked at the ceiling.

I was already starting to cry. “What, Lucian?”

“I felt something. A lump.”

I frantically kneaded my breast until I felt it—a small lump on the side, right near the bottom. “Oh. Oh no.” I was stunned, slammed back into reality.

Lucian got up quickly and got dressed. “I’m taking you to a hospital right now.”

“I don’t have health insurance,” I mumbled.

“It doesn’t matter,” he replied irritably.

He was rushing around the room, throwing our stuff in bags. I stopped him near the door and took his beautiful face in my hands. I leaned up on my toes and kissed him slowly. When I pulled away, he was shaking his head. “Please, relax. It’s probably nothing. It’s the day after our wedding,” I told him.

He squinted, eyes full of pain. “This is my punishment.”

“No, don’t say that. We’re in love, and everything will be fine.” I kissed him again and tried to deepen the kiss, but he seemed far away.

“Get dressed, please, Evey. I want to take you to the doctor.”

I pinched his nose. “If it’s nothing, you’re making this up to me.”

“If it’s nothing, Evey, I’ll fly you to the fucking moon.”

“Really? Can you do that?”

“No, I can’t do that. Don’t be silly. There’s no atmosphere.”

I was laughing, but he was serious. “Lighten up, grumpy,” I said, knowing there was nothing we could do in that moment.

“If it’s nothing and I’m overreacting, I will do anything you want. I’d do anything you want anyway, but we are going get it checked out right now.”





WHAT’S THE DEAL with the medical system? We sat in the ER for four hours and were told three times that Evey’s situation wasn’t a medical emergency and to call her doctor, rather than continue waiting. I stood at the counter waiting, angry.

“Cancer isn’t a medical emergency?” I shouted at the intake employee. “Are you kidding me? She could be dying.”

“She needs tests,” the clerk replied. “Tests that can be performed in a specialist’s office… tomorrow.”