Chapter 52: Chapter 52

I couldn't stop thinking about the previous night. Lukas fell asleep even though he doesn't need sleep. Was he trying to avoid talking to me? The question made my stomach clench.

I gripped the cup tighter, not bothering to take another sip. Suddenly I didn't feel like drinking it all. Anxiety bubbled in my stomach, and I could feel the clamminess in my hands. My breathing elevated as I stared at Lukas from the corner of my eyes. He was in blissful ignorance, enjoying the warm liquid. Was I the only one overthinking about it? It was just sex!

Then again, it wasn't. We should not have slept together because it cannot be just physical. I was having his baby. If something happened between us, then everything would fall apart, and I didn't want my baby to live without either of us. I endured that pain, and it isn't pleasant.

"Lukas" I faintly whispered, placing the cup back on the table.

He turned towards me, raising his eyebrows, "Is the coffee not sweet enough?"

A smile twitched at the corner of my lips as he remembered the exact way I take my coffee. With two spoonfuls of sugar. Did I tell him that? He might have seen me do it.

"No, that's not it."

He bobbed his head, turning his body towards me. "Then, what it is?"

I took a deep breath. It was now or never. Avoiding talking to Lukas will do nothing useful. He needs to know the turmoil I was experiencing.

Licking my lips, I cleared my throat and met his eyes. "It's about last night. We didn't get the chance to talk..."

"Oh," He opened and closed his mouth before sliding the cup on the table. I noticed that his hair was damp at the end. Did he also take a shower? How long was I sleeping? I thought to myself.

"I don't want it to complicate things between us. We are having a baby soon-"

"It won't" He sharply cut me off before I couldn't finish my sentence.

I glared at him, "You don't know that"

His nose flared, jaw clenched as he raised his head, "What is it about exactly Talia? Do you regret last night?"

"No!" I squeaked. How can he even think that? If anything, I was the one who asked him to take me. As I remembered my wanton behaviour, my cheeks flamed. What was going on in my mind?!

"That's not the issue. I thought you would regret it the next morning so I wanted to talk to you last night-" I let out a sigh. "-but you fell asleep. I thought demons don't need sleep."

I pointedly stared at him. He squirmed in his seat before averting his eyes. Was I missing something?

He awkwardly scratched at the nape of his neck, "Umm...it's a soulmate thing. I should have told you earlier. When I am with you, I'm more human if that makes sense. That's why I fell asleep the first time we slept together."

"Oh" I parted my lips. That was unexpected.

"Wow I didn't know that"

Lukas shrugged. It was not like he asked me to sit down and explained everything. There were a lot of things I was unaware of. Even though I had a lot of time to learn them, I was impatient.

The silence blanketed the room for a few seconds before Lukas took my hand in his. I gaped at him, cheeks flushing as his large hands enclosed around me. They were giant and rough against my dainty ones.

"I don't regret it...Not a single bit of it. When Dean bought you to the Hell, I thought you would hate me forever. I thought that I had no chance with you. It was better to stay away from you" He stared into my eyes. His black eyes dug into my skin, and a shiver ran down my spine.

Lukas continued, "I was wrong. No matter how hard I tried, I was weak. I kept coming back to you, hoping for more, wanting more. It may sound selfish, but now that I have you, I don't ever want to let you go."

My eyes widened as those words sank in. It felt like a dream. Lukas was saying the exact thing I felt all those months ago. I couldn't imagine a future with him, but now that I got to spend some time with him, I can't stay away.

He inched closer, his voice gritty and rough, " I guess what I am trying to say is that I like you, Talia. A lot. I can't imagine spending a day in Hell without you by my side. So will you please allow me the honour to court you?"

I stared at him, my lips parted open. It was happening! My breathing elevated, heartbeat rising at his intense gaze. Suddenly the air in the room shifted, and I felt warm all over.

When he kept staring at me, his eyes hopeful I remembered his question.

"Yes! Umm...I would love that" He chuckled at my response, letting my hand go and pulled me in a hug.

I jolted at his sudden movement, letting myself snuggle against his arms. My eyes rolled back as his hands came around my waist, his face pressed against my neck. The sharp tip of his nose brushed against the juncture between my shoulder, and I winced.

"Sorry" He whispered in my ear.

"It's okay."

Who needed heaven anyway when I was with him right where I wanted?

"Thank you so much, baby. You don't know how happy this makes me" He rumbled into my skin, the vibration sending a delicious chill down my spine. I nodded my head in response too lost in the feel of his arms.

He pulled back, cupping my cheeks and tilting my head up. His eyes focused on my lips as he licked his own. "Can I kiss you?"

I nodded my head, nearly sighing in pleasure as he leaned in to lick the seam of my lips. He kissed me deeply. His movements were slow and deliberate and thorough as if he was scared, I would slip away. Lukas hand came up to cup my jaw, tilting my head back for better access. I made a sound at the back of my throat as he bit down on my lip.

"Can I ask you a question?" I shyly said, tucking my loose strands behind my ear.

"Anything, baby" He smirked, a smug look on his face.

"What is courting?"

Lukas stared at me for a few seconds before bursting out in laughter.

***

After Lukas laughed for what seemed like infinity, he explained to me about courting. It sounded something right out of English society. I refrained from making that comment though.

Demons court their soulmates in hopes of bonding them. It is a development towards an intimate relationship in which both of them get to know each other and decide if there will be a bonding ceremony. During this period, the demons do everything to impress their mates, take them on dates, get to know each other and try to woo them. In short, it was like dating.

I was excited by the prospect of being courted. It sounded exciting and knowing Lukas; he had something up his sleeves.

We had to prepare for upcoming games, so I asked Lukas to call for breakfast. In the meantime, I decided to take a long hot shower. Even though it was bright in the morning, I felt tired.

"What do you want to eat?" Lukas shouted from the other side of the door.

I made a face. Why did he not ask me while I was out sitting in front of him?

"Pancakes" I yelled back while turning off the shower. He mumbled something, but I was unable to hear. With a sigh, I turned towards the shower. Breakfast can wait.

***

The moment I wrapped a robe around myself and stepped out, I let out a short gasp. There was a large tray sitting in the middle of the room with more than enough breakfast for ten people.

I blinked at Lukas, "What is this?"

He chuckled, signalling towards the dish, "Your special breakfast. I asked them to bring all flavours of pancakes they make."

My mouth parted open at his words. Shaking my head, I trudged towards him, stepping in front of him.

"You didn't have to."

He wrapped his arms around my waist, a warm smile on his face, "I know, but I wanted to. Consider this as my first step to our courtship."

"Then I am not complaining" I giggled.

"Very creative by the way."

"It was nothing!"

"Well, it's sweet for sure."

"Wait here" He quickly slid back and sat on his knees.

Lukas pulled the flowers from the down deck of the tray. He handed me the arrangement. I lowly whistled at the yellow flowers.

"I love them!"

"I picked these from the garden this morning. That's why I was gone before you woke up. Daffodils symbolise-"

"New beginnings," I finished his sentence softly, glancing at the soft yellow buds.

I smiled at Lukas, "I know."

***