Wavering Mollisher

Meet Lucas Clarke

With a shove, Della lands on a carpeted floor. “Stay ‘ere until the boss comes.” A rough man yells behind her. The door slams shut. Della looks around her new surroundings. She is in a room with a large bed in the middle. At the end of the room, a large balcony overlooks a bustling street. Della scoffs. It looks like the boss isn’t as poor as he portrays himself.  Della carefully stands to her feet, rubbing her arm and leg. A loud sound from outside startles her. She carefully limps to the balcony and gasps at the scene surrounding her. Below her train tracks glinted gold in the late sunlight. Nearby a train whistle blows, signaling its imminent departure. A wonderland of cogs and copper-covered buildings surrounded Della, reminding her of days when she would go out in the street and marvel at the power of steam. She had always wanted to be an architect due to the possibility of creating something wonderful and magical like her father’s flying machine. The world of steam-powered machines had enchanted her.

“Like what you see?” A familiar deep voice rumble next to her.

Turning around with a scowl, Della pushes past him into the room.

“Ahh, princess. I’m offended.” Handsome pouts. “Here I am hospitable, and my guest can’t even say one word.”

“Go to hell.” Della spat.

“Oh-ho! She speaks!”

“What do you want with me?” Della spins around and glares at the strange man.

“I told you-you’re ransom.” The man sits in a chaise lounge near the bed.

“And I told you, my father doesn’t have any money.” Della grits her teeth.

“Really? You live in one of the finest neighborhoods, wear the finest clothes, eat the finest meals, and are a member of the High Society of Merryville. Truly you can’t be naïve…Ah, I see you’re the typical spoiled rich girl.”

“You know nothing of me!” Della gets defensive. “Who the hell are you to pass judgment on ME?”

The man stands up and crosses the room in two large steps. Fear fills Della as she backs up until her hands hit a wall. Smirking, the tall stranger places both arms on either side of her, trapping her. “Why, I’m Lucas, princess. The unofficial major of this neighborhood.”

Lucas’s eyes take in Della’s form. She feels shivers run through her body as his eyes drink her in. His gaze finally rests on her lips. Della feels her heart start to beat faster until it threatens to tear out of her chest. Despite her best efforts, Della’s green eyes travel to Lucas’s plump lips; imagine how they taste. She has an inexplicable urge to lean forward and taste his lips.

Before she can even react, Lucas slams his mouth on hers, sucking on her bottom lip. She releases a started moan and begins to melt as his expert mouth breaks past her teeth. A sound that Della doesn’t recognize escapes her throat. Smiling against her lips, Lucas wraps a hand around her throat, rubbing her pulse point.

Common sense rushes over Della, and she shoves him roughly away and lays a slap on his cheek. “How dare you? Is that how you treat a lady?”

Lucas adjusts his mouth and lets out a chuckle. “I am too much of a gentleman to deny a lady what she wants.”

“You thought I wanted to kiss you?” Della incredulously asks.

“If your eyes on my lips were any indication-yes.” Lucas grabs Della’s arm and pulls her back into his arms. “I must say, you aren’t the worst kisser in Merryville.”

“I’m not interested in any romantic relationships.” Della tries to fight her conflicting feelings.

“Alright, Princess,” Lucas says sarcastically. “I won’t force myself. Now I must take leave. Behave yourself until I come back.” He turns on his heel and walks out. Della stares at the door in shock. What is this man’s game?

 Lucas doesn’t return until nightfall. Della had fallen asleep on his bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. The thought of her parents distraught with worry had caused her to dissolve in sobs. She knew her family had a decent amount of money-Why her father was one of the most successful inventors in Merryville! She knew how much her father had worked for their income, enough that if he had to relinquish some to ensure her safety, she would be beside herself in guilt.

 When Lucas returned that evening, he caught Della fast asleep. He goes to wake the woman but has second thoughts at the sight of her tears. Instead, Lucas grabs a blanket from a nearby chair, draping it over Della’s body. His hands caress her sleeping form, his eyes watching her face. He couldn’t deny he felt an attraction to the sleeping woman. He felt it since she had tripped over him in the street.  No matter how hard he tried to convince himself that he wanted to torture her due to similarities with his ex-girlfriend, he desired to feel her body against his and hear the moans she makes as she comes undone around him. Regardless of his primal needs, he must accomplish what he set out to do. It seems that the ransom is successful-his associates reported hearing back from Della’s family. By tomorrow Della and her friend would be released and out of Lucas’s life.

The victory should be sweeter, and yet Lucas didn’t feel complete yet. He still needed to make Della his.

Della stirs and flutters her eyelids.  In front of her, she sees the tall man with black hair and blue eyes. He is so handsome…wait, isn’t that, Lucas? She reels back in disgust. “Did you bathe?” She asks rudely.

“You like it?” Lucas smirks.

“Yes, I don’t have to smell your foul stench anymore.” Della bites.

“I’ll have to remember that. Funny enough, you didn’t complain when your mouth was all over mine. You have quite the mouth” Lucas's eyes travel to Della’s backside. “...and quite the ass. I have half a mind to throw you over my knee and spank ya for your sass.” He winks at her. Della wants to gag, but something inside finds the idea erotic.

“Sir! The woman prisoner escaped!” A lady in pants and shirt comes flying into the room. Lucas roars. “Well, don’t stand around; look for her!”

Lucas comes back to the bed and grabs Della’s head. “I’ll be back for you, princess.” He runs out the door.

A loud noise sounds outside the room, followed by running footsteps. A woman kneels next to the bed. “Caroline.” Della sighs in relief.

“Della, thank the gods! We need to get out of here! I created a distraction, but it won’t keep them busy for long!” Caroline pulls Della’s body. Della screams at the pain that shoots through her body.

“I’m sorry, Della! I forgot about your injuries.” Caroline looks around the room and runs to an ornate cane. “Here, use this!”

Caroline helps Della stand to her feet. Once Della is leaning on the cane, Caroline wraps an arm around her waist. “Della, we are going to run. Apologies for the pain it is going to cause you.”

Without another warning, Caroline and Della bolt out of the room and quickly out the front door. Della takes a grateful breath of the outside air. “Take me home.” She orders Caroline.

 The two women turn the corner to Della’s house when a commotion in front of Delacroix’s house alerts Caroline. She pulls Della behind a copper support beam. “Della, stay here. I have to see what the fuss is about.”

“No, Caroline!” Della death-grips the blonde woman’s arm. “What if it’s about mother or father? I have a right to know.”

Caroline reluctantly nods. In her short period as an undercover officer, she had seen some horrific things done to target’s families in the name of a monetary ransom. She felt a debilitating fear for Della at the scene she may encounter at her house. Regardless, Della is different than her former charges-she had a strength about her that Caroline couldn’t ignore.

“Alright.”