Page 27 of Jacob Michaels is Not Here

Lucas was in just his jeans, no shoes, no shirt, but that didn’t keep me from considering giving him service right there in the kitchen. There was something about Lucas in just his jeans, barefoot and shirtless, whipping up a meal, that made me desire him even more. The fact that he hadn’t burned a single meal since he got over his initial shyness—something he never would have experienced if he hadn’t lost his memories—made it even sexier. Outside, the rain was dancing upon the windows and roof, providing a symphony for dinnertime. Lucas hummed to himself and practically pranced through the kitchen as he worked, lightning flashes showing periodically through the kitchen windows as thunder rumbled in the distance.

Jacob Michaels, professional actor, was doing his best to pretend to be Robert Wagner—Robert the Youngest—blissfully unaware of his past, the urgency of the present, and the uncertainty of the future. It was early in the evening, but I felt that I was doing a pretty good job of acting like I still didn’t remember anything from before. Lucas certainly hadn’t indicated that he didn’t believe that I wasn’t the same Rob I had been the day before. Of course, it hadn’t been a full day since I had wandered down into the cellar at Oma’s house, so everything was still fresh. Pretending I was still confused about the past was not that difficult.

When I had left Lounge and Carlita, I had shot a text off to Oma, letting her know that I didn’t plan to return home for the rest of the evening. “Be careful” was the only response I got. What Oma had meant by those words was apparent to me, though I did not reply with an affirmative. Then again, I didn’t tell her to go fuck herself either, so things were still up in the air as far as Lucas and his memories went.

Watching Lucas, happy as a lark, dancing around the kitchen, preparing a vegetarian dinner of epic proportions—his exact words—made me wonder if things weren’t fine. Lucas was happy. Other than the fact that strange things had been happening, Jason and his pack had caused a little trouble, and he couldn’t remember why things were the way that they were, he didn’t have a care in the world. Did I really want to take that happiness away from him if I didn’t have to do it? Would he rather be happy and oblivious…or know everything and risk the chance of being miserable? Then again, he hadn’t been miserable before he lost his memory. Things had just been…scary?

“You know,” Lucas shot a devilish look at me as he worked at the stove top, “people can make all the vegetarian and vegan jokes they want, but you can do amazing things with potatoes. Cruelty-free things. Buttery, creamy, cruelty-free things.”

“Not vegans.”

“There’s vegan butter and cheese and cream.”

“Look,” I grinned, “I totally respect vegetarians and vegans. I mean…it takes dedication and commitment to a lifestyle that most people aren’t strong enough to live. Okay? Let’s get that clear.”

Lucas just grinned widely at me.

“But bacon is fucking delicious.” I continued. “Not some bacon made out of rice paper or plant proteins—real. pork. bacon.”

“You don’t even really eat that much meat.” Lucas rolled his eyes, though he wasn’t unamused.

“Don’t sell yourself short.” I teased.

He ignored me, though his grin widened. “Unless Mrs. Wagner sticks it on your plate or it just happens to come with your meal, I’ve noticed that eating meat is not the first thing on your mind. So—”

“Don’t even start.”

“—why not try being a vegetarian?” He ignored my statement as he leaned over the bar to put his face close to mine. “The rewards are amazing.”

“Are you talking about the health benefits or the meat alternatives?” I wiggled my eyebrows at him.

“Both.” He planted a quick kiss on my lips.

“One more.”

Lucas gave me another kiss, though his lips lingered against mine longer than they had with the first kiss. I reached up to run my fingers through his hair as I stared into his eyes. His blissfully unaware and happy eyes. I sighed as I took my turn to lean forward and kiss him, sighing as I pulled away.

“I love your kisses,” I said. “More than bacon.”

“I’ll be happy to give you as many kisses you want to make up for the lack of bacon.” Lucas sighed happily. “If you give it up.”

“You’ll give me kisses anytime I want anyway.” I tugged at his hair playfully. “I can’t resist you, and you can’t resist me.”

“Don’t.” He bit his lower lip with a groan. “I didn’t do all of this work just to let the food burn while we’re in the other room.”

“We don’t have to go to the other room.” I teased but let my hand fall from his hair. “You can work on the food while I work on you.”

Lucas kissed my lips quickly once more then pulled away, putting space between us with a chuckle.

“Rob,” He shook his head, “you are a bad influence. I like it.”

“I try.”

“Also, I think you’re putting on weight.” He winked. “In a good way.”

I looked down at my body, though I wasn’t sure where my eyes would find the pounds I had gained.

“Couple weeks with Oma will do that to a guy,” I said. “Well, that’s what being back in Point Worth will do to a guy.”