Chapter four.

Renna's POV.

I woke up with a pounding headache and flashes of the previous night flickering through my mind like fragments of a dream.

The blaring music, the burning taste of alcohol that served it's purpose taking away my sorrows.

And him.

The stranger.

The way he’d held me, even when I’d been on the verge of throwing myself at him. The way he’d kissed everywhere but my lips.

"You need to sort things out with your boyfriend first. If anything is going to happen between us, I want you to be single. And ready to have me. Make a decision, kitten." Those were his last words words to me.

I sat up, my hair tumbling messily over my shoulders. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I reached for it. There it was, the text he’d sent after I’d left the club.

Unknown Number: When your head is clear, come find me, don’t rush, don’t second-guess. Just be sure.

Beneath the message was an address.

I stared at it for what felt like forever, my heart pounding.

I should have felt scared, or at least unsure, but all I felt was this growing, undeniable pull.

But there was something I needed to take care of first.

I dragged myself into the bathroom, stripped, and stood under the shower until the water washed away the remnant of yesterday's alcohol.

The hallway outside Jeff’s apartment was quiet when I arrived. My hands were already shaking as I raised a fist and knocked on the door.

For a moment, there was nothing. Then the sound of the lock turning, and my heartbeat accelerated.

Jeff opened the door, his eyes widening as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Renna?”

I didn’t wait for him to say anything else. I surged forward, pressing my lips to his, catching him completely off guard.

He froze for a second before instinct seemed to take over. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me tight against him, and the kiss deepened.

For a fleeting second, I almost let myself sink into it as flashbacks of our sweet memories washed through my head. I almost let it trick me into forgetting everything.

But I couldn’t.

I pulled back slightly, catching my breath.

“Wait, what’s going on?” Jeff asked, his hands still holding my waist. “Renna, what...”

“I’m going to forgive you,” I interrupted, getting ready to dump the bomb on him.

His brows shot up, a wide smile breaking out on his face. “You… you are?”

“Yes,” I said softly. “But only if you forgive me too.”

He blinked. “Forgive you for what?”

I met his eyes, unflinching. “Because I cheated on you too.”

The air shifted instantly.

His face twisted with rage. “You what?”

I held his gaze, though my stomach churned.

“You cheated on me, Jeff,” I said calmly. “I figured it was only fair...

“Fair?” His voice rose, trembling with fury. “You slept around and you’re calling it fair? God, I knew you were acting different, but I didn’t think you’d be a hoe...

I cut him off with an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

“Oh my God,” I said, shaking my head. “You’re unbelievable.”

He glared at me. “What the hell is so funny, Renna?”

“I didn’t sleep with anyone,” I said, my tone suddenly icy. “I just wanted to see how you’d react if the tables were turned.”

His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.

“You…” He faltered, his voice softening instantly. “Renna, I didn’t mean...

“Save it.” I stepped back from him, my hands shaking with anger now. “You just proved everything I needed to know. Our two-year relationship? It was a joke to you.”

“Baby, no,” he said desperately, reaching for me. “I made a mistake, okay? I’m begging you, please, let’s work this out. I can do better...

“No, Jeff.” My voice cracked, but I didn’t stop. “You can’t. And I’m done letting you try, we are over, I don't ever want to see you again.”

And with that, I turned and stormed out of his apartment.

I didn’t look back.

Not once.

The address from the text led me to a luxurious building on the quieter side of the city,not so far from school. My stomach flipped as I climbed the stairs, my heart hammering so loud I was sure anyone close to me could have heard it.

When I reached the door, I hesitated for only a second before knocking.

Once, twice, three gentle knocks on the door.

The sound of footsteps approached from inside.

Then the door opened.

And there he was.

Only this time, he was shirtless, and my brain short-circuited at the sight.

His chest was broad and defined, muscles shifting effortlessly as he leaned against the frame. The faint trail of dark hair leading down from his chest into the waistband of his sweatpants was almost too much to take in.

He didn’t say anything. Just looked at me with those dark, piercing eyes.

Before he could ask, I cleared my throat. “I... Uhm... I just… I just officially broke up with my boyfriend.”

Something in his expression shifted, just slightly.

Then, without a word, his large hands cupped my face, and his lips crashed onto mine.

It was nowhere near a gentle kiss, it was deep, and hungry.

Like he’d been holding himself back for too long and couldn’t anymore.

I gasped against his mouth, my fingers clutching at his bare shoulders as he pulled me flush against him. He tasted intoxicating.

My feet left the ground as he scooped me up effortlessly into his arms.

“Wait... ” I breathed against his lips.

“Not waiting anymore,” he murmured, his voice low and rough as he carried me inside, kicking the door shut behind him.

His mouth found mine again, and I felt my resolve melt away completely.

There was no hesitation in his touch, no uncertainty. Just raw, unfiltered want.

And as he set me down gently on the couch, hovering over me with that intense stare, I realized something.

I wasn’t afraid.

I wasn’t thinking about Jeff or heartbreak or what might happen tomorrow.

I was here.

With him.

And God help me, I didn’t want to be anywhere else.