Distractions and Bad Decisions

CHAPTER EIGHT

RAIN’S POV

Days flew by after that massage in Lucien’s study. I threw myself into York like it could save me. First day was just orientation — new buildings, new faces, too much noise. I kept my head down and survived.

Second day was better. I met Gilead in my art history class. She had purple streaks in her hair and a backpack covered in anime pins. We bonded instantly over our shared obsession with *Attack on Titan*.

“You actually get it!” she laughed after class. “Most people here only talk about fancy painters. Finally someone normal.”

We swapped numbers and started texting memes between lectures. It felt good to have a friend who wasn’t connected to my complicated home life.

On the fourth day, Gilead dragged me to the campus café after our morning class. “Come meet my brother. He’s picking me up today.”

Gideon was waiting outside. Tall, blonde, easy smile. The kind of guy who looked like he belonged in a magazine.

“Gideon, this is Rain. Rain, my annoying big brother,” Gilead said.

He grinned and shook my hand a second longer than necessary. “Nice to meet you, Rain. Gilead’s been talking about you non-stop.”

“Only good things, I hope,” I replied, smiling.

“Very good things.” His eyes lingered. “You free later? We could grab coffee sometime.”

I gave him my number. Why not? I needed something — anything — to stop thinking about Lucien every single night.

By the tenth day, Gideon and I were talking on the phone almost every evening. He was funny, light, and didn’t ask heavy questions. Perfect distraction.

“You have the softest laugh,” he said one night. “I could listen to it all day.”

I blushed even though he couldn’t see me. “You’re smooth, Gideon.”

On the twelfth day he asked me out. “There’s this chill bar downtown. Good music, great drinks. Let me take you out properly, Rain.”

I said yes.

Thelma helped me get ready that evening. She zipped me into a short black evening dress that hugged my body a little too well.

“Damn, you look hot,” she whistled. “Gideon’s not going to know what hit him.”

I laughed nervously. “It’s just a date. Nothing serious.”

She was getting ready for a sleepover with one of her friends. “I’ll be out till tomorrow afternoon. Have fun, babe. Text me updates!”

I took a cab to the bar. Gideon never showed. I waited forty minutes, then ordered a drink. Then another. Then one more. By the time I gave up, I was properly drunk.

I stumbled out of the bar, the world spinning. A guy on a bike snatched my bag and phone right out of my hands. I tried to chase him but tripped and fell. My knees scraped but I barely felt it.

“Fine,” I slurred, laughing at myself. “I’ll walk home.”

I started down the street, pointing at the stars like an idiot. “Twinkle twinkle little star… how I wonder what you are…”

A black Mercedes-Benz Jeep suddenly pulled up beside me. The window rolled down.

“Rain?” Lucien’s voice cut through the night. He sounded shocked. “Rain, what the hell are you doing out here?”

I turned too fast and almost fell again. “Mr. Vale… hi.”

He parked quickly, got out, and caught me before I could stumble into the road. His hands were warm and strong on my waist. My dress had ridden up dangerously high, flashing my panties, but he used his body to block anyone from seeing.

“Easy,” he muttered. “I’ve got you.”

He guided me to the passenger side, opened the door, and helped me in. His fingers brushed my thigh while he buckled my seatbelt. My drunk brain zeroed in on it immediately.

He shut the door, walked around, and got in. The car smelled like him — that expensive cologne mixed with something darker. He started driving, jaw clenched tight.

“What’s his name?” he asked, voice low and dangerous.

I blinked slowly. “What?”

“Your date. What’s his name, Rain?”

I giggled, head lolling against the seat. “Doesn’t matter… he didn’t come.” My words were all slurred together. “Stood me up like an idiot.”

Lucien’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. He didn’t say anything else. I tried to stay awake but the motion of the car pulled me under.

When I opened my eyes again, I was a little more sober but still floating. Lucien was carrying me bridal-style into the house. Evelyn had left ten days ago. Thelma was at her sleepover. It was just us.

He carried me upstairs without saying a word. My cheek pressed against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat — steady but faster than normal. His arms felt so good around me. .

He pushed open my bedroom door and laid me gently on the bed. “Sleep it off, Rain,” he said quietly.

I mumbled something and passed out again.

I woke up later, still drunk but clear enough to move. I was still wearing the short dress. My head was fuzzy, but one thought kept repeating: I wanted to see him.

I got up, staggering a little, and walked straight to Lucien’s room. I didn’t knock. I just pushed the door open.

He was standing by his bed, shirtless. Tattoos covered his chest and arms — dark, beautiful ink. He was unbuckling his belt, the metal clinking softly. The bedside lamps made the room dim and golden.

I froze in the doorway. “Sorry… I didn’t mean to barge in.”

Lucien looked up. His eyes darkened the second they landed on me in that tight dress. “It’s okay. Are you alright?”

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. The air felt charged, like right before a storm. I could feel his gaze moving over me — slow and, careful.

“I can’t sleep,” I whispered.

He finished removing his belt and set it aside. His muscles flexed with the movement. “You’re still drunk.”

“A little.” I walked closer until I was right in front of him. He smelled so good. Warm skin and faint cologne. My eyes traced the lines of his chest, the cross necklace resting against his skin, the way his abs tightened when I got too close.

I turned around slowly, pulling my hair over one shoulder. “Can you unzip me?”

There was a long pause. I could hear him breathing.

“Rain…”

“Please?”

His fingers brushed the back of my neck first — light, almost hesitant. Then he slowly pulled the zipper down. The sound filled the quiet room. Cool air hit my back as the dress loosened.

I turned to face him again and let the dress fall to my feet in one smooth motion. I wasn’t wearing a bra. Just black lace panties. My nipples hardened instantly in the cool air.

Lucien’s eyes dropped before he could stop himself. His jaw clenched so hard I thought it might break. He turned his head away sharply, breathing heavier now.

“Rain,” he said, voice rough and strained. “What are you doing?”

I stepped out of the dress, picked it up, and held it loosely against my chest, barely covering anything. I rose on my tiptoes, pressed my body close to his, and kissed his cheek. My bare breasts brushed his chest for a second. Electricity shot through both of us.

“Goodnight, Lucien,” I whispered against his skin, lips lingering.

I felt him shudder. His hands stayed at his sides, fists clenched. I wanted him to grab me. I wanted everything I knew I couldn’t have.

But I stepped back.

I turned and walked out of his room, hips swaying more than necessary, the dress still clutched to my front. I could feel his eyes burning into my back the entire way.

I closed my door behind me, heart racing, body on fire.

This game I was playing was getting way too dangerous.

But God… I didn’t want to stop.