Chapter 3

SOFIA

I didn’t even think twice. The rain was coming down in sheets, my clothes already soaked through, and the folder with the precious manuscripts was the only dry thing I had left. “Yes—please,” I blurted, clutching my bag tighter against my chest. Elena’s grin widened under the helmet visor as she patted the seat behind her.

“Hop on, Sofia. Hold tight.”

I swung my leg over the motorcycle, heart hammering so loud I could barely hear the engine roar back to life. My skirt rode up my thighs as I settled in, but I didn’t care. I slid the strap of my bag over my shoulder and wrapped my arms around Elena’s waist without hesitation. Her leather jacket was slick with rain, warm from her body underneath. My breasts pressed against her back, and the sudden closeness made my breath catch. “Like this?” I asked, voice shaky over the rumble.

“Perfect,” she called back, her hand briefly covering mine on her stomach. “Just lean with me on the turns. You’re safe with me.”

The bike shot forward through the downpour. Rain stung my face and plastered my hair to my cheeks, but all I could focus on was Elena. Her body felt solid and strong between my thighs, muscles flexing as she leaned into the road. Every bump sent a jolt through us, my arms tightening around her waist. “This rain came out of nowhere!” I shouted, trying to sound normal. “My stupid car just died in the parking lot. I was cursing up a storm before you showed up.”

Elena laughed. “Lucky for you I was cutting through campus on my way home. You looked like a drowned kitten standing there. Where am I taking you?”

I then gave her the address of my apartment across town. “If it’s not too far out of your way. I don’t want to make you ride in this mess longer than you have to.”

“Relax,” she replied, taking a sharp turn that made me squeeze her tighter. “I ride in worse than this. Besides, you’re freezing. I can feel you shivering. We’ll stop at my place first, it’s closer. You can dry off, wait out the worst of it, then I’ll drop you wherever you need to go. Deal?”

I nodded against her shoulder, my cheek brushing wet leather. “Deal. Thank you, Elena. Seriously. I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

We rode in silence for a few minutes, the city lights blurring through the rain. My mind raced. Her waist felt so good under my hands—firm, warm, alive. Every time the bike shifted I was hyper-aware of how my body molded against hers. Stop it, Sofia. She’s Daniel’s sister. But the thought kept slipping away, replaced by the steady thrum of the engine and the way her tattoos glistened whenever we passed under a streetlight.

We finally pulled up to a modest apartment building on the edge of campus. Elena killed the engine and helped me off. “Come on—run!” she said, grabbing my hand as we dashed toward the entrance. Rain pounded the sidewalk, soaking us even more. We burst through the glass doors laughing and dripping, water pooling at our feet.

An older woman in a floral housecoat was sweeping the lobby floor. She looked up and smiled. “Elena, mija! You’re soaked. Who’s your friend?”

Elena shook water from her hair and grinned. “This is Sofia. Sofia, meet Mrs. Morales—she’s the best landlady in the city and basically my second mom. Sofia’s car broke down at the university. I gave her a ride.”

Mrs. Morales leaned on her broom, eyes twinkling as she looked between us. “Sofia, huh? Pretty girl. Is this your girlfriend, Elena? Finally bringing someone home?”

Elena threw her head back and laughed, the sound rich and easy. “I wish, Mrs. Morales. I really, really wish. But she’s actually my brother’s girlfriend. Long story. We’re just waiting out the rain.”

My heart flipped hard in my chest, a sudden warm rush spreading through me. I wish. The words echoed in my head as I forced a smile. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Morales,” I managed, my voice a little too high. “Elena saved me from turning into a puddle out there.”

Mrs. Morales chuckled and waved us toward the stairs. “Well, get inside and dry off before you catch a cold. Elena, make her some tea. And you two behave.”

We climbed the stairs to the second floor, Elena’s boots leaving wet prints. “She’s harmless,” Elena said, unlocking her door. “Thinks every girl I bring around is my girlfriend. Sorry if that was awkward.”

I stepped inside behind her, still clutching my bag. “It’s fine. She seems sweet. Your place is… nice.” The apartment was small but cozy—bookshelves overflowing with psychology texts, a motorcycle helmet on the coffee table, fairy lights strung across one wall. It smelled like rain and faint vanilla.

Elena kicked off her boots and disappeared down the short hallway. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll grab you some dry clothes. You’re soaked to the bone.” She came back a minute later with a soft gray hoodie and a pair of baggy black jeans. “These should work. The bathroom's right there if you want to change.”

She stared at me and I looked down at myself and froze. My white blouse was completely see-through now, my lacy bra on full display, the wet fabric clinging to every curve. “Oh my god,” I whispered, crossing my arms quickly. “Elena, um… where’s the bathroom again?”

She pointed without missing a beat. “First door on the left. Take your time. I’ll change in my room.”

I practically ran to the bathroom, heart pounding. I locked the door, peeled off my wet clothes, and slipped into the hoodie and jeans. The hoodie was oversized and warm, smelling faintly of her. The jeans fit me, since I was curvier than she was in the hips and thighs. 

I stepped back into the living room and froze again. The bedroom door was wide open. Elena stood with her back to me, peeling off her wet tank top. God, the tattoos. They covered more than I’d realized—thorny roses twisting up her spine, a fierce wolf howling across her shoulder blades, delicate script winding along her ribs. The ink looked alive on her olive skin, glistening with raindrops. Heat rushed through me so fast my knees felt weak.

She turned slightly to grab a fresh shirt from the dresser, and I caught a clear side view of her breasts—full, perfect, nipples hardened from the cold. My breath came fast and shallow. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t look away. A soft gasp slipped out before I could stop it.

Elena’s head snapped toward the door. “Sofia? You okay?”

I spun around and bolted back to the living room, face burning, pulse racing in my ears. I dropped onto the couch and buried my face in my hands, trying to slow my breathing. What the hell is wrong with me? I thought. She’s Daniel’s sister. Daniel’s sister. But the image of her tattoos, her bare skin, the easy way she moved—it was burned into my mind now, and I had no idea how I was going to look her in the eye again.

Elena came out. “You look good in my clothes, by the way. Way better than I do.”

I peeked through my fingers, cheeks still flaming. “They’re perfect. Thank you. I just… I didn’t mean to—uh, the door was open and I—”

She laughed softly and dropped onto the couch beside me, close enough that our knees brushed. “Relax. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. You’re adorable when you blush, you know that?” She reached over and gently tugged my hands away from my face. “Rain’s still coming down hard. Stay a little longer. I’ll make us some coffee or tea. Tell me about that fancy literature job of yours while we wait. Or about how my brother’s been treating you. Whichever you want.”

I swallowed hard, my heart still doing cartwheels. “Tea would be great,” I said, voice barely steady. “And… yeah. I can tell you about work. It’s been a long day already.”

Elena stood up, flashing that same smirk from last night. “Good. Because I want to hear everything. Starting with why a girl like you is dating my brother when you clearly deserve someone who actually pays attention.”