23

LUCIA

I looked at my shut door in utter disbelief, unable to process the fact that Jeremy was outside.

It still felt like I was in some kind of dream, or maybe I was hallucinating.

I couldn’t take my mind off Jeremy over the past few days, and staying away from him once again after the steamy night we shared was enough to drive me crazy.

I wanted him. Every inch of him. I wanted to be with him. I craved him so badly, and since it was hard to control my urges, I had to resort to touching myself every single night, which was nearly not enough.

All I needed was Jeremy, and now he was standing right outside. He was right there, but I couldn’t let him in no matter how much I wanted to.

I had to put an end to this madness that was happening between us once and for all.

He knocked gently, and it was kind of hard to hear him over the rain, which had gotten heavier outside.

“Please, Lucia. Here me out. I’m not even asking you to let me in. Just let me talk to you for a bit.” He pleaded, his voice muffled by the door, and I instantly shook my head.

“Go away, Jeremy!” I yelled, my voice almost breaking. “It’s raining!” I added.

“I’m not leaving until I talk to you, Lucia,” He replied, and I let out an exasperated sigh, running my fingers through my hair.

“I don’t care if it’s raining or not. I’ll wait out here till you agree to speak to me.”

A gasp escaped my lips as my eyes widened in disbelief.

“You’re kidding, right? Have you lost your damn mind?”

“I’m not kidding, Lucia. I’m not leaving. I don’t care if I have to sit out here all night.”

I let out a loud sigh, shaking my head in disbelief. He was bluffing. There was no way he would continue staying out there in the rain because I refused to speak to him.

He was not crazy enough to do that. After a few minutes of waiting out in the rain, I knew for a fact that he would leave.

A loud scoff escaped my lips as I shrugged. “Fine. Stay out there if you like. I don’t care!” I yelled before storming away from my living room into my bedroom.

Since I had already eaten dinner at the restaurant earlier, I decided to get some work done on my computer before getting dressed for bed.

When I was done with work, the rain still fell heavily, and for a moment, I debated going to check if Jeremy was still out there, but I quickly decided against it.

It was none of my business.

I brushed my teeth and took a warm shower before changing into my thick pyjamas and warm socks as it was slightly chilly.

I got under the covers, and since I was so exhausted after the day’s work, I soon drifted off to sleep.

After a few hours, I woke up to pee. It was precisely after about three hours when I checked the time.

The rain still poured like crazy and this time, it was accompanied by a thunderstorm. Just before I went back to sleep, I thought of Jeremy and wondered if he was still out there.

I shook my head, letting out scoff. “Nah. He wouldn’t do something so idiotic and stupid.” I muttered to myself before lying back down and getting under the covers.

I tried to get back to sleep, but for some reason, I couldn’t and I kept tossing and turning on the bed instead.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, I sat back up with a huff. I knew there was no way Jeremy would still be out there in the rain, but I needed to check, just to make sure.

I got back out of the bed and silently made my way to the living room. I gently opened the door and stepped outside, shivering as I felt the chill air seep into my clothes as rain drops began pelting my skin.

I slowly looked around before my eyes landed on a dark figure hunched over on the floor by the corner.

I instantly recognized who it was, and I couldn’t help the loud gasp, which escaped my lips as my eyes went wide with horror.

“Jeremy!” I exclaimed, completely horror struck at the sight in front of me. He had been here all these times in the rain when I was so sure he had gone back home.

He slowly raised his head, and I instantly rushed towards him, another surprised gasp escaping my lips.

Once I approached him, his lips lifted up in a tired smile. “Hey.” He managed to croak out, and my heart instantly clenched with heartbreak.

He had been soaked by the rain for hours.

“What in the world, Jeremy?!” I yelled, my voice breaking as I nearly broke down in the chest. “Why would you stay out here in the rain for so long?!”

He looked at me with an expression so soft and gentle that it made the tears I had been trying to hold in, trickle down my cheeks.

“I just really needed to talk to you.” He rasped, and that was all I needed to hear before I broke.

“Come on. Let’s go in.” I said, holding onto his arm and helping him to his feet.

His clothes had been extremely drenched by the rain, and he shivered as we walked before we finally entered my apartment.

“Wait here.” I said to him before rushing into my room.

Since Jeremy was much larger than me, I had to search my closet for the largest clothes I could find and eventually I managed to find a large hoodie, a T-shirt and a pair of pants which I hoped he would be able to wear.

I also took along a large towel that he would dry off with before hurrying back to the living room.

Jeremy stood awkwardly in the living room with an apologetic look on his face.

“I’m so sorry about the mess.” He said, referring to the water droplets that had begun dripping from his clothes to the ground.

I waved my hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. It’s no big deal. Uhm. I don’t have a guest room, so is it okay if you just change here?” I asked.

I was aware that my apartment was extremely small, and I loved it that way. Since I was the only one living here, there was no use being extravagant.

“Yeah, it’s alright.” He answered, and after I placed the clothes on the couch, I disappeared into my room.

Once I entered my room, I began pacing around, my heart pounding loudly against my chest.

I couldn’t believe this was happening. I couldn’t believe Jeremy was right here in my apartment. How on earth could this be?

Was this real life or some kind of dream or hallucination? I pinched myself to be sure if it was real or not and nearly cried out at the pain.

“This is definitely real.” I muttered to myself, rubbing my cheek.

I couldn’t help but wonder how he managed to find out where I lived. I didn’t remember giving him my address.

I knew I should be scared that he suddenly showed up, but for some reason, I wasn’t. I felt oddly safe, and I couldn’t figure out why.

When I decided that he would be done changing, I went back to the living room and just as I guessed, he was now wearing my oversized clothes, but on him, they weren’t so oversized.

They were massively undersized, but I figured it would be better than nothing.

“I’ll take care of those.” I said, referring to his clothes, which were currently drenched.

“Let me take care of the water on the floor.” He answered, and I nodded, pointing him in the direction of the mop while I took his clothes, putting them in the washer and dryer.

When I was done, the floor, which was wet just minutes ago, was now dry, but I noticed that Jeremy’s hair was still damp. There was not much a towel could do.

“Hold on. I’ll help you dry your hair.” I said before going back into my room to get the hair dryer.

“Sit.” I commanded, and Jeremy obeyed. I plugged the hair dryer in and began drying his hair.

I was very ashamed to say that I enjoyed running my fingers through his luscious hair a little more than I should have, and from the sounds he made, I could tell that he did too.

“Thank you, Lucia.” He said, looking up at me when I was done, his eyes and voice filled with sincerity.

I gulped as I was lost in those beautiful eyes of his for a moment. I managed to collect myself after a few seconds, clearing my throat loudly.

“It’s no big deal.” I managed to reply before looking away sharply.