25

LUCIA

“It’s fine. I promise,” I answered, and Jeremy instantly relaxed at that. “Whatchu making?” I asked, making my way over to him.

Jeremy shrugged. “Nothing special. Just eggs, bacon, and toast. Coffee?” He asked, extending a cup of coffee towards me.

I raised an eyebrow as I took the coffee, pleased as the sweet scent wafted its way into my nostrils.

“How did you even get the ingredients to make those?” I asked, my voice filled with shock. I had no groceries at home because I never cooked. I ate out most of the time, and other times, Beth did the cooking.

I was so bad at cooking, and I wondered if I would end up burning down the house during one of my attempts.

“Yeah. I noticed you didn’t have any groceries. I made a quick stop at the store and got some.” He said before opening my refrigerator.

A loud gasp escaped my lips as my eyes widened. My refrigerator was filled with things that I could eat.

My cabinet had also been restocked.

“Jeremy.” I gasped in disbelief and watched as he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

“I’m sorry for doing this without your permission, and I understand if you think I might have gone overboard, but I just thought it would be nice if I got some groceries for you. I know that you might want me to leave, but I won’t even if you ask me to.” He said stubbornly.

I shook my head, deciding that I had heard enough. I was so overwhelmed by different emotions that I made my way towards him in two quick steps and crashed my lips onto his.

Jeremy froze for a second, his eyes growing wide before they slowly fluttered shut as he relaxed and responded to the kiss.

He grabbed my waist, pulling me closer, and once I gasped, he used that chance to deepen the kiss, slipping his tongue in my mouth.

His touch sent jolts of electricity all around my body, and a low moan escaped my lips when his hands began roaming around my back till they settled on my ass.

I placed my hands around his neck as I kissed him with everything I had, and when my stomach rumbled with hunger, I slowly pulled away, my cheeks tinting pink.

“Wow.” Jeremy gasped, his eyes glinting with awe as he simply stared at him.

I stood on my toes and placed a kiss on his cheeks. “Thank you for the groceries, Jeremy.”

A bright smile made its way onto his lips as the tips of his ears grew pink. “You’re welcome.” He answered.

“We should eat before the food gets cold, yeah?” He suggested, and I instantly agreed. I was totally famished, and I needed some sustenance in my system. Plus, the food smelled really good.

Jeremy dished out the food in separate plates, and when I got mine, I wasted no time digging into it before pushing it down with a few sips of coffee.

“Slow down, Lucia.” Jeremy said with a chuckle as he ate his food a bit more slowly.

“Don’t judge me. It’s just so good.”

“It’s just eggs and bacon, Lucia.” Jeremy deadpanned, although the corners of his lips lifted slightly in a smile.

“Well, I’ve not had eggs and bacon this good in a long time. I wouldn’t know how to make them because I don’t cook.”

“I guess that explains the lack of groceries in your kitchen.”

“Precisely.” I answered, hiding my smile as I lifted my mug to my lips, taking a few sips.

I still could comprehend how Jeremy managed to make it just the way I wanted. He managed to put in the right amount of milk and sugar.

“Well, if you’re ever in the mood for good eggs and bacon. Call me, and I’ll come right over in a second.” He said with a wink, and this time, I was unable to hide my smile.

“You got it.” I answered before we both finished our meal in silence.

It was a Saturday and since I didn’t have to go to work, I planned to relax indoors all day, but now that Jeremy was here, I didn’t want him to leave just yet for some reason.

I enjoyed his company so much that now I didn’t want him to leave just yet. I didn’t want to spend the Saturday alone, but I had no idea how I was supposed to tell him that, especially after the cold way I had been treating him.

To make things right, the least I could was to try and apologize to him.

“Hey, Jeremy,” I began, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly as my insides filled with guilt.

“I’m sorry for yesterday. I should never have let you remain outside during the storm no matter what. I’m also sorry for the way I have been treating you lately. I have been cold and harsh, but the truth is, Jeremy, I’m terrified.

It’s clear that there’s something special going on between us, but I’m terrified of what could happen if this gets out. I’m terrified of what could happen if the school board finds out that I’m in a relationship with my student.

If this gets out, I’ll lose my job. My career would be over.” My breaths came out in gasps as I began hyperventilating slightly.

“Hey. Hey,” Jeremy said softly as he instantly appeared in front of me, his hands running up and down in a soothing manner. “Look at me,”

I let out a loud sigh, his presence managing to calm me down as I slowly looked at him.

“It will be okay, I promise. I understand the stakes now and I don’t want you to lose your job because of me. I will stay away from you from now on. I’m not doing this because I want to, but because I don’t want your career ruined because of this.” Jeremy said, his face extremely sad and crestfallen, and it instantly broke my heart.

Jeremy’s expression was not the only thing that broke my heart, though. His words sliced through my heart like a sharp knife.

“I don’t want you to stay away from me, Jeremy. I don’t want this to end. I can not keep pretending that I do not like you when I clearly do. I like you so much, and it hurts when I have to pretend like I don’t. My heart can not bear it anymore.” I poured my heart out, almost tearing up in the process.

Jeremy’s face softened as he gently placed his hand on my cheek. “Oh, Lucia. You don’t have to pretend like you don’t like me. At least not in secret. Not while we are here. You can treat me however you want on campus, but here, I’ll be glad to see just how much you like me.”

My lips lifted in a delighted smile as my eyes shone with tears. “Does this mean we can keep this a secret?” I asked, my heart pounding loudly against my chest.

“I’m on board if you are.” He said, his smile turning lopsided, and without warning him beforehand, I leapt on him with a squeal, throwing my arms around him.

He let out a chuckle, holding onto me before spinning me around. He lifted his lips to mine and kissed me till I grew breathless.

“So will you let me stay here for a few hours, girlfriend?” He teased, his eyes glinting with happiness once we pulled away, and I could not help the loud chuckle that escaped my lips as a bright smile graced my features.

“Of course, boyfriend. You can stay for as long as you want.” I teased back with a wink, and a rich chuckle escaped his lips.

“Thanks.” He answered, planting a kiss on my forehead, and my cheeks instantly blushed red.

“You’re welcome.”

Jeremy and I went ahead and cleaned the dishes and the kitchen after eating, and when we were done, we made our way to the living room, exchanging shy smiles.

I was honestly so giddy with happiness. This was a dream come true. I couldn’t believe Jeremy was now officially my boyfriend.

Even though it was going to be a secret for now, it was still better than nothing.

“Can I use your bathroom to freshen up real quickly?” He asked.

“Of course,” I answered with a smile. “Come with me. I have your clothes from last night already cleaned up, by the way.”

“Thank you.” Jeremy said genuinely, and I nodded in reply as I led him straight to my room. Since my apartment had only one room, he had no choice but to use my bathroom.

“Wow.” He said, his eyes darting around my room, and I suddenly grew self-conscious about showing him my room.

“What?”

“I’ve just never been in a Professor’s room before.” He pointed out, and I could not help the chuckle which escaped my lips.