005

It was the kind of an offer that felt like a risk, following Nick home. I kept questioning myself the whole time. Was it smart? Was it reasonable?

My house was far away, and I couldn’t bear the thought of walking through town with dirty clothes sticking to me, stained and damp from Elias and Sylvia’s vicious stunt.

Nick didn’t seem like someone who would take advantage of the situation, though. He had stepped in to help me without hesitation, and for now, that was enough.

“Here goes nothing,” I mumbled to myself, clutching my bag tightly as I got into his car.

Nick glanced over at me as we pulled onto the road. “You sure you wanna come?” His tone was gentle.

I nodded quickly, avoiding his gaze. “I’m down,” I muttered, though it was obvious I wasn’t comfortable.

The silence in the car stretched between us for a few minutes before he said again. “So… umm those two back there. Who were they?”

I stiffened, staring out the window at the blur of street lights passing by. “Nobody important,” I said, keeping my tone flat.

“Didn’t seem like ‘nobody’ to me,” Nick countered, keeping his voice calm but persistent. “They looked like they were trying to get under your skin.”

I stayed quiet because I didn't intend to explain the tangled mess that was Elias, Sylvia, and my history with them. It was embarrassing, and Nick didn’t need to know all that.

“Is it connected to why you seemed so upset when I saw you last night?” he asked again after a moment.

I sighed and turned to look at him, finally meeting his eyes. “It doesn’t matter, okay? Let’s just drop it.”

Nick frowned but didn’t press further. He nodded and focused back on the road, though I could tell he wasn’t satisfied with my answer.

When we pulled up to his house, I blinked in surprise. It wasn’t what I expected at all. Lodged in a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood, the house was modest but cozy-looking, with a small, well-kept yard and warm light glowing from the windows. It felt welcoming.

“Welcome to my crib,” Nick said, pulling into the driveway. He stepped out and walked around to open the door for me before I could even reach for the handle.

“Thanks,” I said softly, taking my bag as I stepped out. “Your place is nice.”

The outside of the house had a charming view. A stone pathway led to the front door, flower pots neatly arranged on the porch, and a wind chime that tinkled softly in the breeze.

Inside, the warmth of the house hit me immediately. It wasn’t overly large, but it was spotless and organized. The living room had a comfortable-looking couch with soft, colorful cushions, a bookshelf packed with books, and a small table with neatly stacked magazines.

“Make yourself at home,” Nick said, closing the door behind us and dropping his keys on a small table by the entrance.

I glanced around, taking in the framed photos on the mantle. Most of them were of Nick, but one photo caught my attention. A picture of him with a woman, both smiling brightly. I quickly averted my eyes, pretending not to notice.

“You can use the bathroom to freshen up,” Nick said, gesturing down the hall. “There are towels in the cabinet, and I’ll grab something clean for you to wear.”

“Thanks,” I said quietly, following his directions.

The hot water felt like Shangri-la on my skin, washing away the dirt from earlier. When I finally stepped out, clean and wrapped in a towel, I found a neatly folded shirt and a pair of bum shorts waiting for me.

Nick must have left them while I was in the shower.

I changed quickly and walked back into the living room, only to stop in my tracks.

Nick was sitting on the couch, bare-chested, with a glass of wine in his hand. His toned body caught me off guard, and for a moment, I couldn’t look away.

Another glass sat on the table, clearly meant for me.

“Look at you, you're looking so hot?” he exclaimed, his voice breaking through my thoughts.

I smiled, sitting down on the edge of the couch. “Yeah, umm, thanks. For everything.”

Nick leaned back on the couch and his eyes met mine. “Do you want to talk about it now?” he asked. "I mean what happened back there?”

I hesitated, feeling a lump rise in my throat. “It’s… complicated,” I began, my voice shaky.

“Don’t worry,” he said softly, leaning forward slightly. “Take your time.”

Before I knew it, the words were spilling out of my lips. I told him about Elias, and Sylvia, the pictures and videos I had seen, and how they seemed to enjoy making my life miserable. Tears welled up in my eyes as I spoke, and I wiped at them furiously, embarrassed to be crying in front of him.

Nick reached out, his hand brushing against mine. “Hey, listen, listen to me okay,” he said gently. “You don’t have to cry because of them.”

His words were comforting, and I didn’t realize how close we’d gotten until I felt his hand on my cheek, wiping away a stray tear.

“I—” I started to say something, but the words died on my lips.

Suddenly the space between us seemed to vanish. His hand moved to my hair, brushing it back softly, and then to my shoulder. His touches were warm and soothing but it sent a shiver down my spine.

Before I knew what was happening, we were leaning into each other, caught in a moment that felt both unreal and romantic. His lips touched mine, softly at first, then more and more as our kiss aggravated.

He moved his hands slowly, tracing the curve of my waist, and I found myself yearning for his touch, despite the little voice in my head telling me to stop. I couldn’t resist the pull of him, the passion all wrapped into one.

What happened next felt like a blur, but it wasn’t long before I pulled away from him.

“We shouldn't be doing this.”