[|]

"Leave my house before I call the police," Lucas said and I gulped when Andrea glared straight at me.

"Karma's going to hit that whore so bad-"

"Leave!" Lucas barked and she rushed out, throwing curses around.

Once she shut the door with a loud bang, the house became too quiet. I stared at the floor, trying to control the tears threatening to spill out of my eyes and the hurt in my chest. Everything happening was my fault.

"Jackie," Lucas whispered as he faced me.

I backed away when he reached out to touch me.

"I'm such a horrible person," I said and he shook his head.

"No, don't say that. You aren't a horrible person. Don't let what she said to get to you."

Tears rolled down my cheeks as her words echoed in my head. I wrapped my arm around my body and cried more. I hated that I was too vulnerable around him. When he stepped closer, I didn't move and stiffened when he wrapped his arms around me. I rested my head against his chest and wrapped my arms around his torso.

"It's okay," he whispered against my head and rubbed my back. "I am so sorry for causing you this pain. If only I had not done anything with Andrea, none of these would have been happening. I let my fuckboy lifestyle put you in trouble."

I sniffed and wiped my cheeks with my hand then moved my head away from his chest. I looked up at him and stared at his face. He looked concerned.

"No, you don't understand. Andrea isn't the only one I'm being such a horrible person to. My best friend, Maddy. She doesn't even know I live with you? Plus...." I stopped myself from revealing the truth to Lucas.

"Hey," he said and cupped my cheek.

I felt giddy inside at his soft touch and the way he was staring down at me.

"Can we just forget about all of these, please? I know Andrea and Maddy are kind of your friends and I'm the person that can cause problems for you but please forgive me for causing you all this pain and self-conflicting agony."

I nodded my head and moved back with a thought in my head. I wiped my cheeks and sniffed.

"Okay... I have to leave," I said and walked past him but he grabbed my hand and pulled me back.

"Where are you going? I can't have you walking out there with that crazy woman out on the loose. I don't trust girls like her," Lucas said and I felt butterflies in my stomach at the soft look on his face and the way his thumb rubbed absentminded shapes on my skin.

"I'll be fine," I said.

"But-"

"Lucas," I said his name, pouting. I was not in the mood to argue with him.

Lucas came closer and leaned his head close to my face. I felt flustered at our proximity and how his eyes were fixed on my lips. I arched my back when I felt his hand go up to my arm and move to my back.

"Jackie," he whispered my name and his other hand went to the back of my head which he pulled close and slightly upward.

My eyes went to his parted plump lips and I found myself parting mine. His tongue ran over his upper teeth and I gulped. I stepped forward and placed my hands on his chest.

"Am I interrupting something?"

I moved away from Lucas so fast that I almost tripped but caught myself. I looked toward the front door and saw Jared chewing on a pickle while looking from me to Lucas.

"Don't you ever knock?" Lucas asked.

"And miss out on walking into you two having hot sex?" He asked and I blushed.

"Shut the fuck up and get out," Lucas said and Jared raised his hands in surrender.

Instead of leaving, he went to the kitchen and I used that opportunity to rush upstairs. I sat on the bed, feeling very nervous.

I had to avoid Andrea after apologizing to her and opening up about what I have been hiding from Maddy. My experience with Andrea was an eye-opener for me and I had to act like the good girl that I was even if it meant me losing my job.

[|]

Later that day, I returned from my stroll and saw a shirtless Lucas, doing push-ups on the living room floor. I could only stand at the door, staring at his broad back that had sweat coated on it. My gaze moved to his taut ass and strong legs that were clinging to his sweatpants.

I felt breathless from the view before me. I admired the way his arms bunched as he moved up and down. His grunts sounded so sexual that I felt it go straight to the point between my legs.

When he stopped and stood up, I straightened up and pretended to be looking somewhere else. I immediately closed the door and heard a chuckle coming from him.

"You should probably take pictures next time," he said and I rolled my eyes and then faced him.

"Pictures of what?" I asked and wavered at the sight of his glistening tight abs and muscular chest. I tried to keep my eyes from going any lower but I couldn't. I looked down and swallowed at the sight of his bulge imprinted in his sweatpants.

I felt hot all of a sudden and needed to drink water. I dashed into the kitchen and opened the fridge for water which I found. I closed the fridge and rested my forehead against the cool surface.

"I need some water too."

My eyes became wide at the sound of his voice so close to me. I slowly turned around and saw him just in front of me, in all his sweaty glory. My eyes slowly went up the waistline of his sweatpants that were hanging low, to his slim waist and over his abs. I looked past his chest and meet his eyes.

Lucas leaned forward and placed his arms on both sides of my head. His eyes swept over my face, particularly my lips before he met my eyes.

"Can I kiss you?" He asked in a hushed tone.

I exhaled through my mouth and licked my lips, causing him to moan. His darkened blue eyes stayed on my lips in such a way that I felt a throbbing heat down below.

"Please," he whispered and I nodded my head. In an instant, I felt his lips against mine.