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Jackie's POV

My lips were sensitive from the way Lucas had kissed them and my body was heated up from the pleasure of his actions on it. I was even wet and turned on from the feel of his strong body against mine and how soft and attentive he had been with me.

Something about the way he kissed and touched me made me feel so good. Like the moment when you have feelings for someone and they give you pleasure or attention, it makes you feel so good and want more from them. That was how I was feeling about Lucas.

But the moment his phone rang, distracting us, it was like I realized where I was and what I had been doing. When he went to the side to answer the call he got, I watched his bare back, loving how his muscular back looked. My eyes even trailed down to his ass underneath the sweatpants he was wearing and I felt my core throb from need.

I slowly sat up and moved myself to the edges of the bed where I sat and looked at my hands, mulling over what would happen. Lucas said the kiss had been a mistake before and now, I wondered what excuse he would give.

The last thing I wanted was heartbreak and I was scared of it because Lucas was the first man I truly fell for. I didn't know how to react to a man who is a playboy and heartbreaker. Falling for him was like walking in the dark, you can never tell what's coming toward you as you go deeper.

"Ok. I'll be right there," he said, getting my attention.

I sat with my back straight when he turned around, showing me his strong abs and chest. I watched him drop his phone and run his fingers through his hair, making some locks drape over his eye. Lucas was so attractive that I wanted to jump him.

Lucas walked up to me and knelt before me. I held my breath when he held my hips and eyed my body slowly and seductively. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip and met my eyes.

"Are you okay?" He asked and squeezed my hips a bit.

I had to air my thoughts, I could not keep things to myself.

"Not really... I was... What's... What's this?" I asked, moving my hand from him to me.

"What?" He whispered.

"What's this going on between us?"

Lucas sighed and came closer. He grabbed my hand and pulled it close to his face then kissed the back of my hand. I gasped at his soft lips brushing my skin and felt the urge to clench my thighs together.

"I don't know, Jackie. It's all confusing to me too. It's just that... I fucking want you. I want you so bad. It's a rush, an uncontrollable rush in me to have you."

I was stunned at his words. I could not tell if he was being honest or just being the typical bad boy Lucas who played girls for a living.

"What do you mean?"

Lucas cupped my cheek and leaned forward, almost closing the space between our lips. I felt goosebumps on my skin when his thumb caressed my cheek tenderly.

"Jackie, I—"

"Lucas?!" A familiar hollered from downstairs and I smiled.

"Axel?!" I got up, accidentally making Lucas fall back. "I'm so sorry... It's just that I haven't seen Axel in a while... He was supposed to visit a few months ago but couldn't."

I rushed downstairs and squealed at the sight of Axel standing in the living room. When he saw me, I jumped into his arms, hugging him with my legs wrapped around his waist. I laughed out of excitement, Axel following suit.

"I missed you so much!" I said in his hair.

"I missed you too," he said through laughter.

We hugged each other for a few seconds before I got down, grinning so happy that my cheeks hurt. Axel looked more grown than the last time I saw him. He was muscular, taller, and even looking more handsome.

"What are you doing here? You never told me you stay with my brother?" He asked and I realized I had never told him what happened.

"It's a long story. I'll tell you later. What about you? What are you doing here?"

Axel chuckled and wrapped his arms around my shoulder.

"I came here to check out the college you go to and decided to stay with my brother. I got into your college," he said and I smiled wider.

"Oh, my God! That's so good! You'll be in the same college as me. Congratulations."

"Thank you," he said and looked past my head.

I furrowed my eyebrows and turned around. I quickly left Axel's arms when I saw Lucas leaning against the wall close to the stairs, now wearing a shirt. He had a blank look on his face but I could see something that resembled anger or discomfort in his eyes.

"What are you doing here, Axel? You can't just decide to call me after so many months to tell me you want to visit."

"Tch, I see you're still a jerk as always."

"You're in my house, watch your tone."

I could sense their usual dislike for each other in the air and I didn't want any of that energy.

"Come on, guys. Can you not do that in my presence?" I asked and they both looked at me. "Please? I live here too and I don't want my mood getting ruined because of two kids."

"I'm not a kid," Lucas said.

"That's offensive!" Axel said with a poke to my rib.

Lucas scoffed and went upstairs, leaving me with Axel who grabbed my arm and smiled down at me.

"You need to tell me all about how this happened. Like you seriously live with my brother now?"

I bit my lip and nodded my head then motioned at the couch. We sat down and I began to tell him everything, including not telling Maddy.

"You need to tell her," he said. "She's your best friend and it's bad that you haven't told her about her ex kissing you but this? Nah, it's wrong. You need to tell her the truth. Besides, Maddy spoke to me two days ago. She wasn't sounding so happy because of her relationship with Clark and his cheating."

I gnawed on my lip as I thought over what he had said.

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I was sitting at a table in a diner, waiting with my hands folded on the surface of the table. My mind was racing as well as my heart too. When the door opened, I saw Maddy walk in and look around for me. When she saw me, she smiled and walked over to where I sat.

"Hi," I said as she took a seat.

"Hey. You sounded urgent. What happened?" She asked, looking concerned.

"Uh... Yes, I guess. How are you?" I needed to start with a light conversation. I needed to read her current emotion.

Maddy shrugged. "I'm good... Just trying to get over Clark. And you?"

"I'm good," I replied and played with my fingers. I was so nervous to speak. I have never had friends who supported me and in turn, I betrayed them.

"Jackie? What's wrong? Your hands are shaking."

It was then I noticed that my hands were shaking slightly. I quickly put them under the table, out of sight, and placed them between my thighs. I met her curious eyes and exhaled.

"I have something to tell you. Well, two things to tell you," I said and she shifted in her seat.

"You're making me scared. Are you in trouble or something?" Maddy leaned forward and took in my body.

"No, I'm not," I said and took a deep breath to calm my nerves. "Maddy, I'm sorry."

"Huh?"

"I apologize for not saying this to you since it happened. I was only in need of my job and wasn't thinking straight. I... Clark kissed me once before you broke up with him and he promised me not to tell you as long as he'll pay me double of what he already does... I am so sorry for not telling you, Maddy. I was only desperate for money."

Maddy had a blank expression on her face. She wasn't moving, not even blinking. She was simply staring at me which made me feel scared the more.

"Maddy, say something."

Maddy nodded. "I understand that you were desperate but you could at least come to me and told me what happened then we would have pretended like you didn't tell me. Clark took advantage of you, I believe and besides, he has been making remarks about you which I suspected to be something else. I'm not angry with you but disappointed in you."

"I know and I'm sorry... Please, forgive me. I feel so bad because I contributed to your relationship failing and—'

"No, don't say that. It was my fault for going into a relationship with a notorious fuck boy. I should have expected that from him. I have so many bad experiences with their type."

I gulped at her words because it was an indirect shade to Lucas who I was yet to reveal as my roommate.

"Anyway, it's all gone. Let's forget about that jerk, please. I'm trying to move on, maybe I might be single for a while until my soul mate comes," Maddy said with a chuckle.

I didn't laugh back as I was summoning the courage to tell her I lived with the one person she once had something with and hated.

"Maddy, I have something else to tell you."

"Don't tell me you're dating Axel," she said and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Why would you think that?"

"Oh, the way you two are close and all. Just to be truthful, I don't ship you two," Maddy said with a smile and I rolled my eyes.

"Anyway, what I wanted to say to you was that... Please don't get angry. I did this because I didn't want to worry you or Axel or be a responsibility to anyone of you guys," I said and Maddy rubbed her forehead.

"Just go straight to the point."

I nodded. "Maddy, I... I live with Lucas."

Maddy froze and dropped her hand from her face in shock. Her plump lips were parted, her eyes wide and eyebrows furrowed. I shrugged my shoulders and relaxed on my seat while she stayed in her shocked state.

"Sorry, what?"

"Yes... I live in Lucas' house."

Maddy gasped. "Jesus Christ! Since when?! Jackie, what happened with you? Why have you suddenly stopped telling me things? Did I offend you or something?"

"No, no, no, you didn't. I was just not ready to ask you or Axel for help when you all helped me in my first year here. Besides, I had no place to go. You know I refuse to go back to our town and Axel lives very far away. I couldn't go to any of you and Lucas had been my only option."

I began to tell her how we met again, revealing I had lied that I didn't meet him. I saw how angry she was with me and I deserved it. She had a nasty glare on her face and I was hoping she wouldn't be too mad.

"So, that's it. I'm sorry."

Maddy rose. "First you keep the truth about Clark kissing you now this? Are you even my best friend?"

"I said I was sorry, okay? I was stranded, with all-out options and running for a limited time. I was emotionally unstable and needed help and Lucas said he would help me. I accepted it and I've been okay so far. I know you might hate Lucas for what he did at that party but he's not a bad person. We've been living comfortably together and I promise to move out once I have enough money from my work."

Maddy stared down at me, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. She stared for almost a minute before dropping her arms.

"Fine... I forgive you because I understand what you've been through. But are you sure Lucas is taking care of you and not being a jerk?"

"Well, he is still a jerk."

Maddy chuckled. "As always. Say, why don't you take me to his place. Let's see what that jerk has been up to."

I smiled. "That'll be great."