33

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Jackie's POV

I had made sure to not be in the same place as Lucas after the whole incident. Whenever he came downstairs, I would leave the house and stroll through the hallway and come back a while later then stay in the bathroom. I should probably get used to such because I had a feeling that he would be doing what he did more often, and I had to prepare my mind for it.

A knock on the bathroom door made me jerk slightly before I stared at the wooden door.

"Jackie, are you in there? The food is here. Come downstairs, let's eat," came his muffled voice behind the door.

"I'll be right there with you," I replied and stared at my face in the mirror. I exhaled and flushed the toilet to cover up the fact that I was hiding from him then washed my hands and left the bathroom.

I walked over to the wooden steps and saw him setting out the foods on the coffee table. I gulped when my eyes went to his strong back that was hugged by the grey shirt he was wearing. Even his strong legs were a delight underneath the basketball shorts he was wearing.

When he turned around, I stiffened and made my way down the steps. I got close and sat down on the couch beside me then watched as he took out a plastic plate with what I saw was rice mixed with vegetables. My stomach rumbled quietly at the sight of the food as he took out another plastic plate with sushis in it. 

"This is yours," Lucas said, offering me the rice which I took.

"Thank you," I said and placed the hot plate on my lap. He took what I recognized as noodles and sat down on the second couch.

"If you want something different, there's more food in the bag," he said and pointed the ends of his chopsticks at the white bag on the table.

I felt my heart warm up at how kind he was. He let me stay at his place now he bought expensive foods that I have never bought before or eaten. I was feeling the urge to tear up but held myself back and looked at my food.

"It's okay. I'll manage this one," I replied, and he hummed, mouth full of noodles.

We ate in a comfortable silence for thirty minutes before Lucas rose from his couch and went to the kitchen. When he returned, he made a move to pack up the rest of the food, but I was quick to rise from my seat and grab the bag, startling him.

"I'll clean up," I said, and he blinked.

"You don't have to. I'll do it myself," he said, and I shook my head.

"You bought the food so it's logical that I clean up," I said with a frown.

Lucas sighed. "You are stubborn... But okay."

He sat down on the couch and started using his phone then I packed up the items on the table before walking over to the kitchen. Almost everything was modern and a bit foreign to my eyes. I saw no sign of a gas cooker and wondered where he cooked things. 

The only thing I recognized were the smooth counters, sink and the large fridge standing against the wall. With a shrug of my shoulders, I cleaned up what I held and joined him in the living room.

"I'm getting tired. I need to sleep," Lucas said and my eyes went wide.

"H-Huh?" I remembered that there was just one room and we had not talked about our sleeping arrangements.

Lucas stood up and went toward the steps. I rushed to my feet and called his name, making him turn around with furrowed eyebrows.

"We haven't talked about our sleeping arrangements," I said, and he looked aside for some seconds before staring back at me.

"The bed of course... I mean, it's big enough for the two of us to lay on," Lucas replied and smirked, summoning that cocky side of his. 

I scoffed. "The last thing I would do is share a bed with you. So, be serious."

Lucas chuckled. "I am being serious."

I gulped and looked up at the bed that was visible from where I stood.

"Wait here," I said and walked past him then made my way up the steps. When I entered the room, I went straight into the walk-in closet where I took my blanket and made my way out. I grabbed one of the pillows on the bed and walked down the steps.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you doing?" Lucas asked and blocked my way.

"Get out of the way," I warned and tried to walk to the left, but he blocked me with his arms wide open.

"Why are you with a blanket and a pillow?"

"One, I just realized you might have slept on that bed with your girlfriends and two, I can't stay with you on the same bed," I said, and he smiled.

Lucas had a beautiful smile, and this was the first time I saw him smile. His smile stretched his lips which made me see his straight white teeth. When he poked his tongue out and ran it over his upper teeth, I felt warmth between my legs at the motion which confused me.

"Come on, Jackie. Why would you think like that?" Lucas asked and walked closer, but I stepped back.

He started to walk further, and I did the opposite until my back touched the shelf close to the steps. A gasp left my lips when he placed his strong arms on both sides of my face and leaned down. I lifted the pillow, covering half of my face with it.

"What do you think will happen if we sleep together?" He whispered; his eyes darkened.

My heart thumped hard and fast at his words, especially his choice of words. My mind became filled with a dirty image of a naked Lucas on top of me and my body heated up at the image. When I looked into his darkened blue eyes, I blinked slowly at the intensity of his gaze on my face. It was as if he was trying to read my mind and I hoped he couldn't because the thought of me and him under the sheets was embarrassingly sinful.

"I asked you a question?" He whispered and I hummed. "Tell me what will happen if we sleep on the same bed?"

When he leaned close to my ear and exhaled, a shudder escaped my body as well as a loud exhale. He was so close that I could feel his warmth and smell his deodorant. 

"I... Nothing but..." I was speechless as his nose rubbed my cheek.

Lucas chuckled then moved back with my blanket and pillow. It was like the spell that was on me suddenly vanished, and I went back to my senses.

"Can I have my blanket and pillow back?" I asked and he looked at them before shaking his head.

"No... You take the bed and I'll stay on the couch," he replied and turned around.

"No! I told you I won't sleep on that bed because who knows the number of girls you've done things to on that bed!"

I marched up to him when he started to laugh. This was not funny. How was I supposed to sleep comfortably without thinking of how many sweats were soaked inside the mattress under the blankets. 

"Listen," Lucas said and faced me, seriousness on his face. "I'm a playboy, player or whatever you call it. But I don't bring the girls I fuck to my house or on my bed. It's a personal thing and as well as too intimate."

I swallowed and opened my mouth to speak but no words could come out. I simply nodded but because I was stubborn, I took my blanket back from him, shocking him.

"Okay... But I will still sleep on the couch. This is your house, you took me in, fed me and all so it's reasonable for me to stay on the couch. I can't have you being so uncomfortable because of me," I said and started walking past him.

Before I could get close to the couch, I felt myself being lifted off the floor and thrown over his shoulder. I screamed out of fear and wiggled.

"Put me down!"

"Stay still you stubborn girl!" He ordered but I wiggled more. "If you don't stay still I'm going to smack this ass of yours right this instant!"

I gasped, feeling shocked and offended.

"You wouldn't dare!" I said and heard a chuckle from him. My cheeks heated up when his hand moved closer to the upper part of my thigh. 

"Don't test me, baby. I will spank you if you try me," he said, and I relaxed on his shoulder.

"Okay," I whispered, and his fingers clenched the back of my thigh.

"Good girl. Now stay still," Lucas said and he started to move.

I shut my eyes when I started to feel dizzy. I was wondering if I wasn't too heavy for him but then again, Lucas was athletic and most likely carried weights heavier than my body mass. 

Some seconds later, I was dropped on something soft and bouncy. I opened my eyes and saw him standing over me at the edge of the bed. 

"You'll sleep on the bed from now on. Don't worry, Jackie. I sleep on my couch most nights," he said with a wink and started leaving.

"Wait!" I said and he stopped before looking over his broad shoulder. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For letting me stay here," I said. 

"You're welcome... Good night, Jackie."

I watched him leave and when I could not see his head anymore, I laid down and stared at the ceiling. I started to think about the events of the day and how much everything was better than it was days ago.

Tomorrow, I will start working at Clark's place and coming back to a roof over my head. 

I smiled. "I hope everything goes well from now on."