HANNAH
The rain was relentless, pounding against the windows like a persistent drumbeat. The storm had settled in, making it clear we weren’t going anywhere tonight. Jeremy and I sat on the couch, the glow of the television casting faint light into the room as the news anchor confirmed what we already knew: the storm was expected to last until morning.
And then, just like a bad cliché, the electricity went out.
“Perfect,” I muttered under my breath.
Jeremy shifted beside me, his phone screen lighting up his face as he checked something. “No signal, either. Guess we’re officially camping out now.”
I stood, carefully navigating through the dark apartment. “I’ll get some candles. Stay there.”
“Like I’m going anywhere,” he called out, the teasing lilt in his voice making my stomach flip.
A few minutes later, the living room glowed faintly with the soft light of two candles. I set them on the coffee table before looking at him. “The couch folds out, but honestly, it’s not that comfortable. You can sleep in my bed.”
“And where would you sleep?” His brow arched in challenge.
I sighed, already regretting the offer. “We’ll both fit. Barely.”
His smirk was almost audible as he stood, towering over me in the dim light. “Alright. But if it’s too cramped, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
The awkwardness hit full force as soon as we lay down. My bed was small—barely big enough for me on a good day, let alone with Jeremy’s six-foot frame beside me. He took up so much space that I had no choice but to lie pressed against the very edge of the mattress, my body rigid as I tried not to think about how close we were.
“Comfortable?” His voice was low, amused.
“Perfectly fine,” I said through gritted teeth, refusing to give him the satisfaction of admitting how uncomfortable I was.
“You sure? Because if we’re this squished, I could always just…” His voice trailed off, and then he leaned slightly closer, his breath warm against my cheek. “…lie on top of you instead. That’d save space.”
The sheer audacity made me gasp. “Jeremy!”
My shriek was followed by the sound of his laughter—deep, genuine, and uncontrollable. He rolled onto his back, shaking with mirth, and I froze, caught off guard by how beautiful he sounded. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d heard him laugh like that.
“Relax, Hannah,” he said between chuckles. “I’m just messing with you.”
I didn’t reply, too stunned to think of a retort. In the dark, I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel his presence—his body warm and solid beside me, his breathing steady. My heart raced as I tried to calm the sudden flutter in my chest.
The bed shifted slightly, and I turned my head just as his lips brushed against the curve of my jaw. My breath hitched, and I swallowed hard.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
“Doing what adults do,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing.
“Jeremy—” My protest died as his lips found mine.
The kiss was soft at first, a tentative meeting of lips that quickly deepened as his hand cupped the back of my neck. My resolve melted under the weight of his touch, and I found myself leaning into him, my fingers gripping the front of his shirt.
The room was silent save for the rain outside and the sound of our breathing, heavy and uneven. His kisses were slow, deliberate, and maddeningly thorough, like he was savoring every second.
I didn’t want it to stop.
Somewhere in the haze, his hand slid to the small of my back, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. I could feel the heat radiating off him, the strength in his hold, and for a moment, I forgot everything—forgot the awkwardness, the confusion, the storm outside. All that mattered was this.
When we finally pulled apart, I was breathless, my lips tingling. Jeremy’s forehead rested against mine, his hand still on my back as he whispered, “Go to sleep, Hannah.”
I blinked up at him, dazed. “What?”
“You’re tired,” he said simply, his voice soft but firm. He shifted, pulling the blanket over me before tucking it around my shoulders. “Sleep.”
I wanted to argue, but my body betrayed me, exhaustion finally catching up. As I drifted off, I felt the faintest brush of his lips against my forehead and the warmth of his arm draped protectively around me.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt safe.
***