ONE Night On His Bike

The Thunder Strike

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*CHAPTER 13:

It started at 2 AM.

Heavy rain. Lightning. Thunder that shook the windows.

I was awake instantly. Breathing fast. The cafe, Ryan, everything came back.

I sat up on the couch. His door was open, just like he said. *"If you need anything, I’m right there."*

I didn’t call. I didn’t text.

I just walked into his room.

He was asleep. Sitting up against the headboard, like he’d been waiting.

When he saw me he opened his arms without a word.

I climbed in and hugged him. Tight.

Thunder cracked again.

*"I’m here,"* he said into my hair. *"Nothing’s getting to you."*

I fell asleep like that.

Morning. Light through the curtains.

He was still asleep. Arm around me.

I eased out carefully.

Kitchen.

Tea. Black coffee. No sugar. No cream.

Toasted bread with chocolate and strawberry. Just how he liked it.

I remembered that day at the roundabout. He’d come to grab coffee, our hands brushed, and he’d left with black coffee. I’d noticed.

I set it down and went to shower.

Came out in one of his oversized tees. Hair damp.

That’s when he walked out of his room.

He saw me. And froze.

For like 5 seconds neither of us talked.

*"Sorry,"* I said quickly. *"I didn’t know you were awake. I made you breakfast."*

*"Breakfast,"* he said, voice rough. *"Tea."*

*"Thank you,"* I added softly. *"For last night."*

He looked at me. Really looked.

*"I told you,"* he said. *"I will always protect you."*

He ate. Took a sip of the black coffee.

*"How did you know?"* he asked.

*"Know what?"*

*"How I like it. No sugar. No cream."*

I shrugged, suddenly shy. *"That day at the roundabout. When you came to get coffee and our hands brushed? You took it and left. I noticed."*

He stared. *"So you notice things about me."*

*"Yeah,"* I said. *"I notice everything."*

He drove me home after.

*"Don’t drop me at the office,"* I said. *"Because of the gossip."*

*"I want to,"* he said.

*"Please,"* I said. *"Just by the AFA corner."*

He dropped me there.

I walked in.

And Ryan was by the entrance.

Watching.

Seeing me get out of his car. Seeing the hoodie I’d had on.

His jaw tightened.

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