Fleckless

Chapter Seven

Lizzie's POV

As I awake from what feels like the best sleep in days, a sense of relaxation washes over my body. I slowly flutter my eyes open, only to find the room dimly lit by the blinds, shielding me from the morning sun's warmth. Attempting to shift position, I realize I'm unable to move—I'm lying on my side, with a tight grip holding me in place. Panic surges through me as I struggle to comprehend the situation.

As I attempt to lift my heavy head, the remnants of a bad hangover weigh me down. Confusion floods my mind as I question how I could have allowed a stranger into my home, let alone my room. With trembling hands, I cautiously try to remove his grip, only to find it tightening around me. Suddenly, he turns me to face him, and I'm met with the sight of those captivating eyes.

"Good morning, sunshine. Slept well?" he greets me, his voice warm and familiar.

Realization dawns upon me as I gaze into his beautiful eyes. It's Jake—the man who feels so natural to be with. Under the soft glow of the dim light, his attractiveness seems to amplify, his deep oceanic eyes drawing me in. A wave of relief washes over me, followed by a sense of peace. It feels as though being with him is the most natural thing in the world.

I felt myself slipping away in his presence, losing touch with reality as my focus narrowed solely on him. It was like he possessed some magnetic pull, drawing me in with an irresistible force. Mesmerized by his presence, I found myself unable to tear my eyes away from him, my gaze tracing the contours of his face with a longing I couldn't quite understand.

Caught in the throes of this enchantment, all coherent thoughts evaporated, leaving only the overwhelming desire to reach out and touch him—to feel the warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips. However, my reverie is abruptly interrupted by the sound of his throat clearing, and the quirk of his eyebrow pulls me back to reality with a jolt.

"Hey," I respond, attempting to mask the effect of his presence on me. Fortunately, my voice remains steady, betraying none of the turmoil raging within me.

"If you're done gawking at me, go freshen up," his morning voice sends a shiver down my spine, igniting a desire within me that I struggle to suppress. Before those thoughts can consume me entirely, I hastily leap out of bed, clutching the sheet around me as I rush to the bathroom.

I hear his chuckle, followed by his voice echoing through the room, "Like I haven't seen everything already." Despite my embarrassment, I can't help but smile at his teasing tone.

As I return to the room, a surge of reality washes over me, prompting me to speak up. "Wait, shouldn't you leave?" I inquire, feeling a mixture of uncertainty and anticipation.

Jake remains sprawled on the bed, exuding an aura of masculinity that leaves me breathless. His muscles flex beneath his skin, a testament to his strength and allure. Turning his head to face me, he flashes a mischievous grin. "You're not getting rid of me that easily, pumpkin," he declares, punctuating his words with a playful wink. Butterflies erupt in my stomach at his teasing demeanor, and despite my attempts to maintain composure, I can feel myself succumbing to the magnetic pull of his presence.

Locking the door behind me, I lean against it, a smiling mess with my heart racing a mile a minute. Jake was truly something else, his presence profoundly affected me. I can't help but roll my eyes at myself, trying to contain the grin threatening to overtake my face.

Biting down on my lip, I fight back the smile as I leave the sheet at the door and stand before the mirror, admiring my reflection. Does he like what he sees? The thought sends my mind into a whirlwind of insecurity, wondering how many women he's been with before me. Doubts creep in, whispering that I'm nothing special, that he wouldn't want to be with me.

Shaking my head to dispel the thoughts, I step into the shower, allowing the warm water to wash away the uncertainty and self-doubt, if only for a moment.

I relish the tranquility as I lean back, allowing the warm water to seep into my soul. With my eyes closed and breathing steady, I lose track of time, existing in blissful solitude.

Eventually, I emerge from the shower, my skin tingling from the heat, adorned with droplets that glisten like freckles in the sunlight. Wrapping a towel around me, I dry my hair with another towel before venturing back into the room.

To my surprise, Jake is nowhere to be seen, and a wave of panic washes over me, causing my heart to skip a beat. I stand frozen, uncertainty clouding my mind as I scan the room for any sign of his presence.

Quickly, I make my way to the dresser, my hands reaching for a yellow floral mini-dress. With a sense of urgency, I slip it on, the fabric draping over my skin without the barrier of underwear or a bra. Each movement is hurried, driven by anticipation and apprehension as I prepare for whatever lies ahead.

With sandals adorning my feet, I go to the living room, bracing myself for the quiet solitude that usually fills the space. However, as I draw nearer, a sweet aroma dances through the air, tantalizing my senses and eliciting a growl from my stomach. Only then do I realize the extent of my hunger, the aroma awakening a primal craving deep within me.