Adore

Chapter 6

Our feet splashed into puddles sending water spraying all around us. We reached a sleek looking black car and Tom reached into his pocket. The car responding with a quick beep as it was unlocked.

"Hop in!" Tom called out over another crack of thunder. He opened one of the back doors for Tessa and she jumped in the back. I figured Archie could follow suit as I dropped his lead and told him to get in. He followed my command very eagerly, keen to get out of the rain.

I opened the passenger door and slide into the seat. My hair was drenched and I could feel the rain dripping all over the leather interior.

"Oh god I'm getting get water everywhere!" I said to Tom after he pulled his door closed. I pulled my wet ponytail around so it was resting over my chest, the rain dripping through my shirt.

"Don't worry about it, I've got a towel in the boot I'll get when the rain slows down" He spoke while a big smile painted his face.

I started to laugh at the unfortunate turn of events and Tom joined in. The sound of his laugh was so warm and genuine. I liked the way the skin around his eyes crinkled when he laughed.

A drop of rain fell from my hairline and rolled its way down my cheek as I shivered from the sudden drop in temperature. My shirt was soaked and the material clung to my body.

I glanced sideways at Tom to see him looking at my body up and down. He cleared his throat and quickly looked away when my eyes caught his, knowing he was checking me out.

Tom turned the engine on, the car growled to life. He blasted the heating and I held out my hands in front of the vents trying to unfreeze my fingers.

"My hands are like ice!" I said rubbing them together feeling them start to warm slightly.

"Here, feel!" I exclaimed and grabbed the sides of Toms face. He sucked in a breath and let out a little noise of shock.

"Oh fucking hell" He took my hands in his, covering them easily with his own and rubbed my palms and fingers until I felt them come back to life.

"How do they feel now?" He asked me.

"Much better, thankyou"

"The rains easing up now, I'll grab that towel" Tom said, popping the handle of the door open and leaving the car.

I turned around the see that Archie and Tessa were now curled up on the back seat together, laying on a seat cover which I guess was there for when Tessa was in the car.

Tom returned to the drivers seat of the car carrying what just looked like a pile of material.

He passed me a towel and I began drying off my hair and face. The towel absorbed the last drops of water, other than those soaked through my clothes. I pressed the towel against myself hoping it would draw out some of the water but it'd didn't do much good.

"I had this hoodie in the boot if you're cold" Tom said holding out the dark green hoodie to me.

"Thankyou, aren't you cold though?" I turned towards him in my seat.

"I'll be fine" He said directing the vents on his side of the car towards himself better. I slipped the hoodie over my head, loving the feeling of how cozy it was.

I pulled my hair free of the ponytail and retied it up in a bun getting it off my face. My shirt was sticking to me in such an uncomfortable way.

"So, can I give you a ride home?" Tom asked me.

"If you don't mind, that'd be great. I don't live too far from here" I said while reaching for my seat belt and clipping it across my body as Tom did the same.

He signalled and pulled away from the curb. I directed Tom towards my house only getting lost on one street, the area looking slightly different while being in a car. I mostly walked places or took a bus if it was a long journey.

We pulled up to my front door and Tom killed the engine of the black Audi. He undid his belt quickly and moved around the front of the car, opening my door for me.

I took his outstretched hand and stood by him. The rain had mostly cleared up by now, but a small sprinkle still fell from the sky.

I opened the back door and Archie jumped from the car landing on the pathway. I turned back to tom and spoke.

"I had a really nice time today. Thanks for asking me to hang out" I felt my breath quicken. And I finally understood what I was feeling, he was making me nervous.

"I'm glad you said yes. I'll text you about that party soon" He said walking me to my front door.

He lent in, this time placing a delicate kiss on my cheek as he wrapped me in a hug. He let go all too quickly for my liking and I managed to spit out a lame sounding goodbye. He had thrown me off with a kiss, his soft lips left my cheek feeling warm with a blush.

He turned away and was about to head back to his car

"Do you want you hoodie back?" I asked him.

"Keep it, it looks better on you anyways" He said with a wink, taking the stairs with a bit of a skip in his step. Before slipping into his car he held up a hand, waving goodbye.

My face broke into a smile as I waved back to him. Turning away to open the house and hurry inside. I just saw Tom pull away before I closed the door behind me.

I turned to Archie who was waiting by my side, unhooking his lead I said to him

"Oh boy..." knowing that my mind would not stop thinking about that young man until our next meeting.