Stained

Chapter 73

For a second I debate putting the money in his desk. But what if it gets stolen. I don't have a lock to the door. But then there's also the matter of him not accepting the money and coming after me to give it back.

I decide something that annoys the life out of my feminine side. Not giving myself the chance to decide against it, I zip up my purse and grab the rest of the money from the ground, — and the desk, where he missed a couple notes — and run out after him.

When I pull open the double doors, I spot his tall form on the landing a second before he disappears outside.

I sprint down the stairs after him.

Oh god, I'm not a runner.

"Damien!" I shout and almost trip over my own foot in my rush, but manage to make it down unscathed.

"Damien wait!" I push open the door and step out into the pouring rain.

"Damien!"

His back stiffens as he stops. But he doesn't turn around.

I run to him. I'm gasping by the time I'm in front of him.

The heavy rain has already matted his hair to his forehead and his clothes to his muscled body.

"I'm sorry," I pant out, breathless from my run.

He looks down at me and frowns. "You're going to get a cold, Rose."

Rose. He called me Rose. I almost smile.

My glasses fog up so I take them off. "I don't care."

He shakes his head and holds up a hoodie. When did he grab a hoodie?

I'm still wondering how when he pulls it over my head.

"I'm sorry, i..." I push my hair out of my face as he pulls the hood up over my head. "You did something nice for me and as always I gave you crap for it. And for that, I'm sorry too. But Damien buying me a window is too much—."

He parts his lips to protest. I interrupt him. "I know. You intended on fixing it. Regardless you bought me a new window and I can't take that lightly. So please at least take this. I won't try to give you more as much as I want to."

I hold my breath as he hesitantly takes the purse along with the cash in my hand.

He smirks a little and holds up my wallet. "The purse too?"

I giggle. "Sure." It is a simple red and gold wallet from River Island.

He smiles and as always it triggers one of my own.

His eyes flit to my lips and mine mirror the movement on his. 

'Stop it, Hazel!'

I force myself to take a step back and then force my eyes off his lips. "Thank you."

He nods once. His body trembles a little

I point to my car beside him. "I should get going. My mum thinks I'm currently buying groceries."

At the mention of my mum his smile falters. It takes me a second to understand why. He believes I kicked him out because of my mum. 

And then he looks over his shoulder to my car and the smile returns. I swear my heart does a giddy little happy dance inside my chest.

"Cute car," he chuckles.

I scrunch my face up and say teasingly, "jealous?"

His eyes squint with amusement. "Very."