"Triiiiingg!!" The shrill sound of the alarm echoed through the quiet house. Almost instantly, a hand shot out from beneath the blankets and silenced it.
Rose sat upright with a bright smile across her face. Today, she had deliberately set her alarm two hours earlier than her usual time. She stretched lazily before climbing out of bed, her excitement already chasing away any lingering sleepiness.
"I've got plenty of time today." she muttered as she made her way downstairs.
The kitchen was cool and dim in the early morning light. Rose began preparing the ingredients she would need later. Vegetables were washed and sorted, and all the ingredients she planned to use were arranged neatly on the counter.
Once everything was ready, she nodded in satisfaction. "That should save some time."
Then she went up to her room to freshen up and get ready.
After her morning routine and a quick shower, she headed downstairs, dressed in her school uniform and her hair styled neatly.
Returning to the kitchen, she tied an apron around her waist and resumed where she had left off.
She reached for the vegetables and seasonings she had bought the previous evening, carefully adding each ingredient at just the right moment. She stirred one pot while tasting another, adjusting the seasoning until she was satisfied.
"I think he'll like this one..." The thought alone made her smile a little wider.
Nearly an hour later, several freshly prepared dishes sat cooling on the counter. Rose carefully portioned a modest serving into a small lunch box for herself and looked proudly over the remaining food.
One by one, she packed the dishes into airtight containers and glanced at the clock on the wall. "I still have an hour before school."
She slipped her lunch box into her school bag and slung it across shoulder before grabbing the lunch bag and walking toward the front door.,
Rose reached for the handle and stopped as a sudden thought crossed her mind. Slowly, she opened the door, just enough to look outside.
Nothing. No one waiting for her.
Rose stepped cautiously onto the porch, her gaze scanning the surroundings. She leaned around the corner of her house, as if worried the older woman would appear out of nowhere with a bunch of questions.
Still nothing. The front gate was closed and the curtains remained still.
"Maybe she's still asleep..." A long sigh escaped her lips. "Thank goodness."
The tension disappeared and she smiled brightly.
With no one there to stop her or question where she was going, her earlier excitement returned in full force. Rose happily skipped down the sidewalk, her footsteps light and carefree as she made her way toward Nic's house.
The morning breeze played with her hair while she hummed a cheerful tune under her breath. Within moments, she disappeared around the corner and the street fell quiet once more.
Several moments passed.
Then the front gate of the last house she had passed by creaked open.
Mrs. Lawson stepped out onto the path, her eyes lingering on the retreating figure of Rose. A thoughtful frown settled on her face before she turned back toward the front yard.
"Thanks for the tea, Martha," she said warmly, her stern expression softening for a moment.. "It's always a pleasure spending time with you."
Beneath the shaded porch sat a frail elderly woman with neatly combed white hair. A steaming cup of tea rested on the small table beside her, gentle wisps of steam curling into the cool morning air.
Martha looked up with kind, weathered eyes.
She lifted her hands and moved them with practiced grace, signing a brief message before finishing with a warm smile.
Mrs. Lawson watched carefully, her own expression growing gentler.
"Of course," she replied with a small nod. I'll see you Friday then."
Martha gave a quiet wave before reaching for her teacup once more.
Mrs. Lawson smiled back, then stepped through the front gate and onto the sidewalk.
She glanced down the street in the direction Rose had gone, her eyes narrowing with quiet determination. With measured steps, she set off along the same route Rose had taken.
"Let's see where you're really going."
-•-•-
Rose stepped into the house with a big smile.
For her, this place felt more like a home than the one she grew up in. There was a warmth here, a sense of belonging that lived in the scent of Nic's cologne and the lingering heat of their shared nights.
She slipped off her shoes and headed straight for the kitchen, placing her school bag on the counter. One by one, she removed the airtight food containers and arranged them neatly across the countertop.
She then picked up two of the containers and carried them to the refrigerator. She stored them inside for later and turned back to the kitchen. The rich aroma of freshly cooked food immediately filled the kitchen as she opened the remaining containers.
Rose fetched two plates from the cabinet and set them on the dining table. She served a portion of each dish onto each plate, making sure everything looked neat before stepping back to admire her work.
Only then did she realize something.
"...Where is he?"
The house was unusually quiet.
She began a slow search of the house, checking the living room and the two bedrooms before finally making her way to the garage. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, looking around cautiously.
The last time she was here, she didn't have the time to look at anything properly.
The garage was a sprawling space filled with the scent of motor oil, rubber, and cold steel. Rose eyes immediately paused on the sleek black car parked on the side, her cheeks turning red at the memory of her bent over on its hood.
She shook her head of the unnecessary thoughts and looked around. Her eyes swept over the imposing silhouettes of heavy machinery standing like sentinels and the numerous tools hanging from the walls.
A mini-fridge was tucked discreetly into a corner and the walls were lined with shelves overflowing with an array of spare parts, mechanical tools and trinkets whose purpose Rose couldn't even begin to guess.
Then, she caught a glimpse of movement just beyond her immediate line of sight.
Curious, Rose crept further into the space, her footsteps light on the concrete. As she rounded a piece of equipment, she found him.
Dressed in a dark grey tank top that clung to his frame and a pair of matching track pants, Nic was suspended from a pull-up bar mounted high above.
He was in the middle of a set, pulling his body upward before lowering himself with effortless control. His legs remained perfectly still while the muscles in his shoulders and arms worked in perfect harmony.
Rose found herself completely mesmerized, her gaze was glued to his rippling back and arms as the muscles flexed and relaxed with each repetition. The sight of his muscles shifting beneath his skin sent a hot, pulsing ache that made her thighs tremble.
A few moments later, Nic finished his final rep and dropped lightly to the floor. As he turned around, he caught Rose staring at him, her eyes clouded with barely contained lust.
"What are you looking at?" he asked, his voice a deep rumble. A smug smirk spread across his lips as he unfastened the thick cuffs off his wrists.
"Um... I... I wasn't..." Rose mumbled unconvincingly, her voice trailing off as she looked away. Her flustered expression only made Nic more amused.
"Go get me a beer." he ordered as he set the cuffs on the bench with a heavy thunk.
"Okay!" she squeaked, almost grateful for the change of topic.
Remembering the mini-fridge she had spotted earlier, Rose hurried across the garage and grabbed a cold can before running back to him.
"Here." As she approached to hand him the drink, Nic reached out and pulled her flush against his body.
Rose gasped in surprise as her nose collided into his hard chest. She was instantly enveloped in his natural musk—a potent blend of masculine scent and the salty tang of sweat that acted like an aphrodisiac on her senses.
Before she could speak, Nic lifted her chin and pressed his lips onto hers. The kiss was passionate and demanding, claiming her with a hunger that mirrored her own.
After a long, breathless moment, he released her from his hold and took the can from her trembling fingers.
"Good girl," he muttered as he planted a light kiss on her nose and sat down on the bench.
With a crisp pop, he cracked the beer open and took a long, satisfying swig and swallowed it with a loud gulp. He looked up at her, his intense gaze making her feel completely exposed.
"You're early today," he noted, taking another swig.