| 21 |

~ Banks Woods ~

I'm almost sure I dreamt the whole thing. I couldn't possibly have crawled my way into Lance's lap and cried my heart out. I couldn't possibly have clung to him while I told him the deepest part of me. I couldn't possibly have begged him to leave me before I completely deteriorated my mind.

Though, when I open my eyes and see his golden features sitting at the foot of the bed, I realize, it all really happened.

I did fucking cry out to him. I did all of that and more and he...he said those words that melted my heart. He said the words that I've desperately wanted someone in my life to say to me.

The relief that hit me when he promised he wouldn't leave. I didn't know how much I wanted that assurance until he voiced it out loud.

He's on his phone right now, typing away with a concentrated frown on his face.

My body still feels weird and queasy but I feel somewhat better than last time. My throat is all dry and parched and my eyes sting probably because of how much I cried. I'm really low on fluids.

Mumbling under my breath, I try sitting up.

Lance's head snaps towards me and he immediately drops his phone, getting to his feet. He's beside me within seconds, taking my hand and helping me sit up.

Dizziness washes over me that I try ignoring.

"What's wrong? How do you feel?"

I nod. "It's better than before. I need some water."

"On it." He marches out of the room and returns seconds later with a glass of water.

The liquid does wonders for my dry throat and my empty stomach. I close my eyes and take long sips.

"Castle's on his way right now. He has food with him. I would cook but I don't really know what to give you with your fever. Since he's the mom, he knows it all."

"He didn't have to. We have cup noodles."

He snorts. "As if I'm gonna let you survive only on cup noodles."

My heart melts again. But I can't really ask for his care and all. It just feels...wrong.

His white shirt is wrinkled as if he slept in them. There's tiredness on his face and a slight stubble on his jaw. I don't even know how long he's been here.

"Lance, you really don't have to do this."

"I want to."

"Don't you have your job?"

"I replied to all emails through my phone and I've been keeping up with phone calls. Don't worry. I'm all good. Dad knows what's going on."

Regret courses through me. "You really don't have to—"

"Hey." He slides onto the bed in front of me, taking my hand in his as if it always belonged there. "I know you're used to taking care of others. But right now, I want to take care of you. Will you allow me that?"

I bite my lip. Him taking care of me? Why does it sound so foreign?

Hesitatingly, I whisper, "I'm not used to this."

"You better get started then." He flashes me an easy grin.

"Where's Caleb?"

"School. He told me if he doesn't go, the teachers are gonna call and bother you."

"Right." I sigh, running my hands through my hair. I wince when my fingers get stuck in the knots. Slowly a realization comes over me. God knows since when was the last time I brushed or took a shower. I subtly smell myself and nearly gag when I realize I smell like vomit. My face must look horrible and dead right now and my eyes—

His hand tightens on mine, tugging me back from my thoughts. I look at his face and he gives me a relieved look.

"I'm so glad you're getting better. When Caleb called and said you fainted, I thought something would've happened to me too."

"I'm alright."

"Thank fuck."

"I should probably brush my teeth."

"Oh right, I have to do it too." He rubs the back of his neck. "You go ahead. I'll call someone to get my stuff."

"You're staying?" I don't want to sound too hopeful in case he can't.

Luckily for me, he smiles and nods. "Never leaving. Not until you're back to normal again."

Satisfied, I slide off the bed on wobbly legs and make my way towards the bathroom. When Lance notices me taking support of the wall, he rushes to my side then without any warning, swoops me in his arms.

"Lance!"

"What?"

"Y-you're carrying me." I'm dumbfounded, not knowing what to say.

"Uh, yeah." He walks into the bathroom and then sets me down on my feet. His fingers brush over the exposed skin between the hem of my t-shirt and the waistband of my leggings.       

My skin burns even hotter with the gesture.

"Get brushing. I'll be right back." He then pats my head.

Did he just fucking pat my head?

Is it just me or is he getting too comfortable with the touching?

A blush covers my face as I pick up my brush and stick it under the water.

●・○・●・○・●

My eyes water when I throw up into the paper bag again. That's the third time I'm emptying my stomach today and it does not get better. My ears are ringing and my chest constricts.

Lance holds my hair back, while Castle stands beside me with medicine.

Theo is busy gagging about his own discomfort, while Xander is on the couch with Caleb, watching TV.

My stomach heaves and I find myself retching again.

"Okay. Ew. Gross. What is she even throwing out?" Theo scrunches his face.

"Shut up, jackass." Castle slaps him upside the head.

"No. I'm serious. Banks, honey, what did you eat?"

"Slap him again for me please." I gasp in pain. The retching is done, but there's this weird-tasting drool in my mouth.

Castle slaps Theo again, who yelps in return.

"I'm only voicing my concern. I've never seen vomit of this texture and colour ever before."

"Theo, please shut the fuck up." Lance glares at me.

He throws his hands up, offended. "Fine. You don't wanna listen to me, don't!"

Saying that he marches out of the room.

"Why did you even bring him? You were the only one who was supposed to come." Lance says to Castle.

The latter rolls his eyes. "It's a holiday. Both Xander and Theo were bored and tagged along even though I said no."

"It's fine," I say. "I guess. As long as he doesn't break anything again."

The dumbass broke the leg of the couch when he flopped his ass onto it. He did fix it though, that's the only reason he's not getting shit from me.

I admit, the atmosphere of the place seems so much better. The past few days were one of the most miserable days I've been through. I'm glad these people are here and changing things up. I already feel a ton better with them here.

Lance has been super caring and attentive. More than I ever need. It still feels like I don't deserve it, but he gets rid of those thoughts the moment they appear. He still refuses to go back to his home and sleeps on the foot of the bed. I know how uncomfortable that must be for a big man like himself. But he still does it.

After taking the paper bag from me, Castle heads back into the kitchen. He's been there since he came, making me food and drinks. He's made so much that my fridge is stocked up with enough to last me and Caleb two weeks.

I'm not complaining though. Nah-uh. This guy is a literal master chef. Everything he makes is so fucking tasty. I would've enjoyed his food even better if I wasn't throwing half of it out every five hours.

"I hate being sick," I whine to Lance.

"All of us do." His hand comes on my shoulders, massaging my sore spots. My eyes fall shut with a content sigh. "Feels good?"

"Mhmm." I lean back against the wall.

He continues for a couple of minutes before coaxing me back to lie down. He checks my temperature after and gives a satisfied click of his tongue.

"It's going back to normal. Give it another two days max, and you'll be all good."

I nod, relieved.

Kaylee was able to visit me only once. She said she would "stick to my side until kingdom come", but something came up with her family. She's not very close to them. Never has been. So I don't know what came up that she suddenly had to leave. The cafe's been closed for the past week.

I texted her but she was barely able to reply, wishing me to get better soon and that she'll be back sooner or later.

At night, everyone leaves and Lance is back to trying to curl himself at the foot of the bed. He had someone deliver him some clothes and his toiletries. So right now, he's dressed in a black t-shirt and gray sweatpants.

My mouth started watering when he stepped out of the bathroom, freshly showered. The t-shirt clung to his narrow waist, highlighting his abs and his huge chest. The short sleeves made his biceps visible and very hard for me not to stare.

If I thought he looked hot in his suits then this is just another level of hotness. He caught my stare while drying his hair with a towel, then sent a wink in my direction. I pretended it didn't affect me and causally rolled onto my other side. Then blushed so fucking hard, my cheeks hurt.

Now he's back near my feet. I don't understand why he doesn't give up when it's obviously making him uncomfortable. He wakes up and spends fifteen minutes stretching to get rid of his cramped muscles.

Wringing my fingers together, I hesitate. "You...you could come up here, you know?"

He looks up. "Huh?"

I pat the spot beside me. "The bed's kinda small but I think we can make it work."

He remains unmoving, blinking again and again. Then he raises an eyebrow. "You want me to sleep beside you?"

I bite my lip, before giving a nod. "If you want. You're clearly uncomfortable down there, so yeah. Come here."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

He wastes no second. He pushes himself towards me, raising his huge body and settling beside me. My heart jumps to my throat when his proximity pushes me to the wall, with him caging me in. I can smell the soap and shower on him and it's a damn good scent. The heat from his body radiates to mine and the urge to lean in closer towards him consumes me. Our legs touch and there's an inch of space between our chests.

I look up at his face and nearly gasp at how ethereal he looks in the dark. His sharp jawline looks perfect along with his shapely nose. I raise my hand to trace the outline of his face but pause.

Lance notices that though. His eyes bore into mine, searching. "Can I hold you while we sleep?"

My mouth opens and then closes. Wordlessly, I nod.

He slides an arm around my waist, pulling me close. My head comes on his strong bicep and he curls his other arm around me, his hand resting in the middle of my back. He smells even better up close and I'm shy to admit that I lean my head closer, resting my cheek against his chest to get more of his comforting scent.

I thought it would be awkward as fuck and I'd regret my decision about asking him to sleep beside me. But it's not awkward at all. Nothing even remotely close to it. I feel like I'm wrapped in a bubble with his warmth. It feels so safe and relaxing. I'm already sinking into this sea of ease and comfort.

A kiss lands on top of my head and butterflies erupt in my stomach.

"Goodnight, baby."

For the first time after a long while, tonight, I sleep with a light chest.

●・○・●・○・●

It takes me another whole day but I'm finally better and back to work.

I did not miss this cafe at all. I still hate the smell of coffee and rude customers piss me off.

At least I have Kaylee back.

She returned with big smiles and long hugs but when I asked where she's been, her smile dropped and her expression became close-guarded. She said there was an issue with her parents but it's nothing to worry about.

I would've pried more but something tells me that Kaylee would best like it if I don't mention it at all.

When afternoon comes along I'm excited as fuck for Lance to come by. It's been a few hours since I saw him, but it's like I'm addicted to him now. He was with me for five whole days and now suddenly not having him beside me feels empty.

The fever left me weak and wobbly. I still get a little dizzy sometimes but that's because I haven't eaten properly. A good meal that Castle usually makes me feel a lot better.

Time goes by painfully slowly until finally, Lance appears at the door, striding inside with his radiant smile and eyes that are searching for me.

His face brightens when he finds me and wastes no second in walking towards me where I'm standing behind the counter near the cash register.

"How're you doing?" He asks.

"A lot better." I nod.

His eyes roam over my face, taking it in. They drop lower, scanning my body. A gleam enters his gaze and his stare intensifies. He leans closer to me over the counter, his voice all husky and deep.

"Is there any chance you could spare me ten minutes from your work?"

My eyes widen. I look around before shaking my head. "No way. Not here."

"Five minutes then?"

"Lance." I give him a stern look.

A pleading look enters his eyes. "You look so delectable right now. It's not my fault. I was just fine before I saw you."

"Oh, so you're saying there's something wrong with me?" I cross my arms against my chest.

"You literally have me under your spell. There's definitely something wrong with you if my mind starts going crazy at the sight of you."

"Sounds like your own problem, buddy." I act casual, stuffing a few bills into the register.

"Then help me with this problem." He says breathily as he leans in closer until his mouth nears my ear.

Shrivers run through my body but I jerk back, remembering we're in public.

"Behave." I glare at him.

A dreamy smile stretches across his lips. "You sounded so hot right now."

I'm not sure how long I can go without having my face burst into flames.

"Did you wake up with something today?" I pretend to grumble while stacking a couple of bills.

"I woke up to your limbs wrapped around me with your lips right within my reach."

I accidentally drop a bill. I quickly pick it off before standing back up to glare at him.

"My limbs were not wrapped around you."

The corner of his lips tugs up. "They sure were. They melted though when I claimed that mouth of yours and reached under your shirt to—"

"Lance!"

I frantically look around to see if someone heard him or not. Kaylee is behind me, doing a poor job of pretending that she's interested in making her coffee.

I look back at him and glare fiercely. "Go and sit. I'll get you your coffee." I point towards his usual spot.

"No kisses?"

"No."

"Not even after what we did this morning on Caleb's bed?"

"We did nothing!"

"I wouldn't call that nothing. I still remember the sounds you made while I inched my hand—"

"Finish that sentence and you're not allowed to touch me for a whole month."

That shuts him up. He pouts before dragging himself away and flopping down on his seat like a child.

I blow out a breath before turning around to make his coffee. Kaylee's staring at me, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Anything you want to share with me?"

"Nothing. I don't know why he was saying that." I roll my eyes, fighting the warmth in my cheeks as I shoulder past her and move into the kitchen.

Lance bought his own mug since he's here every day and always wants his coffee in it. I didn't have the time to wash it after this morning so it's still in the sink.

God knows what happened to him out there. He was being extra flirty and dammit, I couldn't handle it.  Walking towards the sink, my face is still flustered by his words when an arm slides around my waist and yanks me backwards.

A gasp leaves my lips and my back hits the wall. My reflex kicks in and I raise my fist. I don't get to use it though, because Lance quickly grabs ahold of both my wrists and slams them above my head on the wall. Shock registers through me but before I can ask him what's he doing, he lowers his mouth and slams his lips on mine.

All the oxygen leaves my lungs as his tongue plunges into my mouth, taking what he needs. A moan rips from my throat at the sudden intrusion and how quickly pleasure spreads through every part of my body. He nips at my lips, and I gasp at the feeling of it.

His hands are still holding my wrists hostage above my head and something about it drives me even crazier. His hips pin mine in place and there's no mistaking the bulge that keeps getting thicker within his pants.

"This is exactly what I needed." He groans against my lips, before slipping his tongue back in and swirling it with mine. My eyes flutter shut and I can't help but simply melt against him as he presses into me further.

When I'm sure I'll die without breathing, he wrenches his mouth from mine and moves towards my neck. I suck in a breath when his lips clamp on my skin, kissing his way down my throat.

I struggle to get my wrists free to touch him, but he tightens his hold, moving his head until his mouth finds my collarbone.

"Lance." I breathe out when his mouth leaves hot wet kisses on my skin, making me feel dizzy with arousal.

"I've missed you." He gently bites the curve between my shoulder and neck.

"Oh really?" I wanted to sound sarcastic but instead, it comes out as a helpless moan.

"Can't you feel it?" He slowly rubs his hips against mine and my breath catches when I realize how hard he actually is.

I definitely cannot not feel it.

He moves his hips in a sensual rhythm, eliciting an ache between my legs that thrums louder than my heartbeat. My legs part on their own and he doesn't waste a chance to press into me further, rubbing against me.

His lips move lower until they reach the collar of my t-shirt. He bends even further and then without warning, bites my nipple over the fabric, making me gasp.

"Fuck. You're driving me crazy over here." He groans between my chest, before flicking his eyes up to mine. His gaze looks hooded and dazed as if he's in another world. His hands leave my wrists only to grip my waist to pull me closer to him.

He slams his lips back on mine and I don't know what's happening anymore. My core is throbbing. My nipples ache to be touched and my heart feels too full to be contained in my chest anymore. How is this man making me feel so good? It should be impossible to be this wet just by what's happening right now.

In the midst of all of this, I hear the distant sound of knocking followed by an apologetic shout from Kaylee.

"I'd really, really, hate to interrupt whatever's going on in there. But there's a mob of depressed and stressed people who want their coffee and I'm all out of espresso. I need to come inside!"

Lance throws his head back and groans and I'm not far away from copying his actions. Still, I brush his arms off me and clear my throat, straightening my t-shirt.

"I guess fun time's over." I lift a shoulder.

A tiny scowl appears on his face.

"Come in!" I call out to Kaylee.

She enters hesitatingly as if she might find me in a threesome, fully naked. When she makes sure none of us are naked and that there isn't a third person in the kitchen, she releases a breath, stepping inside.

"Did you get what you need?" She asks, looking at Lance.

"Yup." He replies, fixing his cuff links. His eyes slide to me. "But I still want more."

My face heats up, but I try to act cool. "Too bad, buddy."

He eyes me, a different look entering his eyes. Something much more deeper and ominous. My breath catches as he slowly rakes his gaze across my form, taking me in as if I'm some secret treasure.

"I'll meet you tonight at your apartment." He tells me with a tone that sounds promising and determined.

My stomach rolls while trying to decipher what his words could mean. Before I can say anything, he kisses my cheek before heading out of the kitchen.

✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

The way I was fanning myself and blushing when I was editing this chapter <3 I love it when men are MEN, you know?

Words: 3,600

Date of publishing: 27th June 2024