Hailey stared out the window at the heavy downpour, unsure how she would manage to get back to campus in such a storm.

Aileen said, "Hailey, it’s too dangerous to go out in this weather. You should stay here tonight."

"Absolutely," Pamela added. "Feel free to stay here and sleep in Aileen’s room."

Pamela genuinely liked Hailey, but as an elder, she was mindful of boundaries. She wouldn’t allow Hailey to stay in Declan’s room.

Hailey nodded in agreement. "Looks like I’m staying with you tonight, Aileen."

Aileen beamed and linked arms with Hailey. "Come on, I’ll show you to the room."

As Hailey stepped into Aileen’s room, Aileen handed her a fresh nightgown. "It’s brand new. You can wear it."

Hailey took it gratefully. "Thanks a lot, Aileen."

"Feel free to take a shower first," Aileen suggested.

The house had three small rooms—Pamela’s, Declan’s, and Aileen’s—and the bathroom was shared by all.

Hailey clutched the nightgown as she made her way to the door. "Alright, I’ll go take a shower now."

As she stepped out, she bumped into Declan. "Declan, it’s pouring outside, so I’ll be staying here tonight. Don’t worry, I’ll behave and won’t cause any trouble."

Declan glanced at the heavy rain outside before turning his gaze back to her. "So, where will you be sleeping?"

Hailey winked at him teasingly. "With you, of course."

Declan froze for a moment, clearly taken aback. "Hailey!"

Hailey flashed him a mischievous smile. "What’s with the shouting? Of course, I’m not sleeping with you. I’ll be sharing a room with Aileen! Anyway, I’m going to take a shower now!"

With that, she quickly turned and headed toward the bathroom.

Declan stood there, tension rising within him. He knew Hailey was only teasing him, but the way she did it left him feeling unsettled. Didn’t she realize the danger of toying with him like that?

Suddenly, a deafening boom rang out as lightning struck, followed by Hailey’s terrified scream from the bathroom.
----
Declan quickly set down his glass of water and rushed to
the bathroom door. "Hailey, what’s wrong?"

There was no answer.

Without thinking, Declan grabbed the doorknob and swung
the door open. "Hailey, you—"

His words died in his throat as he saw her sprawled on the
floor, having tripped and fallen.

What strugk-him more than her fall
was her state—most of her clothes
had copie off, leaving large portions
of her-delicate skin exposed, asight
Se) o dazzling it almost bumegtnis
eyes.

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----
Declan’s throat went dry, and he swallowed hard.

Meanwhile, Hailey hastily covered herself with her clothes
and cried out, "There’s a rat! A rat!"

Hailey had a deep fear of rats. One had startled her,
causing her to lose her balance and fall.

Declan quickly turned his gaze away. "Where’s the rat?"

Hailey pointed in a panic. "It’s over there! It’s so scary!
Declan, I’m terrified!"

Just then, the rat scurried out from the corner, heading
‘straight for Hailey.

Hailey was so startled that she jumped up, immediately
throwing herself into Declan’s arms. "Declan, help me!"


----
As she lunged toward him, Declan
instinctively his arms to
catch hersShe jumped into him, her
long, toned legs wrapping around?
his namow waist. Her hands gripped
his neck, clinging to him desperately.

----
“Declan, the rat is still here! Please, get rid of it!" Hailey
cried.

A sweet, intoxicating scent
surrounded Declan as his hand
brushed against her soft skin. The
rat haéalready scurried off, atfd ina
hoagse voice, he reassured her, "It’s
okay, the rat’s gone."


----
“Are you sure?"

Hailey glanced at the floor and saw that the rat was indeed
gone.

But then, something even more alarming occurred to her—
she was still wrapped around Declan, their bodies in an
undeniably intimate position.

And worse still, she had removed her outer clothes.

Hailey gasped.