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," Pam added. "Feel free to stay here and sleep in Aileen''s room."


    Pam genuinely liked Hailey, but as an elder, she was mindful of boundaries. She wouldn''t allow Hailey to stay in Den''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-Pam''s, Den''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 Den. "Den, it''s pouring outside, so I''ll be staying here tonight. Don''t worry, I''ll behave and won''t cause any trouble."


    Den nced 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."


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


    Hailey shed 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.


    Den 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.


    Den quickly set down his ss of water and rushed to the bathroom door. "Hailey, what''s wrong?"


    There was no answer.


    Without thinking, Den 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 struck him more than her fall was her state-most of her clothes hade off, leavingrge portions of her delicate skin exposed, a sight so dazzling it almost burned his eyes.


    Den''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 bnce and fall.


    Den quickly turned his gaze away. "Where''s the rat?"


    Hailey pointed in a panic. "It''s over there! It''s so scary! Den, 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 Den''s arms. "Den, help me!"


    As she lunged toward him, Den instinctively opened his arms to catch her. She jumped into him, her long, toned legs wrapping around


    his narrow waist. Her hands gripped his neck, clinging to him desperately.


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


    A sweet, intoxicating scent surrounded Den as his hand brushed against her soft skin. The rat had already scurried off, and in a hoarse voice, he reassured her, "It''s okay, the rat''s gone."


    "Are you sure?"


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


    But then, something even more rming urred to her—she was still wrapped


    around Den, their bodies in an undeniably intimate position.


    And worse still, she had removed her outer clothes.


    Hailey gasped.