I can't see who's at the door from where I'm standing, but I don't move. Am I curious about who's at the door that would cause Rain to react so harshly? Yes. However, I'm in his home, and it's not my business.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

I'm about to continue up the stairs to give Rain privacy when a woman's voice stops me in my tracks.

"Rain, I'm sorry to intrude, but I didn't want to leave things the way we left them at McGrath's."

What the hell?

"Tabitha, how the hell did you find out where I lived, and what makes you think that I have any interest in anything that you have to say."

Tabitha? Oh, hell no!

"Don't be mad, Rain." The fake sweetness dripping from her voice makes me nauseous.

As much as I want to stomp over and throat punch the woman, I remain in place. I'm more interested to see how Rain handles this situation.

"Your address is public knowledge, Rain. A simple search on the Internet gave me what I needed to find you. Please, just let me come in and make it up to you."

Thirsty bitch!

I can see Rain stiffen when a female hand reaches beyond the cover of the door and touches his chest. I'm about to go nuclear when Rain takes her wrist and roughly removes her hand from him.

"Don't touch me," Rain growls through his clenched jaw.

"Rain, Babe, you always loved me touching you."

Rain's face turns red in unequivocal anger. That's it. I can no longer stand here and do nothing. I furiously make my way over to the door. Rain smirks at me before I yank the door wide open.

"You put your slutty hands on my boyfriend again, and it'll be a hell of a long time until you can use your sticky ass fingers to touch another man."

Tabitha looks at me with a shocked expression. If I weren't so damn pissed, it would be laughable. It takes a moment for her look of astonishment to turn into recognition.

"You? You were at the bar. You told me to stay away from Rain." Her head goes back and forth between Rain and me. "You think that you know better than me on how to please Rain?"

I lunge towards the bitch, ready to follow through with my promise.

Rain pulls me to his side, chuckling. "Okay, slugger, no need for violence. Tabitha was leaving. Right, Tabitha."

Tabitha doesn't move. "She called you a player, a once and done kind of guy." She glares at me. "You just wanted him for yourself, you selfish bitch."

Rain stiffens, terrible idea, hussy.

"That's enough! Don't call my girlfriend that again!"

Tabitha cackles wickedly. "Girlfriend? Her? Why Rain? Why, when you could have all of this?" She moves her hands up and down her body.

I gag.

"You're not even in the same league as Summer. I suggest you leave my property before I call the police."

She steps back. "Oh, I'll leave. I'll be waiting to hear from you when you realize that her skanky ass will never be enough for you."

I had to hold Rain back from going after her as she turned and got into her car. She dared to give us a little wave and a cocky smirk before backing out of Rain's driveway and squealing her tires as she hit the gas, speeding away.

Rain pulls me into a firm embrace and kisses the top of my head. "I'm so sorry, Summer."

I pull back to look into his stormy eyes. "Why are you sorry? You didn't invite her here. Rain, this isn't your fault."

I get on my tippy toes and kiss his soft, inviting lips.

He sighs and relaxes. "Now I have to move."

I smile. "Nah, you just need me here to protect you." Before the words escaped my lips, I regretted them.

Rain's eyebrows raised, surprised at the implication of my statement, followed by a devilish smirk. "I could arrange that."

What? Did he say that he would be open to the fact of moving in together? I was joking. Was I? Maybe he's joking. Rain's laugh pulls me out of my self-reflection.

"Summer?"

"Hmmm?"

Rain squeezes me. "Stop overthinking us."

"You know me so well. You were kidding, right?" I look expectantly into his eyes. I see thunderous mischief starring back at me.

He smirks. "Would you be open to moving in with me?"

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. "Are you seriously asking me to move in?"

Rain laughs, and my heart soars. "Do you want me to be serious?"

"Rain quit answering my questions with a question." My frustration is evident in my tone. "You're not ready for that next step. If you were, you wouldn't be messing with me. I have reservations myself."

I tuck my head under Rain's head, and he rests his chin on top of my head.

"If I'm honest with myself, I selfishly want you here to wake up to every morning and kiss goodnight every night, having your beautiful face as the last thing I see before I fall asleep. However, I do think it's too early to jump into the next phase of our relationship."

I smile to myself at his endearing words. "I agree."

"Don't get me wrong. I have every intention to get to that step. Now, shall we continue with our evening?"

I sigh contently. "I would love that."

Rain takes my hand and walks me inside, shutting and locking the door. He picks up the wine and our glasses off the counter, where he placed them before answering the door. Wordlessly, we ascend the stairs and arrive in his room. He lets go of my hand to pour our wine.

He hands me my glass and offers a cheer. "Cheers to our future. I'm excited to embark on this journey with you."

We clink glasses, and I grin with delight at Rain's sweet words. "Cheers!"

We spent the rest of our night wrapped up in each other, making up for the lost time. My love for this man continues to grow. I look forward to sharing our lives and getting to the next stage of our relationship. I sigh contently before falling asleep in Rain's strong arms.

Rain and I plan on meeting at McGrath's after I get off of work. He already texted me to let me know that he was going to be a few minutes late. The problem with working the second shift at the hospital is leaving in the dark.

As I pass by the alley next to McGrath's, I'm surprised when I get yanked into the dingy alley. Frozen in shock, it takes a second to realize what's happening. I attempt to scream, but thick fabric silences me. I'm struggling for air when I feel the cold steel of a knife pierce my skin. I fight like hell against the attacker. The blade continues to assault me. I'm determined to look into their eyes before succumbing to the dizziness that is threatening to overtake me. The lack of blood coursing through my body begins to take effect. My eyes have a deep desire to close as my body drops onto the grime of the pavement. I see a face lean over me.

I resist the need to close my eyes and open them to see Tabitha sneer at me. "Take that, you skanky ass bitch. Rain is mine. You lose. I win."

Darkness overtakes me.