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Disclaimer:
All characters depicted in this story are 18+ and any sex depicted is consensual. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, on to the story.
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As I pulled back the heavy curtain, a relentless deluge of rain pelted the windows, accompanied by strong winds. The storm outside had intensified, and the feeling of impending doom grew with each passing moment. The power was out and I had taken the precaution of placing candles in every room, their soft glow providing a flickering sanctuary against the darkness outside. It had been a few years since my last visit to the family cabin, and it looked as though my timing couldn't have been worse.
As an aspiring author, I was struggling to overcome a nasty bout of writer's block. The lack of progress on my book gnawed at my patience and my self imposed deadline was only making things worse.
To help me, I had decided to make a few sacrifices in my life, cutting out alcohol and abstaining from sex two of my favourite vices in an effort to enhance my focus.
Returning to my armchair by the old stone fireplace, I placed the laptop on my lap and stared vacantly at the screen. Frustration weighed heavy on my shoulders as the blank page mirrored the emptiness within my mind.
"Write what you know," they always said back in college. But what did I know, I pondered, glancing around the dimly lit room. "Hmm."
I started typing:
"He sat there alone, in his cavernous, desolate house, when a thunderous knock reverberated through the echoing halls."
As the words took shape on the screen, there came a sudden, jarring knock at the door, nearly sending me leaping from my seat, my heart racing with both fear and anticipation.
"Who on earth could that be?" I thought, whilst also wondering who would be crazy enough to be out in this weather.
I swiftly closed the lid on my laptop and set it down on the coffee table in front me.
As I rose from my chair, another knock on the door startled me once more.
I approached the door, turned the handle and slowly inched the door open. There, in the unforgiving downpour, stood a man, roughly my age, early twenties, drenched to the bone. His face was a mask of rain-soaked hair and exhaustion, and a cut on the side of his head oozed blood down his temple.
"Please, I need your help," the man implored, his voice trembling with exhaustion. "I was driving my car when a tree crashed down on top of it. I managed to crawl out, and I've been wandering these woods, desperate for help."
"Oh my goodness, is there anyone else injured?" I inquired with genuine concern.
"No, it was just me," he replied, his words carrying a mix of relief and exhaustion.
"Please come inside," I urged and opened the door wider to admit him.
As he entered, his injury became more apparent. "You're hurt," my eyes drawn to the cut on his head. He reached up to touch it, wincing, and then lowered his hand, revealing the blood on his fingers.
I thought about what I had in the cabin that might help. He stood there, water dripping from his clothes, small puddles forming around him.
"Here, come with me," I said, leading him to the bathroom.
"Please, sit here. I'll be back in a sec."
I quickly left the bathroom and hurried to retrieve the first aid kit from under the kitchen sink, making sure to grab a flashlight as well.
Upon my return to the bathroom, I found him seated as I had instructed, waiting for me to tend to his wounds.
I turned on the flashlight to provide a bit more light in the dimly lit bathroom.
Opening the first aid kit, I pulled out a cloth and gently dabbed at the cut on the side of his head. His face scrunched up in pain as I dabbed at his wound, his dark brown eyes never leaving mine.
I did my best to clean and dress his wound.
"There we go, all patched up, I think. You probably should see a doctor though, just to be sure."
"Thank you so much, you're a life saver."
"We should probably get you out of those wet clothes though," I suggested.
His eyes widened slightly.
"I mean, I'll get you some towels to dry off." I hurried away and fetched fresh towels from the laundry cupboard before returning.
"Here," I said, handing him the towels. "You can leave your wet clothes in the bath."
"Thank you," he replied, and I left him to change, returning to the warmth of the sitting room by the fire.
A few moments later, he entered the room, now wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist. The flickering firelight accentuated his well-defined physique, with chiseled pecs and toned abs. All I could do was stare.
He broke the momentary silence by asking, "Do you have something I can wear?"
"Of course," I replied. "I'll find you a robe."
I went to the bedroom and grabbed a robe hanging on the back of the door and hurried back.
"Here, try this," I offered, holding it out for him. He slipped into the robe, one arm at a time. Once the robe was wrapped around him, he reached inside and pulled out the towel that was wrapped around his waist.
"Here, let me take care of this," I said, taking the towel and retreating into the bathroom, where I found his soaked clothes piled up in the tub.
I proceeded to wring out the excess water from each garment, right down to his boxer briefs, my personal favourite choice of underwear. I placed his clothes on an airer and hung it over the bath.
Finally, I joined him by the fire, sitting down in my armchair.
"Thank you for your hospitality; I can't tell you how grateful I am to have found this place."
"It's quite alright, I'm glad I could help," I responded with a friendly smile. "I'm Ethan, by the way." I reached forward to offer my hand, and he mirrored the gesture. The robe subtly opened at the chest level, giving me another glimpse of his physique.
"James," he replied, taking a seat in the armchair opposite. We both leaned back, more at ease now that introductions had been made. The fire crackled, casting a warm glow on our faces.
"So, what brings you out this way?" I asked, genuine curiosity in my tone.
