Chapter 1

The rain strongly pattered against the windows in a horizontal direction. I padded through the living room of the small apartment barefoot, clutching Matt's shirt to my body as I headed towards the couch. Sitting down, I tucked my feet beneath my body – hugging my shoulders to my chest. It was absolutely freezing. At least I could admit to myself that I was simply too lazy to put something on that was perhaps a little warmer. I swivelled my head around to where the clock was fastened to the wall. It read 5.39pm. Huh. I've slept all afternoon. I suppose that's what happens when you've nothing to do on a Friday when you're as anti-social as I am. I sat in complete silence, just simply enjoying the soothing sounds of the rain. Planning to do absolutely nothing, I comforted myself to look towards the window, now laying my legs out in front of me. The door opened. I only knew because of the voice that came forth from it. Not all of us can hear the vibrations of the lock opening.
"Hello, sweetheart." Matt said, closing the door behind him. I could tell by the way he said it his mouth was pulled into a small smirk. He placed his useless cane next to the door, and dismantled firstly his tie, then his shirt.
"Would you come here for a moment?" I asked, moving up onto my knees on the sofa reaching my arms out for him. He obeyed, placing his glasses on the kitchen table before walking over to the couch. He sat next to me. I clambered into his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. He beamed.
"I thought you said it was only for a moment?" He replied, placing his hands onto my waist beneath the fabric of his shirt. He laughed at his own joke. What a dork.
"Would you shut up for a moment?" I pleaded, pressing my lips to his. When we broke away for air, I acted as an appropriate fiancé.
"So, how was work?" I asked, admiring his frame as I normally did. I know, I know. I like to look. I almost felt as if he could tell sometimes. What amused me was that he probably could.
"It was… productive? I suppose? Foggy happened to get into a heated discussion with a client as usual, and I sat there and…"
"Looked pretty?" I offered. He smirked once again, grasping me firmly – pinning me beneath his heavy frame on the couch.
"Is that all you love me for?" He asked, peppering kisses against my jawline. I held onto his shoulders, urging him on.
"Well, love is a strong word…" I giggled, my chest already heaving up and down. He looked up at me, with a fake solemn expression.
"How rude you are, Miss Murdoch to-be." He replied, now slowly dragging his hands, along with my shirt, down and off my body. He sat up, forcing me now back onto his lap. My chest now exposed to him, he attached his lips to my collarbone, slowly working his way down. He felt incredibly warm in contrast to the chilly air. Goosebumps erupted across my skin as his hands massaged my back. My hands threaded into his hair and he smiled, looking up, laughing to himself.
"Slow your heart. It's ringing in my ears." He said, his fingertips edging beneath my underwear. I groaned, not in pleasure, but annoyance. A knock at the door. I stood, walking to the door instinctively, but stopped in my tracks.
"Will you get that for me? I'm a little… unpresentable?" I asked Matt, as he was already walking towards the door for me.
"Go." He said laughing. I ran to the bedroom, quickly plucking a blouse, skirt and bra from my drawers. I put them on as I walked to back to the living room, thinking the person at the door would have never entered. Just as I walked out to the living room, I was only halfway clothed.
"Oh! Um, Mia. We're so sorry!" Karen said on behalf of Foggy, who stood agape. Matt, Karen and Foggy all stood in the living room, the only decorations to the bland space. Karen's hair was stringy and wet from the rain. So was her clothing. Matt slapped Foggy playfully on the shoulder.
"Stop looking at Mia like that, you creep." Matt said. Foggy took a step back, holding his arms out in a defensive motion.
"How the hell did you even know that?" Foggy asked, eyeing Matt up and down. Matt laughed.
"So, you were looking then?" Matt replied, walking over to the cupboard to fetch some glasses for our visitors. Foggy looked bewildered, and annoyed. But, like himself at best. He followed Matt into the kitchen. Once I was clothed, I ushered Karen to sit at the couch.
"Sit. I'll fetch you a new dress. You look freezing. Do you want a shower?"