9. Bethany
Chapter 9
Bethany
S tacy is a godsend.
I trust her immediately. She walks in and takes charge. Makes the men provide her with a thorough explanation of the documents they want me to sign. Once they’ve done that, she asks things I never would have thought to. Leaving no room for error later, she writes and records everything, making sure I’m protected while she and Mr. Polkowski sort it out. He becomes irritated with her a few times, but she doesn’t back down.
In the middle of this chaos, Alicia calls with a wild story of her own. I don’t have the time or the mindset to catch all the details. Basically, there was some drama involving her dick of an ex-husband and the twat face neighbor obsessed with Dillon. We made a deal: she’ll spill the tea later, and I’ll fill her in on the crazy shit happening in my kitchen.
By the time I return, things are wrapping up. In the next couple of days, Mr. Polkowski will send the final draft to Stacy for review. Once she’s satisfied the contract is as we discussed, she’ll reach out and arrange a time for me to go over it with her. At that point, I have to decide whether or not to sign it.
Now that that’s all done, Nolan escorts the two men out while Stacy and I finish up.
Something about the whole situation has me on edge. Which is why when Nolan suggested I needed a lawyer, I didn’t argue with him. Why would Mr. Stewart want to help me? What was his angle? Something didn’t feel right, but I couldn’t put my finger on what that was yet.
What I need now is a hot bubble bath to de-stress, followed by a long, uninterrupted nap. But that can’t happen, because until I’m out of this damn wheelchair, I need help getting my fat ass in or out of the tub. My home nurse, who assists me with bathing, is a blessing on most days, but it’s awkward. And while I know Alicia would do whatever I need, it feels too personal.
Instead of a steamy hot bath, I’ll ask Nolan to help me settle into the recliner before he leaves. It won’t be as cozy as the bed, but there’s no chance in hell I’m asking him to tuck me in.
Nope. Not happening.
Not yet, at least. Not until I can reap the benefits that could come from such a request.
After making a few phone calls, Stacy walks back into the kitchen where Nolan is hard at work and asks him, “You sure you’re okay with us taking the girls for the weekend?”
Despite being told not to do it multiple times, the stubborn, sexy man ignored me and did it anyway. While Stacy and I were dealing with shit, he cleaned the kitchen. Food has been put away, dishes loaded into the dishwasher, and everything else was washed and placed in the drying rack to drip dry. It was distracting and got me thinking about stuff I shouldn’t.
“Yep. When they saw you, their faces lit up. If you think I’m about to take that away from them, you’re crazy.” He folds the towel he was using to dry his hands and lays it on the counter. “Cora is still a mess. I feel bad she’s been forced to handle the girls while also sorting through all the shit her ex-fiancé didn’t bother sticking around to help her with. I swear if I ever run into that prick for breaking her heart, it won’t be pretty. Probably best he fled the country, otherwise I might have required your services and forced you to flip sides.”
Stacy shakes her head, her long red hair swaying with the movement. “I never liked him. He was never good enough for her. I think it’s for the best. It’s rough for her now, but she’ll understand it was the right move in a year. Is she really going on that trip? Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“She is. A change of scenery will do her good, allow her to clear her mind and reset. It’s a secluded island. Her hut will provide the privacy she needs to heal.” On a grunt, he leans forward and presses his palms against the counter facing us. “Plus, once she learned it was nonrefundable, that I’d purchased it with the money Dad left her for that special day, through an agency that sold them at a discount, she was adamant not to let it go to waste. I knew it was a risk, but fuck, I never thought he’d do this.”
“She’s a strong woman,” I say, then yawn. “Sorry.”
I hear the front door open, and Jodi walks in, immediately followed by the usual chaotic sounds that come with the kids. She volunteered to take them for ice cream after Nolan’s truck was unloaded to get them out of our hair.
The boys head straight to the basement while the girls rush to the kitchen when they spot their aunt standing there.
Tossing her purse on the table, Jodi drops into a chair. “I see the SUV is still parked out front.”
“I’ll explain later,” I say, not wanting to get into it all again right now.
“We’re gonna head out,” Stacy says while embracing the girls. “Go give your dad a hug. Your bags are in my car. We’ll stop by the grocery store on the way to my house. What sounds good for dinner?”
The two girls shrug before wrapping their arms around their dad. He doesn’t allow them to stop there. Scooping them up in his arms, Nolan easily lifts both girls off the ground and squeezes them until they squeal in delight.
“Be good for Aunt Stacy. I’ll pick you brats up Monday morning as soon as my shift ends.”
“Are you going to be bored tonight, Daddy?” Mollie asks before she kisses his cheek.
“Are you kidding me?” He makes the craziest face I’ve seen. “I’m going to watch ESPN all night, in my underwear and nothing else.”
“Eww,” both girls say in unison.
I’m not sure I agree with them. The thought of Nolan in just his underwear makes me tingle in places that have been ignored since long before the accident. Maybe tonight I’ll dig out my vibrator, charge it, and let my imagination go wild while I pleasure myself.
“Boys are so gross.” With a laugh, Stacy jokingly puts her finger in her mouth and gags. “Come on. Uncle Levi will be home soon. He’s bringing home a surprise, and we don’t want to miss it.”
Mollie wiggles out of her dad’s hold. “What surprise?”
Shrugging, Stacy reaches for Mollie’s hand and tugs her down the hall. Kellie follows, and they head out the front door. “Don’t know. He wouldn’t tell me.” Even after the door closes, we hear them chattering until they fade away.
Nolan, deep in thought, remains still while he watches them leave, then looks at us, letting out a low, husky grunt. “What?”
I can’t believe he has to ask us what. He can’t be serious. He’s lived across the street from me long enough to know I don’t miss much. His sweet little excuse to Mollie, to make her feel better, did something entirely different to me and Jodi. We just can’t help ourselves. Two peas in a pod with dirty minds that are always in sync. Which is why, as soon as we look at each other, we burst into a fit of laughter.
Once I’ve recovered, I say what I know she’s thinking. “You painted quite a vivid picture there. I might have to get the telescope out again and aim it at your living room.”
“You could join me.” His lips curl into a smirk, but he doesn’t blink. “But you’d have to be wearing the same thing as me.”
Not one to shy away, I don’t hold back. “I’m not so sure your underwear would fit me, but I’d be willing to see if you are.”
That’s right mister, two can play this game .
Jodi laughs. Right as she’s about to open her mouth, her phone rings, signaling her to step away and answer it in the living room.
“You’re trouble.” Nolan takes a seat in the empty chair next to me, and it creaks under his weight.
Right as I’m about to say more, Jodi returns and grabs her purse. “I need to go. When’s Alicia getting home?”
I glance up at the clock on my wall. “Not sure. Shit happened last night over at Dillon’s place. I can call and tell her you’re leaving. Client?”
“Big one. He wants to tour the property off Dutch Island. This could be a game changer.” Pulling her sunglasses from her purse, Jodi puts them on her head. “I’ll drop the boys off at my house. Keep them tonight to give you a break. So, what’s the story about that nice, expensive vehicle outside?”
“They wouldn’t take it back just yet.” I still can’t believe it. “Nothing has been decided.”
Jodi smirks. “You heard him mention he was getting a divorce, right? You could invite him to the party we’ll throw as soon as you’re back and ready to mingle. He was a nice-looking man with deep pockets. If you’re not interested, maybe I’ll see if he’s looking for a new place or needs to sell his old one. Perhaps he’d like a brief fling for shits and giggles.”
“That’s not happening.” Nolan grumbles. “Bethany can do better.”
His comment only makes Jodi laugh more. “You’re cute. Do you mind hanging with her until Alicia gets home?”
My days of requiring a babysitter are long gone. “I’ll be?—”
He butts in before I can finish. “I don’t mind.”
“Boys!” Jodi hollers as she passes the basement stairs. “Let’s go. I’ll grab a pizza on the way home before I go sell some rich guy a four-million-dollar home. Hurry up.”
“Four million dollars?” Nolan chokes on air and coughs. “I’m in the wrong business.”
“Thank you for today.” I yawn again and cover my mouth before I catch a fly or two. “You really don’t need to stay. If you help me into the recliner after I use the bathroom, I should be good.”
Heavy footsteps echo through the house as three teenagers run up the stairs, their voices full of excitement as they shout their goodbyes and rush out the door. Nolan gets up, and a wave of warmth fills the air. I blame it on the heat behind his eyes as he looks at me.
“Need help getting to the bathroom?”
“No. Not really. I can manage.” With a firm grip on the wheels of my chair, I roll down the hall, feeling the smooth surface beneath my fingertips. “Unless you’re offering to help me take a bath. I could use one after today. A nice hot bath would feel real nice.”
The chair lurches forward with a sudden jolt as he grips the handles and pushes. “I can do that.”
The low, gravelly tone of his voice as he uttered those four words sends shivers down my spine and has me backtracking.
“I’m kidding.” Cocking my head to the side, I glance up at him. “That’s not happening.”
The blistering heat in his eyes, like burning coals, has me swallowing. All the moisture in my mouth goes south, making my mouth dry.
“So, you couldn’t use a nice hot bath?” The intensity of his stare, sharp and unwavering, has my belly tingling with exhilaration.
“Of course I could. I could use a good orgasm too, but you’re not helping me with that either.”
Why the hell did I go there?
As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know I’ve just challenged him to prove me wrong. “Forget I said that. Ignore me.”
I’m not shy. When it comes to my sexual endeavors, I keep things casual. I don’t need feelings or heartbreak. My life has no time for those.
But I’ve always known Nolan doesn’t feel the same. And I’m not sure how I feel about that. While I’d love to ride him long and hard and for as many rides as he’d allow, I’m not willing to make it long-term. Especially in our situation, he’s my neighbor. It’s better to never go there, even though I really, really want to.
He doesn’t ignore me.
We’re now moving faster as he pushes me into my bedroom. Once inside, he locks the breaks, walks around in front of me and bends down, effortlessly lifting me from the chair. I have no choice but to wrap my arm around his neck.
“Impossible to forget you said that. Ignoring you is no longer an option. Once you’ve used the bathroom, we’ll discuss how hot you like your bath. Do you need help pulling anything down?”
I’m not sure if he’s red from embarrassment or if it’s something else. Perhaps a combination of both.
“No.” I motion a hand over my long skirt. “I can manage. Just need to lift this.”
His feet come to a standstill as he closes his eyes. “Are you telling me you aren’t wearing panties, that you haven’t had any on all day?”
“I find them restrictive, so I never wear them.” I squeal when he lowers me faster than I anticipated onto the toilet seat and storms out of there like his ass is on fire.
What? Did he expect me to lie?
I stopped wearing those when I was in my twenties. I only put a pair on during that time of the month. And once they invented the cup—the best invention ever—I tossed those babies in the trash and never looked back. They just get in my way. One more piece of laundry I’m forced to wash. One less barrier when I want to have a little fun. And since I wear dresses more than I do pants, it’s very freeing and something I’m not ashamed about. When I can get away with it, I even forgo a bra. Nobody notices because I have small boobs.
Like right now. No undergarments.
Everyone should try it. I bet we’d have a lot more happy people in this world if we embraced the freedom of going commando.