8. Noah #2
“Because as much as I’ve been dying to see you naked, today wasn’t the time for that.
It would feel like I was taking advantage of you, and I never want it to be that way.
” I bring my hand down to the side of her neck, caressing her cheek with my thumb.
“When I finally do get you properly naked, I want it to be because it’s what you want, too.
Not because you’re too weak to fight me or say no. ”
Something flashes in her eyes for a split second, but it disappears just as quickly. She doesn’t answer immediately as her eyes bore into mine, but then she gives the most subtle nod and says, “Okay.” Again, not disagreeing.
I remove my hand and bring it to rest over my bent knee, feeling she might withdraw after hearing the question I’m about to ask her. She’s already let me touch her more than she ever has in the last seven months combined; I won’t push my luck.
“Why did you smash your phone, Veronica?”
She turns her head away from me and looks up at the ceiling with a sigh.
My Kitten looks ravishing, with her head leaning back, slender neck fully exposed, and her golden shoulders on display with just the beginning of her breasts peeking out through the soapy water.
If it weren’t for all the bubbles Gabe added, I probably could see them perfectly.
The semi I was still sporting suddenly turns into a full-blown erection.
I shift slightly on the ground, dropping my head down and groaning.
I haven’t had sex in the last week, not that the opportunity hasn’t presented itself, but having Veronica around so much has been fucking with my head.
I can’t seem to think of anyone else but her.
“What’s the matter, Casanova? Can’t deal with being next to a naked woman?”
When I look up, I find her looking at me with a smirk, and a bit more color has returned to her face. “Glad to see you’re feeling a bit better, Kitten. At least enough to give me some of that sass.”
She smiles. “I am, this is really helping. I’m not sure what Gabe put in here, but whatever it is, I need to add it to my shopping list.”
“We’ll buy you a case full. Now, for my question.” I raise a brow, knowing she’s trying to deflect.
“Ugh.” She sinks lower in the water until it hits her jaw. “I was hoping you forgot about that.”
“Not likely.”
“It’s just… my ex. He apparently has a hard time letting go.” She peers at me.
“The guy at your place this morning?” I wonder.
“Who?” She seems confused. “Oh, Nathan? No. He’s just a friend.”
I nod. Didn’t look like just a friend. “How long has it been? Your ex.”
“A little over three years,” she says quietly.
My face turns into a frown. “Three years?! Veronica, that’s called an obsession, not ‘having a hard time letting go’.”
“It’s fine. You have nothing to worry about.” She looks down at the bubbly water and pops some with her nail. “It just started up again, a little before May. He’s just… he thinks I owe him something. We ended really badly, and he’s blaming me for it.”
I know there’s more to the story; I can see it in the way she searches for her words and won’t meet my eyes. But I decide to leave it at that for now; she’s already admitted more than I expected.
“You’re the first person I’ve told, aside from my therapist.” Now she looks at me, and I know she’s telling the truth. For her to need a therapist after a breakup means it was a lot worse than she’s letting on.
“I feel like a bad friend sometimes. The girls always share all their secrets with me, and yet I don’t want them knowing about my past.”
I bring my hand over to the top of her knee popping out of the water. “That doesn’t make you a bad friend, Kitten. You’re allowed to have secrets you don’t want to share.” She nods with a tight smile.
A need to share one of my own takes over. It’s only fair since she’s shared hers. “I have a sister.”
She lifts slightly from the water, returning to her original position, as her gaze stays locked on mine. She doesn’t respond immediately and simply looks over my features until finally she says, “I know.”
My brows furrow. “How?” I’ve never told anyone. No one from my current life knows about her existence, and I’ve made sure my old life and my new one never crossed paths.
“I may have snooped in your car while you were getting food.” She tries to hide her smile when mine grows. I should have expected her to do something like that.
“Her name is Trinity, she’s twenty-five,” I start, not sure how to just speak about it.
“What happened to her?” she asks softly, taking my hand on her knee and intertwining our fingers.
“She had a hiking accident six years ago that put her in a coma. She hasn’t woken up since and most likely never will.”
She swallows. “What about your family?”
I shake my head. “My mom disappeared when I was five and Trinny was only two. Haven’t heard or seen her since. My dad died seven years ago from lung cancer. And then my sister had her accident on the day of his one-year anniversary.” I clear my throat, fighting the surge of emotions taking root.
“They used to go hiking and discover new trails together all the time. I was never really the outdoorsy type, but Trinity and my dad bonded over that. After he died, Trinny started doing more of them; she said it was her way of keeping his spirit alive, that it’s in those moments she felt closest to him. ” I smile sadly.
“Then for his anniversary she went out to do a difficult hike they had always planned to do together. She thought fulfilling their bucket list would bring her closure. Instead, it took her away from me.”
“Noah…” She leans in closer, her face scrunching up with the sudden movement, like her pain might be coming back now that the water is cooling down.
She takes a deep breath, letting it out, then places her free hand along my cheek.
“I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this alone. It couldn’t have been easy.”
“It hasn’t been. But it was also my choice to keep it to myself.” I give her a small smile.
“I guess we all have secrets we don’t want to share.” I nod in response. “Could I meet her?”
Her question startles me; I wasn’t expecting her to ask that. But with the way my heart warms, I realize it’s something I want. “You’d want to?” I ask, not wanting to put any pressure on her.
“I would.” She smiles.
“Okay, yeah. I’d like that.” I grin back.
We’re quiet for a moment as we stare at each other until I raise my free hand and grab onto hers that’s still resting against my cheek. I turn my head to the side and delicately press my lips to the inside of her wrist. She watches me closely, not saying a word, not pulling away.
“Nathan and I, we’re really just friends,” she starts, and I’m not sure why she’s telling me this, but I appreciate her trying to clear it up.
“We do hook up every week or so, but it’s nothing more than that. I had forgotten we made plans last night, and when he showed up, Aubrey let him in. When he found me balled up in bed, he refused to leave and stayed with me until morning. But that’s all that happened.”
“Okay.” I’m not sure what else to say, but I’m glad to know he’s not her boyfriend.
“Your savior is finally back!” Gabe calls just as he enters the bathroom. “And I’ve brought the cure.” He lifts the bottle in his hand with a smile.
I let go of Veronica’s wrist and untangle our hands as he steps forward and kneels down beside her.
He opens the bottle and hands her a pill along with a water bottle.
“Here, Vixen. Take this and drink a lot of water. It will help. How are you doing now?” He strokes her hair once she’s taken the pill and bottle from him, and I notice she doesn’t tense at his touch.
“I’m feeling better already, thank you. The bath really helped.” She gives him a warm smile.
“Glad to hear it. I also bought a few things to make lunch. All anti-inflammatory foods, as well as decaf coffee and tea. So finish up here while I make us something to eat, then we’re gonna sit down and watch a movie while you apply a heating pad on your stomach.”
“Why decaf?” she asks.
“Because caffeine and any fatty foods make your cramps worse. They cause bloating and inflammation,” he informs her.
“Shit. I gave her a coffee this morning, and the breakfast I got her probably wasn’t the healthiest either.” I drag my hand down my face.
“You what?” He glares at me.
“Hey, it’s not his fault, I didn’t even know that, but it explains a lot. They always did seem to get worse after eating or drinking.” She places her hand on his arm that continues to play through her hair.
“Well, not to worry anymore. We’ll take care of you from now on.” He leans over and kisses her forehead. “Take all the time you need. And when you’re ready, come downstairs.” He stands and leaves.
“Do you want to stay in here a little longer?” I ask her once we’re alone.
“No, I think I’m okay to get out. Plus, the water is getting a bit cold.”
“Okay, do you need help getting out?”
I stand and go to reach for her, but instead, she takes my hand and pulls herself up with a slight groan. She seems a lot better, but I can tell she’s still not at her best. She stands straight before me and slowly steps out of the bath, her naked body now completely exposed to me once more.