46. Chapter 46
Lydia
Nick leaves after showing me how to access the doorbell camera. He gave me direct orders on soaking in the giant tub that he installed but no one has ever used. I don’t need to be told twice. As much as I love my little cottage, the tiny bathtub leaves plenty to be desired.
I find a Diet Coke in Nick’s fridge, fill a cup with ice, and head toward the bathroom.
I find some scented bath oil and bubble bath in a cabinet and fill the tub.
I rifle through the bag I so hastily packed and find a clip, twisting my hair into a knot on top of my head and securing it in place.
I start to strip down and climb in, but before I do, I make one more check of the front and back doors, making sure they are both locked.
Once the tub is full, I take off Nick’s shirt and climb in.
I moan loudly as I submerge my body in the hot water and bubbles, the scent of lavender filling the air.
I close my eyes and lie here for what feels like just a few minutes but must be much longer.
I realize the water has gone a bit tepid, but I’m not ready to get out, so instead I drain a little water to refill the tub with hot water.
I watch the steam rise as it fills again.
Before long, the temperature is back where I want it.
I lie back and close my eyes again. I’m not sure I’ve ever been so relaxed.
The idea makes me laugh. Not because it’s funny, but because I have gone to great lengths to get away and hide from my abusive husband, yet he’s managed to find me anyway.
Instead of being scared about Simon being so close, I’m melting in Nick’s big-ass bathtub, completely at ease.
I know I’m safe if Nick is around. I’m safe in Nick’s house.
But for a moment, I wonder what would happen if Simon does get close to me and if I did come face-to-face with him.
Would he hurt me? Would he try to take me back to Texas?
I want to be worried about it, but I’m so relaxed and sleepy I can’t find it in me to give a damn right now.
I must doze off, because the next thing I know, soft lips are brushing across my temple and whispering, “Hey, pretty girl.” I lean into the kiss for a moment before awareness takes over.
Looking down, I realize all the bubbles are gone and the bathwater has become lukewarm. How long have I been in here?
I look up sleepily at Nick. “Oops. I guess I fell asleep. When did you get back?”
Nick brushes my cheek with his finger and reaches behind him for a towel. “Just a few minutes ago. I wasn’t gone long.”
He holds out the towel. I stand up, completely aware of Nick’s eyes on my wet, naked body. I want him to look at me. I like the way his eyes hungrily roam over my body. I step out of the tub and into the plush comfort of the oversized towel. He wraps me in it, keeping his arms tight around me.
“Did you have a good nap in the tub?” he asks teasingly.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep. It was just so peaceful.” I snuggle into Nick’s hard, broad chest, breathing him in. God, I love the way this man smells. “How’s your day been?”
I tip my head back and look up at him as he says, “As much as I would love to take you to our bed and kiss every inch of the gorgeous body hiding under that towel, how about we curl up on the couch and eat the lunch I brought back, and I can tell you about it? I found out some interesting things about your ex-husband today.”
I try to ignore the knot forming in my belly at the mention of Simon’s name, but my face must give me away. Also, he just called his bed “our bed,” and I like the way that sounds a lot.
He winks at me and turns me toward his room, smacking my ass as I walk ahead of him. I notice he’s laid out the sweats and hoodie we grabbed from my house last night, along with a pair of comfy socks. I also notice he hasn’t included a pair of panties or a bra.
I drop my towel, not bothering to wait for Nick to leave the room.
As soon as I do, I hear his breath catch behind me, and I give a satisfied little smirk.
I dress slowly, purposely dragging it out.
I know exactly what I’m doing. Just as I’m pulling my shirt over my head, I feel Nick’s hands on my bare belly, gripping my hips.
“You’re being a very naughty girl, Lydia Hayes. I’ll remember that later,” he growls in my ear, biting my earlobe softly. It sends a jolt of heat straight to my core.
“Please do,” I breathe, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Lunch is on the island. Let’s go eat.” He pulls the hoodie the rest of the way over my head and winks at me again.
Well, shit. Who is teasing who here?
I follow Nick into the kitchen, where there are two Styrofoam containers, two cups with straws, and a couple of smaller to-go boxes. I instantly recognize the smell of cheeseburgers from the diner, and my stomach growls in anticipation.
“Go get settled on the couch, and I’ll bring the food in. I got you a double cheeseburger, curly fries, and a Diet Coke. I hope that’s okay.”
I smile at him, a giant, goofy grin that probably borders on creepy as hell, but I don’t even care. This man knows what food I like, my favorite soda, and the way I take my coffee. That’s better than him knowing my birthday, in my opinion.
I walk into the living room, claiming my spot in the curve of the sectional. I love the way the oversize couch envelops me like a giant hug. I fell asleep here almost immediately last night, but I am determined to eat my lunch before getting too cozy this time.
We eat without words for just a few minutes before Nick breaks the silence.
“I asked a cop buddy of mine today if he and a couple of his guys could keep an extra eye on your house. I didn’t explain the situation too in-depth, but I did tell him your neighbor had seen a man fitting the description of your douchebag ex lurking around.
He said they’d add your house to a patrol route for the next few days. ”
“Oh, okay. Just like that? I don’t have to file a report or anything?” I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to. I want to avoid bringing law enforcement into this situation if I can help it. It’s a small town, and I don’t want everyone knowing my fucked-up past.
“We absolutely can, and I suggest you do, since he broke into your home, but it’s completely your call.”
Nick is leaving it all up to me. He trusts me enough to make my own decisions regarding the situation.
I can’t help but look at Nick now, really taking him in.
This man hasn’t thought twice about taking care of me when I need someone.
He brought me into his home, welcoming my baggage.
He bathes me, washes my hair, and makes sure I’m fed.
Hell, he’s even danced in the kitchen with me, fully embracing my weirdness and seeming to enjoy it.
He introduced me to his family and delivered my furniture.
All these things may seem small to some, but they are monumental for me.
I have never been so well taken care of by anyone in my life.
Not by my mother, not by my scumbag stepdad, and not by Simon.
“I’d like to get the locks changed at your house, if you’re okay with that.
We’re not sure how he was able to get in, but I picked up new locks and a doorbell camera to install as well.
Is that alright with you?” Nick rubs his hand up and down my leg, squeezing my knee.
I’m silent for a beat, trying to take in all his generosity.
I squeeze his hand and meet his eyes. “Thank you for everything.”
I move our food out of our hands and set both containers on the coffee table. Turning to Nick, I place my hands on his shoulders and swing my leg over his, straddling his lap. His hands instinctively go to my hips, pulling me closer to him.
“I mean it. Thank you. No one has ever cared enough about me to make sure I’m safe or taken care of.
” I take a deep breath and continue. “I was always on my own as a kid. I preferred it that way instead of having to be around my stepdad and mother. My self-esteem was low enough without being told how worthless I was, and then with Simon, too…”
I stop for a moment, trying to find the right words.
“Whenever I was with him, I put on a show as though everything was fine. It was easier that way, but he didn’t care if I was sad or anxious or upset about something that still haunted me from my childhood.
He would tell me to grow up, that it was a long time ago.
He would tell me I had a life with him that people envied.
He called me ungrateful and spoiled if I ever made a negative comment about how I was feeling.
Simon wanted a perfect wife to look good in front of his coworkers and friends.
As long as I had on a tight dress, lipstick, and kept my mouth shut, things were good. ”
I take another deep breath, noting the darkness in Nick’s eyes. He’s angry, but not at me. He’s angry for me. And it alights a fire in my belly.
“Lydi, baby. I’m going to tell you something, and I need you to really hear what I’m about to say, okay?”
I nod, looking him in the eye.
“I hate that that was your life for so long. I hate that those people made you feel like you were less than the amazing human being you so clearly are. I’m sorry you haven’t heard how truly wonderful you are each and every day.
I’m sorry you have ever had to question your worth because of scumbags like that.
” He reaches up, brushing a stray hair off my face.
“But please, hear me when I say this: that will never be me. I plan to wake you up each morning telling you you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.
I plan to kiss you to sleep each night, telling you how smart, kind, and unbelievably sexy you are.