Chapter 52
Layla
Pete lies on the couch in the living room on his back, snoring as loud as I imagine a drunken sailor snores. Jasmine is in the crib Seth brought down from upstairs, fast asleep and oblivious to her grandfather’s snoring. While they sleep, I prepare snacks and a drink for Seth. After he explained, with Pete’s permission, what they talked about, it took me a good hour to get myself under control.
While he got Jasmine ready for bed, I filled the tub with bubble bath for him and ordered him in. I place everything on a tray and go upstairs. After putting the tray on the nightstand, I go into the bathroom and cackle at the sight before me.
“You had this house built so why didn’t you pick out bigger tubs?” I ask. He’s sitting there with his long arms wrapped around his knees looking completely ridiculous.
“I never took a bath before today, and I’m never taking one again.” I leave him and return with two champagne flutes.
I hand him one and sit on the edge of the tub.
“What are we celebrating?” he asks.
“Pete’s breakthrough and your awesomeness.” I tap my glass to his. He sits back and some of the water splashes me.
“Say you were wrong about me,” he orders.
“I was not wrong. You were a whore, but I will concede that I didn’t know everything about you.”
“Say you’re sorry,” he says.
“No way. You deserved everything I said.” I stick my nose in the air and sip my drink. He snatches the glass from me and drinks the rest. Before I can say a word, he snatches my wrist and pulls me into the tub. “You jerk!” I yell. His strong arms go around me and he pulls me between his legs. I give up all attempts to fight him off. I don’t even care about my hair getting wet as I sigh and rest my head on his wet chest.
“I really hate these ugly ass pajamas you wear,” he says. “All of them.”
“They’re hideous,” I agree. “But Gaga got them for me.”
He stays quiet, and I close my eyes as I enjoy the warm water and the strong arms protecting me from all the evils of the world.
“You should stick your hand in the water and pull my dick.” My eyes pop open, and I turn my head to look at him. He looks so serious as he nods his head.
“You pervert. I just told you something touching about my grandma, and you mention your dick?”
“Gaga has horrible taste in pajamas. That’s a fact. What does that have to do with you pulling on my dick?” He stands with me in his arms and steps out of the tub before putting me down. He pulls the wet clothes off, dries my body and wraps the big, fluffy towel around me.
“Come on,” I say, giving him my hand. “Let me take care of you tonight.” When we get to bed, I take off my towel and dry his body with it. Once he’s dry, he gets in the bed, and I put the tray of fruits and cheeses on his lap.
“Thank you,” he says before biting a strawberry. “I would kill for one of those chicken salad sandwiches you make.” Then he rolls his eyes and says, “I’m turning into my father.”
“Then I’ll go make you a couple.” I ignore the statement about his father and bend down to kiss his forehead. After putting on my robe, I leave the room to go make the sandwiches. Other than asking me to help raise Jasmine, this is only the second time he’s asked anything of me. I make three sandwiches and take them upstairs.
He eats two in the time it takes me to eat half of mine. Once he’s done, he swipes my other half and eats it in two bites.
We share the fruit and cheese until there’s nothing left, and once we’re done, he pulls me into his arms, and we lie naked in the bed in silence. He kisses my temple a few times. Instead of making love, he turns on the television and falls into a deep sleep moments later.