Chapter 11
Lucy
Looks like Cherry has a praise kink , I think wickedly, even as I see her relax when I don’t call her on it. It’s honestly adorable and something I wouldn’t mind indulging her in. Maybe someday…
“Right, well, yeah, you’ve more than earned that trust,” she rambles a bit, “So it’s no problem. Really. Thank you. But, yeah, anyway, you were going to explain the whole ‘cherry’ thing?”
Ah, right.
“So, I have a thing about nicknames,” I start, deciding to explain the whole thing.
“I don’t really like typical nicknames or pet names that have been used for a bunch of other people.
In relationships, I’m not a fan of things like ‘babe’, ‘sweetheart’, etc.
Same thing for friendships. I can’t control what other people call me, but I tend to develop unique nicknames for others as well.
“But Cherry, specifically? The first time I saw you, recently that is, the first thing I noticed was your hair. It was in a bun on top of your head and it reminded me of the cherry on top of a sundae.” I suck in a breath before I can finish that thought with and I hoped you’d taste just as sweet.
“That makes sense,” Aria nods, before locking eyes with me and giving me a blinding smile. “I like it.” Then, it seems her brain catches up with her, and I cringe inwardly as she starts to ask, “Wait, the picture I sent you didn’t have my bun in it, so where—”
“I saw you earlier that day,” I blurted out, “In your car. You just…stood out to me.” I wait for her to call out how creepy that sounds, but she surprises me instead.
“You noticed me? From that distance?” She sounds…flattered. Awestruck, even.
“You’re a noticeable woman, Cherry,” I murmur and watch as her face light up again. The tension between us is palpable and I step back to dispel it, watching her light dim and her smile drop as I continue, “I will let you get some more rest. Do you want me to wake you around dinner time?”
She nods and I stride to the door before I turn back to see her snuggling down beneath the ocean blue comforter.
“Rest well, Cherry,” I whisper and shut the door quietly behind me.
***
Several hours later, I am downstairs going over the financials for Karma in the back office when I hear the door to the upstairs apartments open then slam shut. I can’t help the little snicker I let out as I place my notes on the desk and wait.
Looks like Cherry found my gift, I grin in satisfied amusement. I hear her stomp to the front counter, demanding to know where that smug, over the top woman is. Poor Bennett directs her in a stutter to the back office and I prepare myself for war.
Unfortunately, the war is lost for me as soon as Aria steps into the office.
I am breathless as she appears in my doorway, the loose hairs from her messy bun floating around her, looking like an avenging angel.
I clear my throat and shift in my chair, desperate that my face isn’t giving away how turned on I am in this moment.
“Hi, Cherry. Did you have a good rest?” I figure playing innocent is my best bet.
“Don’t you ‘hi, Cherry’ me.” She stalks forward and places both hands on my desk, leaning forward and looming over me and dear goddess I am so fucking wet right now. “What is all of that upstairs?”
“All of what?” I smile unrepentantly into her scowling face. “Did you not like your care package?”
“Care pack—? No, that is not a care package. That is way too much, that’s what that is. Seriously, a four-pack of compression socks—”
“Well, you said they help.”
“—a multi-pack of sports drinks—”
“I didn’t know what flavors you like!”
“—electrolyte and salt drink packets, a new water bottle, and a blanket? Lucy, that is—” She blinks and I can see the beginnings of tears starting to form. “That is just too much. I don’t need all of that.”
I stand up and walk around my desk and, before she can react, snake my arms around her waist and squeeze.
She gives a token protest, but settles quickly.
I feel her drop her head to the top of mine and heave a sigh.
I give it a few more moments, listening to her heart beat (too fast) and relishing being this close to her, before I reluctantly pull back enough to look at her face.
Her expression is still exasperated, but the fury is no longer present. Though her cheeks are flushed…
“Feel better?” I ask, quietly.
“Yes,” she sighs. “But, Lucy, seriously, thank you but that is too much.”
“Why?” The question seems to derail her.
“What do you mean?” The confused pucker between her eyebrows is cute and I just want to kiss it away, though I refrain.
“Just what I said. Why is it too much?” I press on before she can answer, “You didn’t ask for any of that stuff.
I didn’t feel obligated to get any of it.
I got all of it for you because I thought it might help based on what you told me and the research I did.
If you won’t use some of them, that’s fine.
I won’t be offended. But I got them for you because I wanted to help,” I gaze into her gray eyes and try to say everything she might not be ready to hear yet, “I want to help take care of you, if you’ll let me.
I,” I catch myself and swallow, “I care about you.”
“Oh.” Her pupils are dilated and her pink lips are parted. She looks lost.
“Yeah,” I smile at her. “So will you accept them? They are gifts, no strings attached, I promise.”
“Yes.” Her voice is quiet, and I can’t help myself. I lean up and press a kiss to her cheek.
“Thank you, sweet Cherry,” I whisper in her ear and grin inwardly when I hear her sharp inhale and feel her arms tighten a fraction before she loosens them completely and steps back, shaking herself.
She searches my face, but I don’t say anything. She slowly makes her way out of the office and I hear her apologize quietly to Bennett before going back upstairs to the apartment.
When I hear that door shut, I let out the breath I’m holding in a long whoosh. That was easier than I expected.
Hopefully she won’t object to the cherry patterned compression socks that are on their way, I grin, then get back to work.