CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

LYDIA

I had trouble sleeping that night. I fell asleep, waking around 3 a.m. I was sitting on the couch in the living room watching tv when Hayden walked in. My heart plummeted to the floor. His dazed eyes saw me but looked right through me. He was wearing all black, t-shirt, jeans, and boots. He never stopped to kiss me or even acknowledge me. I sensed something was extremely wrong. I peeked into the bathroom. He was brushing his teeth. Sitting on the floor outside the open door, I waited for him to walk back into the bedroom. I heard the shower turn on. I peeked around the corner again. His back was to me. Steam filled the room quick. Hurriedly, I undressed, climbing into the shower with him. He didn’t flinch upon my entrance. The water beaded down his muscular tanned back. My fingertips ran along the creases of his muscles.

“Hayden, baby what’s the matter?”

His body quaked at the sound of my voice. The tiny hairs stood on my arms. I was afraid of what his answer would be. Where was he?

Was he with another woman? I know he told me I was the only woman he was seeing. No, I’ll put that thought out of my head. His cousin said they had business to handle. I didn’t know what else to do other than wrap my arms around his waist. Hayden turned in my arms. His fingers trailed along my face. His crystal blue eyes danced over every inch of my face. “Promise you’ll stop stripping once we’re married.”

I was silent then nodded my head side to side. “Hayden, I can’t marry you,” I whispered. My fingers gently gripped his forearms as my forehead fell against his chest.

His soft lips brushed against my damp hair. “Why are you being stubborn?”

“Hayden, we have to get to know each other. I can’t marry you out of convenience. You having enough money to take care of me doesn’t solve all our problems.”

My eyes searched his. “What happens when I get on your nerves, so bad you want to strangle me?”

He laughed. “I’m sure we can figure it out.”

“Hayden, I told you I was going to strip for two more years, then I will have a job.”

“Nope, nope! My cousin and his wife just solved that problem. So, save that bullshit excuse. He will pay you enough. No more stripping.”

My eyebrows wrinkled. “Hayden, when are you going to get it through that sexy head of yours, you can’t control me.”

I pushed him back. “I can’t ask you to pay for my father’s medical bills. Leave it alone Hayden. Focus on us getting to know each other.” I massaged his peaks.

His smile dropped. Hayden’s lips pulled mine into his. “It’s not safe baby.”

I pulled back. “Why do you say that?”

“One day I will tell you everything, I promise.”

He held me snug in his arms.

“Hayden, can we move forward with our relationship and accept that I’m a stripper. You knew what you were getting when you met me.”

“It’s destroying me Lydia. I need you to stop.”

I shoved him. “I don’t fucking know you well enough to quit my job!”

“Says the woman standing butt ass naked in my shower!”

“Fuck, you Hayden!”

“We don’t have to worry about that, your shit is held under lock and key!”

My mouth dropped open. Quickly, I turned on my heels, exiting the shower. I snatched a towel off the tan rack, walking into the closet. Hayden didn’t come after me. I didn’t give a shit that it was about 4 a.m. I hopped into my clothes, gathered my bags, and stormed out of the condo.

Spencer stopped me at the front door. “Ms. Carmichael. Where can I have Valen carry you off to this morning?”

“Spencer, I’m not in the mood. I want to go home. Call me a cab please?”

“At once.”

I sat on the sofa in the fancy lobby with tall ceiling and modern glass accents throughout. After ten minutes of waiting, I walked toward the front door.

“Ms. Carmichael, I will take you home.”

He walked toward me tightening his tie around his neck. I knew Spencer woke Valen to take me home.

“Valen, that isn’t necessary Uber or a cab is just fine. You go back to sleep.”

“Not sure what happened this morning between you two, but Mr. Gaster would be very upset if I didn’t take you home myself.”

“I don’t want to argue. I’m ready to go.”

Fifteen minutes later, we pulled inside the gate to my apartment.

“Thank you, Valen.”

Valen parked the car, turning off the ignition. He walked around opening my door.

“Valen, I can make it from here.”

“Sorry, I’m ordered to check the premises.”

I exhaled, clenching my fists at my sides. “Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

After riding the elevator up to my apartment, I unlocked the door. I walked in behind Valen. He flipped on the lights.

“Stay right here please.”

I stood close to the front door watching Valen thoroughly check my apartment.

Valen walked toward me. “Alright, all clear. What is your schedule today?”

I waved my hands at him. “Oh, no! Tell Hayden I can do for myself.”

“You can either tell me your schedule or Mr. Gaster can drive you around himself.”

I huffed. “That man is unbearable!”

I ran my hand over my hair. “I’m going to one class at noon then work at 8 tonight.”

“I’ll be back at 11:45.”

Valen was almost out of the door. “Wait!” I turned to him.

“What happened last night?”

Valen glanced at me. “It was a rough night. Mr. Gaster cares about you a whole hell of a lot. I’m not allowed to say.” He ran his hand over his perfectly cut brown beard. His long brown hair rest in a neat ponytail at the nape of his neck.

His brown eyes shot back up at me. “You will have to ask him. Goodbye Ms. Carmichael.”

Before I could say bye, he was out the door. I wonder what is Valen’s story. Is he married? He is so mysterious and loyal to Hayden.

∞

“Lydia, Lydia!” I heard from behind.

I turned in the direction of the voice. I smiled as I shielded my eyes from the sun. The March winds were fierce today. I can’t wait until the summer. “Hey, Curtis! How are you?”

“I’m good.”

He slipped my backpack off my shoulder transferring it over to his. My eyes shot across campus. Valen was standing outside the Bentley in a black suit and dark sunglasses. God, please don’t let Hayden be inside the car.

“Curtis, I can carry my bag.”

“It’s no problem.” He smiled at me. “Are we still on for tomorrow?”

I slapped my hand against my forehead. “I’m so sorry this has been a crazy week.” I stopped a few feet away from the Bentley.

“I will be out of town this weekend. I actually leave tomorrow.”

His smile teetered up and down and his eyebrows scrounged together in confusion.

My peripheral witnessed Valen approaching. “Where is your bag Ms. Carmichael?”

I pointed toward Curtis. Valen extended his hand. “Hello, I am Valen. Ms. Carmichaels driver.”

By heart was racing.

“I’m Curtis,” he replied shaking his hand.

Valen squeezed his hand. “Curtis who?”

“Curtis Bottner.” He waved his hand trying to ease the pain.

“Bag,” Valen barked.

I cut my eyes at Valen as he walked away. Shit, Valen is just as bad as Hayden, over fucking bearing.

“Lydia, did you hit the lottery?”

I laughed hysterically. I was nervous.

Curtis wasn’t laughing.

“No, it’s my friends car.”

He folded his arms. “Your boyfriends car?” His eyebrow arched.

“No, silly. Well I better get going. I have to work today. I’ll see you next week.”

His eyes were sad. I felt terrible. I turned walking toward Valen who was holding the door open for me. I was relieved when I didn’t see Hayden inside. I watched Curtis face as we drove away. I remembered telling him I didn’t have time for a man.

“Ms. Carmichael.” Valen cut into my thoughts.

“Yes.”

“Does Mr. Gaster know about Curtis. Bottner?”

I cleared my throat. “Yes, I mentioned him to Hayden.”

He smirked through the rearview mirror. “Does Curtis know Mr. Gaster is your boyfriend?”

“No! I mean no,” I said calmer.

“I already let Curtis down nicely. However, I told him I didn’t have time for a boyfriend, then Hayden happened. Hayden doesn’t take no for an answer. I walked out on Hayden this morning and he still has you driving me around.”

“Ms. Carmichael, he’s not going to stop caring for you because you have a misunderstanding. He’s not a boy he’s a man. And a man doesn’t let his woman run around the city without protection.”

“Valen, protection? Forget it I will ask Hayden. Are you Hayden’s friend as well?”

“Yes. I was friends with his cousin Sebastian first. He introduced Hayden and me.”

Valen parked in my apartment parking lot. I stood at the front door waiting for Valen to finish checking every room of my apartment.

“Valen, you don’t have to mention Curtis to Hayden!” I yelled.

He smirked, walking toward the door. “See you at 7:40 this evening.”

I stuck my head out of the door. “Bye.”

I locked the door, undressed, and climbed into bed. Grabbing the pillow Hayden slept on, squeezing it in my arms. My nose captured his cologne. Fuck, I miss him. My eyes closed reminiscing on how he ate my pussy before we went out to dinner. Shit, it was the fucking best. My pussy muscles tightened, thinking about how good it felt to cum. The way his eyes met mine as he sucked up all of my cum. Yeah, I belong to Hayden. I need to own that shit. The only reason I don’t, he keeps pushing me to quit my job. I need him to let it go for now. Once I believe we will be ok together as a strong couple, I will quit.