Chapter Twenty-Three
The second I hit the bottom of the stairs Trish threw herself at me. “Your face! I can’t believe that asshole did this to you.” She was blubbering.
“It’s okay T,” I said while rubbing her back for comfort.
“No, it’s not okay. Why would he do something like this?” She took a breath, but not long enough for me to say anything. “I’m just so glad I heard you scream or there’s no telling what would have happened.” She slightly pulled away from me. “Your cheek is bruised,” she hiccupped.
“It’ll be okay T. My face will heal, it’s just sore.” I looked back at Landyn who was standing right behind me. “Someone is supposed to call me, or Landyn, and let me know what’s going on with Ryan. At least he won’t know where to find me when he gets out.”
Trish quickly turned her tear streaked face up to Landyn. Out of the blue, her eyes narrowed and her nostril flared. “I hope you realize that this is because of you. Everything that happened to her is because of you,” she hissed at him.
I was completely taken aback. What the hell got into her? “Trish, stop...” I started softly, but she cut me off.
“No, Lex. I won’t stop,” she looked back up and spoke. Her voice was haunted. “If you wouldn’t have been such a self-centered dickhead and fucked around on her in the first fucking place, this never would have happened. She never would have even met Ryan! And to top it off, when she hurt you poor little feelings yesterday, what did you do? You fucked up again and left her alone to defend herself! She could have been killed!” she shouted. Her chest was heaving and she was trying to catch her breath. I was stunned.
I looked at Landyn and his expression was that of utter agony. His head was bent and he kept running a hand harshly through his hair.
This was not Landyn’s fault so I told her, “Trish, you know damn well that this isn’t his fault.” My voice was unyielding.
Her eyes swung my way.
“He left you alone to fend for yourself again, Lex. You guys had a fight and he left you again. I bet he didn’t even call you before you ended up in the hospital, and now that something tragic nearly happened to you, he’s all over trying to make it right. Don’t you see? He’ll leave you again when things get rough and I don’t want to see you hurt anymore.”
In more ways than one I knew she was right. But it didn’t feel right.
My head was pounding and I couldn’t think straight. I didn’t know if it was my feelings, the baby or both that were making me queasy, but there was no doubt I was going to throw up. With a glance at Lan, my hand flew to my mouth and I muttered “excuse me” right before running to the closest bathroom.
Once I finished puking up everything in my stomach I sprawled out on the bathroom floor. I didn’t care if it was dirty or not. I felt miserable.
I was going to assume Landyn would take care of Layla while I was out of commission for a bit, and Trish was a big girl; she could take care of herself.
That much was obvious.
I got up on my knees slowly and turned on the water to take a nice hot bath. I needed to relax.
Ugh! I can’t take a hot bath because of the baby.
Whatever, warm bath it is.
I checked the closet and found what looked like very expensive towels. I pulled out what I needed. As I started to undress there was a knock at the door.
“Baby, are you okay in there?” Lan asked. I didn’t want to answer, but I knew if I didn’t he might come in here and I needed to be alone.
“I’m fine. I’m just going to take a quick bath.” Wow, even I could hear the lie in my own voice so I knew he would too. He didn’t respond. I got in the water and put a rolled up towel behind my neck.
Eventually I passed out.
I woke feeling weightless and cold. I was shivering. I opened my eyes and saw that I was in Landyn’s arms.
“Baby, you fell asleep in the water and I panicked when you didn’t answer me.” He stood me up on unsteady legs, grabbed a towel and started drying me off. Luckily my hair wasn’t wet.
“You’re shivering, Lexi. Fuck. I knew should have come in here sooner, but I didn’t want to upset you more.” He sounded really disappointed with himself. He wrapped the towel around my body, picked me up like a bride and carried me back to his room. I wrapped my arms tightly around him and spoke against his neck. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to relax a little bit. I didn’t think I’d fall asleep.”
When we made it to the bed I noticed the covers had been pulled back. He took off the towel and laid me down naked in the middle of the bed. He undressed, climbed in after me and tucked my body into his. He was amazing.
“Where’s Layla?” I asked quietly.
“She’s with Trish. That was the only good thing about you falling asleep in the bath; it gave me a chance to straighten some things out with Trish. Layla’s helping her move in to the apartment.” I turned my head and looked at him questioningly. I was curious to know what they talked about.
His hand cupped the side of my face and he gave me a soft peck on the lips. “I told her we’re getting married. I made it clear to her that I was never leaving you again or fucking this up. If you try to leave me, you wouldn’t get far. She was hesitant to stay in the garage apartment because of everything she said to me, but I told her I didn’t care. I know she was just looking out for you and I can appreciate that. I convinced her to stay.”
“I trust you,” I whispered to him. His amber eyes lit up and the corners of his mouth turned up in a small smile. “I know you do, and I’ll work hard to keep it. I love you, baby,” he responded.
I scooted closer to him. “I’m still cold.” His arms constricted around me and he threw a leg over both of mine. I could also feel his erection prodding against my backside.
“I want you inside me,” I whispered.
I felt him shake his head. “Baby, you’re exhausted. You just fell asleep in the bath. We can play later.” Well that wasn’t going to do. “I don’t want to have sex, I just want to fall asleep with you inside me,” I requested softly.
“Lexi,” he growled my name, warningly.
“Please,” I whispered. I felt his mouth at my shoulder. He pressed a tender kiss to it before working his way to my neck. I felt his hand moved between my legs and he began to caress. “That feels so good Lan,” I breathed.
“Baby, you know once I’m inside you, you won’t be falling asleep.” His fingers continued to work my clit. “I don’t want to fall asleep,” I whispered. Suddenly his hand disappeared. He rolled onto his back taking me with him until my back was flush against his chest. My head was at his shoulder and when I turned to face him he kissed me. He rocked his erection against my sweet spot.
I arched my back to give him access and he entered me. “I love you, Lexi,” he whispered. One hand kneaded my breast softly as the other massaged my clit and it felt amazing. His thighs held my legs spread wide open as he slowly pumped in and out; I met his thrusts.
“I love you too.”
I felt like we had all the time in the world, but I knew I wouldn’t last much longer.
When I moaned his movements became faster.
“I’m going to come soon Lan,” I whimpered.
“I’m right there with you baby.” His voice was rough. I licked my lips. “Fuck, hurry Lexi; I’m not going to be able to stop.”
My inner muscles clenched as I cried out his name and came. “Kiss me,” I vaguely heard him demand right in the middle of my orgasm. I turned my head and he devoured me. “I love you,” he groaned against my lips as I felt him pump once more before he planted himself deep inside me.
After we finished and calmed, he maneuvered us so that our bodies were back in original spooning position except now he was inside me. I was drained. Through my haziness, just before drifting off to sleep, I heard myself say, “I love feeling like I belong to you.”
His arms squeezed me almost painfully. “You do belong to me, Lexi. Just as much as I belong to you.”
Then I passed out.