chapter Thirteen
His World
Talina
I wake in the master bedroom alone, which is odd. I fell asleep in Nelson’s arms last night, after he rocked me to the edge of sanity for the final time. I’m still thinking about my life.
We’ve been in this cottage for four days now. We were only supposed to stay the one night originally. One night turned into another and then another. I haven’t come up for air long enough to care.
I sit up, pulling my knees into my chest, wrapping my arms around my knees. I wince as I feel the soreness between my legs. A little smile lifts my lips. I thought I knew great sex. Nelson masters my body in a way I can’t even explain.
My smile falls, as I seriously think about that. It sounds crazy, but I don’t know if I can handle a man that throws it down this good. I’m terrified of Nelson. I could lose all my good sense to him.
Shit, I almost told him I love him more than once over the last few days. Yes, I know I have feelings for him. Yup, the kind that start to develop into love.
Shut the fuck up, Talina. You are in love with that man.
I sigh and place my head on top my knees. Yup, I fear him because I am in love with him. Before I fell asleep last night, my mind raced with all of the kind things I can remember Nelson saying and doing for me.
My grandmother used to tell me and Mya to beware of the men you fall fast and hard for. They’re the ones that walk away with your heart. I think of the kindness I see in Nelson’s eyes, when he allows his shield to come down. I want to believe he would never walk away and leave me hurting.
“Merry Christmas,” my head pops up, as the words are sung into the room.
I don’t have time to pull the sheet up over me, before Detra jumps her ass onto the bed. My eyes round and I pull my knees in closer, snatching at the sheets. She rolls onto her back and makes herself comfortable.
“Really,” Nelson says dryly, from the doorway.
“What,” Detra shrugs. “Why don’t you go make us some coffee.”
“Christmas was four days ago and Talina doesn’t drink coffee,” he mutters.
I can’t help smiling at yet, another thing he knows about me. Detra just makes herself at home beside me. I look down at her and lift a brow.
“Well, I wasn’t here four days ago. Would have been here sooner,” Detra pulls a frown.
“You could at least let her get dressed,” Nelson sighs.
“Coffee,” she growls at him.
“Spoiled fucking brat,” Nelson mumbles and leaves the room.
“Love you too,” she sings after him.
She then turns to me with a straight face. I tug the sheet up a little more. Detra doesn’t seem to care that I’m butt ass naked beneath the sheet.
Detra reaches in her mouth and pulls out a razor blade. I look at her like she’s crazy and coil for a fight, tugging the sheet around me and tucking it into place. I’m no punk and I don’t know what this little crazy woman is up to.
“You don’t have to worry. Just listen closely to what I’m about to say,” Detra says, shifting to look at me, as she rolls the blade through her fingers.
“Nelson is like a brother to me. We grew up rough, I learned to place polish on two tarnished people and now we glow to the world. We weren’t always who you see now.
“I’ve watched Nelson get his ass beat just for being the only white boy around. I’ve watched people he loved treat him like shit and make him feel like it too. I’ve also watched it all make him into the man he is today.
“Me and my family, blood and those I’ve adopted over the years, it’s our job to look out for Nelson. The business he has built takes care of a lot of people. People that love and respect him.
“Whoever played with his car. They’re going to pay for that. Trust me,” she places the blade back into her mouth.
“I’m more than what meets the eye. You see what I want you to see. What I want you to see, Talina, is that you are the most important person in the world to Nelson.
“Eventually, if someone wants to harm him, they will come for him through you. I’m here to keep that from happening. We play for the same team, Team Nelson. Don’t let anyone tell you different,” she holds up a hand, when I go to interrupt. Her eyes get sad.
“It’s happened before. Before I could protect him. Some of the most important people in his life, used his love to hurt him deeply. I don’t think you will hurt him, but I have a feeling others will try to use you to,” Detra says.
“Maybe it’s better if I walk away now,” I say to myself, more than her.
Detra throws her head back and laughs. “Oh, I know that look. He fucked your brains out and scrambled what’s left up there,” she bursts out, shaking her head. “They either run or come back begging for more.”
I reach over to push at her arm. “Shut up,” I pout.
“He wouldn’t let you go now, even if you tried,” Detra says, with a rueful smile.
“Who would tamper with his car,” I ask, going back to one of the things that has been plaguing me for days.
“I have a few ideas. I’ll know more when my boys are done with the car,” Detra shrugs.
I blow out a breath and rub my temples. I try to soak it all in. Dating Nelson will be different for me for so many reasons. I’ve never dated a millionaire before. Nor have I dated a white guy. That part doesn’t bother me, though.
“You love him. I can see it,” Detra breaks through my thoughts. “Don’t overthink the rest.”
I smile and look at her. “Can you love someone so fast?” I don’t know if I’m asking her or myself.
Detra shrugs. “You two have had this thing for longer than you both realize. The lightbulb may have just turned on for you, but it has been there for a while.”
I think over her words and can’t really deny them. “I do love him. That shit scares the fuck out of me,” I say softly.
Just as the words spill out, Nelson enters the room carrying two mugs. He hands one to Detra, but his eyes remain on me. He skirts the bed, coming to my side, placing the mug on the side table.
His hand goes into the mess that is my hair. He tugs my head back and captures my lips hard. I reach to cling to his shoulders.
“I’ll be in the guestroom,” Detra sings, as she’s forgotten.
I hear the door close behind her. Nelson breaks the kiss and looks me in my eyes. “I love you,” he says the words with such caution in them.
His words almost sound like a plea not to hurt him. I cup his face, watching as he reveals a side of him, I know in my heart he keeps hidden from others. I kiss his lips.
“I love you too,” I say with a smile.