CHAPTER NINTEEN

CHAPTER NINTEEN

JOSH

I don’t enjoy hearing her mother talk like that to her. How did Kim manage to end up being so sweet? Her mother’s not a bitch, she’s a c––.

The need to take care of Kim is all-consuming. It’s a new feeling. She has wormed her way under my skin, and I don’t mind.

I can tell by the way she is eyeing me she’s curious about the scars. I don’t let many people see me like this. I feel exposed.

I sit next to her. “Does she talk to you like that a lot?”

She cinches her robe. “She’s worse when she’s between boyfriends or husbands.”

“Boyfriends or husbands? How many has she had?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know anymore. I’ve lost count. She’ll leave me alone, though, when she finds a new companion. That’s always how it works. I’m used to it. Don’t let it bother me anymore.”

I feel bad for her having a parent like that to raise her. I’m lucky to have had my parents and brothers growing up. We can count on each other.

A person needs someone they can lean on and trust in their lives. I want to be one of those people for Kim.

She touches one of my old wounds, and I flinch.

She touches it again. “How did this happen?”

“Bullet. From a critical mission.”

She runs a finger over a scar. “You have a lot of them.” Statement, not a question.

I stand and grab her hand. I don’t want to talk about them. I reach in and turn the shower on. Tug on the belt of her robe until it comes loose. She lets it slide off her shoulders. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Her breasts are perfect.

I guide her into the shower, slip out of my underwear, and join her. I’d love to have sex with her in here, with the water massaging our backs, but she’s probably too sore from our previous bout. So, this will be about me taking care of her.

I grab her bodywash and loofah. Get it all sudsy. Start at the front and work my way back. I leave nothing untouched. Her eyes are closed, and she’s making noises. My dick pulsates and begs to be handled. But again, this isn’t about me.

I turn the shower off and grab two towels, wrapping one around my waist and using the other to dry her off.

“Do you have a lot to do today?” I ask.

She takes the towel from me and finishes drying herself. “I need to visit some boutiques.” She grabs the hairdryer, plugs it in, and goes to work on her hair.

I meander back into the bedroom, drop the towel from around my hips, and slip on my pants. Minus the boxers. That’s right, I’m going commando. When I get back to my place, I’ll change into fresh clothes. I shrug on my shirt and button it.

Kim comes in and searches through her closet and drawers, grabbing this and that. I sit down on the bed and watch her dress.

“What time can I pick you up tonight?”

“I can’t see you tonight.” She slips on her other shoe. “I’m having a night out with the girls.”

Girls’ night? Not too sure I care for that.

I try to play it cool. “Where are you going?”

“Don’t know where we’re eating yet, but we’ll end up at The Big Bar by night’s end.” She journeys out of the room and into another. I follow.

This room has a large table in the middle, and the shelves are filled with containers. Must be her workshop. Seems rather small, though. “This where you make your jewelry?”

She grabs a bag from the table. “Yes. It’s getting cramped in here. I need to look for something larger and maybe hire more people.”

We walk out of the room and out the front door. “If you need help finding office space, I’m your man.” We step into the elevator, and I press the down button.

She replies, “I might take you up on that because I don’t know where to start. Zoey’s been suggesting places, but they all seem too big.”

“Like I said. I’m your man.”

The elevator hits the main floor, and the door opens. I put a hand on her back and let her walk out first. Take her hand, and we saunter outside. I texted my driver earlier to expect us, so he’s waiting. He’s a good man.

“Would you like a ride?”

“No, thanks. I don’t have to go far.”

That’s disappointing. But I’ll survive.

I pull her to me and kiss her.

“See you tonight,” I state and hop into my car.

“But––” Her expression grows slack when I close the door.

I wave as the car pulls away.

She’ll be spending the night at my place. I just haven’t told her yet. But I will.