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“What are you doing, Cyprus?” Noelle whispers the question when I let her hand go and move to one of my dressers.
“Getting you a tee to put on.”
I find a shirt for her and turn to face her. “Bathroom’s over there. If you want to take a shower, there’s stuff you can use. Tomorrow we’ll go get you whatever you need.” Like clothes and all the shit that we’d left behind at that dump of a house her parents stayed in. Just remembering the sight of that room of hers, sends chills down my spine. She had barely anything as it was and I know it’s because of those dipshits.
“You don’t have to do all that.” She shakes her head and steps back.
“I know I don’t have to, but I’m doing it anyway.”
“Why?”
“Why what?” I cock my head slightly and take in her look of confusion.
“You hate me, Beckham,” she remarks, emphasizing the word hate. “You haven’t seen me in years, and when you did, you looked at me with hatred in your eyes as if I was the gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe. I don’t need your charity, or want it, for that matter.”
“It’s not charity, Noelle,” I snap, closing the distance between us in only a few short steps. “I’m not one for pitying others. I don’t have the time for that shit. If I wanted to feel charitable, I’d have given you money and told you to go do what you gotta do. I wouldn’t have brought you here . . . to my home . . . introduced you to my little sister. I wouldn’t have told you I’m not about to let you go. And believe me when I say this, Noelle, I’m not letting you go. I’ve seen too much shit happen to others, I’m not about to go through that with you, so get whatever thoughts you have about getting away from here, from me, out of your head right fuckin’ now.”
“I don’t understand you,” she says, pressing her hands against my chest, trying to get me to step away.
“You’ll figure it out,” I murmur and lean in, brushing my lips against the curve of her sensuous mouth. The very same one I’d nearly devoured earlier after getting her to the clubhouse. If I hadn’t been interrupted, I might have gone further, but that’s something she doesn’t need. Not now. Not when everything is fresh. She needs to know she can trust me and that I’m here for her. I’m not going anywhere. Not ever again.
CHAPTER10
NOELLE
“You’ll figure it out.”
Cyprus’s voice still lingers in my head with those four words. What’s there to figure out? He has me completely baffled by the way he’s gone from cold to hot. I mean, the man is supposed to hate me, not help me, not tell me he’s not letting me go.
I mean, what’s up with that?
All night, I’ve debated the best way to get away from him, to run away, go back to my life before anything bad can happen to anyone else. But Cyprus was one step ahead of me. Where I thought I’d be in another room or on the couch, I could’ve snuck out. Cyprus put me in bed with him, and after a brush of his lips against mine, he had me go into his bathroom.
I’ll admit, I enjoyed staying there longer than I should have. I washed my body with his sandalwood-smelling soap and used his shampoo and conditioner. After, I’d used his comb to run through my hair and braided it down my back to keep it from becoming a hot mess come morning. Slipping on his tee shirt, I looked down at the panties I’d had on and decided against putting them back on.
Leaving the bathroom, I saw Cyprus waiting for me, his back against the headboard. The soft glow of the lamp on his nightstand is the only light in the room and makes him look even more beautiful than he already is.
Cyprus all but ordered me to the bed, and here I am, still in his bed hours later. Neither of us spoke again, but he wrapped his arm around me, holding me in such an intimate position that I don’t know what to do.
I’ve dreamed of this for so long, and here we are now, but I don’t understand why he’d change his mind so easily. And God knows, he has my mind boggled about me figuring something out.
I need a moment to get my head together.
Spending the evening last night with him and Bride was amazing, and I loved every minute of it. It’s a moment in time I know I’ll always cherish, but that’s the only thing it can be, a memory.
With Cyprus asleep, I do my best to figure out a way to get out of this predicament without waking him. I wiggle ever so slightly, and with that simple movement, the insufferable man’s arm tightens around my waist.
Even in his sleep, it seems he’s not letting me go. I need to get out of here and fast. This is ridiculous, and I can’t stand it. Not with everything going on in my life. Only in my dreams have I ever allowed myself this feeling, and even then, it was only imaginary—nothing like the real deal.
Ever so slowly, I inch my way to the edge of the bed. A heavy sigh comes from Cyprus, and his arm releases me as he rolls to his back. I go still thinking maybe I’d woken him up. When he doesn’t move and his breathing stays steady, I slip from the bed. I turn to stare at him and wish nothing more than to get back in with him. If there were ever a time I could have the dream I’ve always longed for, it would be with him.
Always.
But there’s too much between us now, and I can’t do this. He’s pure and clean and has a great life. Whereas I have a horrendous one where everyone hates me, uses me, and kicks at me. Still, it’s my life and no matter how horrid it is, it’s mine and I don’t want to drag others into it.
If only I’d never gone for that nanny interview with Rachel. I’d have never run into Cyprus again, and I wouldn’t be here now.
Shaking my thoughts away, I quietly tip-toe across the room and to his door. I twist the knob and open the door with ease. I make it to the hallway and to the living front door. I remember the alarm was set, and I bite my bottom lip as I try to think of how I’m going to get out of here without setting it off.
