“I can’t explain this pull we have. But I believe in him, too. I genuinely do.”
She groaned. “I’d like to think that your marriage will work out. I am an optimist through and through, but this is a little unsettling. He is just older and the whole thing with kids…” She was animated as she spoke. “I don’t want you ending up imprisoned in the basement with equipment to sedate you.”
Despite the serious nature of the chat, I burst out laughing at the mental picture she had given me. The fact that Nicholas was so kind to me made it even more absurd. She cracked a tiny smile before she joined me in my laughter.
“I assure you that won’t occur. When you meet him, you’ll realize that he is not creepy. Sometimes he can be a little too controlling and domineering, but that’s just him being protective. Of himself and me. I understand why he is that way, Lory. I believe I understand him a little more than others.”
“But children. Children, Willow? Seriously? Are you certain that you’re prepared for that?”
“He needs me.”
She stood up and gestured toward me. “That! That’s it, exactly. Your drive for doing all of this stems from your compulsion to be indispensable. It is not him you care about but the security that he will depend on you. Because he can’t get what he wants anywhere else. I worry that you will be hurt. You’re playing house but your relationship has no foundation.” She paced, looking at me every so often to ensure I was listening to her. “What happens if you can’t give him what he wants? What if you can’t have children with him?” she questioned.
She just expressed my worst worry, and as I put my hand over my stomach, I started to feel nauseous once more.
“I… I’m not sure.”
She got up and knelt down next to me. “I’m worried that you’ll start feeling things for this man who might not be able to reciprocate them. Suppose the worst happens and you are unable to have children. Does he simply throw you out?” When I started crying, she gave me a hug. “I apologize. I don’t want to say anything unpleasant right now. All I ask is that you safeguard yourself.” She drew back and tightened her hold on my shoulders as she fixed her gaze on me. “This is not the only place you are wanted. He isn’t the only man in the world who you can be with. There are plenty of men who will love you without these conditions and you could eventually have a loving family of your own. But you make a family because you love the person you are with. It shouldn’t be dependent on a contract… on someone’s demands and rules and a mountain of lies.”
I considered her comments as I closed my eyes. She obviously tried to appear wise and sensible. It hurts, though. Her words didn’t feel right, either. I started to believe Nicholas desired me for reasons more than merely helping him have children.
He liked me for me.
I also desired him.”
“Despite your best efforts to keep me safe, I know what I’m doing,” I said. I squared my shoulders. “I want Nicholas and I to work it out. Being with him feels right.”
She hesitated then reluctantly smiled. “Okay. I have your back. No matter what happens, I’m here. I am eager to get to know him.”
“Don’t tell him that you know… everything. I will disclose the news when the time is right.”
“I won’t. You are aware that I would never speak to anyone without your permission.”
“I’m aware of that.” I tightened my grip on her. “I’m really happy you came. I genuinely feel better now that I’ve had a chance to discuss it with someone.”
She released me and fell back on the bed with a grin. “Okay, enough with the serious business. Tell me now how he is in bed.”
Before giving her a brief rundown of Mr. Cocky Junior’s outstanding abilities, I busted out laughing.
As soon as Nicholas arrived home, I dropped Lory off with Laura in the kitchen and went up with him to change. As I watched him take off his suit and put on jeans and a t-shirt, I disregarded my surging hormones and tried to remember that my friend was still in the house and needed tending to.
The man looked great in a pair of jeans.
He finally said, “What’s up,” as I sat motionless on the bed.
He came over and sat down after I patted the space beside me.
“Was Chris’ scholarship actually revoked by you?”
He took my hand in his. “Willow, I wasn’t going to let him off the hook for what he did. Nobody will threaten you under my watch. Nobody.”
Was it inappropriate that his comments had my heart racing?
Even though I enjoyed the way they made me feel, I was still unsure about the results.
“I suppose I feel bad.” At his perplexed gaze, I sighed. “I have moved on. I don’t want anyone from Atkins to resent me. Even Chris Grant. He made a stupid mistake, but I don’t think he should be punished so severely.”
Nicholas came closer and gave me a gentle kiss. “You are too nice, Willow. You are too good for a wretch like me.”
I backed away and shook my head. If he believed I was too good for him, he was insane.
“No, Nicholas, it’s the other way around.”
He hugged me passionately after merely offering me a sad smile. “You need not be concerned. I didn’t entirely revoke his scholarship. I placed a condition on it. It will be reinstated if he follows the rules for a year and volunteers at the battered women shelters.”
“Really?” I questioned as I raised my head to peek into his eyes.
I could actually feel the room he took up in my heart grow when he nodded. I was really moved by his generosity and kindness sometimes. I cradled his face and kissed him with every ounce of emotion I had in my body.
In between kisses, I informed him, “You’re amazing.” When his lips touched mine, a smile formed on them. “I appreciate you doing it. And thanks for flying Lory here in such a short time.”
As soon as my tongue touched his, he groaned into my mouth. I forced him onto his back and crouched on top of him, the sound only motivated me further.
His hands tightened around my waist to stop me from moving. “Baby, I won’t get to meet your friend if you keep acting like this. In about two seconds, I’ll have you completely naked. Do you want to bed? ”
A battle was waging inside me. He needed to meet my best friend, but I also wanted to see him naked. He laughed while I debated the pros and cons of each side.
I forced my horniness down and pushed myself off his body. “Fine, but we will finish this later.”
“There is no question about that.” He gave me one last peck on the lips before we went downstairs.