He hadn't taken any of it.
Her throat tightened.She didn't know what to do with that information.It'd taken her a long time to save all that money and hide it from Sonny.It was a relief that Baddy hadn't taken it.She was grateful that he was honest, but it also confused her.He deserved the money for retrieving it for her.Plus, she promised to pay him back to gain her freedom.
She closed her eyes and blew out her breath.The desire to run out the door right now was strong.She had enough money for a motel.Her heart pounded.She opened her eyes and stared at the hallway, expecting Baddy to appear at any moment to stop her.
She glanced at the window.It was already dark out.
Muffling her groan, she shoved the envelope back into the backpack and zipped it up, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket.
She had her things.
She had her money.
But, deep down, she wasn't a liar.She promised him that she'd pay him back, and she would.Meanwhile, she'd come up with a new plan.
Because the second she repaid and thanked Baddy for taking her away from Sonny, she was gone.
The bathroom door opened, and Lydia wiped her face with her hands, shoving the bags up against the wall.
Baddy walked out shirtless, his hair wet from the shower.Water tracked along the lines of muscle before disappearing into the waistband of his jeans.He didn't seem to notice her staring.He just glanced her way once and headed straight for the fridge as if he trusted her not to run away.
His jeans hung low on his hips.She bit her lip watching his slow walk.
Lydia inhaled deeply, trying to erase the heat crawling up her neck.Now was not the time to find him attracted.It was just a gush of good feelings, knowing he'd brought her stuff back to her.That's why she stayed.
Pay him off.Say thank you.And split.
She forced her legs to move and crossed to the stool at the counter, sitting quietly while he pulled out the leftovers from last night.
He set a pan on the stove, dumped the stroganoff in, and reheated it.She looked around the kitchen.He didn't have a microwave.The wonderful smell from last night filled the kitchen again.Her stomach tightened with hunger even though she'd eaten earlier at the clubhouse.
For several minutes, she watched him.Saying thank you seemed silly when he was the reason she needed him to get her things from Sonny.She wasn't sure why he'd bought her or was now helping her.
Unlike her, he seemed calm and relaxed.
The way he moved around the kitchen was so normal for him.Like this was something he did every night, whether she was here or not.Like he wasn't a biker who bought her from another club.Like he wasn't someone she should be terrified of.
He stirred the food, steam rising in front of him, and she found herself ogling his bare back and the large tattoo of a motorcycle with flames coming up over the tires.It must've taken hours to complete.
She sucked in her bottom lip and forced herself to look away.The kitchen was simple, with clean counters, mismatched plates, and a coffee maker that looked older than she was.No fancy appliances.Just a stove, a fridge, and a man who knew how to use them all.
Her throat tightened.She cleared it softly."Thank you."
He paused with the spoon hovering over the pan and turned his head to look at her.Not smug, only acknowledging that he heard.
Then he nodded once and went back to stirring.
Lightheaded with pleasure, she slumped on the stool.No one had ever given her that level of respect in a long time, if ever.He had every right to lecture her about the task he'd completed and to reiterate how she owes him five thousand dollars.
Lydia folded her hands in her lap, unsure why her chest tightened.Unsure why saying those two words seemed like stepping off a cliff.
But she meant them.
And that scared her more than anything because she didn't owe Baddy anything.He was the one who put her in this situation.He bought her when she wasn't for sale.
He dished up a plate and slid it toward her."Where did you work to save that much money?"
She stared at her plate.It was too much to ask if he'd allow her to keep her money.
