“Baby, what happened?” His brows knitted together.
I began to hyperventilate. I couldn’t tell Kade my mother died or else he could figure out the connection with Ricci since he may know his wife just passed, but I couldn’t pretend everything was fine when it so obviously wasn’t.
“Breathe, Evelyn…. Tell me what’s going on.” Kade’s voice was filled with concern.
For the first time I felt guilty for hiding my identity and sad that I needed to lie to the man I was falling in love with. “My–” I cleared my throat. “My grandma just—” I took a breath. “She’s gone.” Sobs began racking my body as Kade wrapped his arms around me, trying to soothe my pain.
After a few minutes, Kade scooped me up into his arms and scooted me up the mattress. “I’ll be right back, baby.”
I got lost in my grief and became unsure of how much time had passed. It wasn’t until I felt warm water on my feetthat I realized Kade was placing me in my tub. Candles were lit all around the bathroom, creating a soothing atmosphere with the lights dimmed and the subtle scent of lavender in the air. I sat down in the tub and took in the man in front of me. “Thank you,” I said meekly.
Without a word, Kade knelt outside the tub and cupped my cheek. “No need to thank me, baby. Let’s get you cleaned up and then try to eat.”
I nodded.
Taking a cup, Kade scooped up some water and dampened my hair. After he was done washing my hair, he sat on the edge of the tub and looked down at me.
“Can you stay tonight?” I knew I sounded needy.
“As long as you will have me, I will stay, princess.”
I rested my head back on the tub’s edge and felt this overwhelming need to explain myself.
“My family is complicated. I hadn’t seen her in months…” I refused to say the word grandmother again so as to not continue the lie. “I don’t have and haven’t had a good relationship with my family in a long time. I’ve only been able to rely on Alfredo and Bug.”
Kade gave me a confused expression. “Bug?”
I let out a sad chuckle. “My car. Her name is Bug.”
Closing his eyes, Kade tried to suppress his smile. “You are one of a kind, Ms. Mowers.” He opened them and continued, “How did I get so lucky?”
I shrugged. “I don't know ifluckis the right word.”
“I do.”
Draining the water after it had cooled, Kade lifted me out of the tub, wrapped a towel around me and walked me into my room, where he opened my top drawer. He looked at me with shock. “How many Snoozie slippers do you need, woman? This entire drawer is full of them!”
Shrugging, I picked up a pillow. “You’re just jealous that I can get away with wearing cute comfy slippers.”
“Sure, we’ll go with that.”
I tossed the pillow at him before he launched himself at me and began to tickle me. I squealed at the impact and for a moment, my grief subsided.
Tucking some hair behind my ear, Kade peered at me, his expression serious. “I am so sorry for your loss, Evelyn. Are you sure you want me to stay? I want to respect–” I cut him off with a kiss.
“Yes, I’m sure. Now, please let me get lost in you,” I whispered.
For the first time in our relationship, Kade made love to me instead of fucking me. All of his touches and movements were slow and deliberate as if he was willing his body to soothe my broken heart.
After both our bodies were spent, we spent the rest of the night wrapped in each other’s arms until we both fell asleep.
I woke up to my alarm going off, and the other half of my bed empty. Confused, I looked around my room until I spotted a sheet of paper on my nightstand.
I picked up the note and read.
Good morning beautiful,
I needed to go home and change. I didn’t want to wake you. I will see you at work.
