She suddenly remembered the suitcase and wondered if he’d noticed. If he had, he didn’t say anything, and she wasn’t going to bring it up and spoil the mood. She would allow herself this little slice of heaven and worry about Tim and all the rest of the baggage tomorrow.
Chapter Fifteen
Ben
BEN WOKE UP WITH A smile on his face. It was a smile of complete satisfaction and contentment. A beautiful woman was curled up next to him, her soft curves pressed against his much harder and hairier body. The bruises on her arms were evident in the bright light of the morning sun streaming through the white curtains. He hated to see the evidence of the attack she had endured. It was like a vice being squeezed around his heart.
She mumbled something in her sleep, rolling to her back, and nearly hitting him in the nose with the back of her hand. He turned his head, narrowly missing the accidental attack. She settled back into sleep, her face now resting against his bare chest.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. Her chin tilted up, her eyes opened and looked into his.
“Good morning,” he said, with a warm smile.
“It’s certainly starting off on the right foot,” she smiled in return.
“It definitely is. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine, truly I am.”
His fingertips rubbed up and down her arm, carefully going around the bruises. “What time do you have to work?”
She sighed. “Not for a couple hours.”
“Can I make you breakfast?”
“No. You’re my guest. I’ll make you breakfast,” she giggled.
He kissed her forehead again. “I want to take care of you.”
“Ben, truly I’m not an invalid. I’m in no way trying to make light of this situation and I’m not proud of this by any means, but I’ve survived worse and lived to tell,” she said, in a voice full of resignation.
He hated hearing it. It was impossible for him to imagine any man beating a woman, especially to that extent. He didn’t want to think about what ‘worse’ would be like. How the man hadn’t wound up in jail was nothing short of a miracle.
“Listen, I’m going to make you breakfast and I won’t take no for an answer. I hope you have food in that kitchen,” he said firmly.
“Can I help?” she asked.
“Nope. You can take a shower while I’m cooking you the best omelet you’ve ever had.”
She giggled softly. “Fine. If I must, I’ll laze about while you cook my breakfast.”
She rolled to the side, sitting up, the sheet following around her waist, exposing her naked back. He waited for her to stand, wondering if she would hide her body with the sheet as she moved to the shower or walk proudly in all her naked glory.
When she stood, leaving the sheet on the bed, he sucked in a small breath at the sight of her naked body. She turned to face him, raising an eyebrow as she slowly strutted towards the bathroom. He leaned back and watched the show, tempted to follow her, but not wanting to push her too much, too soon.
When he heard the shower running, he got up, pulled on his boxers and moved towards the kitchen. He paused at the door, noticing the suitcase sitting at the ready. He studied it for a second before moving past it. The apartment was much smaller than his own house, but he liked the cozy feel.
As he looked around the room, he noticed there were very few personal touches to the place. It was a little cold and sterile. He remembered what she had said about never staying in one place very long. Pushing the thought to the back of his mind, he pulled open the fridge and quickly surveyed the contents. It was actually stocked with a lot of really healthy options.
He pulled out some spinach, eggs and low-fat milk, then prepared to whip up a breakfast for this woman who surprised him at every turn. He liked that she was a healthy eater. He’d never been short on self-confidence, but he sensed she had been living in fear for so long, she was only just now realizing she was a strong, beautiful woman. Eating right and working out would bolster her self-confidence. He wanted to be a part of that.
“That smells delicious,” she said, walking into the kitchen, her damp brown hair pulled back in a ponytail.
“It’s your coffee. It smells amazing. I might have to get me some of that.”
She nodded her head. “I buy it from the bakery. It’s the good stuff—my one little splurge. Good coffee is worth paying extra for.”
He took a sip from the cup and nodded his head. “It is. You’re going have to hook me up now, you know.”