“Hey, um the cops were just here.”
“What’d they say?”
I summarize as best as I can and tell him about Sheena. I nearly lose it as I’m talking to him.
“I gotta relay this to Prez. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
“Nav.”
“Yeah, cupcake?”
I hear someone croon, “ooh, cupcake,” in the background followed by a, “shut it,” that sounds like my Uncle Link. Yikes.
“I…”
“Me too. Talk soon.”
“Okay.”
We hang up and I lean back on the couch and let out a shaky breath.
At some point I drift off because the next thing I know I’m being awakened by Nav’s lips gently pressing to mine, tasting coppery like blood.
I open my eyes and want to cry at the sight of him. I want to touch him but am afraid I’ll hurt him. “What the hell happened?” His left eye is swollen shut. There are cuts on his cheeks, his brows, his lips. The bruising is already setting in.
“Told Link about us.”
“He’s responsible for this?” I touch the side of his face careful to avoid the damage.
“Had it coming.”
“This is not okay. I’m never speaking to him again.”
“Club shit. Brother code. It’ll be all right.”
“Did you speak to the police?”
He shakes his head. “Prez will get the club’s lawyer to reach out.”
“Okay.” I stare at him, taking in every mark. I can’t believe Link did this. I mean I can, but it pisses me off.
“Can I get you to relocate to my bed? Like my couch but painkillers are gonna wear off soon and as much it kills me, I don’t think my ribs can handle carrying you.”
“Yeah. Is there anything I can do?”
“Grab me a beer out the fridge and bring it with you. I’m going to hit the shower while I feel up to it.”
“You got it.” I go into the kitchen as he makes a slow trek up the stairs. I shoot my mom a text to let her know that Nav’s back. I go back upstairs and hear the shower running. I don’t know if I’m intruding, but I’m overcome with this desire to touch him. I check the knob. The door isn’t locked, and I let myself in. The curtain is closed and if he heard me enter, he isn’t protesting. I sit his beer on the sink and yank the tee I’m wearing over my head.
Next, I lose my bra and panties. I should be slightly nervous. I’ve never done this before. With Nav though I have no fear. I trust that he’ll handle me with care. I know the things he said that day at the clubhouse were to push me away, and that maybe I shouldn’t forgive so easily, but life is too short. I need this. We both do.
I slip into the shower and hug his naked form from behind. His hands lay over mine and we stand under the warm spray of water not moving. Not speaking for a beat before he turns to face me.
“Hope you don’t mind.”
His reply is to cup my face and come in soft and slow for a kiss.
His tongue sweeps inside my mouth and he pushes me up against the shower wall. One hand braced next to my head as his body presses into mine. His thick cock hardens pressing into my stomach, but he simply keeps kissing me. I don’t know why my tears come but they just do.
I burst into a full-blown ugly cry and hug my body to his.
I could have died tonight.
I could have never gotten to experience this.
All the intensity of the night slams into me. I can’t stop the rush of emotions crashing into me like tidal waves.
“Hey.” Nav tucks a finger under my chin. “Talk to me.”
I shake my head. “I’m just…is it wrong for me to be happy that I’m here with you?”
“Because of your friend?”
I nod.
“Think if she was your friend, she’d want you to be happy. She’d like to know that you got a man who has your back. I know you’re sad and probably thinking it was almost you. It’s some fucked up tragic and scary shit. What happened to both of you tonight never should have happened, but it did. You gotta sort through that shit in your head and not let it eat at you.”
“I know.”