“You’re thinking something completely different from what I am,” he said.
She shook her head. “It’s okay, really, I understand.”
He pressed her against the wall, locking his fingers with hers and keeping them by her side. “No, you’re not thinking right, baby. The only reason I won’t be taking advantage of you is because of your cracked ribs. I can’t bear the thought of causing you more pain, and I will never hurt you.”
Lydia went to say something else to dispute his claims.
“The shit I said to you on that night was exactly that, shit. I don’t think you’re fat, and you’re exactly what I love about a woman.” He released her hands and slid his own across her waist, over her rounded stomach. “I spend too much time imagining these curves and how you’d look on my bed.”
She stared up into his eyes, drawn to him.
He pressed closer until his lips were a breath away from her. “I stay away because I know you can do a hell of a lot better than me or Darren.”
His words shocked her. She didn’t know he thought that much about her, and yet, he did. He pulled back.
“It’s time for you to get some rest.”
Henry placed her case on the floor then headed toward the door. “Leave your clothes. I’ll help you with them in a little while.” He closed the door behind him leaving her alone with her thoughts.
There was far more to Henry than she first realized.
Chapter Six
Henry finished putting away the groceries he’d gone to get as Lydia made her appearance. She was no longer dressed in Donna’s maternity wear but in a pair of duck pajamas. Her hair was bound up on top of her head, and she rubbed her eyes as she walked out of her room.
“That bed is the best thing I’ve ever slept on.” She didn’t stretch or complain.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, watching her move as she took a seat at the kitchen counter. She’d been out for most of the day. He’d taken the time to clean and go shop. For the longest time he’d not been in this apartment, and he didn’t like the feelings it was all inspiring.
When he and Caleb went into business and had a successful, profitable year with Ecstasy along with their less legal businesses, he’d bought this place.
The entire apartment building was pure luxury, something he’d never lived in. His mother had been a whore and his father a pimp or a john. Growing up in the gutter he was used to being looked down upon. When he got older he’d learned to use his fists to get what he wanted. Fighting illegally got him away from his mother and the place where he grew up.
Meeting Caleb had been brilliant. They’d clicked instantly, neither wanting to spend the rest of their lives together fighting.
“I feel better, much better.”
One of her hands went to her bound ribs.
“You don’t have to worry. I’m not going to kick you out on the streets if you’re feeling better.” He flicked the button on the kettle and turned back to gaze at her.
She looked so beautiful even without all the makeup she usually wore.
“I don’t know what to say to you,” she said.
“There’s nothing you need to say.”
“You’re like two different people, one that I like and the other that you need to be for the rest of the world to see.” She held her hands together in front of her. “Which one’s the truth?”
Neither was the truth. When he was around Lydia he wanted to be what she deserved. He was so used to women taking his money that he really didn’t know what to say to her.#p#分页标题#e#
Taking down a couple of cups from the cupboard, he started to make them both a coffee. The last time he’d been cruel to her he lowered his guard and they ended up getting taken. He didn’t want to put her in danger again.
“Henry?”
“Nothing is real. Okay. I’m being considerate.” He placed a cup in front of her.
Before she woke up, he’d gone into the room where he’d packed away all of his hobbies years ago. The business had come first above anything else.
The scars on his face had been the start of his spiral, and then something had snapped inside him and he hadn’t come back to this apartment.
“Something is real. This place, I wouldn’t expect it from you. You’ve never given me any sign that you’re not a, erm, a criminal.”
He lifted the cup he was holding to his lips and took a large swallow of the steaming liquid.
“All you’ve ever talked about is whores and being crude.” She stopped talking. He saw her cheeks were bright red, and he felt bad.