Page 37 of Cruel Salvation

Chapter12

She steppedinto the warmth of her apartment and felt a sense of belonging like she always did here, but then, maybe it was because this was just hers and not tainted by the actions that seemed to dog her every step.

Damon headed through to her small kitchen and Lotus noted how relaxed he looked in her space, or maybe it was just that she felt safe having him here. It was a silly thought to have, considering she was surrounded by the most dangerous operators on the planet. Fuck, she was one of them and yet this was different.

Her gaze wandered lazily over Damon. He was so mesmerizingly handsome that he could’ve been a model with those sculpted facial features and bright blue eyes. He strode to the kitchen and she watched him move. Her breath caught as she heard a few gulps and realized he’d pulled one of the beers out of the fridge for himself. Usually, she hated people in her space but she liked him being there. Tiredness and hormones were clearly doing a number on her today.

“I’m gonna grab a quick shower and change.”

He looked up from where he was peeling potatoes, he’d found God knew where, and grinned at her and she had to fight the bolt of lust that blew through her. The man was a menace to her equilibrium.

Moving quickly to her bedroom, she shed her clothes and jumped in the shower, letting the hot water wash away all the tension in her body. As she soaped her shoulders, she noticed the evidence of their lovemaking in the beard burn on her chest and shivered, her clit throbbing with the need to feel him inside her again.

Dismissing her wildly unbalanced emotions, she reached up to grab her shampoo and a wave of nausea hit her like a train from nowhere. Throwing open the shower door, she fell to her knees and heaved over the toilet bowl, sweat dotting her brow.

“Hey, hey.”

Lotus felt gentle fingers scoop her hair away from her neck as she heaved, her empty stomach clenching. Having Damon here seeing this was mortifying.

“I’m fine.”

“I know but let me help you. Please?”

She had no energy to fight him, so she nodded and took the warm washcloth he handed her, smoothing it over her face.

She sat naked on her knees, her modesty and dignity gone. If this feeling was a colour, it would be puce green.

“Better.”

Lotus nodded slowly, testing her body, and finding she could move without wanting to puke. “That came out of nowhere.”

“Here, let me help you up.”

She took the arm he offered and stopped, moving to the sink to brush her teeth.

“Do you want me to stop cooking? Was it the smell?”

Her belly gurgled and suddenly she felt ravenous. “What are you making?”

“Loaded fries, just like you asked for. I can make whatever else you want too if you’d like something different,” he said with a half-smile.

“No, you can cook. I’ll be out soon.”

“Okay, shout if you need anything.”

“I will.”

She absolutely would not call him if she began puking her guts up again.

After finishing her shower, Lotus got dressed in joggers and a loose T-shirt, rubbing her hand over her belly. “That wasn’t very nice was it, little one?”

She felt a little silly talking to a person she couldn’t see, but somewhere between yesterday and today, even as she argued with Damon about how she’d make a terrible mother, she’d decided that she couldn’t terminate this pregnancy. This baby was part of her and part of Damon and, against so many odds, was here. She wasn’t one to believe in fate but if she did then maybe this baby was fate telling her it would be okay.

Brushing her teeth, she pulled her hair into a ponytail and headed out into the kitchen. The scent of tangy zesty melted cheese and a rich béchamel sauce, jalapenos, and fresh hot fries hit her nose and her belly grumbled.

“Can I do anything?” she asked him.

“Can you grab some cutlery and glasses?”