His fingers were warm as they wrapped around mine. “Nice to meet you, Lucy.”
A slow smiled spread across my face as he gently pulled me into his arms. My quaking insides instantly settled. I rested my chin on his shoulder, my lips quivering as I held back tears. My arms snaked around his body and I clung to him, squeezing him until I’m sure it hurt. I never wanted him to let me go, ever. I wanted this moment to be a photograph, one we could be locked inside of, safe and secure for all eternity, but then Zach sniffed.
His arms squeezed me a little tighter as he chuckled. “You really stink.”
My body rippled with laughing tears. I turned my head on his shoulder, lightly kissing his neck, before whispering, “I’ve been sleeping in a lot of dumpsters.” It was humiliating to admit. I had turned myself into a street rat, refusing to pick one pocket or con anyone. I wanted to get rid of my old life and start anew, but that came with a price.
I’d been homeless, hungry and petrified for the last month and a half.
Zach pulled away form me, his brown eyes swimming with agony as he studied my face. His thumb gently caressed my cheek as he lightly kissed my lips and pulled me inside.
He didn’t say a word as he gently took the tatty bag off my shoulder and placed it by the front door. I kept a tight hold of his hand when he walked me up the stairs. I glanced into the living room as we went, listening for signs of his parents, but the house was quiet. We were here alone, I could feel it.
We reached the bathroom door next to his room and he flicked on the lights. Letting go of my hand, he reached into the shower and turned on the water. The sound of the hot spray hitting the porcelain tub beneath was music to my ears.
Zach flicked the curtain across and came back to me. With a gentle smile he touched my face and trailed his fingers down to the top of my jacket. I could barely breathe as he slowly unzipped it then flicked it off my shoulders. He kept his eyes on my face as he reached for my shirt, lifting it over my head. The fabric dropped to the floor, leaving me standing in nothing but my ripped jeans and a tatty bra. I should have been humiliated. I should have been covering my dirty, skinny body with my bony arms, but the look in Zach’s eyes held me frozen. There was desire there, but it wasn’t lust. The compassion radiating from him kept me safe. Reaching behind me, he unclasped my bra and gently kissed my shoulder before sliding it off me. He didn’t touch me, didn’t study my naked form with hungry eyes, he just quietly undressed me…and I let him.
Once I was naked, he kissed my lips lightly before stepping back to the shower and checking the temperature.
“It’s good.” He slid the curtain back.
I was still frozen. Stepping towards me with a little grin, he placed his hand on my lower back and gently pushed me towards the bath. “Get in. I’ll go get you a fresh towel and leave it on the vanity.”
With that, he stepped from the room. The door gently clicked shut and with an astonished head shake, I stepped beneath the hot spray. Closing my eyes, I buried my head in the water, letting the droplets wash over me. As six week’s worth of filth inched its way off my body, my insides began to tremble.
I knew I shouldn’t feel safe right now. If my past caught up to me, which it inevitably would, I was putting the guy I loved in unbelievable danger.
Guilt wrestled with relief as I reached for the soap.
I didn’t deserve Zach Schultz. He was way too good for me.
But now that I was with him again, I didn’t think I could just walk away.
In spite of the looming danger, I felt safe.
I just needed to figure out a way of keeping him that way too.
*******