***
A few hours later, I parked my bike and waited for Velvet to come out of her exam. She’d told me she would catch a lift with a friend, but I’d had the urge to see her, so here I was. While I waited, I reflected on the last two weeks. The day at the cemetery had been life changing for me. Opening up to her had changed everything; it had scattered the demons in my soul far and wide. Some still lingered, and I knew it would take time to clear them out completely, but I could breathe again. The weight of regret and guilt had lifted, and the pain had dulled a little. It would never go away, not fully, but it was becoming bearable. Having Velvet in my life helped. I wasn’t a talker, but having her to go home to, to laugh with, just to be with, helped get me through. And she gave me hope. For the first time since Aaron’s death, I wanted to make plans; plans for my life, plans that included someone else.
I heard her laughter, and looked up to find her walking towards me with a huge smile on her face. She threw herself into my arms. “What are you doing here, baby?”
Fuck, I liked it when she called me baby. I wrapped my arms around her, letting my hand glide down her back and onto her ass. “Thought I’d pick you up, take you back to my place and fuck you,” I growled, both of my hands on her ass now.
“You say the sweetest things,” she purred.
“I told you I’m all about the sweet talk, darlin’.”
Her eyes glazed over, and a smile slowly made its way onto her face. “Yeah, you did, and I’ve learnt that when Nash Walker says something, he means it.”
“I do. And on that note, you need to get your sweet ass on the back of my bike so I can make good on my promise.”
She didn’t waste any time. Yeah, Velvet was addicted to me as much as I was to her.
Chapter 30
This Means War ~ Nickelback
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Velvet
Dark glasses covered my eyes as I walked into Roxie’s salon early the next morning. She took one look at me and burst out laughing. “That man of yours wearing you out, hon?”
I took my glasses off and slumped in a chair. “Like you wouldn’t believe.”
Madison started laughing. “I knew it would take a strong woman to crack Nash, but I’d never factored in that it would take someone with a lot of stamina to keep up with him.”
“You need to make me coffee, woman,” I begged Roxie.
“Make your own damn coffee,” she said with a shake of her head. “I’m thinking you actually might need some Redbull or something like that.” Then, looking at Madison, she suggested, “I think you should tell Nash to get his shit together and stock his fridge with energy drinks for his woman.”
I dragged myself out of the chair. “Fine, I’ll make my own coffee,” I grumbled as I trudged to the back room. “Don’t come running to me when you’re down and out though, babe. I’ll remember you letting me down in my hour of need.”
They both laughed, and I had to smile. As tired as I was, I was more than happy to be worn out from Nash loving. I thought about him while I made coffee, and by the time I got back to my chair, I was grinning.
Madison narrowed her eyes at me. “You perked up. What gives?”
“I was just thinking about how happy I am with Nash. I never in a million years would have picked that I’d end up with him, but I’m glad I did.”
Madison smiled at me, warmly. “I’m glad you did too. There’s something special about Nash, and I love that you are helping him deal with his pain. He seems so much happier these days.”
“Yeah, he is,” I agreed.
Roxie cut in. “What are we doing with your hair today, Velvet? You want a colour or just a cut?”
“A colour and cut, but just trim the ends. Nash would hate it if I cut any of the length.”
Roxie rolled her eyes. “Ummm, where’s the real Velvet? She doesn’t let any man tell her what to do.”
I laughed. “He hasn’t told me not to cut it, and trust me, I’d never listen if he did. But, let’s just say my man likes to pull my hair, and I kinda like it, so there’s no way in hell I’m cutting it.”
“Of course he does. My bad,” she muttered, and went out the back to get the colour ready for my hair.
“I’m so happy for you and Nash. You both deserve happiness,” Madison said.
“Thanks, babe.” I sighed, and added, “God knows, Nash really does after everything he’s been through.”
She nodded. “Yeah, my heart breaks for what he’s gone through. I can’t even begin to imagine losing a child.”
My pain surfaced. I could imagine, but not fully. It had been devastating enough to lose babies before they were born; the thought of losing a child that had lived and breathed, caused actual physical pain.