Chapter 111: Inseparable
Daphne
There was no awkwardness. No uncomfortable moment when the sex was over.
My head was resting on Louis’s chest, and I listened to the smooth, steady thumping of his heart beneath my ear. The sound was so calming, so reassuring, that I found myself drifting in and out of sleep. It didn’t help that he was gently stroking his hand absently through my hair.
“What are you thinking about?” his deep voice rumbled under my ear.
I lifted my head and gazed into his face. He looked more relaxed than I had ever seen, and it made his face seem younger. The fact was, I kept forgetting the age-gap between us. When we were sitting together playing chess, or sharing breakfast, I forgot the pesky details. I didn’t even think about the fact that he was werewolf royalty. I forgot that he was so much older than I was. I forgot that he was Bella’s father.
I licked my lips and folded my arms across his chest, propping my chin up on my forearms. “I’m wondering how I will explain this to Bella and my brothers.”
His chest shook with an easy chuckle. “Bella will be happy if you are happy,” he said confidently. “Your brothers, on the other hand…”
“Yes, my brothers…” I sighed dramatically. “My over-protective, idiot brothers. They are going to lose their minds. They will drop everything and come roaring up here and storm the castle, trying to protect my virtue.”
“I would be disappointed if they did anything less.” Louis said, letting his fingers trail down the side of my face. “But we don’t have to tell them anything, until you feel ready and comfortable.”
Oh, I felt very comfortable with Louis. His lithe, naked body was warm and reassuring against mine. “I’m not in a hurry,” I said, drawing a circle beside his collar bone. I still didn’t know exactly what it was. We slept together. Did that make him my boyfriend? My lover? A friend with benefits? I just didn’t know, and I didn’t want to ruin the moment by picking it apart.
I felt okay to just be with him.
His phone vibrated on the bedside. He stretched out his arm and plucked the device off the table, and used one hand to unlock it and check the message.
“This might not be the best time to tell you this,” he said, and I could hear something in his voice, something like pain, reluctance, regret. “My investigators have tracked Nashville Turner to a business called Turner Security.” He used his thumb to scroll through some document that I couldn’t see. “Private and corporate security services.”
I let my head drop. “Well, at least he was truthful about one thing,” I said tightly. “He told me he worked for a security company. He just neglected to tell me that he owned it.”
“This isn’t a small town business, Daphne. I’ve heard of Turner Security. They work with high-profile clients. Billionaires, Hollywood elite, politicians, writers.” he let the phone drop to the mattress. “Werewolves.”
“Hmm,” I slid down beside him and let my arms drop around his torso. Why would a hotshot like that be living in a small city like Rutberg?”
He let his hand fall to my back. “If he’s doing undercover work, he might want to keep a low profile. Who is going to look for a dead Navy SEAL in small town Vermont?”
“Good point,” I grumbled. “I don’t understand how a dead Navy SEAL is able to have a business, a valid driver's license, a vehicle?”
Louis drew a soothing line up and down my spine. “This Nash Turner seems to have friends in high places. The right person can get you a fresh identity for a sum of money.”
“Money can buy anything.”
Louis started to hum, and then he started to sing. “I’ll buy you a diamond ring my friend, if it makes you feel alright. I’ll get you anything, my friend, if it makes you feel alright. ‘Cause I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love.”
I laughed and joined the chorus to the old song. “Can’t buy me love…love! Can’t buy me love!” I snuggled deeper into his side. “My mom loved the Beatles.”
“Yeah? Me too.”
“You have a nice singing voice,” I said thoughtfully.
“Don’t tell anyone,” he chuckled.
“So they found Nash Turner. Now what do I do?”
“Well, not exactly.” Louis hedged. “They found his house, but they said no one was home. They didn’t find him at his business office either.” He tightened his arm around me. “And what you do now, is up to you.”
In a way, it was easier when Nash was just a ghost. I didn’t have a phone number or an address or any way to contact him. I could throw my hands up and pretend I was just a helpless victim. But with Louis’s help I now had everything I needed to get in contact with the man. I could google Turner Security, and probably have a phone number in seconds.
But I didn’t move from Louis’s side. I didn’t know exactly what had happened in those brief few weeks at the university. Nash Turner had clearly been working undercover. I don’t think he’d meant for us to fall into bed together, and he certainly didn’t intend to get me pregnant. In Nash's mind, I was probably just a one-week stand. He’d had no trouble walking away. I thought we had something special, but it likely meant nothing to Turner. Just another chance encounter on a random job.
I was the one who was clinging to a memory that wasn’t even real. Nathan Straight never existed.
Did he deserve to know that he had a child on the way? Maybe. But then again, maybe not.
My head was pillowed on Louis’s biceps, I was safe and warm in his embrace. “I’m not in a hurry,” I said, repeating my earlier sentiments. I was building a new life for myself, and I’d only just begun. I had a new career, a new home, and maybe a new relationship with Louis. I hadn’t even found my balance yet!
Nash Turner could wait.