Chapter 146 Lay With Me
Kylie's P.O.V.
It's too quiet. On the streets, there was always noise from the city. In the shelters, I slept with one eye open to make sure no one took what little I had or tried to touch me. This is the first time I'm somewhere where I should be able to relax, but I can't.
I get out of bed and begin pacing. What am I doing here? I don't belong in a place like this. They're rich and sophisticated. I'm poor and uneducated. I need to get out of here. What if they figure out they made a mistake? I sit on the side of the bed and begin to cry. I'm fooling myself, thinking I can fit in with these people. I'm not good enough.
When I think of Noah, I cry harder. Someone like him can't like someone like me. He's strong and handsome. I'm weak and less than average. When there's a knock on my door, I jump. This is it. Someone is here to tell me I have to leave. I dry my tears and slowly make my way to the door. When I open it, I'm surprised to see Noah on the other side.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
"Are you here to tell me I have to leave?" I ask.
"Why would you think that? I heard you crying and came to see if everything was okay." No one has ever cared enough to check on me.
"I just realized that I don't belong here. I'm not like any of you." Noah hesitates before stepping toward me and gently putting his big arms around me.
"You belong here because we want you here. Can I come in so we can talk?" He sounds nervous, so I know this probably isn't something he's used to doing. It means a lot to me that he's willing to go out of his comfort zone with me. I step away from him and sit on the side of the bed. The room they gave me is massive and even has its own fireplace. I'm so scared I'm going to mess something up, so I've been careful not to touch anything other than the bed and clothes. The closet and dresser were filled with new clothes. I don't know how Dakota got them here so quickly. Noah sits in one of the chairs.
"Let me tell you a little about the people who live here. You already know Dakota's the boss. Her mom and dad run their own businesses. She came from wealth, but the way she treats people, you wouldn't know it. She will give the shirt off her back to the homeless person on the street. Sarah and Tyler are siblings. Their mom, Courtney, was a nurse who was struggling to make ends meet. Her true passion was cooking. Dakota's mom was shot, and she hired Aunt Courtney to take care of her when she came home from the hospital. She then offered her a job as their chef. She married Uncle Bobby, who works security for them. My mom and I lived in the same building as Dakota's family, but my mom could barely afford it. My autism was bad back then, so my mom got a job working from home to take care of me full-time. She met my dad, Gavin, who also works security for Dakota's family, while she was grocery shopping. He came over for lunch and brought Dakota. She was the first kid that I could be around without feeling uncomfortable. She held my hand and talked so nicely to me, even though she was only four. Dakota somehow knows exactly what people need. She's the reason I could function. I went to school for computer science and graduated early. Dakota has a degree in business management. Sarah is a chef like her mom, but she just cooks for us and works with Dakota. Tyler was in the military and just came back a little over a week ago. Dakota's cousin Luka also lives here. He's currently in the hospital because he overdosed on heroin. So, you see, we all came from different backgrounds, even though we grew up together. Dakota's family has brought us together and made us one big family."
I have never heard of wealthy people doing so much to help others. Dakota is incredible, but from what he said about her parents, they seem amazing, too.
"That must have been nice having so many people who cared for you. My mom told me all the time that she didn't want me, and if I forgot, she used her fists to remind me. My stepdad did the same. Sometimes, it felt like they were trying to see who could hurt me the most. When he raped me, I couldn't take it anymore. The streets were rough, but they were better than being at home. The shelters aren't much better. When you heard me crying, I was freaking out because I'd never been in a place like this. No one has ever cared about what happened to me, and it's overwhelming." I look down at my hands.
"You made me feel better earlier when I was uncomfortable. I'm not used to being around many people other than my family. What can I do to make you feel better?" Can I really tell him what would make me feel better?
"I know I have no right to ask this of you when you've already done so much, but will you stay with me? I don't want to be alone." I bite my lip nervously.
"I'll stay with you. Go ahead and lie down, and I'll stay right here." I take a deep breath and look up at him.
"That's not what I mean. Will you lie down with me?" His face turns a little red.
"Are you sure? I promise I won't touch you." Noah has to be the sweetest man in the world.
"I'm not scared of you, Noah. You're the only person I trust." I pull the quilt back on the bed, get in, and scoot over. He hesitates, turns off the light, and starts to get in.
"You can take your jeans off. They won't be comfortable sleeping in." He slowly takes them off and hangs them on the back of the chair. When he gets into bed, he lies on his back and doesn't move as I cover us both with the quilt.
"Are you okay with me touching you?" I ask.
"Yes." I lie my head on his chest so I can hear his heartbeat, wrap my arm around his abdomen, and put my leg over one of his. Noah slowly moves his arm and puts it around me.
"Is this okay?" I have never felt safer in my life.
"Yes. Are you feeling better?" he asks. I feel him relax a little, and I smile. I'm going to make this man mine. Who couldn't love this gentle giant?
"Yes, thank you." I lean up and kiss his cheek. I see him smile as I lay my head back on his chest. If I have my way, this is how I'll sleep every night.