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Chapter Four

ARIEL

C homp lit candles for my bubble bath. Wow. Despite my caution where he’s concerned, he is showing me what it feels like to be treated with care and respect. Never in my life, even before Perry entered it, has any guy treated me this way. He’s like a unicorn or something. Shrugging, I slip off the robe and carefully enter the tub, biting back a moan as the warm water envelops my body.

Surprisingly, I’m nowhere near as sore as I expected I would be, especially since I’ve experienced beatings at Perry’s hand before. Still, my skin is a bit raw because I had to scrub the residue of Ricky from me while I was in the shower. Even now, I feel as though I should be gouging my skin off, but I won’t disrespect Chomp in that manner. He’s been so kind, kinder than anyone who’s been a part of my life since my mom died, anyhow.

Perry had no kindness in him whatsoever. I just wish I hadn’t been so damn blind that I didn’t see his true colors until it was too late. He said and did all the right things, of course, and then I was so blinded by my grief, I didn’t realize he had morphed into a monster practically in front of my eyes. By then, it was too late, and I could no longer get away since my money was held hostage by Perry.

“You’re clean now, and neither Perry nor Ricky can hurt you again. Chomp said so,” I murmur as I take hold of the sparkling water and sip at it. “He hasn’t misled you yet, Ari,” I continue as I notice that there are jets bubbling in the tub.

The steady hum of the jets is soothing, as are the lightly scented candles that he lit for me. While I’m still so tired I feel as though I could fall asleep in the tub, I appreciate the thought and care Chomp went to for me. Each time the memories of what happened attempt to encroach on my peace of mind, I push them back. Sometimes verbally, although I’m quiet about it because I suspect Chomp is nearby in case I need him. Sometimes in my head is where all the rebellious thoughts I can muster stay. It’s something I learned to do because speaking out against Perry was a surefire way to get hurt. So instead, I’d make lists in my head of everything he did that was hurtful to me, and I’d ‘talk back’ in those notes, then burn them before Perry got his hands on them.

I nearly squeal when I notice a fluffy loofah by some body wash. Picking it up, I smile because it’s such a feminine thing for Chomp to own, but maybe he likes exfoliating his skin from time to time. This one is brand new with the tiny price tag still attached, so I know he probably pulled it from his stash. The body wash is a clean, crisp scent, like one I used to use when my mom was still alive, and tears well in my eyes at the memory.

“God, Mom, I miss you so much,” I whisper as I dunk the loofah into the water until it’s wet, then I add some body wash and begin leisurely cleaning myself. When I spot a new disposable razor as well, I practically swoon. Perry wasn’t much on his own personal hygiene, so unless I was able to sneak off to the store, which was seldom, I rarely got to shave my legs or armpits. By the time I’m done, I feel like a brand-new woman.

Even the achy places hurt less than they did earlier. Smiling, I pull the plug to let the water out, then stand and reach for one of the fluffy towels that Chomp placed nearby. Wrapping my body up, I turn then rinse out the tub to get the rest of the bubbles out and down the drain. I’m so used to cleaning up and not leaving a mess that I don’t realize I’m chanting to myself until I hear a knock on the door.

“Ariel? Are you okay?” Chomp’s deep voice comes through the closed door, and I can hear the worry in his tone.

“Um, yeah, I was just cleaning the tub.”

“Leave it, babe. I’ll get it later.”

Mortification hits me at his words. There’s no way that I want him to see how long the hair on my legs or underarms was, for heaven’s sake! It completely escapes me that he tried to clean me up after bringing me back to his home, so he already knows. “That’s okay, I’m just about done,” I reply.

After I’m sure the tub is pristine once again, I blow out the candles, then quickly dry myself off before slipping into the comfortable clothes that Callie brought with her. Everything is soft, and as someone who has tactile issues from time to time, I appreciate her forethought. I take another look around the bathroom to make sure everything’s nice and clean, then open the door and come face-to-face with Chomp.

“Um, hey,” I say, looking up into his handsome face. “The bubble bath was just what I needed.”

He grins at me, and my insides melt, which I don’t understand at all because he’s a man, and I was hurt by one rather recently. Is there something wrong with me that I could be attracted to Chomp so soon? I don’t have anyone to ask, either so I shove that thought to the back of my mind.

“I’m glad, Ariel,” he says. “How about we eat?”

I start giggling. “Again?” I ask. “It seems like we just ate not that long ago.”

“There’s always room for more food,” he teases, patting his flat stomach before gently taking my hand in his.

I almost pull away from his touch, but I remind myself that he’s not a danger to me. He helped save my life. Exhaling a breath, I treat him to a smile and allow him to lead me from the room.

* * *

Chomp cooked for me again. In the time it took for me to take a bath, he cleaned the kitchen, put all the food away from earlier, and made another meal.

My eyes widen as I see loaded baked potatoes and a loaf of bread on the table, still steaming from the oven. On a large platter, he’s got enough steaks stacked to feed ten people, let alone just the two of us. Is he expecting company again?

Chomp pulls out my chair and I sit, caught off guard as he gently pushes me closer to the table. It’s a sweet gesture, amplified by his carefree grin. He lifts a bottle of sparkling water and ticks his chin toward my glass. I can see it’s been chilled in the fridge to ensure I’ll have a cold drink.

It’s almost too much.

“Uh, sure. Thanks,” I say, scanning the table. “You’re a meat and potatoes guy, huh?”

He shrugs, placing the bottle within reach as he takes his place across from me. “Sure. Why? Is it that obvious?”

“Well, there’s no veggies or salad,” I say with amusement.

He looks stricken for just a second. “Is that what you want? I’m happy to make it for you.”

Chomp rushes to his feet as I wave him off. “No. It’s fine.”

“It’s not any trouble,” he assures me.

“I know.”

“But maybe next time you’d like some vegetables or salad with your meal?” he clarifies.

“Yes. If it’s available.”

“I’ll make sure it is.” Chomp chooses the juiciest, largest steak from the pile on the platter, and I think it’s going straight to his plate.

When the steak is placed on mine, I blink at him in shock. Perry would never give me the best portions of food. I often got scraps since I wasn’t allowed to eat until he finished. There were even meals that I got nothing at all. It’s partially why I’m so thin and likely malnourished. It’s not normal to see the vertebrae in your back, or the bones sticking out from your shoulders and hips.

“Shit,” Chomp curses. “You like meat, right?”

“I do,” I say as I swallow. “It’s just that I’m not used to this.” I gesture to the table with my hand.

He appears confused. “What are you talking about? Food?” He’s joking, but when he sees my serious expression, his body stiffens. “Tell me what you mean, Ariel. Please,” he adds.

I take a sip of my drink to help clear my suddenly dry throat. “Growing up, it was just me and my mom. My dad died when I was one due to a work accident. I had a great childhood, Chomp. My mom was the absolute best person and I honestly never realized that we were probably on the poverty level while growing up. She was handy with a needle and thread, and made most of my clothes, although she would look for deals at the thrift stores, then remake them to ‘jazz them up’ as she would say. I was loved and always had food on the table. She had planned to stay at home and raise their babies, but I ended up being the only one. The problem with that was she only had a high school education, and jobs aren’t exactly high paying for someone like her. Thankfully, she owned the house outright as it was an inheritance from her parents, so we always had a place to live. Still, we had a garden so we always had plenty of fresh vegetables, and I learned to can by her side so we could stock up. She taught me how to be a bargain shopper and she never, ever complained. She pushed me to do my best in school, and when the opportunity to dual enroll came along, I did that and graduated with an associate degree in secretarial science, which allowed me to get a decent paying job.

“Then Mom got sick. She had state insurance, but it doesn’t really pay for the good treatments when you have the type of cancer she got. Perry came along and we started dating about six months or so before she died. He would bring over bags of groceries, pay for her medication, and pretty much acted as though he was our savior. He told my mom over and over again that he would always take care of her little girl. Chomp, the day she died was the first time he hit me. It was so unexpected, I truly thought it was because he was so distraught.”

“You blamed yourself for him putting his hands on you?” Chomp’s voice is low and lethal sounding.

I nod but bite back a scream when I see his eyes change to an elliptical shape before going back to normal again. “By then, I had moved in with him, and since Mom’s medical bills were so overwhelming, I had to have an estate sale then sell the house itself to take care of everything. I was left with nothing because Perry had taken over my paycheck by then as well.”

Shame coats my tone and I hang my head as tears drip down, but I keep going because if he wants to know, he’s going to hear it all. It’s as if now that the seal’s been broken, I can’t shut up. “All the food he used to bring to the house? That stopped for me. I cooked enough for us but wasn’t allowed to eat until he was finished. Sometimes,” my voice drops to a whisper, “he’d bring Ricky over to eat, and he’d eat my portion. So, a lot of times, I just didn’t get to eat.”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Chomp roars. This time, I don’t imagine his eyes changing. Not only that, but it looks like scales ripple up and down his muscular arms.

“Chomp?” I question. “What’s… what’s going on?”

A bellow of rage flies from his lips as he pushes off the table. “I can’t.” His fingers spear through his dark hair. “Fuck. I’m so fucking angry right now.”

My voice is barely a squeak. “At me?”

His gaze swings my way. “Never. You understand me, Ariel? I will never, ever put my hands on you, and I’ll never be so furious that I can’t control myself around you.” He’s seething.

I can see the rage in his eyes and it’s then that I realize they’re the same. The identical glow and reptilian pupil. Oh. My. God. It’s him . He’s the massive gator that pulled Ricky from my body and attacked Perry. He’s the one who saved me.

I shove away from the table and retreat a couple of steps. “You,” I say, blinking rapidly as I try to understand and make sense of this revelation. “It’s you. You’re the alligator.”

“Shit.” His shoulders slump.

Chomp. His name echoes in my head. Jesus. How did I miss connecting the dots? “Chomp,” I murmur with trepidation. “That’s why you’re called that. Isn’t it?”

His gaze meets mine as he nods. “Yes.”

But . . . how ?

“I could explain but it’s probably gonna make a hell of a lot more sense if I show you.”

Show me!? Oh, hell no. I don’t want to see that alligator again!

I’m shaking my head from side to side so fast that I stumble. “No. I-I can’t. I don’t want to see it.”

He looks devastated by my response which only makes me feel worse. “Ariel.” He sounds sad, which grips my heart, but that gator scared the ever-loving crap out of me! There’s no way I want to see it again, that’s for sure.

“I’m grateful that you saved me, Chomp. Truly. You’ve been so kind to me. I’m grateful for all you’ve done.”

The big man in front of me clenches his fists at his sides. I can’t see his expression because he turns around, hiding his face. A part of me feels guilty, like I did something wrong. But this isn’t on me. I’m not the one who’s partly a monster.

Shit. I don’t mean that. Perry was a monster. Ricky too. But Chomp? He’s been nothing but sweet.

A sigh escapes my lips. “I think I should leave.”

He spins around, his face a carefully blank mask that hides his true feelings. I don’t know how I know this, but I do. “I won’t ever harm you and I’ll never force you to do anything you don’t want. If you need to leave,” he pauses and swallows loudly, “I won’t stop you.”

Darn it. Now I’m conflicted. But I don’t think I can stay here, not now that I know what he is. Well, I sort of know. I guess I didn’t let him finish telling me.

That makes me feel guilty too. For a few seconds, I feel anger flood my body. I was so tired of being a doormat and basing my choices and actions on someone else’s needs first. I had to make my decisions for me now. It was okay to be a little selfish.

But I didn’t have anyone or know anyone. Except Callie.

“Will you do something for me?”

He doesn't hesitate to nod. “Of course.”

“Will you call Callie? Tell her I need a friend.”

His features falter for a moment before he turns away and pulls his cell from his pocket. I hear him dial a number and it rings twice before she answers.

“Hey, Chomp. Everything okay?”

“No,” he growls. “I need you to come over. Ariel says she needs a friend.” His voice is almost bitter, but it’s gone as quick as his tone betrays the emotion.

“I’m on my way.”

Callie hangs up and Chomp gestures to the table. “Please eat.”

I don’t want to waste the food although my appetite seems to have diminished with our conversation. Sitting as he remains standing, I cut into the steak, taking a bite. It’s delicious. In fact, the potato is too. Cooked to perfection.

When I’ve had my fill, I push the plate aside. “Won’t you eat?”

He shakes his head. “Later.”

I hear a car approach and figure it’s Callie. When I hear the door open and she parks, I’m on my feet and already walking to the door.