Page 15 of Lust & Lies

NOELLE

I’D BEEN SO SLEEPY a moment ago. Now that Aiden and I were alone, near a bed, I wasn’t so tired anymore. I stared around the room, my eyes landing on a bed so massive it looked like it came with its own zip code.

It sat in the center of the room, against the back wall. Its dark sheets were topped with a black and gray comforter, which was folded back to the middle of the bed. Was this how I made up my bed, or was this the housekeeper's idea? Hmm.

The wall was painted a charcoal color, which made the room dark, especially with the lights off. So, it felt like it was night out, even though the sun hadn’t gone down yet. This room was setting the mood off right for us.

“Nice bed,” I told Aiden.

“I’m glad you like it. You picked it out.”

“I did?”

“Yeah.”

Did I choose this big bed so that Aiden and I could roll around during our nasty sessions? Should I ask him? Nah, that would probably send his scary ass running to another room.

I knew he was trying to hold back because he wanted me to remember things on my own first. But maybe some rough sex would knock the memories back into my head. It was worth a try.

“The bathroom is over there,” he informed me, nodding to the left as he set me on my feet. “There are a few items in your dresser for you to sleep in. I had the maid purchase some things in your size. We can order more online tomorrow. Towels and toiletries are in the bathroom.”

He kept talking, but I only half-heard him. My mind was trying to come up with ways to get him to stay with me.

“If you need me,” he added. “I’ll be in the bedroom across the hall.”

My head snapped toward him. “Across the hall?”

“Yeah. Well, it’s down the hall. But I’m not far. Okay?”

I shook my head.

“Not okay?” he asked, brows furrowing.

I nodded once before saying, “Do you really expect me to sleep alone in this big house? What if I get scared?”

“I’m right down the hall,” he said again, pointing vaguely.

“If something happens, I could die before you make it down the hall to me, Aiden.”

His whole expression changed. His jaw clenched, and he stepped toward me, eyes dark, voice low.

“Don’t joke about that. Nothing will happen to you. Not with me here. Not tonight or any other night. Not ever. I won’t lose you. Understand?”

The intensity in his gaze made it impossible for me to look away.

“Tell me you understand,” he insisted, looking worried.

“I understand,” I whispered, wanting him to stay even more now. I had a feeling this man did not play about me. “Still, I’d feel safer with you here with me rather than down the hall,” I countered, my voice barely above a whisper now.

He simply stared down at me. I’m pretty sure he was debating whether he should stay or not. Would the gentleman win the debate? Or would the savage be victorious? I was rooting for the savage.

“You sure you want to sleep in the same bed as me?” he asked.

“I almost fucked you on the counter,” I reminded him. “Of course I want to sleep in the same bed with you.”

That grin I liked way too much curved across his face.

“Will you be able to keep your hands to yourself, Ms. Park?”

I shrugged, a grin forming on my face, too. “I’ll make no promises, Mr. Park.”

He laughed and nodded toward the bathroom. “Go shower.”

I paused. “Are you staying with me?”

“I am.”

Yay! The savage won. I knew he could do it. Feeling brazen, I decided to push my luck.

“Would you like to shower with me, too, Mr. Park?” I asked, blinking up at him innocently.

“Nice try, Mrs. Park. I already showered. Remember?”

“Oh, right. After your jack off session.”

He burst out laughing and gripped my shoulders, turning me toward the bathroom.

“Go take a cold shower.”

I shook my head as I strode forward. “Not a chance. I like it hot.” I stared over my shoulder at him and winked.

“Fuck, I love you,” he muttered.

My heart stuttered, skipping a beat, and my breath caught in my throat. Just like that, everything stilled around me, around us. I stared at him, my husband, the man who hadn’t left my side since I woke up from that coma.

My only rock in this world that felt new and familiar at the same time. The one constant in this strange life I was relearning. I hadn’t expected him to say that. But damn, I felt like I needed to hear it again.

“Say that again,” I whispered.

His smile had faded, but that intense look didn’t leave his gaze. “I love you,” he repeated.

Damn, I believed him.

This had gone from hot to intensely sweet in the span of seconds. I wanted to say those three words back to him. They were on the tip of my tongue. But I held them there, not ready to let them go. Not yet.

That still-uncertain part of me refused to utter those words. Sex... I could handle. Admitting to loving him... not yet. Not until more of my memories returned. Not until this cloud of uncertainty hovering over us dissipated.

Though I wasn’t ready to admit to what I was feeling inside, I still wanted him to know I appreciated him.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He frowned. “For what?”

“For loving me. And for not leaving me tonight. Well, today, since it’s not even night yet and we’re going to bed. I truly don’t think I’m ready to sleep alone.”

“You don’t have to thank me for anything, love. And you never have to sleep alone. Now, go shower, beautiful.”

His compliment made my heart flutter. Suddenly feeling shy, I nodded, then turned and headed toward the bathroom, leaving him standing there, staring after me. In the bathroom, I closed the door and then pressed my back against it.

There was a smile on my face that I couldn’t get rid of. I didn’t want to get rid of it. I chuckled. What the hell was wrong with me? Why was I just standing here, grinning and laughing?

Was it because I had a crush on my husband? Another chuckle escaped me before I covered my mouth. I didn’t need him to hear me laughing in here and assume I’d lost my mind. Wait. It was too late for that. I’d already lost my mind. Memory loss. Duh.

Though my memories were gone, the more time I spent near Aiden, the more familiar I became with him. Now that I was no longer so guarded against him, I could see why I’d fallen in love with him.

I wanted to remember our life together. I wanted to remember the moment I fell in love with him. I wanted to remember the first time he told me he loved me. I was ready to experience those firsts all over again.

I had a feeling that by the time I regained my memory, my love for my husband would be even stronger than it was before. I was ready to fall in love with him all over again. Still smiling, I pushed away from the door and walked to the center of the bathroom.

Now that I was finally taking in the scene, I had to say I was impressed. This bathroom was gorgeous. It looked like it had been ripped straight from a luxury hotel catalog. The shower occupied an entire glassed-in corner, large enough for three people, probably four if they got creative.

A bench ran along the side, made of smooth, dark wood. The dark marble countertops were stunning. And the light gray walls brightened the room up a bit without taking away from its dark aesthetic.

The bathroom was... insane. And I loved it. If I asked, he’d probably say I’d picked everything out. I could see myself designing a room like this. I started to undress, then realized I’d forgotten to grab the clothes he told me to get.

Of course I did.

Whatever.

I’d deal with that later. I quickly undressed and tossed my clothes into the hamper. Naked, I moved toward the cabinet, pulling one drawer open. This had to be his side of the cabinet. Inside, there was a razor kit, aftershave, men’s face lotion, and a few other items.

I opened the drawer on the other side and paused. This was definitely my side. Someone had already filled it with things I’d need. Hair products. Brushes. Wide-tooth combs. A silk scarf that hadn’t been opened yet. And even a black bonnet.

There were also body lotions and sprays inside the cabinet. Everything I needed was here, and I hadn’t had to lift a finger. And if there was anything else I needed, Aiden said he’d get housekeeping to pick it up.

Apparently, I’d lived the life of a spoiled wife. But, for some reason, I didn’t feel like a spoiled wife. Honestly, I didn’t even know what a spoiled wife felt like. Though I was okay with this stuff being here for me, I’d like to go out and get my own stuff when the time came.

If I was a pampered princess, I wouldn’t have that type of desire, would I? Ugh. I was overthinking things again. Seeing problems where problems didn’t exist. Pushing that thought aside, I pulled out a shower cap, tucked my hair away, then grabbed a small towel and walked to the glass shower.

I entered, closing the door behind me, and turned the water on. I stepped back and stood there, waiting for the water to heat up. On the back wall, I noticed there were bottles on the shelf. Bath products for Aiden and me.

Smiling, I stepped under the spray of water. A sigh escaped me as soon as the water hit my skin. It was hot, just the way I liked it. The tension was already easing out of my muscles. Tilting my head back, I stared up at the ceiling as the water rained down over my face and body.

I tried not to think about the man waiting on the other side of the door. About the bed he was probably already lying in, waiting for me. About the way my heart still hadn’t stopped fluttering from the things he’d said earlier. But not thinking about Aiden Park was hard to do.

Just shower, Noelle. The sooner you’re done, the sooner you can get back to him.

I lathered my towel and began scrubbing my body. The scent of my body wash filled the large stall. I had way more space in here than I’d had in the hospital shower. I could move around, stretch my arms out, and bend over without touching the shower wall and feeling icky about it.

I took my time bathing, savoring the moment, even standing there a few extra minutes after the suds had been rinsed away. I didn’t exit the stall until the water started growing cold. I stepped out and dried off slowly.

Once I was done, I removed the shower cap and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I really didn’t feel like being bothered with my hair right now. Opening the drawer, I pulled out the black bonnet and ripped open the plastic.

Eyes on the mirror, I slid the bonnet over my head. No, this wasn’t a sexy look at all. But I’m sure Aiden had seen me at my best and my worst. A bonnet was not going to ruin the mood. The next things I did were sort of like muscle memory movements.

I applied my face cream and ChapStick. Then came the Shea butter lotion over my arms, legs, and stomach. Well, over all of me. This felt like a routine. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror.

My mind may not recall the past, but my body seemed to know what to do. Perhaps that’s why I should trust my body and heart around Aiden... because they seemed to remember the things my mind had forgotten.

Now that I was all lotioned up and smelling good, it was time to get dressed. What nightwear had the staff purchased for me? I turned in place, eyes scanning the bathroom. Oh, wait. I hadn’t brought anything in here.

I looked toward the door. I could call Aiden and ask him to bring me something to wear. Or.... I smirked. Or, I could go out there and get it myself. I faced the mirror again and loosened the towel, letting it fall open.

My eyes moved over my body, taking in my long legs and curves, a form I could be proud of. My body was slightly toned. Did I work out a lot? I touched my thigh muscles. Did I enjoy running? Whatever I did, it kept me in shape.

However, I wasn’t flawless like some supermodel or anything. I had a few scars. I’m guessing most were from the wreck. Then there was this scar on my left thigh. I turned to the side to stare at it. It was an older scar.

Hmmm.... How did I get that?

I had a feeling I enjoyed gardening. Could it have happened in my garden? Should I ask Aiden, or should I wait for the memory to return? He’d probably tell me to do the latter. I turned from side to side. Other than those few scars, I looked good.

I would not allow blemishes to bring down my confidence. Plus, Aiden was my husband. He’d seen every inch of me. And I knew for a fact he was attracted to me. These scars didn’t bother him. And they damn sure didn’t bother me.

Scars were proof that you’d survived. I smiled, wrapped the towel back around me, and walked to the door, already imagining the look in his eyes when he saw me. Let’s see how long he keeps pretending he can behave.

With the towel clinging to my freshly lotioned skin, I opened the door and stepped out of the bathroom with fog billowing after me. I was greeted by the cool air of the bedroom, which sent chills over my body.

Aiden was already in bed, propped against the headboard, staring down at something on his phone. The second he looked up and saw me, his eyes widened, and his lips parted. His dark gaze roamed over my towel-clad body. Another chill raced over me that had nothing to do with the cool air.

“I forgot the clothes you told me to grab,” I told him.

“Stay right there. I’ll get them for you.”

He threw the covers off, jumped out of bed, and rushed over to the dresser. This man was in such a hurry to get me clothed that he was damn near tripping over his own feet. I watched him, amused. He opened the drawer and froze.

I tilted my head. “What’s the holdup?”

He looked over at me. “I didn’t expect there to be so many options. Uh... what color... panties do you want?”

I burst out laughing at the helpless expression on his face. His lips twitched into a smile. I crossed the room and stood beside him, peering into the drawer. He was right, there were a lot of options.

There was silk and lace lingerie of all colors. Some of it was see-through. All of it was sexy as hell. He rubbed the back of his neck, that sheepish look settling in.

“I had the housekeeper buy items in your size. I didn’t realize she’d only pick... those.”

“Mmhmm,” I hummed, glad she’d chosen these. They would definitely come in handy.

“Maybe there’s more,” he mumbled, already opening the next drawer.

There was indeed more. Cotton panties. Soft sleeping shirts with matching shorts. Way less exciting, but way more comfortable.

“This is better,” he said with a nod.

“For who? You or me?”

“For everyone,” he muttered.

Shaking my head, I reached in and pulled out a long, black-and-white cotton sleep shirt and some black boy shorts.

“I’ll take these.”

“Good choice,” he agreed, already turning his back to me. “I’ll be in bed while you go in the bathroom to get dressed.”

“Bathroom? Why would I go in the bathroom when I can get dressed right here?”

I let the towel fall from my body just as he glanced over his shoulder at me. There was that look I craved.