A Woman Scorned

Part 20

As Billy shut the door, you could sense his concern for you. Throughout the car ride from the park to your apartment, he was constantly stealing glances at you. Although you tried to offer him silent reassurances that you were alright, he knew you too well to fall for the placating smiles. Maybe if you weren't so exhausted you'd attempt to talk to him about it but dredging up the painful memories from your childhood had completely wiped you out. You just wanted to crawl into bed and shut the world out.

"You hungry, babe?" he asked.

"No."

You went to the kitchen and headed for the cabinet that held the hard liquor, pouring yourself a drink as Billy flitted around your apartment to put away the things he'd grabbed from his place. As you sipped the stiff drink, you heard the shower running.

"You should eat something."

You jumped up, surprised to find him in the kitchen. "Thought you were taking a shower."

Walking up next to you, he took the glass from your hand and gulped the rest of the liquid down. "I need to get you better stuff than this," he remarked. "This shit will make you feel worse."

"Don't waste your money. I don't like whiskey. I only drink it-"

"When you're upset." He set down the glass before reaching out to grip your hand. "I drew you a bath. Come on."

He tugged on your arm, leading you out of the kitchen and down the hallway until he reached the ensuite bathroom. You dipped your hand in the water and found it steaming hot, just the way you liked it.

"Too hot?" Billy asked.

"No, it's perfect." You tied your hair up, not wanting to get it wet.

Sitting on the ledge of the bathtub, he pulled you to stand between his thighs and started to undress you. He unbuttoned your silk shirt, undoing your jeans, pulling the clothes off your body one by one until you stood naked in front of him, clad in only the body jewelry he'd gifted you with. As his fingers lingered over your right nipple, undoing the chain loop, you felt his breathing grow ragged. He met your eyes, seeking permission, and you nodded your head.

A while back you'd teased Billy about your boobs being his happy place and he seemed eager to prove that tonight as his mouth closed over your nipple, tongue flicking over the hardened nub. Your body reacted, of course it did, as did his, but right now his moves genuinely didn't feel sexual in nature. It seemed he was in need of comfort but also wanted to offer you the same and snuggling your breasts and drawing you a bath was his way of doing that.

After he finally undid your necklace, he stood up to set it aside while you climbed in the tub. The water felt heavenly, already starting to relieve the stress from your body. "Getting in with me?"

"Nope." He knelt down beside the tub and started soaping your body with a bath sponge.

You closed your eyes, letting the warm water wash over you.

"You hate me for forcing you to talk about them?"

You turned to look at him. His eyes were focused on scrubbing your arm but you sensed he was actively avoiding you. "No." Knees pulled up to your chin, you rested your face on them. "It's just... it's hard to talk about. Besides that time in school, I've never told anyone about them."

"Not even Davina?"

You shook your head 'no'. "She thinks they passed away when I was young."

He dropped a tender kiss on your shoulder. "Why do you send them money?"