Page 25 of Micah
Her smile is knowing as she looks between the guys and me. The implications of her simple words rattle me. “Family?” I ask. Wanting…no, needing to understand.
“Family,” she confirms. “They would never act like this around outsiders. They’re like the lost boys when they’re together. Never wanting to grow up. Maybe it’s because they didn’t really have a childhood. They’re making up for it now. I don’t know, really. But the fact that they’re all over there in their tighty-whities means that as far as they’re concerned, you’re family.”
I let that sink in for a moment. “Because I work for them?”
She shakes her head, still smiling. “No Hol. Not because you work for them.”
I scowl at her, fed up with her dancing around the subject. “Why do they consider me family?”
“Because Micah claimed you.” She says simply, watching me carefully.
I sit back with a shudder, her words ringing through me, sparking panic. I force myself to breathe evenly, not wanting to show how terrifying those words are. She sees it anyway.
“It’s not like that Holly,” she says gently. “He doesn’t want to own you, or control you. He just…wants you.”
Wants me.
What does it mean to have a man like Micah want me? With Brent, want meant that he wanted someone to dominate. Someone to manipulate. Someone to bend to his will. Someone to use. And lucky girl that I am, he picked me.
Want is terrifying.
“I don’t care what he wants.” I gasp through the tightness in my throat.
“You don’t have to. He hasn’t put any pressure on you, has he? I’ll kick his ass if he has.”
“No,” I admit, “he’s been…kind.” And considerate, and so gentle.
She nods, unsurprised. “You can come next door with us right now, Holly. We have a guest room, and we’ll figure everything out. You don’t have to stay here.”
“You’re running the garage, though, aren’t you?”
She shrugs. “Yeah. But it’s no big deal. Kade can take over at the office and that way I can be home with you during the day.” She smiles, like she has it all worked out. What kind of person would that make me, though? Taking advantage of her friendship? Kade was making himself sick trying to run the garage day to day while managing all the others. Plus, they would never have a minute alone in the apartment.
I don’t want to be a burden.
I am a burden, though. Micah dropped everything for me. Did everything he could to make me comfortable. He hired a nurse, for heaven’s sake. And despite myself, I’m getting comfortable here. Would it be so bad to stay?
I'll admit to being a bit nervous still, but Micah really has proven that I can trust him. I can't say that I actuallydotrust him, but he hasn't done anything that makes me think he's lying.
"I really appreciate the offer, but I'm already settled in here. It's been ok so far. Besides,” I say, shrugging, “it's only for a few days."
She nods, looking satisfied with my answer, for now at least. "OK. But please know if you change your mind, I'll have you moved over so fast your head will spin." I smile, knowing she would commandeer all the guys and have them move my things over in minutes if I asked her to.
I don’t need her to though, I realize, as the guys’ game breaks up and Kade wanders over to scoop up a giggling Becca, blowing raspberries in her neck. Because despite my temporary panic, I’m starting to see that not all men are like Brent, or my dad. Watching Kade and Becca love each other has been eye opening. She’s not diminished by her relationship. Instead, she seems brighter when they’re together.
Micah promised me he’d respect my boundaries, and so far he hasn’t pushed me into doing anything I don’t want to. I’m keenly aware that if he wanted to hurt me, he could, and there would be nothing I could do to stop him. But being that vulnerable isn’t new to me. I live it every day. I’m sure most women my size feel the same way.
The guys all smile and wave as they trickle out carrying their garbage bags of clothes, still completely unconcerned that they’re in their underwear. I can’t make eye contact with them without blushing, so I focus on their eyebrows as I say goodnight, privately thrilled that I get my own smile and ‘Night, Holly’ from each of them.
Finally, it’s just me and Micah. He’s doing another pass over the floor with a mop, making practiced, smooth strokes. Seeing a man as physically and financially powerful as he is, mopping his own floor is…pretty amazing. In the seven years I spent with Brent, the only time he touched the mop was to give it to me, or more specifically, hit me with it, then drop it on top of me when I fell. According to him, I’d been lazy and did a crappy job cleaning the kitchen floor.
It was perfect. I made sure of it. But the truth didn’t matter to Brent. He’d make up any excuse to take out his frustrations on me, and a dirty floor was as good a reason as any for him.
A wave of exhaustion washes over me, and I give in, sinking further into the couch. The pain pill’s done its job, dulling the bone deep aches and the pain in my ankle. Without the sharp pain to deal with, my body can finally relax. My eyes drift shut, only to slide open when Minnie’s warm, soft weight settles on my chest. Her little paws making biscuits on my breasts, her purr like a tiny outboard motor. I rest my hand on her back, and close my eyes again, letting her soft rumbles lull me to sleep.
A soft rubbing on my cheek wakes me up. I’m too relaxed to move, so I crack open my eyes to see Micah crouched down next to me. “I like the way you do that,” I mumble, “Crouching down instead of looming over me.”
He hums, still stroking my cheek. “Bed…Holly?” He asks. I nod my yes, sitting up and easing Minnie to the couch. She meows at me, but goes straight back to sleep. Micah keeps his eyes on me as he slides his arms carefully under me, then lifts me into his arms. I gasp as I’m tucked into his bare chest and he freezes. “Hurt?”
