Chapter 21: Night at Casco Bay Townhome. 11/18/17
When I made it home Vee and Scott weren't behind me. Patch steered his bike into the garage and swung off. I don't think they ever followed us back here to begin with. Vee must've snuck Scott into her room to clean him up. I can't say that I mind. The last thing I wanted to do was entertain them when I had something else on my mind. Patch and I weren't able to talk at all during the journey. That means I still don't know the full story about what the hell went on. Believe me when I say I tried to get to the bottom of things but Patch always avoided answering my questions directly. As soon as we got home he strode inside with a purpose. I spent some time inspecting the Lamborghini to make sure there weren't any scratches or weird stains...
I went indoors after. The steam from the running shower water formed clouds centimeters above the hardwood floor of the bedroom. The bathroom door was wide open and Patch stood in front of the shower door undressing. A silent gasp escaped my lips and I jumped back so that I was no longer in sight if he looked to the doorway. I felt the blush heating up my cheeks. Even though we are sexually active I still get embarrassed about seeing him naked and vice versa despite his efforts. Maybe one day we both can free ball with no shame but that day is definitely not today. If he caught me gawking this would escalate to a more humiliating degree. I waited for him to slide the shower door closed before I walked into the bathroom. Thank god for the steam that gathered in the room. It impaired my vision to a degree which means Patch probably can't see a damn thing beyond the glass that was separating him from the rest of the room. I took a deep breath and covered my eyes while walking toward the shower. When i thought I was close enough to tap on the glass I peeked between my middle and ring finger. Thankfully Patch's back was to me so I had the element of surprise. I admired his muscle definition as he reached up into his hair to lather in some shampoo. When he did my eyes followed a stream of water all the down his body and to the shower floor where I saw it's true color. Mouth agape I slapped the shower door with the palm of my hand. Patch whipped around and wiped the glass on his side creating a small window. At the first glimpse into his eyes I saw annoyance underlying but when his brain registered who I was the feeling was quickly replaced with mirth.
"Enjoying the free show?" He asked tilting his head. I couldn't help the not so subtle way my eyes flicked to look at his junk. Instead of acting flustered which is what I truly felt in this moment I chose to act concerned.
"We need to talk. Is that blood that I see?" I asked pointing at the floor. Patch looked down seeming to notice it for the first time.
"Would you look at that," He wondered aloud to himself. Afterwards, he did a quick inspection of his body. My stomach flip flopped when he ran has hands down over his stomach.
"It's not mine," He said looking up at me in all seriousness. That's not the point! I wanted to shout at him but I chose to settle with two simple words.
"Bedroom. Now." He smirked knowingly at me. Biting my lip I turned around and left the bathroom. I laughed silently. He thinks he's going to get lucky but that's absolutely not gonna happen tonight. While in the bedroom I stripped down to my underwear and bra then pulled on one of his shirts. I climbed into bed and let the natural scent envelope me. A moment later, Patch walked out of the bathroom in all his glory. I immediately shot up and covered my eyes with the linen.
"Damn you, Patch! Not even a towel?" I asked incredulously.
"Excuse me? This is what you asked for. Plus, stop acting like you haven't seen it all before," He said sounding closer.
"Um.. asked for?" I was so nervous my hands were shaking. Before I knew what was happening the sheets were ripped away from me. Pulling the hem of his shirt down to keep my thighs at least semi warm I looked up and made contact with the black orbs.
"Bedroom? Now?"
"I said we need to talk. In the bedroom. Now." He stood where he was for a minute thinking deeply about something. Then he smiled a devilish smile.
"This makes you feel uncomfortable?" He asked. I nodded once. To my relief he turned toward a dresser and pulled out a pair of boxers.
"Is it really that intimidating?" he asked me pulling them on. After thinking about it I shook my head. He frowned.
"I just want you to quit trying to stall me with your-" I paused to try and find the appropriate word. But erratic hand gestures and weird faces was all I could manage to produce.
"Tell me what happened out there," I said not finishing my previous thought and changing the subject. Patch sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed next to me.
"You called me and told me your car was missing. The Handbag was the first place I thought to look and I was right. Scott was there mingling with a bunch of drunkards. When he saw me he shit his pants. I dragged him to the back alley because I didn't want to make a scene. But my power gave off enough of an impression to attract attention. Some of the Nephil's in the club were experienced so they knew I was fallen. Very few of them were actually close enough to the front lines of your army-"
"Hanks army!" I interjected.
"Hank's army," he corrected before continuing "...to know who I am to you. They assumed because my race was extinguished you chose them over me and I should be in hell with the rest of my kind. They can't put me in hell themselves but they made a hell of an effort to rectify the situation in anyway they could. They came up behind me and I put up a fight but let off to give them false confidence. It worked because they clearly spelled out what the reason for the assault was. When Scott saw that I didn't have the upper hand he threw himself in to help but it didn't workout so well for him. I let them rough him up for a bit then took control of the situation." Patch then put his hands up in a gesture that said, 'Whattaya want from me?' I let out a deep breath and softens up. That story wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Not nearly as dangerous as it could've been. Patch went to confront Scott about taking the care and some Nephilim who had a strong sense of loyalty to me, to their heritage lashed out at one who was installed in their souls to be the enemy. It explains the whole night. Except…
"How did Vee find you guys? She came inside to get me once she spotted you," I told him. He shrugged.
"She must've saw the brawl from the other end of the alley when she was walking by." I nodded and rolled my head in one full circle before lying back all the way. There's never a dull moment. I began speaking my thoughts out loud. Maybe Patch could help me price things together.
"This is all a mess. Do you think the Nephilim will always feel this sense of entitlement to me? I mean this one did actually came up to me and told me if I needed anything he was only a phone call away. I don't even know him. But they know me! I thought I had to win them freedom then I would be unchained from it all," I vented rubbing my forehead.
"What did you just say?" Patch asked me after a long pause. I sat up on my elbows.
"You really weren't listening? I'm not about to repeat all that sh-," I started.
"One of them came up to you?" He asked going deathly still and searching my face. I gulped. I hope I didn't say anything wrong.
"Angel, what did he say to you?" Patch asked looking away and laying a hand above my knee.
"Um I don't really remember. I mean he did tell me to call on him if I needed anything. And he was very nice but nervous too. Like grossly nervous." Patch moved his hand higher kneading along the way. I looked up at him. His hair had fallen over his forehead. I reached up and twisted a curl.
"Is that all you remember?" He asked. I shrugged.
"He was super thankful. I think his name was Nick. No that's not it. Dick! His name is Dick," I said with a convincing eyebrow crease. I didn't want this nice Nephilim guy to be intimidated because of what he did. I didn't see anything wrong with it. But obviously he's peeking Patch's interest.
"For future reference," Patch held my chin so that we were forced to make eye contact. "If any other man comes up to you because their sense of gratitude is so strong they feel the need to express it physically make it clear that you are no longer Commander of Nephilim. You are just Nora Grey an average civilian trying to live a normal life. And they best not mention it to you again or else they'll have to answer to someone who's much more ruthless." I laughed at that. It's scary to others when Patch is making threats but I find it incredibly sexy because I know he will never allow any kind of harm to come my way.
"Thanks babe. Maybe it just takes some time for things to go back to how they were. You know Cheshvan is still like a fresh stab wound," I said getting on my knees and pulling Patch into a hug. He hummed against my chest.
"Maybe you're right. We should get away while Coldwater is healing," he said resting his hand on my hips. I lean down and place a small kiss on his lips.
"Get away? And go where?" I asked against his mouth.
"We could go to the Bahamas, Cancun, Jamaica, Paris, Dubai, Shanghai, Tokyo, Napa Valley, the list is endless. What are you in the mood for?" I looked into his eyes and he was so serious. He would drop everything right now and book us a one way flight to a paradise of my choosing. All I had to do was say the word.
"Patch I can't. We just got back from a vacation of sorts. What about school? And everyone else? I can't live it up while leaving the rest I live behind," I argued. Patch sighed and started placing kisses along my collarbone.
"You are so stubborn but you have a big heart. I'm glad one of us is considerate."
"Oh Patch you are considerate. Just only when it has to do with something that makes me happy." He smiled and pulled my mouth to his once more. We kissed longer than I anticipated but I didn't pull away first.
"Well if you change your mind and decide that you want me to plan a mind blowing honeymoon for us, I'll be here." He reached and turned off the bedside lamp before sliding in bed next to me. I put a hand on his chest and lay my head right next to it. Not long after Patch began caressing my curly burgundy tresses.
I love you baby, he crooned in smooth deep voice in my mind. That silky voice alone was enough to shift my thoughts from messy to peaceful. In response I lovingly kissed his chest. Sleep took over me soon after.