Just the Girl Who Needed Saving
1351 Words
Chapter 15:
Naomi’s POV
I had fallen asleep waiting for Nathaniel, curled up on the lumpy sofa in my tiny apartment. The radiator hissed faintly, struggling against the chill of the night. Shadows danced on the cracked walls, and I stirred when the intoxicating scent of his hit me like a warm embrace.
Sandalwood and Burberry.
Nathaniel.
A gentle knock followed, pulling me fully awake. I jumped up, quickly smoothing my little black dress and combing my fingers through my hair before opening the door.
There he was, standing tall and breathtakingly gorgeous. His tousled dark hair framed those piercing emerald eyes, and the sight of him made my heart skip. For a brief moment, I felt a flicker of hope, until I saw her. My smile froze, faltered, and then completely vanished.
"Why is she here?" I asked bitterly, my voice sharper than I intended.
Victoria stood behind him, the perfect picture of wealth and privilege in her designer coat and heels that probably cost more than my monthly rent. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled, and her baby-blue eyes sparkled with fake concern.
"Hello, Naomi," she cooed, her voice laced with false sympathy. "Nathaniel told me everything, and I just had to tag along to make sure you’re okay."
My chest tightened. Of course, she had to come. Nathaniel stood there with that infuriatingly smug look on his face, like he was enjoying my discomfort.
"I don’t keep secrets from my fiancée," he said coldly, emphasizing the word fiancée as if to drive the knife deeper.
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. My wolf, Rose, growled low in my mind. "He didn’t tell her about the kiss, did he? Let me out. I’ll rip that Barbie doll to shreds."
I forced a smile, though it felt like my face might crack. "Of course. Why would I mind?" My voice was syrupy sweet, but inside, I wanted to scream.
"Great," Nathaniel said, clapping his hands. "Where’s your stuff?"
I gestured to the overnight bag in the corner of the room. "That’s it," I said quietly.
Victoria’s eyes flicked to the bag, her nose wrinkling in disgust. "That’s all you have?" she said, her voice dripping with condescension.
"That’s all I need," I replied, heat rising to my cheeks as I became acutely aware of my shabby surroundings. The peeling wallpaper, the secondhand furniture—it was all I could afford, and now it felt painfully inadequate in front of them.
"And where exactly am I going?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.
"You’re coming home with me," Nathaniel said simply. "You’ll stay there until I can deal with Matt."
My jaw dropped. "Your house?" I echoed, glancing at Victoria, who looked ready to explode. Her painted-on smile faltered, and for a moment, her mask slipped.
"Sweetheart," she said in her baby-doll voice, sliding her hand onto his arm, "why don’t you just find her a hotel? Or maybe one of Daddy’s properties? She doesn’t need to stay with us."
Nathaniel’s eyes flicked to hers, his expression unreadable. "She’s staying with me," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for debate.
I bit back a smirk as Victoria’s eyes widened, but my satisfaction was short-lived. Rose stirred again. "He’s bringing us to his home. This means something."
The ride to his penthouse was tense. I sat in the back seat of his sleek luxury car, my overnight bag on my lap, while Victoria kept a vice-like grip on Nathaniel’s arm. She was chatting away about wedding venues and floral arrangements, her voice grating against my nerves. I stared out the window, trying to ignore her, but her words kept cutting through.
"So, Naomi," she said suddenly, turning to me with a saccharine smile, "what do you do for fun? Oh, wait—let me guess. Netflix and wine?"
My cheeks burned. "Something like that," I muttered, refusing to look at her.
Nathaniel remained silent, his focus on the road ahead, but I caught the faintest flicker of irritation in his eyes. Whether it was for her or me, I couldn’t tell.
When we arrived at his penthouse, I was stunned. The building towered above the city, sleek and modern, with glass windows that sparkled like diamonds. The interior was even more breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the skyline, and the open-concept design was filled with high-end furniture, art pieces, and luxurious finishes. It was a far cry from my cramped apartment.
Nathaniel carried my bag inside, his movements casual, as if this was just another day for him. He gestured toward a guest room down the hall. "That’s your room," he said curtly.
Victoria lingered in the doorway, her smile brittle. "How... cozy," she remarked, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the space.
"Thank you," I said, forcing politeness.
Once Nathaniel left to take a call, Victoria stepped closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Let’s get one thing straight, Naomi. You don’t belong here. Don’t mistake his kindness for anything more than pity."
I clenched my fists, my wolf growling in my head. "Let me at her, Naomi. Just one swipe, that’s all I need."
I met her gaze evenly. "I’ll keep that in mind," I said coolly, turning away before I said something I’d regret.
Later that night, Nathaniel returned to check on me. He stood in the doorway, his broad frame filling the space, his green eyes scanning me as if trying to gauge my thoughts.
"Are you settling in?" he asked, his tone surprisingly soft.
I nodded, biting my lip. "Why are you doing this?" I blurted out before I could stop myself. "Why bring me here?"
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. "Because you’re mine," he said simply, his voice low and commanding.
My breath caught. "Yours?" I whispered.
"Don’t read too much into it," he added quickly, his walls slamming back up. "You’re my responsibility now. I can’t leave you unprotected."
Rose purred in my mind. "He’s claiming us."
But his words cut through her excitement. He was protecting me out of obligation, not love. Not yet.
The next morning, Victoria was still there, much to my dismay. She made herself at home, lounging in Nathaniel’s living room in a silk robe that left little to the imagination. I tried to ignore her, focusing on unpacking the few things I had brought, but her voice carried through the penthouse like nails on a chalkboard.
"Sweetheart, don’t forget, we have that appointment with the wedding planner later," she cooed. "You’ll be there, right?"
Nathaniel grunted noncommittally, his focus on his laptop. "I’ll try."
"Try?" she pouted. "Nathaniel, this is important. You promised me."
I wanted to roll my eyes, but I kept my head down. If she noticed me listening, she’d pounce.
When Nathaniel finally left for a meeting, Victoria turned her attention to me. "You know this arrangement isn’t permanent," she said, her voice cold. "Once this whole mess with Matt blows over, you’ll be out of here."
I met her gaze, refusing to back down. "We’ll see," I said evenly.
Her lips curled into a sneer. "You’re just a charity case to him. Don’t get any ideas."
As the days went on, Nathaniel’s presence only made things more complicated. He was magnetic, drawing me in with every glance, every low growl that sent shivers down my spine. I found myself watching him more than I should, admiring the way his muscles shifted under his tailored suits, the way his green eyes darkened when he was deep in thought.
But he kept his distance, and I couldn’t tell if it was for my sake or his.
Victoria, however, wasn’t giving up. She was determined to keep her claws in him, and I could see her growing frustration every time he brushed off her attempts to monopolize his attention. I couldn’t help but feel a spark of satisfaction when he ignored her, but it was fleeting.
Because no matter what, she was still his fiancée.
And I was just the girl who needed saving.
For now.
- Writer
