Page 62 of Lost Room Lawyer
All I could do was hold him tighter. “I’m so sorry.”
Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned my head. It was Viktoria, looking at me more puzzled than concerned. I frowned and pretended not to understand what was happening. Everyone grieves in their own way, after all.
“I need to get to work,” she said quietly.
That was the moment Nico slowly pulled away from me, wiping his tears.
“Hello, Nico,” Viktoria said with sympathy. “My condolences.”
Nico only nodded, staring back at the floor.
“I’ll stay a while longer,” I said, scanning the room for Dominic.
Viktoria offered a few comforting words to Nico, and I felt a weight lift from my chest when Dominic returned. Friendly as ever, he introduced himself to Viktoria as Nico’s roommate. Only I could see the reassuring effect this information had on her. She leaned in, gave me a kiss, and eventually said her goodbyes.
I envied her a bit for being able to leave the funeral. As Dominic also put on his coat, I furrowed my brow in confusion.
“I’d love to stay longer,” he whispered, “but I’m on duty.”
Of course. It was Thursday, and I also had plenty of work to do. But given the circumstances, my day was done. Nothing could have dragged me back to the office—not now, with Nico standing beside me like a wreck, silently pleading for me to distract him.
Dominic hugged Nico goodbye. “Call if you need anything, okay?” He left the funeral soon after.
When Nico took my arm and led me out of the living room into the hallway and then into a sort of hobby room, I didn’t understand what he was planning. But then he closed the door behind us, pushed me against it, and kissed me.
His kiss was rough and stiff. In his desperation, he sought comfort, something to distract him from everything, but I knew that this was not the right place for that. Gently, I placed my hands around his face and searched his eyes for answers. With tears brimming, he gazed at me longingly, struggling to hold back more tears.
I gently caressed his cheek. I didn’t want to be a killjoy, but in this moment—here in Leo’s house—it was crucial that at least one of us stayed level-headed.
“Take me away from here,” Nico pleaded, his voice shaking.
It wasn’t just a request; there was so much more to it.
Save me from this hell.
“Get your things,” I said firmly. “We’re leaving.”
It might have been the biggest mistake I could make, but I wouldn’t leave him here for anything in the world.
19
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Nico
Dazed and indifferent, I stood in front of Hector, watching him undress me. His movements were so gentle that I couldn’t help but imagine how he must have cared for his girls when they were younger.
I hadn’t felt my body in a while. I felt lethargic and worn out. I was so numb that I wouldn’t have even noticed if someone stabbed me in the back.
Hector pulled my T-shirt over my head and helped me out of my pants. Then he removed my socks and slid my boxers down. I was naked in front of him—and felt nothing. The only thing raging was the war in my mind, and all I wanted was to forget this disaster, even if just for a few minutes.
“Lie down,” Hector said softly, pulling back the bedspread.
Slowly, I crawled onto the mattress. Was this his bed? If I remembered correctly, we were in his city apartment.
Outside, the sun was shining on a lovely spring day, but Hector clearly knew I didn’t care. He drew the white curtains, bathing the room in a soft glow, and undressed himself as well.
Even though I was overwhelmed by grief, his body was like a magnet to me. It was impossiblenotto look at him. He was gorgeous. So well-formed. Hector had taken care of himself over the years, and you could see that. When he took off his pants and I saw his penis, something stirred inside me. It wasn’t lust in the traditional sense, but more a quiet feeling of happiness and contentment. Even when flaccid, Hector’s penis had a certain beauty.
