Too Sweet (Boys of Lake Chapel)

2. Joey

Chapter 2

Joey

The change in vibration through the floor of the SUV is the first sign that we’re close. If the road has turned to gravel, that means we’re minutes away from pulling up to the cabin.

I’m so jazzed I could bounce right out of my seat—except Kylian wouldn’t allow that to happen under any circumstance. I’m securely buckled, and he’s got his arm pressed across both my legs, gripping my upper thigh as he scrolls on his phone with his free hand.

I lean back as much as the seat belt and Kylian will allow, brushing my hand up Nicky’s arm and squeezing.

“We’re almost here,” I tell him in a gleeful whisper.

He leans forward from the bench, hitting me with his megawatt smile. “You excited, Hot Girl?”

I can’t temper my responding grin. Excited is an understatement. I’m thrilled to be getting away with all four of my guys for a weekend of rest, relaxation, and hopefully a lot of fucking.

“I can’t wait.” I take his hand and kiss his tattooed knuckles. “How are you feeling?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light.

Nicky’s arthritis has been well-managed over the last month or so. He did take an ice bath last night, though, which always makes me worry that he’s flaring. Because honestly, who would willingly submerge themselves in an enormous tub filled with bone-chilling water?

“I feel good right now.” He shifts his neck from side to side, then stretches his arms overhead, checking for any new aches. “I’ll feel even better when we’re unpacked and I’m buried deep inside you.”

My body warms in response to the hungry look in his eyes.

“We’re two minutes out,” Kylian murmurs. “You both need to remain seated—and clothed—until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.”

I roll my lips to keep from snickering. It’s usually Decker who’s over the top about safety.

“Relax, Daddy Genius,” Nicky quips. “I can wait. I’m fully committed to seeing all our plans through this weekend.”

My heart skips a beat. “Plans?” I ask, looking between my guys. “What kind of plans?”

“Hey now,” Kendrick calls from the driver’s seat. “Don’t be giving away any of our surprises.”

My giddiness ramps up another ten notches. Surprises? As in more than one?

Leaning forward, I grip Kendrick’s shoulders. “How about a hint, big guy?”

He meets my gaze in the rear-view mirror, his smoldering stare possessing the same ravenous look he hit me with every time we were alone last weekend at the Combine.

As a shiver rolls through me, I bite down on my lip and hold his gaze.

“You’re trouble, Mama,” he mutters. He glances away and puts the SUV in reverse so he can park it as close to the cabin as possible.

In the passenger seat, Decker turns at the waist and assesses me up and down. “When did you eat last, Josephine?”

I fight my instinct to sass back. It used to be my go-to response when it came to my grump of a husband. Apparently old habits die hard.

“I had a late breakfast,” I assure him.

Decker’s obsidian eyes narrow as he sees right through my hollow reply.

“And what did you eat?”

With the slightest of eye rolls, I avert my gaze and fiddle with my seat belt. Kylian reacts instantly, covering my hand with his and preventing me from unbuckling before the vehicle is fully stopped.

“Toast.”

“ Just toast, Josephine?”

I blow out an aggravated breath, making my long bangs flutter around my face.

“Yes, just toast. Would it make you feel better if I lied and said it had some sort of nut butter on it, Cap?”

His answering scowl tells me no; no, it would not.

“We’re here,” Kendrick declares, momentarily saving me from my husband’s interrogation.

With a renewed jubilance, I unbuckle and hop out of the car. Nicky follows out my door, but before he can reach for me, Kendrick has already captured me in a hug, his arms slung low on my hips.

Nicky mutters something about getting the bags from the trunk and leaves us to it.

I peer up at K, inhaling deeply, savoring the scent of fresh mountain air combined with the hints of musk and vanilla that are uniquely him.

“Sure you don’t want to clue me in to these surprises?” I lick my lips, craning up so I’m just inches from his face.

Grinning, he pulls me in tighter and buries his face in my neck. “You’re trouble,” he repeats. “But you’re also my favorite fucking prize. I love you, Jojo. I love you so goddamn much.”

His lips find my neck, the stubble on his face tickling me until I’m squirming in his arms.

“But you better go make nice with your husband before we have an extra grumpy Cap on our hands.” He pulls back and swats my ass playfully, then heads around the side of the vehicle to help unload.

K’s right. Riling up Decker is my favorite pastime, but I don’t want there to be an ounce of tension or grouchiness this weekend. It’s rare we all get to be alone together nowadays. We have to make the most of it while we can.

It’s been an adjustment having Hunter and her guys at the house. I’m so damn grateful Decker insisted they stay all semester, but I can’t pretend it’s all rainbows and sunshine on the Crusade Isle.

I thought living with my bestie would mean uninterrupted girl time and nonstop fun. I was very, very wrong.

Our school schedules and Hunter’s class load make it hard to find time to just hang. Add in the eight moody, overprotective men we’re also sharing space with. Not to mention the still evolving dynamic of Hunter’s group as her guys get to know each other and figure out how to work together. Then there’s the Bad Mood Brit to consider.

It feels like there’s always something going on at home nowadays. I don’t mind the full house, and I relish knowing that my best friend is as safe as she can be given the circumstances. But this weekend brings with it a highly anticipated break for me and my guys. I intend to make the most of it.

I catch up to Decker on the porch where he’s punching the code into the keypad. A quick shiver rolls through me as we wait.

He side-eyes me and sighs as the lock unlatches. “It’s too cold out here to not be wearing a jacket, Siren.”

I wrap both hands around his sweatshirt-clad arm—we’re all wearing sweats and hoodies, but I don’t bother pointing that out to him—and pop up onto my toes to kiss his cheek.

“Then I guess you better get me inside and warm me up, Cap.”

The slightest hint of a smile teases at one side of his mouth. In the next second, he’s scooping me up, bridal-style, and carrying me over the threshold.

“I’ll crank up the heat and turn on the fireplace,” he promises, flicking lights on with his elbow as we journey farther into the cabin. “Then I have to get dinner started.” He sets me down on one of the oversized leather couches in the middle of the great room.

Grinning, I shift forward to hop up and help him, but his signature Decker scowl freezes me in place.

“Sit and let me take care of you, woman.” He waits for me to obey.

I make him sweat it out for a few seconds, then with a cheeky grin, I settle back against the couch and cross my legs underneath me.

Settling into the cushions, I inhale deeply, taking it all in. The cabin has become such a special place for me… for all of us, really.

Although my first trip here was under duress, we’ve come back a few times since. Those stays have easily made up for the visit when Decker and I weren’t together (his choice) and I unexpectedly found myself agreeing to marry him (my choice).

This place isn’t just peaceful, it’s significant to each of us in lots of ways. Kylian is less connected to the outside world out here. We both sleep so soundly and deeply in the Den. Kendrick finds peace walking quietly through the woods. Decker makes a concerted effort not to let work and school and all his other obligations get in the way when we’re here. Even Nicky says he physically feels better at the cabin: something about the fresh air and the barometric pressure.

Above all else, we all feel safe in this place. This cabin feels more like home than any place I’ve ever resided. Even more so than our house on the isle. I love that we came up here for Valentine’s Day weekend. I can’t wait to spend more holidays in our own private sanctuary.

I watch as Decker moves around the room, adjusting the thermostat and using a remote to set the gas fireplace blazing.

He snags two blankets off the ottoman before making his way back to me. Then he takes a knee, covers my lap with both blankets, and takes my hands in his, interlacing our fingers.

His gaze settles on the rings on our left hands for a moment. Then his dark, steely eyes travel up to meet mine.

“One minute,” he requests on a shaky breath.

Heart stuttering, I quickly nod.

One minute, when it’s just him and me…

Neither of us says anything for a beat. He bends forward, kissing my forehead and brushing a few stray hairs away from my face. I revel in the contentment settling around us. His steadiness and comfort are as grounding as the cabin itself.

After the full minute passes, I murmur, “Thank you for loving me so well.”

He grasps my face in his hands, then kisses me deeply and reverently, but pulls back before it can build to anything more.

“Always, Siren. Through every storm. I live and breathe for you, Josephine.”

My breath catches, and my heart does riotous somersaults in my chest. I’m so affected by his words and proximity. I’m also desperate for more.

I pull him back down to me, feeling all sorts of needy. Growly and grouchy or surly and serious are Decker’s go-to modes. But soft and sweet Decker gets me every time.

“Come here,” I urge, trying to pull him onto the couch—or, more accurately, onto me .

Groaning, he shakes his head. He pecks me on the lips once more, then rises to stand. “I have to get dinner started. Otherwise it won’t be ready until midnight. That’s why I asked about what you’ve eaten today.” He scratches the back of his neck, gazing down. “Dinner won’t be ready for several hours… I just wanted to make sure you eat something now if you’re hungry.”

I hold my hands out, and Decker takes them, pulling me off the couch.

“I love you.” I push up on tiptoes, but he still has to bend to kiss me once more. “I’ll grab a snack, then I think I’m going to take a nap.”

Stifling a yawn with the back of one hand, I keep hold of Decker as he guides me toward the kitchen.

I can hear the others joking around, probably getting things unloaded from the car and unpacked in the kitchen.

It feels like my heart is floating in my chest as the sounds of their banter, joy, and laughter follow me through the cabin.