Chapter 18
SCOTT messy closets drive me a little insane.
Locating the tights I’m looking for, I grab them off the shelf but they slip out of my hands as I do so. When I bend to pick them up, Scott’s voice sounds at the same time he moves behind me and takes hold of my hips.
“Is this a new thing you’re doing, because if it is, I’m fuckin’ into it,” he says.
I straighten and attempt to turn to face him, but his grip tightens on me and instead of letting me turn, he pulls me back against his body. “What?” I ask. “Wearing no pants during the day?”
His mouth brushes my ear as he brings one hand up to cup my breast. “Yeah.”
“I’m in the middle of getting changed.” I try to ignore what he’s doing to me and how good it feels. “What are you doing home in the middle of the day?” Scott almost never comes home during the day.
“I was talking to Mum this morning and she told me she has the kids today.” His warm breath against my ear is very distracting. The kind of distracting I don’t have time for. “I figured I’d come home and make the most of it.”
I rest my head back against his shoulder and close my eyes as he slides his hand into my panties and finds my clit.
Kissing my neck, he says, “I’ve been hard all fuckin’ morning.”
Between the kids keeping me busy, life keeping me busy, feeling exhausted, and having my period for the last week, it’s been almost two weeks since we’ve had sex.
I miss it like crazy because while Scott and I are closer than ever, sex brings that extra level of intimacy with him that I crave.
However, I’m supposed to be doing my first Peloton class with the girls today and I don’t want to miss that.
“Baby,” I say, opening my eyes. “I don’t have time for sex right now.”
He doesn’t stop what he’s doing with his hands. He also continues kissing my neck as he says, “Why not?” His tone makes it clear he doesn’t intend on stopping anytime soon.
Wrapping my hand around his forearm, I try to stop what he’s doing. “I have my first Peloton class in less than ten minutes.”
Removing his hand from my panties, he turns me to face him. Running his eyes down my body, causing me to almost lose myself to the desire he’s bringing out in me, he growls, “Take another class.”
Oh my.
When Scott gets all growly and bossy like this, I have no chance of saying no to him. Not because he won’t allow it, but because it turns me on more than anything. I love it when he takes charge in this way.
And yet, I promised my girls I’d do the class with them.
We all bought a Peloton so we could exercise together without having to leave our homes.
Life’s too hectic these days with kids and husbands and life to commit to attending gym classes.
The Peloton is a way for us to be accountable to each other while also having fun together and getting our exercise in.
Scott and my kids always come first, but I’m learning to practice self-care too, and sometimes that involves me choosing myself first, and sometimes it’s choosing time with my girls.
I stop him when he brings his mouth to mine. Placing my palms to his chest, I say softly, “No, I can’t. I promised the girls I’d do the class with them.”
His eyes search mine, and for a moment I’m unsure of his thoughts. This is unusual. Scott never hesitates to give me what I need, whether that be time with him, time alone, or time with others. But right now, he appears conflicted.
“Fuck,” he curses, and I hear all of his frustration.
Sliding his hand around my waist, he pulls me hard against him and crushes his lips to mine.
Kissing me with all of that frustration, mixed with love and desire, he shows me that he needs me as much as I need him.
When he ends the kiss, he keeps hold of me and says, “I fuckin’ miss you. ”
Those four words wind their way around my heart and soul. They say so much that’s left unsaid, and I feel every single one of them deeply.
“I miss you, too, and I’m sorry I’m not choosing you right now—”
With a finger to my lips and a quick shake of his head, he says, “No, you’re not apologising for this, Harlow. I never automatically expect you to choose me. I’m fuckin’ grateful when you do, but I never take it as a given.”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I kiss him again.
Deeply and thoroughly, I don’t rush it.
I’m going to be late for my class, but this time with Scott is important to me too.
By the time I’m finished, our bodies are pressed hard to each other and I’m breathless and more turned on than a Peloton class calls for, but when your husband says stuff to you like Scott just said to me, it calls for this kind of kiss.
“I love you, Scott Cole, and you should organise for your mum to have the kids overnight so I can take my time showing you just how much tonight.”
“Fuck,” he growls before bruising my lips with one last kiss. Then, letting me go, he lifts his chin and says, “Get dressed. I’ll see you tonight. And Harlow?”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be home at six. I want you naked on this bed with your legs spread waiting for me.”
Every inch of my body comes alive at his demand, and I watch him stride out of our bedroom with some regret.
This is why Scott Cole is the man I will love with every breath I have until the day I die.
He cherishes me in ways I’ve never been cherished.
He turns me on in ways I’ve never been turned on.
He respects me in ways I’ve never been respected.
And he loves me better than I’ve ever been loved.