Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Ethan
She tastes exactly how I thought she would, yet at the same time, better than anything I could ever have imagined.
Wendy's kiss starts off timid, her mouth soft yet still against mine, but when my hand settles on her waist, she breathes in, opening her lips, giving me the opening I need. When my tongue delves into her mouth, I pull her flush against me, her soft, gentle curves the perfect contrast to my hard, aching body.
Cole steps up behind her, his hands resting on my waist, caging our girl in between us. She whimpers against my mouth, and I can feel Cole's smirk without even looking. He leans down, his lips brushing her ear as he whispers something I can't quite hear. Whatever it is makes her tremble, her knees buckling slightly.
I tighten my grip, keeping her steady. "Easy, sweet girl," I murmur, pulling back just enough to look into her dazed eyes. Her lips are swollen, her breath coming in quick little gasps. Fucking hell, she's beautiful like this—all flushed and undone.
Cole's hands slide from my waist to hers, his chest pressed against her back. "You're doing so well," he says, his voice low and full of approval. "Aren't you, babygirl?"
She nods, her eyes flicking between us, but her words are replaced by a soft moan when Cole's lips find the curve of her neck. Her head tilts instinctively, giving him more access, and I take the opportunity to kiss her again, this time deeper, hungrier.
She melts between us, her fingers clutching at my shirt like it's the only thing keeping her upright.
The sound of a distant car horn breaks the moment, shattering the bubble around us and pulling us back to reality.
Wendy stiffens slightly, her gaze darting around the parking lot. She looks embarrassed, like she's getting ready to build up those walls. I'll be damned if I let her do that again.
"Hey," I whisper, holding her chin, keeping my hand on her middle. "Stay with us," I beg.
"Sorry," she says, her voice shaky. "I just... that was..."
"Perfect," I finish for her, reaching out to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. She leans into the touch, her eyes softening, but there's still a hint of uncertainty there.
"Babygirl," Cole says, his tone surprisingly gentle as he tilts her face to meet his gaze. "No overthinking. This feels right. You with us, it feels right. So we're going to see where it goes, okay?"
Her cheeks flush a deep red, and she ducks her head, her lips curving into a shy smile. "You two are impossible," she mumbles what is soon becoming one of my favorite phrases from her.
"That's true," I counter, chuckling as I lean against the edge of the car. "But you like us this way. After that kiss, sweet Wendy? You're kind of stuck with us now."
She huffs out a laugh, shaking her head. "I'm not sure if I should see that as a promise or a threat."
"Both," Cole says, grinning as leans down to steal a quick, chaste kiss from her before he looks at me. "We need to get our girl home. It's getting late, and she's not wearing a coat," he finishes as he turns his glare to Wendy again.
She crosses her arms, huffing. "I was a bit distracted when I left my apartment."
"Excuses will do nothing but earn you extra punishments," Cole threatens, draping his jacket over her shoulders before she can argue.
She shivers, and I don't think it's the cold causing it.
"Come on, let's go," Cole orders as he directs her into the car.
The ride back is quiet, the tension from earlier still humming between us, but softer now. Wendy fidgets with the hem of Cole's jacket, her eyes flicking between us like she's trying to make sense of everything.
When we pull up outside her building, she hesitates. "Thanks for the ride," she says, her voice soft, barely above a whisper. "I guess I'll see you both tomorrow?"
"Or," I say, cutting her off, "we could walk you up. Make sure you get inside safe."
Her cheeks flush again, but she nods, pushing the door open. Cole and I follow her up the creaky, badly lit stairs to her apartment. I make a mental note to either track down the landlord and share my thoughts on his maintenance, or failing that, bring some bulbs to replace the ones that have blown. When we reach her front door she fumbles with the keys, muttering something about the lock sticking before the door finally swings open. Stepping inside first, she hesitates for a moment before turning back to us.
"Do you... Do you want to come in?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Are you sure, babygirl?" Cole questions. "There's no pressure."
She blinks up at him, biting on her bottom lip. "Cole, stop trying to protect me and come inside, will you?"
I try to. Really I do. But it's impossible to resist. "I'm hoping to be coming inside someone too."
Both of them groan at my joke, but I'm rewarded for my bad behavior when Wendy grabs my hand and pulls me into the apartment with her.
"I just need to sort out Scraps, she's staying in the bathroom for now because she gets into too much mischief when I'm not around otherwise," Wendy mumbles distractedly.
I'm pleased to see the blanket we got her hanging over the back of her couch. Seeing that she’s getting use out of something we got her warms me, and from the smug smile on Cole's face it's clear he feels the same.
Our beautiful girl heads to her bathroom, and quickly comes out with the tiny kitten, who apparently needs to let us know exactly how upset she is with her mom.
"Shhh, I know baby," Wendy whispers to the cat while giving it a good cuddle. "I'll give you some nice wet food to make up for waiting, and then you can have one of your new toys, okay?"
The kitten gives what can only be described as a complaintive meow before gnawing on the lapels of Cole's coat.
Wendy's cheeks turn a beautiful shade of pink as she tries to get the small cat to let go of the coat, but before she can get too embarrassed, Cole's laughter fills the air.
"She's got expensive taste," Cole says, the mirth still present in his voice, after his laughter dies down. He holds out his arms for Scraps and Wendy quickly hands her over. With her hands freed she manages to get the kitten detached from Cole's coat. "Why don't you get her food ready, babygirl, and I'll make sure she gets some love."
Wendy rushes to obey Cole's suggestion, and soon we have the little one situated back in the bathroom with her late-night snack along with a new toy to keep her busy.
Now that we've contended with the distraction, Wendy's hand fidgets in front of her, her fingers twisting until I'm worried they'll be forever tangled. Her gaze flickers around the room, never settling on me or Cole for more than a heartbeat. Even her smile—small and quick, like a bird darting for cover—seems forced.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?" I ask softly, leaning closer. Her shoulders tighten, and she gives a sharp nod, her curls bouncing with the motion.
"Fine," she says, too quickly.
I exchange a glance with Cole, whose brow furrows. The tension in the air is palpable, as though Wendy's unease has set the whole room on edge. Gone is the lightheartedness we'd fostered during our date, or the heat we'd built in the parking lot.
"Do you want to sit?" Wendy offers, her voice still tight, but at least it doesn't sound forced. "I can make us some coffee?"
Cole shakes his head, stepping closer to her, his hand brushing her arm. "No coffee," he says gently. "Just you, babygirl. Come here."
Her fingers stop twisting, hovering midair like she's unsure of what to do next. Cole's hand trails down her arm to her wrist, as he pulls her closer. She doesn't resist, though her gaze darts to me, her lips parting like she wants to say something.
I step in, closing the space between us, and cup her cheek, the soft warmth of her skin grounding me. "We don't need to do anything," I murmur. "Just let us be here. With you."
Her breathing hitches for a second and I think she's going to pull away. But then her shoulders relax and she nods her gaze flicking between Cole and me like she's trying to figure out what comes next.
Cole answers her silent question by tilting her chin up with two fingers, leaning in just enough for her to feel his breath against her lips. "You're safe with us, babygirl. Always."