40. Nicole
NICOLE
The gate intercom chimes and I groan. It’s been two weeks of relentless gifts from Owen.
Each one is more thoughtful than the last. It started with a huge bouquet of yellow and white roses, and every day since has been chocolate, perfume, make up, lingerie, designer handbags, shoes, jewellery…
the list goes on. He’s breaking down my defences with not only gifts, but his time, attention and love.
My favourite gift has been a small wooden musical box that plays ‘Lean On Me’ when you wind the arm. He’s right. I need to lean on him instead of pushing him away. But there’s still this little voice in the back of my mind telling me I’m not enough.
He tells me everyday he loves me, needs me and wants me. Instead of feeling stifled, I feel treasured. He worships my body every night and wraps his arms around me all night long. There’s no better feeling than being safe and sound in his arms. Although the orgasms he gives me are a close second.
There’s a knock on the front door and I know Moe, the personal security detail Owen hired to be with us, has picked the parcel up for me.
I smile when he hands it over and head into our kitchen to find a smiling Edie and Angie.
The two of them together are insanely beautiful.
Edie’s red curls are scooped on top of her head, while Angie’s poker straight blonde locks hang around her heart-shaped face.
They’ve become like sisters, supportive of each other at all times and, surprisingly, me too.
They’ve taken me under their wings and become the best friends anyone could’ve asked for.
I don’t see Angie as much as I do Edie, as she works for a pretty full-on boss, but when I do she’s like a breath of fresh air to my lungs.
She doesn’t hold back and says what she wants. I love her.
“What’s today’s treat?” Angie rubs her hands together and wiggles in her seat.
“I have no idea.” I plonk the parcel on the table and pull out a chair next to her.
“He loves you so much, Nicole,” Edie reminds me again. “And you love him just as much. It’s beautiful. You just need to keep letting those thoughts of guilt and self-blame leave your pretty little head and be free and open to live your happily ever after with him.”
Edie is a consummate romantic. She’s living her own happily ever after with Jaxson and loves everything about love. Angie, however, is all about getting the D.
“Blah, blah, blah… Edie, you know I love you but shhhh. So, Nicole, before you were so rudely interrupted by the intercom, you were telling us about last night's antics. Now remember, I’m single as fuck, so I’m living vicariously through you.
Can’t live through her because picturing her and…
” She pauses and a hint of pain flashes in her eyes before she shuts it down.
“Brady bumping uglies makes me feel a little sick.”
Edie throws a wadded up napkin at her and shouts, “Hey.” But Angie just laughs and grabs her hand on the table top.
“Oh stop being so hurt, I just mean Jaxson’s gross and Lockheart’s not.”
“That doesn’t make it better. And Jaxson’s hotter than Lockheart.” Edie snatches her hand away and folds her arms over her chest.
“Now, now, let’s stop lying, Edie. Two against one means the majority rules. Lockheart is definitely hotter than Jaxson, but Jaxson is a close second.” I giggle and high five Angie as Edie frowns and pouts at the both of us.
“He is a top quality specimen of a man isn’t he?” A sigh escapes from my mouth as I picture Owen in his grey trackies, no shirt and abs on display, leaning against the kitchen counter.
“He is. I bet he’s hung like a donkey as well.”
Edie spits her tea out as Angie cackles.
“Oh for sure. And you know the Jacob’s ladder is an added bonus as well.” I wink as Angie’s jaw drops, Edie’s brows meet in confusion, and I start to chuckle.
“You are kidding me.” Angie clasps her hands together in a prayer pose and looks up at the ceiling. “God, I’ve seen what you’ve done for others, and I’m trying to be patient, but dude, come on!”
“I don’t get it.” Edie interrupts my laughter and Angie’s prayers and we both snap our attention to her.
I grab my phone, bring up the search function, and quickly type Jacob’s ladder in.
As the images pop up, I turn the phone to Edie.
Her eyes bulge and a gasp falls from her lips. “Doesn’t that hurt?”
“Nope. It feels fanfuckingtastic. And that’s all I’ll say about it.”
“Boooooo.” Angie loudly shouts as she rolls up a napkin and throws it in my face. “We want more. How does it feel? Imagine wrapping your tongue around it, Edie. Licking each rung of the ladder as his dick gets bigger and bigger…”
“Stop it.” Edie’s crimson face is all I can see as laughter barrels out of my mouth at them both.
“You’re such a spoilsport. Now she won’t talk about it.”
It feels good to laugh. Yesterday we were informed that Dr. Sheen and Lucky won’t have to testify against Rocco.
Once his lawyer was shown all the evidence against him, they had no choice but to plead guilty to all the charges.
I hope they throw the book at him and his associates he’s apparently singing about while he’s locked in his cage.
Dr. Sheen accepted the charges against her, as well as my dad. The only difference is I’m hoping she gets a suspended sentence for her part and he gets put away with his ‘friends’. He deserves it all after everything he’s put me through my entire life.
Thankfully, I learnt that after hours of therapy sessions Angie suggested I go to. Like I said, these girls have been my saviours.
“Open it.” Angie pushes the parcel toward me and bounces in her seat a little, breaking me out of my own head. She’s a bit too excited for my liking.
I tear at the paper and open the box to reveal another plain box.
Angie cackles in her seat and I turn my frown to her.
She mocks zipping her lips and wiggles her eyebrows.
I turn my attention to Edie but she just looks down at her cup of tea.
I peel open the box hesitantly, a little bit of anxiety lacing my breaths due to their reactions.
My jaw drops and my eyes widen at what’s inside. A bright green rampant rabbit.
“What the fuck?”
“Don’t be mad. Read the note.” Angie narrows her eyes at me as Edie hands me the little card.
Nico,
I feel bad about all the orgasms you’re going to miss when I’m away with the team and J double G was looking a little ‘worn out.’ So, I bought you a new and improved toy. Let’s call him J double G 2.0
Just don’t get too used to playing alone, I’ll be back soon.
And remember, the real thing is always better.
I love you,
Owen
I run my finger over his name and sigh as Edie’s voice distracts me from the note.
“He asked me for help. I hope you don’t mind. He didn’t know where to look and I didn't want him ordering something like a cock ring that you’d have no use for—”
“Yet. When he gets back you could use it. Not that you need more, you greedy girl,” Angie interrupts with a smirk and another wiggle of her eyebrows.
I just bite on the side of my cheek, turn the note over and over in my hand, and smile.
“Talk to us, chick.” Angie’s hand lands on top of mine and I smile at the contact.
“I feel like an idiot. I should’ve said yes when he asked me to marry him. What if he holds a grudge and never asks me again?” Keeping my gaze fixed on the note, I trace over his handwriting, his name and the words on it, with my eyes.
“Some grudges are worth holding on to. Especially when they involve bearded bastards who pretend to treat you like they care when in reality all they want is to use you and don’t give a shit who knows about it too,” Angie blurts out.
Then she pats my hand and tells our shocked faces, “But we’re here to talk about you and the non-bearded Owen.
He didn’t use you, and he wants you as his forever, chick.
He’ll ask you again. You’ve just got to show him you’re open to the idea now. ”
“Who used you?” Edie asks.
“And who’s a bearded bastard?” I fold my arms over my chest and Edie mirrors my stance. If someone’s hurt Angie, we need to know about it.
With a laugh, as fake as the boobs on most of the wannabe wags, she rolls her eyes at our concern.
“No one. Do you seriously think I’d let anyone use me?
Puh-lease. I was talking about a book I was reading.
It was so unrealistic I put it in the freezer.
” She stands up and heads toward the fridge while I look at Edie who shakes her head and mouths ‘I don’t know’ at me.
“Angie’s right though. Owen isn’t the type of guy to ask you if he didn’t mean it. Twice. But anyway, what’s stopping you from asking him when you’re ready? Women can propose too, you know.”
“Yeah, what she said.” Angie chimes in from over by the fridge, and I smile my thanks at both of them.
“Hey, Eddie, you ready for lunch?”
Jaxson’s voice rings out through the house and I quickly place the toy back in the box. I put my finger up to my lips and flash a warning look at the girls but they just grin back.
“Oh, hey Nicole. Angie, I didn’t know you were here. How’s the job?”
“Ugh, don’t ask. I’m about this close to getting fired. Need a public relations representative at Heath Hampstead? I’m really good and can keep all you boys in shape.” Angie walks back over to her chair and drops onto it. She opens the bottle of water and takes a sip, still avoiding Edie’s stare.
“I’ve no doubt you could. I’ll ask for you. Eddie, you think I’d look good with a beard, right?” He turns his attention to his fiancée, his eyes hopeful for her answer.
“I think you’d look even more like Jenson. But I didn’t think you could grow a beard,” Edie states, and I cover my laugh with a cough when I see Jaxson’s affronted look.
“I can too grow a beard. I had a mighty fine beard when we broke up. And I don’t look like Jenson. I’m much better looking.”