Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
“SWEET CREATURE” BY HARRY STYLES
BLOSSOM
When I come down the next morning, I’m pleased to find not only is Jus at the dining table eating breakfast with the others, but so are Anatole, Steele and Nox.
“Good morning,” I greet, my smile wide because there’s a warmth inside me at seeing them all here, at my table.
“Morning, Flower,” Steele replies in his gruff voice, using that nickname which turns my insides to jelly. His dark eyes are on me, causing heat to fill my cheeks. He’s in a different t-shirt than yesterday, so they must have gone back to their apartment to grab their things last night.
“Good morning, Steele.” I can’t help the way my voice is a little breathless when he’s looking at me like that, so intently, with such warmth.
“Morning, Bloom,” Anatole adds, and I dart a glance to find his eyes also on me, piercing to my very soul as they seem to always do. It leaves me more than a little flustered, but I’m trapped in them, unable to look away.
“Good morning, Anatole,” I whisper, noting how his fist clenches on his coffee cup. Maybe he’s as affected by me as I am by him? God I hope so, because then he’ll know this confusion too.
“Good morning, Petal,” Nox says, only a hint of the usual sarcasm from him. The nickname makes me startle. It sounded almost, nice. Not like a slur which is what I’ve come to expect from him.
“Good morning, uh, Nox,” I stumble out. God he makes me so fumbling, like a complete wally. He just smirks at me, which only causes my cheeks to burn.
“Can we go to the farmer’s market? Please Miss. Blossom?” Peggy asks from in front of me, a half eaten bowl of chocolate cereal in front of her.
“Yeah, it is Saturday after all,” Anna adds, taking a napkin and wiping some milk off Mitchel’s chin.
“You are quite right, it is Saturday,” I reply, scanning the table and finding only the space between Anatole and Steele is free. “Of course we can go.”
The children cheer, Sally quietly telling Jus all about the different stalls as I take a seat.
Steele places a pot of mint tea in front of me, with my favourite mug and I give him a smile. “You guys are more than welcome to join us, if you want?”
“I’d like that,” he replies, grabbing the plate of French toast and placing a slice on my plate. I watch as he takes the bowl of berries, putting some of those on there as well, and then places the jug of maple syrup next to my plate. “Anything else you want?”
“Um, no thank you,” I reply, biting my lip to contain the smile. No one has ever done that before, fed me like that. And the independent feminist in me is yelling that we can choose our own food. While another part of me preens at the fact that he’s taking care of us.
“I’ll stay back, if that’s okay? Got a few things to sort out and I’d like to hit the home gym,” Anatole says, and I give him a nod and smile.
“Of course. Nox?”
I look past Anatole, at Nox who’s blinking at me. “You want me to come along?”
My skin heats and I wonder if I’ll ever be able to be a normal colour around them. “I mean, if you want to, I’d like that, yes.”
Fucks’ sake.
“Sure.” His tone is bland, like it’s no big deal. But a smile plays around those plush lips that can be so cutting.
We finish breakfast quickly, the children rushing to get ready and chattering with excitement. Once we’re all ready — which is no mean feat making sure everyone has the right jacket and shoes — I give the younger ones twenty dollars each to spend, pausing when I get to Jus.
“Would you like some money to spend? It’s from your monthly allowance, but if you have twenty like the others then you’ll have plenty left,” I ask him, and his eyes widen.
He glances at Anatole, who gives him a small nod. “Yes, please.”
I hand him the cash, and he runs off with the others to get into the van, where Henry is waiting. Nox and Steele follow them, both laughing at the bright yellow colour that Peggy picked when we had to replace the old one.
“Blossom?” A tug on my hand stops me from following them, and I turn just as Anatole brings my hand up to his lips, placing a kiss on the back of it.
He really needs to stop doing that. Not only does it burn in the best way, but it completely scatters every brain cell.
“Yes, Anatole?”
His blue eyes, which could be so cold, are full of warmth as he stares at me.
“Thank you. For everything. For not treating Jus, treating us, like we’re worthless.”
The sincerity in his tone has my throat closing a little, and before I can question it, I lean up, placing my lips against his slightly stubbled cheek. His chest rises with a sharp breath, his fingers squeezing my hand when my lips make contact.
“You are worth so much, Anatole. All of you,” I whisper, treating myself to a deep inhale of his addictive scent before pulling away. “Enjoy your morning. See you in a bit?”
“I’ll be here,” he assures me, his hand tightening on mine for a fraction of a second before he releases me.
The trip to the market passes by in a chaotic blur, not only just because of the children all laughing and talking, but the memory of Anatole and the looks of both Steele and Nox has me worked up into knots.
It’s the first time I’ve had to deal with this issue before.
Of not only being attracted to three different men at the same time, but also with one of them being the older brother of one of my charges, it makes things so much more complicated.
Before I know it, we’re at the market, the kids rushing to get out of the van all at once.
“Hang on!” I yell, and they all stop until I’m out. “Right, Jus, Sally, Noah with Steele. Anna and Mitchel with Nox and Rachel and Peggy with me. Do not lose sight of your adult, okay?”
They all agree, then I look at Nox and Steele. “Is that okay? It makes it a little easier for me if I’m not having to keep track of all of them but if you’d rather—”
“It’s fine, Flower,” Steele assures me, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“At your command, Princess,” Nox teases, that damn smirk playing around his lips. Of course I blush.
The kids scatter, but not so much that I can’t walk along with Nox and Steele for a little bit.
We pass by our favourite produce stalls, and I stop to talk to the owners, introducing the guys and buying up all our favourite treats, as well as fresh fruit and veg.
Steele and Nox won’t let me carry a thing, and soon they’re loaded with bags like mules.
“Here, Miss. Blossom,” Rachel says quietly from beside me, and I look to find her with one of the small posies of flowers that I love. She always gets one for me when we come here.
“Oh, Rachel, love. They’re beautiful. Thank you, darling.” I take them from her, pressing a small kiss to her cheek before she goes off with Sally and they look at a candy stall which seems to have attracted all of the children.
Smiling, I spot Steele looking at a mechanics shop that’s just beyond the market. “Do you know how to fix cars, Steele?” I realise that I know nothing about these guys.
“Yeah, I’ve picked up some bits and pieces over the years,” he replies, looking back at me.
“Want me to introduce you to Chuck? He’s the owner and he’s often looking for a hand?” I ask, knowing that he also likes to give guys like Steele a chance, having had one of my older kids, John, do an apprenticeship with him a couple of years back.
“Yeah? That would be great.” He flashes me a smile that melts my insides for a second, and I shake my head trying to remember what it was I was about to do.
“Nox? Could you watch the children while I quickly pop over with Steele, please?”
“Sure, Princess,” he replies, the nickname softer than yesterday and sending goosebumps over my skin.
I take Steele’s huge hand in mine, starting in the direction of the mechanics when I’m pulled up short.
Looking back, I find Steele, glancing down at our joined hands.
His hand completely engulfs mine, the contrast of his deep mahogany skin against my own pale fingers something I find myself staring at for a moment too long.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t think—” I go to pull my hand from his but he growls softly—which does inappropriate things to me—and tightens his grip.
“I like your hand in mine, Flower,” he states, his dark eyes coming to meet mine. “Let’s go.”
Butterflies swirl in my stomach as he leads me over to Chuck’s shop, the clang of tools on metal and scent of petrol filling the air as we get closer. I spot Chuck straight away, in his stained overalls wiping his grease covered hands on an equally dirty rag.
“Hello, Chuck!” I call, and he looks up at me, his thick moustache twitching into an almost smile.
“Miss. Blossom.” And a head dip is all he gives me, but that’s Chuck for you.
“How’s Rita?” I question, earning a second moustache twitch.
“Always on my ass about something. Got me drinking this decaf shit because apparently normal coffee is bad for me,” he grumbles and I chuckle.
“It comes from a place of love,” I say, and his blue eyes warm, that almost smile appearing again.
“Yeah.” He looks at Steele, who is still holding my hand but glancing around the shop like a kid in a candy store. “You know engines, son?”
Steele whips his head back to Chuck, giving him a nod. “Yeah. I know a bit.”
Bloody men, don’t know how to sell themselves.
“Need a guy, if you’re looking for work,” Chuck replies, and I have to hold back the laugh at how basic this conversation is. But still, I guess whatever gets the job done. Chuck looks around, grabbing a grubby card from a stack on the workbench next to him. “Give me a call Monday.”
“Yes, sir.” Steele takes the card, pocketing it. “Thank you.”
“No need for thanks yet.” Chuck makes a chuffing sound, almost like laughter. “Plus, the newbies always get the shit jobs to start.”
Steele’s lips twitch. “Yes, sir.”
With another nod, Chuck turns back to the engine he’s working on, dismissing us.
“That seemed promising,” I remark, as we head back to the candy stall.
Steele makes a sound in the back of his throat. “Regular jobs would show socials we can be reliable, responsible enough to have Jus.”
My guts twist. Of course they want to get jobs.
They’ve been trying to prove themselves for years to people who decided they weren’t enough.
They want Justin with them, need him with them.
They want to be a proper family. And that queasy feeling has no place here.
I’ve barely known them for a week. And this is more important than any potential feelings, which are too messy anyway.
“Absolutely.” I don’t look up at Steele, not wanting him to see the slight hurt that might be shining in my eyes.
How can I expect these strangers to stay when they have a chance at happiness?
No, it’s right that they go and be a family like they always should have been. And I’ll help them in any way I can. Even if it hurts a little to have someone else leave. It would be selfish and quite ridiculous to expect anything else.