Chapter 23
Lacey
Archie hauls me back into the yoga studio, as if I weigh nothing, and sets me down, then stands in front of the door like some goddamn guard.
“Archie! Let us out of here right now!” I don’t know why I want to get back out there, but I do. Part of me is pissed that Ted dared threaten my Peanut, but the other part of me wants to know more - what else was he going to say?
Archie shakes his head. “Sorry, sis, I like my balls where they are and, if I let you go back out there”, – he throws his thumb behind him – “then my life won’t be worth living when Cole gets back. Also, I refuse to put you and my little niece in harm’s way, so deal with it.”
I throw my hands in the air and settle for watching through the window. What I see has me partly afraid and partly thankful that I have these brothers in my corner.
I can’t hear what they’re saying, but I see Ted slink back like the coward he is, and I almost feel sorry for him. He must say something colossally stupid because Rafe steps forward, coiled like a snake, ready to strike.
Ted doesn’t shut up. His mouth still moves, and he stands to his full height, which isn’t anywhere near Rafe’s.
Rafe snaps his arm out and back so fast, it’s a blur, and sends Ted careening backwards.
I gasp along with Emmy and Daisy as Ethan and Nate practically jump on either side of Rafe, each grabbing an arm to hold him back.
Hayleigh, being Hayleigh, doesn’t gasp but instead proclaims the scene ‘hot’.
I watch Ted scramble to stand back up, falling onto his backside before finally being able to get up and run off.
Ethan says something in Rafe’s ear, and the latter nods.
Nate and Ethan let go, and they turn to walk into the studio.
I’m at the door by the time they walk through. Rafe stops short when he sees my face.
I tap my foot on the floor, hands on my hips. “Want to tell me what that was about?” None of them looks directly at me; they’re all looking anywhere else, guilty as hell, like naughty little boys. “Well? You could have gotten yourselves into trouble for that. He isn’t worth it.”
Finally, Rafe looks up and meets my eyes. “He was…” He sighs. “I won’t repeat what he was saying. But Lacey, you’re our family, and I won’t stand by and let that sleazy prick run his mouth off. I’m not sorry for hitting him.”
I soften at that and walk to him, hugging him tight. “You could be in big trouble if he calls the police, Rafe.”
His arms wrap around me. “I’m a big guy, I can take it. Plus, it was worth it.” I slap my hand on his back. “Ouch”.
“Serves you right, but thank you.”
“Did you get it?” Archie asks someone, so I let go of Rafe and peek around him to see he’s talking to Cas. Cas is looking at his phone and nods while doing something on it.
“Lacey, are you ready to go and buy some snacks for our sleepover?” Emmy drags my attention away from a very suspiciously acting Cas.
I smile at her. “Sure, but no sad films. I’ve had my fill of tears for today!”
Daisy clicks her fingers. “Ooh, what about an action film?”
Ethan does a double-take. “You watch action? Had you down as a Disney fan.” He shrugs as he walks out.
Daisy rolls her eyes as she mimics him, “‘I had you down as a Disney fan.’ Pompous idiot.” She walks off after him.
Emmy looks at me and sniggers, and Hayleigh does a thrusting motion. I think Hayleigh is on point.
**********
I recommend adult sleepovers to anyone and everyone. Right now, we have built a sort of pillow/duvet fort in the middle of Cas and Emmy’s living room.
Cas and Emmy are cosied up together in one corner.
Hayleigh and Nate are in the opposite corner, bickering over who ate more popcorn.
Archie is on my right, snuggled in and snoring his head off, while Scruff takes up room on my lap, snoring away in sync with Archie.
Rafe is on my left, grumbling about how the pillow fort is a stupid idea and how much his back hurts.
Ethan sits off to the side, stock still, because next to him, Daisy has fallen asleep, genuinely looking like a Disney princess.
I snigger at the thought of uptight Ethan being brought down a peg or two by Daisy’s sunshine.
As I look around the room, I feel happy and settled, knowing these people are here for me and my little Peanut. The one important thing missing now is Cole. My chest aches when I think about not seeing him till tomorrow. I don’t focus on the film, not really, not when my head is elsewhere.
The room goes still when there is a banging at the door.
Well, I say still. Archie wakes up immediately with the most girlish scream, and if my heart weren’t beating a million miles per minute, I would have laughed.
Scruff raises his head and puts it back down when he hears a muffled ‘it’s me’ through the door.
Cas opens the door to find Cole, out of breath, his hair sticking up, and a wild look in his eyes. He strides over to me and barks to Archie, “Move out of the way!” before grabbing my arms and helping me up.
When I’m standing up, he runs his hands and eyes over me, checking for what, I don’t know. When he’s satisfied, he dips and scoops me up bridal style into his arm, causing me to squeak.
“Cole! Put me down, I can walk!”
He shakes his head and makes his way to the stairs. Emmy giggles, and Rafe gags as he begs Cas to turn up the volume.
When we reach the farthest spare room, Cole kicks open the door and walks over to the bed, where he gently lays me down.
He doesn’t utter a single word as he undresses me, placing soft kisses whenever he takes off an item of clothing.
It doesn’t take long before I lie there, naked, with the moonlight casting an ethereal glow across my skin.
Cole stands to his full height and slowly undresses himself; all the while, he doesn’t break eye contact with me.
He holds out his hands and helps me to stand, then dips his face and kisses me deeply, our tongues moving in sync.
His hands roam across my back, gently stroking up and down as I relax into him further.
He turns us and breaks the kiss as he climbs onto the bed and brings me with him.
Sitting back against the headboard, he guides me to climb onto his lap, and for a moment, he holds me.
We don’t kiss. We don’t talk. We are locked together in an embrace that we didn’t realise we needed.
“Cole?” I whisper his name, not wanting to spoil the moment.
“I’m not leaving your side again.” That’s all he says as he guides himself to my entrance, and I sink on top of him. The delicious feeling you get when you first come together fills me up. I let myself adjust a moment, then I move my hips slowly forward and backwards and then in a circular motion.
Cole’s hands hold either side of my hips as he guides my movements gently.
I don’t know if it’s the feeling of finally having him home or the sweet moment, but the pleasure builds inside of me.
I can feel it starting to pick up speed, chasing that sweet release.
It doesn’t take long before I’m falling over the edge of bliss, and Cole falling not far behind, my name on his lips, a promise.
I climb off his lap, and before I can go anywhere, he rolls me onto my side, grabs a pillow and places it underneath my bump. He then settles in behind me and breathes in deeply. I hold his arm as he comes around me and lace my fingers with his.
“Where was my gift today?” I stay whispering.
“Cauliflower cheese, homemade at Mum's tomorrow. Now go to sleep, baby. I love you.” His voice is already thick with sleep.
“I love you too.” Then I let myself be taken by sleep.