Chapter Five
“How was everything? You’ve got to tell me every little detail,” Maeve said, looking toward her sister, who was glowing. Eden looked so good. She hadn’t tanned as they had taken their honeymoon during winter, which sucked, but that didn’t stop her sister from looking good.
Eden chuckled, and Razor slid in behind her sister. They were a package deal right now.
Razor had also moved in with her sister. So far, no conflict, which she was happy about. It was still a challenge she kept struggling to get used to, seeing her sister on the arm of a biker. Not that she could judge, seeing as she’d been with a biker quite a few times now.
“It was amazing,” Eden said. “I’ve always wanted to go to Italy, and it’s even more wonderful in person than it is in the books I’ve read. Also, the food is just...” She stopped and kissed her fingers. “To die for, honestly.”
Razor laughed. “We ate our way through every single restaurant and café we could.”
Maeve listened as both Eden and Razor recounted their trip. Halfway through, she saw Eden attempt to stifle a yawn, and she knew she was tiring her sister out.
“I think it’s time you head to bed,” Maeve said.
Eden chuckled. “I feel like a little kid right now. I’m so tired.”
“You’re working for two, don’t forget.” Maeve wanted to reach out and touch her stomach, but she held herself back.
“You’re going to need help with this,” Eden said, referring to the empty beer bottles, bottles of wine, and glasses all over the place.
“Not at all. I arranged this party, and I’ll clean it up. Go relax, and we’ll talk more in the morning.”
Eden threw herself at her. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
She’d missed her sister so much, but she also knew times were changing. Her sister was married and expecting her first baby, while she was ... not. Maeve had her work.
She got to her feet as both Eden and Razor left.
Grabbing a large trash bag, she started to gather the mess to dispose it in the necessary recycle can.
It took a little time, and she decided by the end of it, the next time Doc offered the use of his club, she was going to take it, no questions asked, seeing as it took her quite a few hours to clean.
With Eden in bed, she wasn’t going to use the vacuum and risk waking her. Most of the mess was gone, all the house needed was a quick buzz over with the machine tomorrow morning.
Closing up the house, she grabbed herself a large mug of hot chocolate and made her way upstairs.
She took a shower in less than five minutes and was in the process of putting her skin care products on when her cell phone started to buzz.
Doc’s name glowed on the screen, and she couldn’t help but smile.
She was tempted to not take the call, but she was not going to sleep anytime soon.
“Hey,” she said. “What’s up?”
“Does there have to be something up?”
“With you to call, usually.” She patted her active serum onto her face, giving it a chance to absorb. She already had done her eye cream, and next she used her thick moisturizer to lock everything into place. Her hair was pinned back, and she made her way back to the bed as he started to talk.
“Nothing’s up. I was checking in with you. Seeing how you’re doing.”
“I wanted to catch up with my sister but I think between the party and jet lag, that is not going to happen, which sucked.” She wanted to sulk.
It had been so long with it always being the two of them. Now there was Razor, so it was three of them. Three of them to make decisions.
“She’ll have more strength in the morning. Also, you might want to go out for coffee rather than make it.”
“Why?”
“Pregnant women are a lot more sensitive to smells. It could set off her sickness.”
She pouted. She was a grown-ass woman, but she still pouted. “Fine. Fine. Is there anything else I need to know?”
“Pregnant women do get more emotional as each trimester wears on.”
“You know, you’re not painting pregnancy in a good light.”
“It’s different for everyone.”
She didn’t like thinking about Nancy. They were not a couple anymore, but it didn’t feel right talking about his past, pregnant ex.
“Don’t worry. I’m going to be patient. She is glowing, though. Did you notice that?”
“I wasn’t paying attention to your sister.”
“You weren’t?”
“No, you’re the only person I’m interested in.”
“Doc, you made it awkward.” But she felt her stomach twisting in knots.
“What are you wearing?”
She sighed. “If you’re hoping this is going to turn to some dirty talk, you’re mistaken.
I’ve got a crop top that has seen better days.
It’s more grey than it is white, and I think there is a hole down the side that I really need to fix.
Also, a pair of pajama pants. I’m lying in bed, hair pinned up, face absorbing skin care, and a hot chocolate in hand. ”
“And yet, you sound exactly how I would love to see you.”
“For real?” Maeve asked.
“Yeah, for real.”
Okay, the butterflies were not going anywhere. She couldn’t help but smile.
“How about you let me in, and I come and snuggle with you?”
Maeve frowned and she got off her bed and made her way toward the window, checking out the backyard. There he stood, phone to his ear, as it was still aglow, and that was how she was able to see him.
“Seriously, how long have you been standing there?” she asked.
“Long enough to make this phone call.”
Maeve stepped out of her room, moved slowly downstairs, and opened up the back door as quietly as she could. Years of having to leave for work made her a master at avoiding all the loose floorboards or creaking spots.
She opened the door, and Doc was there. He banded an arm around her waist and pulled her in close.
“You’ve got to be quiet,” she said. “And you know nothing can happen tonight?”
Her menstrual cycle had started, and it was probably a good thing, seeing as they hadn’t been using protection, and that was not the ideal situation.
“I have no intention of anything happening tonight. I came to hold you.”
It was hard for her to doubt him when he did that. “Hold me?” she asked.
“Yeah, you know, as you fall asleep. Tonight was a lot for you.”
She had no idea how he knew that tonight was a lot, but it didn’t matter. Throwing her arms around his neck, she pressed her body against his, and she didn’t want to let go.
Doc lifted her up and closed the back door, flicking the lock into place. Neither Eden nor Razor came out of the room as he carried her upstairs.
“I can walk, you know. It’s not hard for me.”
He smiled. “I know you’re quite capable of doing everything you need to do, but I am quite capable of taking care of you. Besides, I rather like feeling you wrapped around me.”
She felt her cheeks start to heat, and she couldn’t help but lean forward and rest her head against his chest. It felt good to rely on someone, or at least just to rest against them. Maeve couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this way.
He carried her up to her bedroom, and he closed and locked the door. She rarely ever locked her door.
Doc lowered her down to the bed, and she suddenly felt tired.
She chuckled as he picked up her hot chocolate that was all but cold now, but he drank several large gulps.
There was no way she was looking away as she admired him stripping out of his clothes, all the way down to his boxer briefs. He looked amazing.
He moved in behind her, and seconds later, she felt his arms wrapped around her. She never slept with anyone. There was always an excuse with her exes not to sleep with her. There had always been time for sex, but never to snuggle. She missed the snuggling.
Maeve didn’t think she was ever going to sleep, but in Doc’s arms, drifting off was the easiest thing she’d ever done.
****
It was a little after six, and Doc knew he needed to leave. Maeve was happy with him being in her world, but she needed time to talk to her sister before their relationship got out of control. He knew her boundaries, and he understood them.
Maeve let out a little whimper as he pulled away.
She needed someone to hold her. For too long, she’d been the one that had to deal with everything regarding their parents’ death and taking care of her sister.
It couldn’t have been easy suddenly being the sole career for a fifteen-year-old kid.
Maeve had only been twenty herself. She didn’t have time to enjoy her youth.
Razor had told him a little more as his club brother got to know Eden.
Even before the parents’ death, they worked a lot.
It was one of the agreements the two sisters had, they attempted not to allow their work to dominate their life. The only problem was, it already started. Maeve worked a lot.
Gathering his pants, shirt, and leather cut, he took one last lingering look at Maeve, and she had no idea of it yet, but he intended to take care of her and make every one of her dreams come true. He pressed his lips to his fingers and lightly pressed them to her head.
Doc made his way downstairs, and that was where he caught sight of Razor, coming out of the kitchen. They both stared at each other. Razor held a mug in his hand, and both of his brows were raised.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Razor asked, and they kept their voices down.
“You didn’t see me.”
“I didn’t, and yet you’re standing right in front of me. You came from Maeve’s room.”
“Is this going to be a problem?” Doc asked after several seconds of silence.
“Not for me. I know Maeve will tell Eden when she’s ready. You know, I thought I heard you last night.”
“We’re not going to talk about this.”
“You’re sneaking out like a naughty schoolboy. Does that make me and Eden the mom and dad in this situation. Am I going to have to threaten you with my gun?”
Razor was liking this way too much.
“Fuck off.” Doc knew Razor had his back, and he made his way toward the front door, only to stop and turn to look at his friend. “Get Maeve to go to the coffee shop when she gets up. Send me a text when she’s on her way.”
“Why?”
“Because I told you to.”