CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
ANGIE
I slowly wake as his fingers brush against the length of my arm.
“Hey, you.” His voice is raspy from sleep and causes a buzz in my core all over again.
“Hey.” I stretch out. “What time is it?”
He watches my body as I push away the duvet, exposing my skin.
“Two a.m. We’ve only slept an hour,” he says, his fingers fanning over my stomach.
“Is that all?”
“Hey, don’t knock it.” Tommy rolls on top of me, pushing strands of hair from my face. “It means,” he says pressing his lips to my jaw, “I have more time… to show you… why you, living with me …is a good idea.” He punctuates his words with kisses.
I giggle as his lips caress a line down my neck and tickle against my skin. “Your work is done here, rock God. I’m all yours.”
His body stills and his eyes meet mine. His Adam's apple bobs deep in his throat. “You’re sure about that?”
I look up, searching his eyes while I run my palms across his shoulders. “Yes, I’m certain.”
His lips meet mine with a firm touch and his fingers comb through my blonde curls. My heartbeat deafens me from the inside out, while butterflies take flight in my stomach.
From nowhere, there’s a familiar urgency between us that needs to be addressed. I pinch his bottom lip between my teeth. He doesn’t have to ask what I need, because he reads my signal with ease. Feeling him inside me is the only thing on my mind. He knows it, but a look of worry crosses his face.
“Babe. Last night. We got a little carried away.”
Oh, no. Does he have regrets? “In what way?”
“Protection. We didn’t use any. It’s my fault—”
Thank God that’s all it is. A year after giving birth to Josh, my body didn’t want to play ball. I ended up getting a coil fitted to regulate my periods. It’s not something I’ve thought a lot about from a birth control point of view, but I can’t deny I’m relieved to have it. Especially right now.
“We’re covered. Don’t worry.” My voice is breathy as I place my hand on the back of his head, tugging him back to me.
His skin is hot to the touch and his eyes are heavy with lust. Then there’s the biggest giveaway of all; his rock-solid cock between my legs.
I’m confident I’ve read that signal right.
We don’t mess with foreplay; our bodies are too impatient and my legs are already open to welcome his body to mine. An overwhelming surge of pleasure rips through my core almost immediately. Arching my back, I push my breasts against him and he willingly kneads one with the palm of his hand.
Unintentionally, I scratch him a little while my fingers run across his back.
It sparks an urgency inside him as if he’s desperate to be as buried deep inside me as he can get.
Every sensitive nerve ending in my body thrums and jolts in appreciation.
I’m so close and clench his cock inside me, holding him firm while my skin contracts and prickles.
A glorious explosion of heat releases deep in my centre, and I cry out as the force of my climax takes over.
Tommy’s pace quickens while his eyes become wild with pleasure, and within a few moments, he growls out his release.
We’re wet with heat, gasping for air, and basking in the aftershocks of our climax. I haven’t experienced this kind of elation in a very long time. I could get used to this.
Light slowly creeps under the blinds, but we haven’t slept.
Instead, we talked for most of the night.
I say most because I couldn’t resist getting my fill of Tommy Graham, the sexiest drummer on the planet.
I wanted to show how much I appreciated his patience and, hopefully, that I was worth the wait.
I’m staring up into his beautiful, warm eyes while he lies on his side. His palm runs over my arm and back again until he interlocks our fingers together. It’s been the most amazing night, but we’ve got to wake up to reality soon.
“Babe? It’s just after eight. We should think about picking up the boys.”
“Ugh.” I reach over and plonk a pillow over my head. “I don’t want to be a grown-up today.” My wish for time to stand still obviously hasn’t come true.
Tommy’s deep chuckle strikes a spark in my centre. He grabs the pillow, throwing it to the floor, then his mouth caresses my earlobe. “It would be too easy to lie here with you all day and shut the world out.”
“I wish we could.” I turn my head to the side, giving him better access.
“You know the boys have probably been driving Calla mad since six this morning.”
“Exactly. Isn’t she the best aunt ever?” I giggle as his lips tickle my neck.
Tommy stops mid-kiss. “How do you think she’ll react when she finds out we’re moving in together?”
I look down at him. “Don’t act all innocent. Cal told me you two had a conversation. It all makes sense now,” I answer, then drop my head back to the pillow, keeping one eye on his expression. There’s a smirk on his lips.
“She came by the house.”
“Yes. She told me.”
Tommy rolls onto his back with a full smile on his face. “Of course she did.”
“Sorry, Tom. She didn’t give me any details, and I asked her over because I wanted to talk.
I had to make sure I wasn’t looking at our situation through rose-coloured glasses.
Calla was my sounding board. Even though I knew you cared about me, I’ve only ever been in love with one man.
Realising you’re falling for another can make you second guess yourself. ”
He sits up on his elbow now, running his fingers over my stomach and concentrating on their trail. I wish he’d kiss me there too. Instead, he takes a moment. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Don’t be sorry. You’ve been more than patient and you have no idea how much that means to me. I’m just trying to explain.”
“I get it.” When my cheek rests against his chest and he kisses the top of my head, I feel him smile.
“Did you know it was Max who brought me to my senses about you?” I say out of the blue.
“Max?”
“Yeah. He said if I couldn’t tell how much you were—” I stop, realising what I’m about to say. Is it presumptuous on Max’s part? My worst fear is scaring Tommy away, especially when we’ve got this far.
“What?” he asks.
“Max seems to think you’re in love with me and that if I can’t see it, I must be blind or stupid. Before you say anything, I’m not expecting you to proclaim your undying love just because Max said so. I understand this is all too soon and—”
“Max speaks the truth. I love you, Angie.”
Goosebumps explode all over my body. “You do?”
“It can’t be a surprise.”
Searching his face, I swallow hard. “I’m just trying to process.”
I’ve never seen him so serious. “Angie, look me straight in the eye. Now, make sure you process this. You ready?”
My heart thuds against my chest, but I just about keep it together. “Yes. I’m ready.”
“You’ve had so much on your plate, and I didn’t want to complicate matters or push my luck.
This is the first time you’ve ever been clear about what you want and us having a future together.
All I want is to exist beside you for eternity.
I majorly fucked things up all those years ago, but as they say, you learn from your mistakes.
I’ve done that and then some, so please take me at my word when I say that falling in love with you was the easiest thing I’ve ever done in my life.
Convincing you is the hardest.” My eyes fill to the brim while his widen in horror. “Oh, fuck. I’ve said the wrong thing.”
Tears spill over before I get the words out. “No. I’m sorry, I can’t help it. I didn’t think I’d ever get to feel this way about another person again. How did I get so lucky?”
His hands cup my wet cheeks. “I’m the lucky one. On the day you came back to me, I felt like I’d won the fucking lottery.”
I smile, tears spilling down my face, then press my mouth to his. I taste the salt of my tears as they run into the seam of my mouth. Tommy must taste them too. He wraps his arms around me, holding me close.
“Jesus, babe. I didn’t mean to make you upset.”
I laugh, batting my eyes and sweeping the back of my hands across my face. “I’m not upset. These are happy tears.”
“Fuck.” He smirks. “I’ll never understand women.”
With Tommy’s arm draped over my shoulders and mine around his waist, we decide to take the bull by the horns. We’re making a statement by walking into Calla and Ash’s kitchen together like this, but hopefully, a gentle one. This is the first time we’ve shown an open display of affection.
Calla and Ash sit around the kitchen table, drinking coffee and talking, but the conversation dies down as soon as they see we’re back.
Max walks in at the same time. His hair is a messy mop, and he’s clearly just woken up, but he stops in his tracks.
All eyes focus our way for what seems like minutes but can only be a few seconds.
Silence falls heavy in the room, and for a moment, my stomach twists in turmoil.
Eyes meet in question and silence fills the air, until Tommy announces, “We’re moving in together. ”
All three of them exchange a look, then burst into a round of applause, complete with wolf whistles.
Tommy laughs. “Yeah, yeah. Funny, guys.”
It doesn’t stop them, especially when the kids run into the kitchen and join in, although I’m sure they haven’t a clue what they’re clapping for. At last, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Josh runs towards me before jumping into my arms. “Mummy, I missed you.”
It’s so cute when Ozzie copies him. “Daddy, I missed you.”
“Hey, bud. Did you have a fun night?” Tommy asks him.
He nods vigorously and my heart explodes when Tommy turns to Josh, who is still hugging me tight. “How about you, buddy? Did you have fun with your friends?”
Josh beams. “We had the best time! Can we play football now, Uncle Tommy?”
“Give me five, bud. I need a coffee first, then I’m all yours, okay?”
“Kay.”
“And me, Daddy.”
“Of course, Oz. You’re my number one striker.”
His little fist punches the air. “Yes!”
I settle Josh back down on the ground and Tommy does the same with Ozzie but doesn’t get up. Instead, he crouches beside them. “Even better, why don’t you ask Zoe and the twins if they want to play?”
“Okay. Let’s go, Oz,” Josh says as both boys run off upstairs in search of the girls.
“Since when do you play football?” I ask him.
“I can play.”
“Yeah. Anyone can play against a couple of five-year-olds, but let me warn you, you haven’t come up against my girls yet.” Ash smirks.
Tommy is about to give him the finger, but there’s a spark in his eyes. Maybe he realised any one of five kids could come running inside. “For that, you’re playing too. Then we’ll see who the star football player is.”
“I’m beginning to regret what I said.” Ash huffs.
“Come sit down, and I’ll get you both a coffee,” Calla smiles. “I want to know everything,” she whispers with a wink, as she passes by me.
“So, it’s all systems go for you two?” Max seems eager for information.
“Yes, Max. It is.” I have a stupid grin on my face, and Tommy’s equally goofy grin beams back at me. “You were worth the wait, babe.”
Max sticks his fingers down his throat and pretends to gag. We all laugh, but something inside tells me he’s looking for someone to love. There’s only so much sleeping around one man can do, surely.
“Ignore him. He’s just jealous.” Tommy has no idea how true his words could be, and when there’s no retort from Max, sadness washes over me. Everyone should experience true love. I hope he gets what he wants one day.
Calla sits down, placing our coffee in front of us. “Well, I couldn’t be happier for you both.”
I just want to kiss Tommy forever when he takes control of the conversation.
“We’re not insensitive to the fact you lost your brother, Cal, and that his wife is finding happiness elsewhere. We don’t want to upset you or Ash by rubbing this whole thing in your face.”
Calla reaches across the table and takes his hand. “Thank you for saying that. It means a lot.”
“Yeah,” Ash joins in. “Thanks, man.”
It has to be hard for Ash too. Scott was his best friend, but then again, so is Tommy.
Calla looks at her husband briefly before she turns back to us. “There is just one thing you should know before you take my friend on permanently.” She nods towards me.
“Which is?” Tommy replies.
“If you ever mess her around—”
“Shh. You don’t have to say a word, Cal. You'll cut off my balls if I hurt her. I get it.”
She smiles. “I was just pulling your leg, but seriously, I won't hesitate to chop them off if necessary.” Calla giggles before getting up and opening her arms wide towards him. “Come here, you.”
They’re both smiling while they hug, and Ash comes over to me with an equally big grin across his face. “Hey, bring it in, girl.”
“Group hug,” Max calls, and I silently thank God. Finally, I think everything will be all right.