37. Freddie
Freddie
We say goodbye to my mum at the door as she shoves plastic boxes of leftovers into our arms and makes us all promise to come back for lunch again soon.
As we climb into a black cab, I let out a breath I didn’t realise I was holding.
“Well, it’s official. My mum loves you.”
“Well, the feeling’s entirely mutual. Carol Lane and I are going to be besties for life. I wouldn’t be surprised if our new friendship outlasts this whole thing,” Sloane jokes, gesturing between us.
“Behave,” Cole says, his hand landing on her thigh with a possessiveness that sends shivers down my spine.
“Oh, but winding you up is one of my most beloved hobbies,” she says, that little smirk gracing her features yet again.
“Do I need to teach you a lesson?”
Her eyes darken as he leans in, his hand coming up to grip her jaw as he turns her to face him.
“I’m always a willing student,” she breathes, arching a brow to push him.
I can already feel my cock thickening in my jeans, and I send up a prayer of thanks to all the gods that the journey to Cole’s place isn’t too long.
He leans forward and bites her bottom lip, tugging on it before he lets go and presses his mouth to hers. A tiny whimper escapes her as he dominates their kiss, angling her head to meet him exactly where he wants her.
I use the opportunity to stroke her knee, before sliding a confident palm up the inner seam of her trousers.
She shivers, making a soft noise that has heat licking up my body.
I flick my gaze up to the driver but he’s oblivious, humming along to Radio Two.
Within moments, I’m cupping her pussy through her clothes and grinding my palm against her clit.
She whimpers into Cole’s mouth and I’m a goner.
She breaks their kiss, pushing Cole back a moment before glaring at me. She’s adorable when she’s riled up.
“We’re going to get arrested for public indecency if you don’t stop that,” she bristles, snapping her legs shut and trapping my hand between her thighs.
“Worth going to jail for,” Cole shrugs, trying to move back in.
“You’re incorrigible,” she mutters, holding him at arm’s length.
He merely grins, lifting her palm off his pec and kissing the centre of it before sitting back in his seat properly. She looks pointedly down at my hand, and I pout as I pull it back, immediately missing the warmth of her thighs.
“Good boy,” she says, a sly smile flitting across her face. The words go straight to my cock and I groan.
“You don’t play fair, woman,” I grumble.
When we pull up outside Cole’s flat, I jump out first, holding out a hand for Sloane. As soon as she’s out of the cab, I pull her into me, sliding my hands down her back until I can get a handful of her delectable arse. Cole chuckles as he follows, pulling out his keys.
The stairs up to the flat are torture as my aching cock chafes in my jeans.
I’m riding the high of such a lovely lunch with my mum.
I knew based on our previous conversation that she would be amazing about our somewhat unusual relationship, but to see how openly she supported us all was like an adrenaline shot right to the heart.
I don’t need anyone’s blessing to know this thing between us is special, but damn if it hasn’t given me a real confidence boost.
I think there’s a tiny part of me that’s been doubting whether or not this would work purely because it’s not exactly socially acceptable.
And while I don’t expect everyone to be as understanding and supportive as my mum, knowing that the other most important woman in my life is in our corner makes me indescribably happy.
I stick the kettle on while Sloane and Cole shed their coats in the hallway and then flop onto the sofa.
“I know we were working our way up to something in the cab there, but I’m telling you now, I have the world’s biggest food baby.” Sloane rubs her stomach and groans. “It was completely worth it, but I may need a beat.”
“You know, we are capable of just hanging out in each other’s company. This relationship isn’t just about sex.” Cole tucks a lock of dark hair behind Sloane’s ear and she gives him a smile that’s almost… shy?
“Sure. But the sex helps, right?” She’s joking, but I see it then, that flash of vulnerability again.
“The sex is amazing, princess. But you know there’s more to us than that, right?” I sit down next to her and place our mugs of tea on the coffee table.
“Of course I do. There’s also the naked oil parties.” She winks and leans over to grab her mug. I roll my eyes, glancing at Cole, who’s frowning slightly.
She’s not letting us in right now. And maybe that’s ok.
For now. But I can’t help but feel the rising impatience within me.
I want her to be in this as much as I’m in this.
I want her to feel every bit as fucking obsessed as I’m feeling.
I want her to recognise that we’re in this for her – not because she’s sexy and kinky and hot.
But because she’s just… Sloane . My American dream girl.
Cole sees every emotion flit across my face. He gives me a subtle nod and a tight smile. I know he’s feeling it too. And I know that means we can talk about it later when it’s just the two of us. We’re making progress with breaking down her walls, but it’s slow going.
He changes the subject, gently shifting us onto safer territory, and within moments they’re discussing an upcoming exhibition at the Tate Modern that they’re both keen to go to. I let the conversation wash over me, but my impatient heart just can’t wait for her to catch up with us.
A little while later, I open my eyes and realise I’d fallen asleep on the sofa.
Sloane and Cole are in the kitchen – I can hear her laughter all the way from the living room, which makes me smile automatically.
There is no better sound. Stretching like a cat, I register that one of them must have covered me with a blanket.
The thoughtfulness sends a warm wave through my body.
I make my way through to the kitchen and find Sloane perched on the counter while Cole mans the hob.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Sloane says, opening her arms to me. I step into them, feeling instantly mellow as she wraps her arms around me. “We’re making grilled cheese.”
“Grilled cheese?” I ask, peering into the pan. “You mean cheese toasties?”
“Potato, potahto,” she shrugs, giving me a smile. “I’m teaching Cole my secret recipe.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready for another one of your recipes, babe,” I say, dodging a playful slap.
“Hush, you. Don’t think I didn’t see you eat your entire portion of sweet potato casserole, down to the last marshmallow.”
“What’s the secret, then?”
“Mayo.”
“Mayo?” I question, tilting my head.
“Mayo. You spread it on the outside of the bread before it goes in the pan. Trust me, you will see the magic when you put it in your mouth.”
“I always do,” I grin as she rolls her eyes. Cole chuckles.
“These two are done,” he says, flipping the toasties onto plates. “Why don’t you take them through in a mo and I’ll make mine?”
“You sure?”
He meets my eyes and there’s a softness in his gaze that I feel in my guts.
Taking care of people is Cole’s love language.
I realise now that it always has been. He nods and I nod back, accepting the plate.
Our fingertips brush and my stomach actually flips.
Then he’s handing Sloane hers, with a kiss pressed to her forehead.
I follow her out to the living room and cast a glance back as I do.
Cole’s got his back to me as he places the final toastie in the pan, and I take a beat to realise I’m admiring the muscles across his back.
For a guy who does approximately zero hours in the gym, he’s got a beautiful torso.
Lean but firm. He’s also got a smattering of freckles across his shoulders which are just… lovely.
I blink myself out of the reverie as I realise Sloane’s now sitting cross-legged on the sofa, looking at me with a smile in her eyes.
Damnit, I have been caught staring. I swallow, feeling my Adam’s apple bob in my throat as I try to unpack this strange feeling between us.
He’s always been my best friend, but there’s no doubt that kissing him was…
interesting. I’m still surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
And how much I’ve thought about doing it again ever since.
Maybe it’s time to try and see the stars again.
I take my seat on the sofa, turning so I’m opposite Sloane, and we bite into our toasties at the same time. There’s a moment’s pause before we both moan in unison, and she cracks up.
“See? What did I tell you?” she grins, taking another huge bite.
“You were right, this is the second-best thing I’ve ever had in my mouth,” I reply with a wink. She laughs again, and the sound goes straight to my heart.
Cole materialises a few minutes later and sits down.
“Here was me thinking we were getting good at inspiring those sexy little moans,” he says, quirking a brow at Sloane. “When all along we could have just fed you a bit of cheese.”
“Hey, it’s important to get your kicks from a lot of sources, ok? Diversification and all that.” She grins, polishing off the final bite. “Phenomenal dinner. Thank you, babe.”
He smiles, his cheeks going adorably pink. Cole’s such a bloody mystery. He’s giving coy and sensitive one minute, then bossy daddy the next.
“You’re welcome. Thank you for sharing your secrets.”
“Anytime.”
“I’d like to know all your secrets,” I add, testing the waters a bit.
She blinks at me, cocking her head. Her expression reminds me of a gazelle that’s stopped to drink and suddenly senses a predator. She’s on high alert, pupils blown a smidge wider. Then she grins again, brushing me off.
“Look, if you want a rummage in my bedside table, all you need to do is ask,” she says, with a laugh.
I join in, but it’s not what I meant and she knows it.
But as I watch her relax again – her shoulders dropping slightly, her back sagging into the sofa – I wonder how tiring it must be to keep her walls up so high.
Maybe I’ve been doing the same when it comes to the grey area that is this thing with Cole.
My mum was right. I should talk to him. But the thought scares the shit out of me.
How do I tell my best friend that I want to explore my feelings towards him?
That I want to kiss him again? That I’ve thought about how his firm muscles felt under my fingertips?
That I’ve wondered what it would feel like to have him fill me the way he fills Sloane?
They’re thoughts I’ve barely admitted to myself. And the only thing that I’ve got to go on is the way he kissed me back.
But maybe if I can be brave and make a bold move, so will Sloane.