Much later, when my breathing settled back down to normal and I lay spooned against him, I asked, “Would you ever consider doing it raw?”
“In theory, I have nothing against it if we’re tested first, but like your other goal, it will take some time.”
“You’re full of challenges, aren’t you?”
“That’s what makes life interesting. Now, be a good boy and try to get some sleep. Max will skin us alive if we show up with bags under our eyes.”
Max did inspect me, making sure that I’d survived the night, and Cole’s departure, without spiraling into a morass of guilt. “How are you doing, darling?”
“I’m fine. Did Cole get off okay?”
“Right on schedule.”
“Did he say anything to you?”
“No, but I couldn’t resist giving him a piece of my mind.”
“You shouldn’t have.”
“Tough.”
“Did he have anything enlightening to share?”
“He was being his usual self-righteous self.”
I shook my head. “I have no idea when he turned into such a sanctimonious prick.”
“He hasn’t changed at all, Sloan. You have.”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh. Now hustle over to the dressing room and get changed.”
“Okay, boss.” I made my way through the crowd at Harrods, mentally preparing myself for our long day. My phone chimed, and I fished it out of my pocket. It was Cole, and I answered before even thinking about it.
“Sloan?” The hope in his voice clawed at my gut but was instantly replaced by a slow boil when he said, “Have you come to your senses yet?”
“Meaning?”
“Get your butt on the next plane and come home where you belong.”
“I don’t belong with you anymore.”
“We can make this work.”
“You, me, and Noriko?”
“Yes.”
“Forget about it.”
“Are you positive?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then I’m pushing up the wedding. I got a call from her doctor, and he confirmed her pregnancy. She’s carrying twins.”
“Congratulations,” I said coldly. “I hope you’ll be very happy.”
“You can still be a part of this, Sloan.”
“I don’t think so.”
“My offer still stands.”
“Oh? Which one is that? Being your mistress?”
“You’re obviously carrying a grudge.”
“And you’re as delusional as ever. Goodbye, Cole.” I disconnected, cutting off his protest, and I went in search of Trent. Fuck the dressing room. I needed to touch, smell, and be with him, so he could banish all the voices that were screaming like banshees in my head. I was furious and a step away from breaking something. Trent took one look at me and jerked me into one of the private dressing rooms.
“What’s going on?”
“Cole just called to tell me Noriko’s pregnant with twins and the marriage will soon be a reality.”
Trent lifted my chin. “You’re angry, a definite improvement over the tears.”
“Damn right.”
“Why?”
“The fucker propositioned me again. He basically told me I could walk back into his and Noriko’s life without missing a beat.”
“As his side piece?”
“What do you think?”
“And you said?”
“No!”
“Then why are you so pissed?”
“’Cause he makes me feel so damn insignificant! I want to get on a plane and punch him in the mouth.”
“Close your eyes and take a deep breath,” Trent said, holding me tight. His voice shifted down, taking on that commanding tone I was starting to crave. “No matter what Cole says, you and I know there’s nothing inconsequential about you. You’re important to me as well as Max.”
“Am I?”
Trent kissed me softly and whispered, “Very.”
“You know the question you asked me the other night?”
“Which one?”
“About whether your wait is over or not?”
“Yes?”
“I’m yours.”
About the Author
Mickie B. Ashling is the pseudonym of a multi-published author who resides in a suburb outside Chicago. She is a product of her upbringing in various cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West.
Since 2009, Mickie has written several dozen novels in the LGBTQ+ genre—which have been translated into French, Italian, Spanish, and German. A majority of her backlist is “Under Construction” as she slowly transitions from traditional publishing to representing herself. Her goal is to have most of her novels back in the universe by the end of 2021.
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Also by Mickie B. Ashling
Third Son
Enforcing Emory
My Semana Grande
Mayon
Saying Goodbye
Yesterday
Finding Our Morning
LEGACY SERIES
A Tangled Legacy (1)
A Noble Cause (2)
BASQUE TRILOGY
Loving Edits (1)
Tono (2)
Momentos: Mick’s Journey (3)
BAY AREA PROFESSIONALS
Impacted! (1)
Bonds of Love (2)
Fractured (3)
Forged in Trust (4)
Yield (5)
CUTTING CORDS SERIES
Cutting Cords (1)
Vessel (2)
Cleave (3)
Cutting Out (4)
HORIZONS SERIES
Horizons (1)
Taste (2)
Daddio (3)
Chyna Doll (4)
Through My Own Lens (5)
Being With Him (6)
THE OPEN SERIES
Open Seating (1)
Open House (2)
Open Case (3)
POLO SERIES
Fire Horse (1)
Ride-Off (2)
The Sixth Chukker (3)
Vessel (Cutting Cords Series Book 2) Page 21