by Ryan, Kaylee
“Ah, just what I was hoping for.”
Another laugh escapes her. “What do you need me to do when I get there?”
“First thing is to take your bag to my room and settle in. Then just hang out. I think I have it all set up.”
“I have a couple of dips, but they need to be put into the oven to be warmed up. I don’t want to do that until it’s almost time to eat.”
“Sounds good. Really, just relax. Take a look at the place. I was hoping you would go with me to look at some furniture and decorations and all that stuff. Stroll through and get some ideas. Other than a big-ass TV for the living room and basement, oh, and a pool table, I’ve got nothing.”
“What is it with you guys and your big TVs?” She chuckles.
“If we can’t be there, we want to feel like we’re there,” I explain. “The bigger, the better.”
“Oh, really? So you’re telling me that size really does matter?”
“Pixie,” I say huskily. “Do I need to show you my… size?”
“Hmmm.” She pretends to think it over. “Maybe, if you’re lucky.”
Once again, it’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her that I love her. “Okay, babe. I’ll see you soon,” I say instead. After ending the call, I toss my phone in the cupholder and press just a little harder on the accelerator, anything that gets me to her faster.
At my place, I grab an old suitcase and throw in some jeans, a couple of hoodies, T-shirts, underwear, and then I grab some sweats. I toss in a few extra T-shirts because I know my pixie likes to sleep in them. Grabbing some toiletries, I put them in a trash bag, not willing to risk them leaking all over my clothes. On my way out the door, I spy the soft throw that Dawn loves. I bought it for her because she always likes to snuggle and seems to be cold. Grabbing the blanket, I toss it over my shoulder and head back out the door.
Chapter Nine
Dawn
My hand shakes as I put the key into the door. Why, I have no idea. I’m not breaking the law. However, this feels like something. Something I’m trying really hard to not name. Pushing open the door, I take in the foyer that leads into the living room. Deep mahogany hardwood floors greet me and run throughout the house. This place is beautiful. I downplayed it when he asked me if I liked it. I wanted to scream that I loved it, and beg him to let me live here with him. Instead, I told him I really liked it, and that I could see him living here. All true. Just not as outspoken as I could have been.
Tossing my keys on the kitchen counter, I also set down the bag that contains the two dips I made, as well as a bag full of a variety of chips for tonight. Heading back outside, I grab my bag, lock my car, and rush back inside. The chill of the December air seems to be cutting through me, even with my down jacket.
After kicking off my shoes, I take off my coat and eye the closet. I wonder if there are any hangers. With the door open, I see a new single pack of white plastic hangers in the bundle they were packaged in. A laugh escapes me. I’m surprised he thought of hangers. I can picture him hanging them up and being proud of himself for remembering. Shaking my head, I unwrap the bundle, grab one for my coat, then take the trash to the kitchen.
My sock-covered feet pad down the hall to the master bedroom. The house is split up with the master bedroom, an office, and the laundry room on one side, the other bedrooms are on the opposite end of the house. Pushing open the bedroom door, I take in his huge sleigh bed. It’s the same dark mahogany as the floor. It’s a perfect fit. The bedding is folded, sitting on the bare mattress in a clothes basket.
Setting my bag on the floor, I get to work making the bed. His sheets smell like him, and I can’t help but bring them close to my face and inhale. Mark’s scent is uniquely him, manly and woodsy. It’s a scent that’s become a comfort to me over the last few months.
After the sheets are on, I slide the pillows into their cases and then toss his comforter over the bed. It’s not perfect, but we’ll be right back here in a few hours. At least when we’re exhausted, we won’t have to deal with making the bed before we crash for the night. Glancing at the nightstand to see the time, a picture in a dark mahogany frame catches my eye. Lifting the picture, I can’t help but smile. It’s Mark and me at Ridge and Kendall’s Memorial Day weekend. Flashbacks of the day flash through my mind. The good and the bad. We all thought we were losing Ben. That little boy has been through so much.
The picture is Mark standing behind me, his hands on my shoulders and he’s smiling wide. My head is tilted back, looking up at him upside down. He’s over a head taller than me, but despite the height difference, we look good together. Then again, maybe that’s my heart talking.
“I love that one.” His deep husky voice comes from behind me.
Slowly, I turn to face him, gripping the frame to my chest. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“You were lost in thought.” His eyes flash toward the bed. “Thanks for that.” He nods at the freshly made bed.
“Figured we wouldn’t feel like it later.”
He grins. “You plan on tying one on tonight, Pixie?”
His grin is infectious. “I don’t know just yet. The night is still young,” I counter.
“You’re still packed,” he says, noticing my bag on the floor.
“Yeah, I made the bed, then this—” I hold up the frame before placing it back on the nightstand. “—distracted me.”
He moves into the room. One step then another carries him closer to me. When he reaches me, he grips my hips and lifts me in the air, tossing me gently on the bed.
“W-What are you doing?” I laugh.
“That.” He points at me, his blue eyes shining with mischief. “I wanted you to do that,” he says, leaning over the bed. He braces his arms on either side of me and brings his lips to mine. He takes his time, traces my lips with his tongue, nipping at my bottom lip. “Love that sound, Pixie,” he mumbles, before taking the kiss deeper, his tongue exploring my mouth in a way that only Mark can.
He’s pulling back too soon for my liking. I loop my arms around his neck, trying to keep him there, but he breaks free. Sitting up, I watch him as he picks up my bag from the floor and sets it next to me on the bed. I don’t say a word as I watch him unzip the tote and start laying my clothes out on the bed. My eyes follow him as he opens up one of the dresser drawers and places all of my clothes inside.
“Mark?”
He ignores me and comes back to my bag. He pulls out my toiletry bag, my hairdryer, and my flat iron, and turns, disappearing into the attached bathroom. When he returns a few moments later, he does the same to his bag that I just now noticed. When he’s satisfied, he tosses our bags through the door of one of the walk-in closets. “You can pick which one is yours later,” he says, climbing on the bed and stretching out next to me.
“Uh, they’re your closets,” I remind him. My heart is hammering in my chest. It’s so loud I know he has to be able to hear it.
He shrugs. “I’m giving one of them to you.”
“I have a closet at my place.”
He opens his mouth, then closes it. Leaning down, he kisses the tip of my nose. “Well, now you have one here too.” He props himself up on his elbow to stare down at me. He stares at me intently, waiting for what I’m not sure. For me to freak out maybe? I’ve been overemotional these past few months, but he’s been there right beside me through it all.
I shiver when his large calloused hand slides under my sweater. “Cold?” he asks huskily.
“Never been warmer,” I murmur, my eyes locked on his.
Slowly, his hand slides up until he’s running the pad of his thumb over my silk-covered nipple. “I don’t know,” he muses. “This tells me you might be a little cold,” he says as he continues to caress my nipple through my bra.
“That’s all you,” I confess.
“Yeah?” His smirk tells me he knows damn well what he’s doing to me. “I’m thinking maybe I should help warm you up, you know, just in case.”
My b
reath hitches in my chest when he slides my sweater up, and his wet hot mouth latches on through the silky material of my bra. “Mark,” I say breathily, my hands gripping the sheets.
With skillful precision, he has the cup of my bra pulled down and is sucking my pebbled bud into his mouth. I squirm under him, wanting more. I’m just about to beg for it when the doorbell chimes, echoing through the mostly empty house. I groan, which causes Mark to chuckle as he slides my bra back into place and pulls my sweater back down.
“Sorry, babe. We’ll pick this up later.” He winks, then climbs off the bed. I watch as he adjusts himself as the doorbell sounds a second time, and disappears to go greet his guests.
I take a minute to get myself under control. He’s a damn tease, but that’s okay. Payback’s are a bitch. I hear deep voices but can’t make out what they’re saying. Forcing myself from his bed, I stop in the bathroom and make sure I’m decent. I adjust my bra and put my hair that is somehow out of place back in order. My cheeks are flushed, but there is nothing I can do about that. Maybe I can blame it on the cold. I smile to myself and follow the voices to the living room.
“There she is.” Kent opens his arms, and I don’t hesitate to walk into them. He wraps me in a tight hug.
“Kenton,” Mark says, his voice low, making Kent laugh.
“Don’t leave me hanging.” Seth grins cheekily. Kent releases me and I walk to Seth, repeating the process over again.
“I thought the two of you were going to finish setting up the tables?” Mark grumbles. They laugh, and Seth releases his hold on me and they get to work.
“What time are the others getting here?” I ask Mark, following him into the kitchen. He turns to face me, but instead of answering, he lifts me from my feet, yet again. Only this time, he places me on the center island that separates the kitchen from the living area.
He steps between my legs, bracing his hands on the counter on either side of me. “My buddies can’t seem to keep their paws off you,” he says, bending and kissing my neck.
“They were saying hello,” I point out. I’ve not seen this side of Mark, not really. We’ve been easygoing in our entire relationship, if that’s what you want to call it. So this is new. This… territorial thing he has going on.
“They can say hello without touching you.” His blue eyes bore into mine.
“Why does that bother you?” I ask.
“Pixie,” he says just as Ridge and Kendall walk into the house.
“Hey, guys. Sorry we’re late. Everly did not want us to leave,” Kendall says.
“Aww, you should have brought her,” I reply.
Mark kisses the corner of my mouth then turns to face them, remaining between my legs where I’m perched up on the counter. “You know the kids are welcome,” he tells them.
“Momma needs a night out,” Kendall says. “Don’t get me wrong, I love our children with everything in me, but it’s nice to get a small break once in a while.”
“Of course it is,” I assure her.
“Where do you want this?” Ridge motions to the crockpot in his hands.
“Oh, just park it over there on the counter. There’s an outlet for you to plug it in.”
“Cheeseball?” Kendall makes a goofy face as she pulls a container out of the bag she’s carrying.
“Fridge for now, at least until we’re ready to heat everything up.”
“This place is great,” Ridge says, coming to stand beside us. “Nice work, Adams.” Ridge holds his fist out for Mark and they bump.
“Amelia’s on her way,” Seth says.
“I’m glad to see she’s still in town,” Kent comments. “I wasn’t sure when she left for college if she would ever come home.”
“Did any of you, you know, date her?” I ask.
All five of them shake their heads.
“We were all just really close growing up. She’s like a little sister to all of us. She went away to college for some kind of math degree or some shit. She’s smart as hell,” Mark explains.
“It’ll be nice to have another female around to balance out all this testosterone,” Kendall says with a laugh.
“Right? Then y’all keep having boys. Ben, Beck, and Knox. We need someone to start making some baby girls,” I tease. “Poor Everly is never going to be able to date when she gets older.”
“Damn straight,” the four guys say in unison.
“You get right on that.” Seth smirks.
“Who says we’re not?” Mark counters.
“Who’s not doing what?” Tyler asks, coming through the front door. He stops and holds it open for Reagan.
“Nothing.” I’m quick to shut down the conversation. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but making babies is not something that we’ve talked about. Not that I’d be opposed to it. I just think it’s best if we table that discussion for just the two of us for the first time. “How are the boys?” I ask Reagan.
“Perfect.” She smiles. It’s a smile that lightens her features, one we didn’t see for a few months. I’m thrilled to know all is well with Ben, and Beck too.
“Just put it anywhere,” Mark tells Tyler when he holds up the pan he’s carrying.
“We have enough food for an army,” I say, looking at the littered countertop.
“We’ll eat,” the guys say, making the women in the room laugh.
“What about you?” I ask Kent. “No date tonight?”
“Nah, just wanted to be with family.”
“Hey, I’m dateless,” Seth reminds me. “You not worried about me?” He gives me puppy-dog eyes.
“I just assumed, Amelia….” I let the words hang between us.
“Nope.” He checks his phone. “She’ll be here in ten.” I don’t comment further. He says they’re just friends, I trust him.
“All right, well, I’ll put my dips in the oven to warm them up and then we can eat.” I tap on Mark’s shoulder for him to move, but he doesn’t budge. Leaning around him, I smile goofily. “Hey, tall man up front. The short girl has food to make,” I say, making him chuckle.
“Fine,” he concedes. He turns and grips my hips, lifting me into the air. As he slowly brings me down his body, he stops to steal a quick kiss before placing me on my feet.
“That’s new,” Seth announces.
“Not so new,” Mark rebuffs.
“It’s pretty new,” Kent agrees.
“What? We’ve… been together for months now,” Mark argues.
“That’s not what’s new,” Tyler chimes in.
“What you just did there.” Ridge points his finger and makes a circular motion toward the two of us. “That’s new.”
My cheeks growing hot, I move to step around Mark, and he lets me go.
“What? Kissing my girl’s a crime?” he asks his friends.
“Nope,” Ridge quips, and even though I’m not looking at them, I can hear the grin in his voice.
“So,” Reagan whispers, “did you two finally have the talk?”
“No,” I hiss.
“What talk?” Tyler asks.
“Nosey.” Reagan sticks her tongue out at him.
He smacks her on the ass, wearing a shit-eating grin before taking a seat at the island. “Really, what talk?” he asks again.
“Nothing,” I say quickly.
“It’s something,” Kent says.
“I wanted her to ask Mark if they could watch the boys for us,” Reagan tells them.
“What’s the big secret about that?” Seth asks.
“Nothing. I just didn’t know if Mark would be up for it, that’s all.” Reagan’s lies fall from her lips, and she’s rather convincing.
“You tell me when and it’s done,” Mark says, nodding. “I need more time with my nephews.”
It takes extreme effort to not let my shoulders drop with relief. That’s all I need is our entire group to be involved in the “are we more or aren’t we” conversation. Maybe I don’t need the conversation after all. I mean, he called me his girl.
Shaking out of my thoughts, I get busy heating up the dips that I made. I’m excited to spend a night with our friends and am determined to have a good time. To start living again.
Chapter Ten
Mark
I’m buzzed, well on my way to drunk. Midnight passed us about an hour ago, and my kiss at the stroke of midnight was one for the record books. Dawn has been so carefree tonight, laughing and joking with the girls. They turned the dining room into their dance floor. I’m sure it was a sight—the four of them out there dancing as if this was their last chance, and the five us standing in the doorway watching their every move. Well, I only had eyes for my pixie. She’s beautiful, and I don’t think I tell her that enough. I need to do better.
“Do better at what?” Kent asks.
“Shit.” I chuckle. “Did I say that out loud?”
“Yep. So don’t leave me hanging.”
I raise my hand that’s holding my red solo cup full of some type of concoction that Seth created. I don’t know what it is, but it’s damn good. And it’s damn potent. Pointing to Dawn, I say, “I need to tell her she’s beautiful. I don’t do that enough,” I confess.
“That she is,” he agrees. “You going to tie that down?”
I turn to look at him. His eyes are on the ladies as they dance like no one’s watching. “I thought I already had.”
“She know that?”
“She’s with me, isn’t she?”
“She is. She’s been through a lot.”
“You think I don’t know that?” I ask incredulously.
He finally turns to look at me. “I know you do, better than any of us. She’s all alone,” he says sadly. “I just think you should make it known she has a place with you.”
“I gave her a key.” My buzzed brain seems to think that’s enough.
He nods. “Good.”
Before we can take this riveting conversation any further, the girls descend upon us. Kendall and Reagan drag Ty and Ridge to the middle of the floor. I watch with amusement as Amelia drags both Seth and Kent, and they sandwich her between them.