Falling Together (All That Remains #2)

by S. M. Shade

  When the song ends and is followed by another mellow love song, I fall back and link Airen’s hand to Joseph’s. “You guys take this one.” I wink at Joseph when he grins from ear to ear, and leave them alone on the floor, taking a seat at the table next to Jayla.

  She’s watching them closely with a puzzled expression on her face. She’s grown into such a beautiful young lady. Her dark hair is long, swept back from her face and gathered at her crown in long curls. Her light chocolate skin is smooth and unblemished. Those big dark eyes and long lashes would make any young boy fall at her feet. She’s still struggling to understand this new relationship, and I’ve tried to give her space and time to deal. Still, it hurts that she barely speaks to me.

  “Jay? Are you all right?”

  She blinks as I pull her from her reverie and nods quickly before jumping to her feet. “I’m fine,” she replies, leaving to join Carson at the food table.

  When the song comes to an end, Airen wraps his arms around Joseph’s waist, capturing his lips in a soft kiss. Joseph gives a sheepish smile when we all applaud. A public display of affection in front of everyone, that had to make Joseph’s night. Airen bends at the waist, bowing and acting silly to mask his discomfort. Unfortunately, his foot drifts a little too close to Joseph’s causing him to trip and fall flat on his butt, taking Airen down with him. Everyone cheers when they get to their feet, and my sides ache from laughter. We’re all in such high spirits; I can’t remember when I’ve had such fun.

  Julie approaches me with Lane on her hip. “Little man is worn out,” she croons, handing him to me. He’s too little to skate, but he has spent the evening crawling around, often being scooped up for a ride. He lays his little head on my shoulder, and I snuggle him, breathing his baby lotion scent. My sweet little Airen look alike. “I’ll keep him tonight, Abby. He hasn’t spent the night with me in weeks. I miss the little rascal.”

  “Thank you,” I accept. “I have a radio if you need me.” She nods and carries my sleeping baby to the car.

  Lexi grabs my arm and hisses, “Emma is up to her former bullshit.” She nods in her direction. Emma clings to Joseph, giggling while she attempts to stay on her feet as he guides her around the floor. Flipping her hair, she smiles coyly up at him. Why doesn’t she just start humping him?

  Airen glides up to me as I glare in their direction, flashing his charming smile and linking his arm around my neck. “Skate with me, darlin’,” he drawls, pulling me onto the floor. He skates backward so we’re facing one another with my arms around his waist. Colored light falls softly on his face, illuminating that sultry grin that still makes me weak in the knees. “What?” he asks, cocking his eyebrow when I blatantly ogle him.

  “Just you. You’re too damn gorgeous to be real.” I kiss him gently, careful not to tangle our feet. His lips press a kiss against the smooth skin on the inside of my wrist, a spot he knows makes me break out in goose bumps.

  “You look lovely tonight, sweetheart,” he murmurs.

  “Thank you,” I reply, stroking the stubbled curve of his jaw.

  He knows how I feel about being complimented on my looks, and Joseph does as well. The difference is Joseph’s stubborn ass won’t cooperate. “I say how I feel, Abigail, get used to hearing it,” he said, and refused to hear another word on the subject. Now Airen feels he has to say such things, especially after I compliment him. It’s easier to let it go. I know it’s not true, but they love me, and it’s just one way they try to show it.

  A loud peal of laughter from Emma draws our attention to her, sprawled across Joseph’s lap on the floor, laughing while he tries to extricate himself and get back to his feet. Her big boobs brush the side of his face when she stands. Shameless slut. My back stiffens and I shoot daggers in their direction.

  “Hey, they’re just goofing around,” Airen says, pinching my chin and pulling my gaze back to his face.

  “I know.” I smile quickly, but I know I’m not fooling him.

  A teasing grin lifts his lips, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I know that look. You’re jealous.”

  “Shut up. That’s ridiculous,” I snap. Shit, I’m not helping my case.

  “I remember when you used to get jealous over me.” He sighs dramatically, tucking his lips in and trying not to smile. He’s enjoying this far too much.

  “Shut up, you aren’t funny.” I want to slap that insufferable grin off his face. Emma links her arm through Joseph’s again and they circle the floor. I notice Jayla watching them with a thunderous look on her face. She whispers something to Walker who races out to Joseph and grabs his hand.

  “Dad, let’s race! I’ll whip you so bad,” he taunts. Jayla nods at me almost imperceptibly as Joseph ruffles Walker’s hair.

  “You’re on, buddy. No cheating this time. Give an old man a chance.”

  “Abby.” Airen calls my name in a soft scolding voice, drawing my attention back to him. I don’t think he noticed Jayla’s intercession. “He doesn’t want her, darlin’.”

  I nod, slipping my arms around his waist. “Air?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Don’t tell him.” I don’t want anyone to know that she got to me.

  “Oh, sweetheart.” He sweeps a lock of hair behind my ear before kissing me tenderly. “I’m so going to tell him.”

  “Airen!”

  “Hush. Look.” He gestures behind me where Eric has Lexi pinned against a wall, kissing her like he may never get another chance. A smile spreads across my face.

  “Yeah, that was all me,” Airen brags. Honestly, this man can be off the charts arrogant.

  “Bullshit. I encouraged Lexi to flirt with Eric.”

  Laughing, he catches my hand. “Great minds think alike. I told Eric to open his damn eyes.”

  “Good for them.” I hope it works out. Lexi is a sweet girl. She has been such a good friend to me, and I’d love to see her with a guy who makes her happy.

  After another half hour, everyone is ready to go. Emma is still hanging on Joseph, giggling at his every word, and I’ve had enough. A wide grin spreads across his face when I approach him. “Did you have fun, Abby?” he asks.

  “I had a blast, but I forgot to say happy birthday,” I reply. His eyes widen when I slide my hands into his front pockets, and jerk him toward me, grinding against his pelvis. A low moan rattles in his chest as I lick into his mouth, catching him by surprise with such a public display. He cups my ass, kneading it gently, returning my kiss with equal fervor. Inhibitions are low, thanks to the alcohol, and his hand slips up my blouse, mindless of the people around us, until Airen clears his throat.

  “Ready to go?” he asks, amused. “Or should we wait for you two to find a dark corner?”

  “You interrupted my birthday present.” Joseph smoothes my hair back from my forehead and drops a kiss quick on my lips.

  “You can unwrap her at home.” Everyone laughs except Emma, and I smile, savoring the petulant expression on her face.

  “Subtle, darlin’,” Airen murmurs in my ear, walking me to the door where everyone piles into the trucks for the ride home.

  “It’s freezing out,” Emma remarks, climbing in with Airen, Joseph, and me.

  “Where’s your coat?” Joseph asks, sobering a bit in the brisk night air.

  “I didn’t bring one.” Joseph shrugs out of his jacket and drapes it around Emma’s shoulders.

  “Thank you. You’re so sweet.” She tosses a smug satisfied smile in my direction, and I want to rip her kidney out through her mouth.

  Airen squeezes my hand and leans to whisper in my ear. “Don’t. She’s just making a fool of herself.” I shake my head, keeping my eyes averted. I’ve had enough of her hitting on Joseph. He’s mine. The ride home is silent. Airen squeezes my hand and dances his fingers up my thigh, teasing me, but I’m too busy stewing in my jealousy and fantasizing about tearing her blond hair out at the roots to respond.

  Joseph

  I just never know what to expect from that man. He ca
ught me completely off guard tonight with the party and especially that kiss. He’s typically so uncomfortable expressing his feelings for me. The preparations for the surprise party must have taken weeks, and I’m touched he went to such trouble for me.

  The kids wander off to get ready for bed as soon as we get home, and Abby plops on the sofa with a sigh, rubbing her sore feet. I should probably apologize for mauling her in front of everyone, but she started it. Instead, I grab Airen around the waist as he walks by, heading for the bedroom. It’s our night together. He glances up with a wolfish grin.

  “At least let me shower first.” I cover his smart mouth with mine and kiss him with everything I have, trying to convey my gratitude and love for him. His cheeks are flushed when I pull back and look him in those onyx eyes.

  “Tonight was wonderful. No one has ever done anything like that for me before.” A self conscious grin edges out his usual cocky smile, looking out of place on his lips. “You’re so sweet and thoughtful,” I declare. As expected, he squirms and tries to retreat at the compliment, but I grip the nape of his neck, holding him in place. I can compliment his looks all day and he won’t even blink, unlike Abby, but talk about anything deeper, and he runs like a scalded dog. “No you don’t, Dark Eyes. I’ve resisted the urge to gush over you all night because I didn’t want to embarrass you. Now that it’s just the three of us, you have to man up and take it.”

  He laughs in spite of himself. I love the feel of the dark stubble under my fingertips when I grip his chin, forcing our eyes to meet. God, I could lose myself forever in those eyes. Black as night and fathoms deep. “You make me so happy, Airen Holder. I couldn’t possibly love you more than I do at this second. Thank you for tonight.”

  Airen’s gaze remains locked on mine, his face softening. “I love you,” he whispers, trailing his fingers down my jaw. “I’m sorry it took so long for me to say it.”

  “You show it,” I murmur, tugging him in for a kiss, vaguely aware of Abby watching us from the sofa with her lower lip caught between her teeth. “Abby’s trying not to cry.”

  “No, I’m not,” she grumps, glaring at our knowing smiles.

  “Of course you aren’t,” Airen quips, still smiling fondly at her while she flees to the solitude of the extra bedroom.

  She’s curled up in bed with a book when Airen and I barge through the door. “I know she doesn’t think she’s going to sleep without kissing us goodnight,” I announce, grinning at Airen, who promptly dives on the bed, nearly bouncing her out of it. The book falls to the bed as his arms snake around her middle from behind, slipping under her shirt.

  “Ah! Airen! Your hands are freezing.”

  “You know you like it.” He massages her breasts and kisses the back of her neck.

  “It’s your night with Joseph. I haven’t even had a shower. Joseph, control your man. Get him off me.” She laughs, peeling his hands from her chest.

  Airen releases her and whispers something in her ear that makes her eyes widen. “Don’t,” she hisses.

  “What are you two talking about?” I sit beside them on the bed.

  “Nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow morning,” he replies, giving Abby a wide grin while she scowls at him. Okay. You can bet I’ll be asking him what the hell that was about.

  Airen kisses her and slaps her on the ass before hopping off the bed. “Come on, dimples, let’s go to bed.” He heads off to the shower. Abby lays her book aside and turns off the lamp on her nightstand. She kisses my jaw before sliding her lips to mine for a soft passionate kiss.

  “I love you,” she murmurs, tightening her arms around me.

  “I love you, ladybug. Is something bothering you?” She has something on her mind. “Why don’t you stay with us tonight? You know Airen won’t mind.”

  “No, I’m fine, just tired. Today was a long day, but I had so much fun.”

  “Me too. You know where we are if you get lonely. I’ll let you get some sleep.”

  Snuggling under the covers, she replies, “Yeah, try to keep the grunting level down.”

  “No promises.”

  The sight of Airen stepping into the shower effectively erases my plan to question him about Abby’s behavior. Naked Airen is always an amazing sight. Naked Airen with water flowing through that black as midnight hair and over that beautiful hard body is heart stopping. I just stand and stare at him for a long minute before rolling my tongue back up and tucking it into my mouth. It takes me half a second to strip down and step in behind him.

  “I’m quite capable of washing myself,” he quips, when I lather my hands and run them over his back.

  “I can do a more thorough job.” My soapy hands explore his muscled back. He’s still thinner than he used to be, but what he’s gained back is pure muscle. A low throaty growl echoes off the shower walls when I nip at the sensitive skin behind his ear. When my hands travel farther south, spreading the soap over his firm round cheeks, he turns his head and thrusts his tongue into my mouth. The fierce battle of lips and tongues rages on while water pours over our heads.

  He grunts when my hand slips between his legs to massage his balls. I slide my hand slowly back up between his cheeks, increasing the pressure and gliding firmly over his hole.

  “Don’t.” He jerks and turns to face me. His face hardens and the shutters drop into place.

  “I’m sorry.” I rest my hands on his hips and kiss him softly. After a few seconds of hesitation, his tongue strokes across mine. I wish I knew why that area is off limits for him. He has some hang up about it, but I don’t know if it’s fear, shame, or if it’s just too submissive of an act for him to relax and enjoy it. This isn’t like my experience with Troy, where the scars were visible. “I missed a spot,” I murmur, taking his hard length in my hand.

  “Oh no.” His grin is wicked as he smacks my hand away. “Tonight’s about you, birthday boy.”

  * * * *

  The squeak of the dresser drawer wakes me early the next morning.

  “Sorry,” Abby whispers, standing in front of the dresser in only a towel. “I need some clothes.” Airen is awake, lounging next to me, and he leaps up to whip off her towel, pulling her into bed with us.

  “No you don’t, you’re staying in bed with us all day so we can take turns fucking you until you can’t walk.” Tossing the covers over her bare body, he wraps his arms around her and we cuddle her between us.

  “No arguments here. Long night?” she asks when I yawn and stretch my sore legs.

  “You have no idea.”

  “I have some idea.” The walls are notoriously thin.

  “Jealous?” I tease, tickling her thigh.

  Her eyes dart to Airen and her face clouds before she gives him a threatening look. It’s clearly a warning, but Airen only chuckles, not the least bit intimidated.

  “Did I miss something?” I ask.

  “Abby?” Airen raises his eyebrows, giving her a chance to answer.

  “Airen…I swear to God…I’ll…” Abby stutters. She sits up and tries to climb out of the bed, but I pull her back down taking her chin in my hand.

  “No way, girl. Tell me what the hell is going on.”

  “It’s nothing.” She tugs out of my grasp. “Airen’s just being an ass. Now let me get dressed.”

  “Didn’t you notice Abby’s eyes last night, Joseph? They were greener than yours.” He smirks at me while Abby tries to set him on fire with her gaze.

  She huffs, attempting another escape, but I’m not letting her run away. Once I’m settled on top of her, pinning her to the bed, she sighs, resigned. “What the hell is he talking about, Abby?” Shrugging, she averts her gaze.

  “Remember when you were skating with Emma and draping your jacket around her shoulders like a perfect gentleman? Well…” He crosses his legs and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, looking like a teenage girl with a particularly juicy piece of gossip. Which, of course, is exactly what he’s going for. “Abby may have had an urge to run at her
, claws extended, while screaming ‘get away from my Joseph’ and jerking her hair out at the roots.”

  I can’t prevent the smile spreading across my face. Abby was jealous? Over me? She’s always been possessive when it comes to Airen, but I’m astounded she feels so strongly for me. “Abigail.” I give her a gentle kiss, letting my lips linger over hers affectionately while I ask, “Were you jealous?” Mortified, she groans and pulls the blanket over her head. Airen flashes me an amused look that clearly says “I told you so.”

  “No, no, no. Come on, talk to me.” I tug the blanket down, revealing her adorable blushing cheeks.

  “You could wipe that grin off your face. Both of you.” She sulks and stares at her hands.

  “I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. I just never imagined you could feel that way about me. I’m…flattered,” I reply lamely.

  “You’re happy I was jealous of her hanging all over you?” Her voice is incredulous.

  Airen snorts. “Are you kidding? Look at him. He’s delighted. You made his day.”

  “Quit instigating, you shit stirrer.” Shaking my head at him, I try to conceal a small grin. He’s loving this. His palms lift in surrender and he retreats to the love seat, leaving Abby and me to work it out. “Look at me, ladybug.” The look in her soft brown eyes melts my heart, and I suddenly feel like an asshole.

  “Of course I’m not happy you’re jealous. I hate to see you upset.” I scoop her into my lap, folding my arms around her. “But why would you be jealous of Emma? I’ve never wanted her. I thought you knew that.”

  “She’s beautiful, blond and skinny with huge boobs. She’s everything I’m not. Of course you’re attracted to her. I’m sure Airen is too, but she wants you.”

  “You know what? You’re right. Emma is everything you’re not. Self-centered, immature, shallow, and sneaky. Who doesn’t dream of loving a woman like that? You think she’d still have me?”