Huh… guess I’m doing the same exact same thing to her and Law.
“Oh hell I’m sorry sweetie. I’m really just having a laugh. It would be probably the most amazing thing ever, but there’s no pressure. Not from me.”
Ellerslie waved away my concerns with a flick of her hand. “It’s fine Q. Besides… it would be pretty amazing.” She sighed with a dreamy look on her face.
I rolled my eyes at her. Why she was still trying to fight her feelings – I would never know. She had fallen hook, line and sinker for my big brother and I had no doubt that he had fallen even harder.
***
We had been talking in Lawson’s room for well over an hour when we decided he was probably not coming back up. We both showered and dressed and made our way down stairs to see where the hell everyone was.
As we got near the kitchen I heard Reeve and Law talking.
El grabbed my hand and pulled me back. I shot her a ‘what the hell?’ look and she replied by putting a finger to her lips, indicating that I should shut up.
Nutty bitch.
El, like the little sneak that she was, crept closer to the doorway and peaked in around the frame. So I followed, trying to listen to what they were saying.
“How’d you know they were her favourite?” I heard Reeve ask Lawson.
“The blueberry pancakes?”
One point to Lawson.
El turned to face me with her eyes bulging. She pointed a finger at me. “You?” She silently mouthed.
I shook my head in response.
“And the lilies.” Reeve replied.
Two points to Lawson.
“She told me a story once about how she went on a trip away with you and your parents, and anyway, the story was about the trip, but she mentioned about how she’d had the most amazing blueberry pancakes while you were there… and the lilies? I actually had no idea until now. She doesn’t seem like your cliché roses kinda girl so I made a guess. Seems I nailed it?”
Law was sounding a little smug.
Reeve chuckled. “I remember those pancakes actually. She tried to make them for months when we got back, but she always complained that they weren’t quite right. But yea man, you nailed it with the lilies. El’s a sucker for lilies.”
“So you think she’ll like it?”
“Are you mad? She’s gonna flip.”
I looked at El and she had another far away dreamy look on her face, so I took my opportunity to escape. I strolled into the kitchen. “Morning boys. What do we have here?”
“Ells isn’t up yet is she? Running to the shops took forever and I’m not ready.” Lawson looked panicked.
“Good morning to you too darling sister.” I teased.
Law smirked. “Sorry Q. Good morning.” He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “But seriously, is she coming down now?”
I held back a laugh, knowing full well that Ellerslie was eavesdropping on every word. “How long do you think you’ll need Law?”
He checked his watch. “About ten minutes should do it.”
“So if El were to come down here in ten minutes that’d be perfect?” I asked loudly, earning me strange glances from both boys.
“That’d be bang on.”
“Well then. You might just get lucky.”
Reeve chuckled. “You’re acting more weird than usual Quinn.”
I pretended to think about what he said. “Am I?” I held back another laugh. “Well… I’d love to stay and chat gentleman but I have somewhere I need to be.”
I snagged a blueberry pancake off the top of the stack as I went past. Lawson swiped at my ass with the spatula he was using, but I was too fast. I turned the corner and gasped as I saw the dining room.
Oh my god.
I figured Lawson had gone and brought El a bunch of Lilies – what I didn’t anticipate was the dining room to be covered in them. Not only that, but it was all setup for a romantic meal for two.
1000 points, game, set and freaking match to Lawson.
El was going to freak the hell out – like shit your pants freak out. The room looked amazing. I had to give it to my brother, he had done a great job. I munched on the pancake as I took it all in. They were perfect too, not that I was surprised.
“Extravagant bastard isn’t he?”
I turned to Reeve and laughed. “Yea that’s him. He’s never done things by halves so I guess he’s not gonna start now.”
“I’m glad.” Reeve looked thrilled. “El deserves it all. I can see he wants to give her everything.”
I gave him a hug. El’s divorce had been really tough on him too. I’d lost count of how many times we’d talked on the phone and he’d asked me question after question after question. ‘How’s she doing?’, ‘Is she eating?’, ‘Do you think I should come home?’
He had really struggled being so far away when he knew how hurt she was. I did everything I could for her, and El was strong, she’d proven not only that she could more than take care of herself, but that she wasn’t afraid to ask for help when she needed it. I was so proud of her – I knew Reeve was too.
“He will. I can see how right they are together. I know he’ll do whatever it takes to make El happy. You don’t need to worry about him hurting her, I wouldn’t let him carry on like this if I was worried about that happening.”
Reeve squeezed my arm. “I know. Hell sometimes I think you’re more protective of her than I am. And now I see him.” He nodded his head in the direction of the kitchen. “And I know he’s gonna be like some feral wolf protecting his mate.” He chuckled. “He gravitates towards her, can’t keep his eyes off her.”
I smiled as I thought about the two of them. “He is you know.”
Reeve looked at me quizzically. “He is what?”
“A wolf. And she is his mate.”
Reeve nodded and chuckled. “Yea I guess you’re right.”
“I wish they’d met years ago. Before she ever met Baxter.” I sighed. I was angry with myself for not making it happen.
“Yea and that’s all good in theory, but they wouldn’t have been the same people then. They might not have had the same connection. Now is as good of a time as any Q.”
He was right. There was no time like the present.
“They slipped briskly into an intimacy from which they never recovered.”
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
40. Lawson
“You can come in now Ells.” I called with a smirk.
I turned and grinned as she entered with a guilty look on her face.
“How’d you know I was there?”
“I could sense you.” She frowned at me and I chuckled. “Quinn gave you away.”
“Dammit Quinn.” El muttered.
I flipped the last pancake onto the stack and put the spatula down. “Good morning pretty girl. How did you sleep?”
She gave me a beautiful smile and surprised me by slipping her arms around my waist and snuggling into my chest.
I breathed in her scent and sighed, I’d missed her this morning.
“I slept great thank you. It would have been better if you were there when I woke up though.” She was tucked against my chest and I could feel her warm breath through my t-shirt.
“I know, and I’m sorry.” I stroked her hair as I spoke. “But I wanted to surprise you so I had to run out. I promise I’ll be there tomorrow morning.” I pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“Awfully confident aren’t you cowboy? What if I’d rather share with your sister tonight?” She giggled.
“Damn, I was hoping to slip that in without you noticing.” I squeezed her tighter and whispered in her ear. “I’m much better in bed than she is.”
She pulled back to look up at me and grinned. “Put your money where your mouth is Pierce.”
Ah so eager.
“I fully intend to.” I murmured. I grabbed her hand in one of mine and picked up the pancakes with the other. “Close your eyes Ells.” I checked to make sure she had listened an
d gently towed her into the dining room. Quinn and Reeve were standing in the room, admiring my handy work. I flicked my head in the direction of the door and they scurried out with silly smiles on their faces.
“Can I look yet?”
“One second honey. I’m just going to let go of your hand, don’t open your eyes.”
“Okay.” She nodded her head and bit down on her lip. I held back the groan that was threatening to come out. She was so fucking sexy biting on that lip.
I put the pancakes on the table and walked back over to her. I gently pulled her lip out from between her teeth with my thumb. “I’m having trouble focusing with you biting your lip like that pretty girl.” I growled at her.
Her mouth popped open but her eyes stayed shut tight.
Good girl.
I bent my head down to hers and lightly brushed my lips against hers. “Open up baby.”
Her eyes sprung open, but she made no move to take in our surroundings. Her perfect, clear blue eyes were staring straight into mine. I felt a tingle race down my spine. She affected me so much just by looking at me. It was crazy.
“You’re bossy.” Her voice was husky as she ran her hands up and down the collar of my shirt.
I chuckled. “I think you like me bossy.” Her eyes smouldered, confirming my theory that she didn’t mind me telling her what to do at all.
“What now boss?”
I broke our eye contact and turned my body to face the table I’d set up – I felt her turn her body and heard her gasp as she took it all in. I couldn’t help myself, I took a quick peek at her. Her eyes were wide as saucers and she was opening and shutting her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but had no words.
I gave myself a mental fist pump and pulled out her chair for her. “Breakfast?”
She nodded and sat in the chair I offered. I was about to move to sit opposite her when she grabbed my forearm. I flicked my gaze to her face and was met with a sweet kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“Thank you.” She whispered.
“You are more than welcome Ells.” She let go of my arm and I took my seat. I watched her pick up a flower and bring it to her nose to smell. She was so god damn beautiful. “Pancake?”
“You listened.”
I smiled at her.
I listen to every word you say.
“I listened.”
“Lilies are my favourite.” She smiled as she looked around at all the flowers.
“That was a good guess. I went into the shop and they were the ones I liked the best.” I winked at her. “I got lucky.”
“I think it’s safe to say I’m the one who got lucky Lawson.” She blushed. My heart rate sped up as she spoke. I’d cook her breakfast and buy her flowers everyday if it made her happy.
I wasn’t about to get into a debate with her about who was the more lucky of the two of us. I’d already learnt that El had a determined streak – I’d only seen a very small glimpse of it, but Reeve had told me she’d argue all day about something if she had to. “Maybe we both got lucky.”
She smirked at me, as though she knew I was avoiding an argument. “These look delicious.” She cut into her pancake and I watched with envy as it touched her full lips.
Now I’m jealous of food?
“Mmmmm.” I felt my dick harden as she moaned in appreciation.
“Do they live up to your memories?”
“Shit you can cook. These are amazing. Best I’ve ever had.” She told me in between bites.
I smirked and raised my eyebrows at her. “I’ll be the best you’ve had alright.”
She laughed and scrunched up her nose. “I guess I kinda left myself wide open for that one didn’t I?”
I chuckled at her adorable face.
“You know Lawson…” She paused and had a quick drink of orange juice. “When we met you told me you didn’t do hearts and flowers.”
I nodded and smiled shyly. “I know I did.”
“But you brought me flowers.” She gestured around at all of the lilies with a confused look on her face. “Like a shit ton of flowers.”
I took a bite of my pancake. She was right, these were bloody good. I’d have to remember to thank my head chef for the recipe when I see him next.
“You’re the difference Ells.” I reminded her. “Hearts and flowers are back on the table. Are you ok with that?”
She casually flicked her wrist. “I guess I can endure it.” She teased.
I chuckled at her.
“Seriously though, this is perfect, and I appreciate it more than you’ll probably ever know. Just when I think you’ve made everything perfect, you go and one up yourself. You’re setting the bar awfully high here Mr. Pierce.”
“Oh, you have no idea pretty girl.”
“I promised myself I wouldn’t fall in love with you. But it was 4am, and we were laughing way too hard, and I felt so happy for the first time in a long time, and I knew I was screwed.”
- Author unknown.
41. Ellerslie
I rested my head back on the seat of Lawson’s truck and sighed. “I don’t want to get out.”
“I don’t want you to get out either Ells. But I’m not that keen on sleeping in this truck.” Lawson chuckled.
Quinn stuck her head through to the front. “Aww you two are so cute. It’s making me sick.” She shoved me lightly. “Get out of the truck girl, we’ve all got work tomorrow.”
I sighed again. This weekend was the most fun I’d had in a long time. We’d got a late start on the slopes on Sunday, and despite my sore muscles, I’d been not too bad. I was pretty pleased with myself considering this weekend was my first time on a board. I could tell Lawson was happy about me enjoying myself too, he’d had a huge smile plastered across his face the entire time.
Colt and Quinn had a good time too, Q spent a lot of time trying to teach Colt how to stay upright, and he’d improved a little. Lisa and Reeve hadn’t come up with us, they decided to stay in by the fire and spend some time alone. I’d never known my brother to be so romantic, but it seemed Lawson wasn’t the only one who’d made a trip to the flower store and arranged a surprise that morning.
Sunday night we’d all got together for pizza around the fire and shared far too many bottles of wine. We all ended up a bit tipsy and called it a night fairly early. Lawson kept his word - after talking half the night and falling asleep in his bed, I woke up in his arms feeling more content than I ever remembered feeling in my life.
We’d spent the morning lounging around, reading, talking and playing board and card games. It was simple and easy – I loved every single minute of it. The only downside was that Lawson still wouldn’t touch me – it was driving me crazy. I’d never wanted a man this badly in my entire life, and here he was, confessing his feelings for me, obviously attracted me, but yet, no sex. If that man didn’t give in soon I was going to go mad.
I knew what he was doing… he wanted me to realise that I had feelings for him. Feelings beyond the strong sexual pull we had between us.
What he didn’t know was that I had realised – I’d admitted it to myself, and to Quinn. I was falling in love with him, I just hadn’t found the right time to tell him yet.
I’d known the minute I laid eyes on him that he was going to spell trouble for me, I just hadn’t realised that it would be the best kind of trouble a girl could ask for. I didn’t know that the cocky bastard in the elevator would turn out to be a huge romantic with a fiercely protective side, or that it would feel like I was the reason his world went around.
I hadn’t realised all that… not until I woke up wrapped in his strong arms with our faces only an inch apart. I’d watched him sleep so peacefully, his perfect features completely relaxed – and I’d just known, I had to take the risk for this beautiful man. Even if I ended up hurt and alone, I had to know how our story was going to play out.
“Are you okay Ells?”
I snapped back to the present. “Oh shit sorry, I was day dreaming.” Law
son had gotten out of the truck and opened my door for me. He was staring at me with an amused expression on his face.
“C’mon beautiful. I’ve got your bags.” Lawson insisted on taking Q and I up the elevator and carrying our bags into our rooms for us. We’d dropped Colt off at the club so he could check in, and Reeve and Lisa had already gone up to Reeves apartment.
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