Forgiven (Touched Series #2)

by Vicki Green

  She leans back a bit, her face full of drying tear streaks and her eyes are gleaming with love. She moves her hands to the hem of her shirt and begins to raise it but I stop her. “Oh, Peaches. I’d give anything to have you right now but you’re hurt and I want it to be perfect for us.” She smiles coyly, letting go of the hem, and she blinks a few times. “Come. It’s late. Not that I will be able to get to sleep but let’s lie down and hold each other. I can live with that until we can finally be together.” She scoots back, laying down and I crawl on the other side. She immediately rolls over to snuggle up against me, her casted arm over my waist and my arm quickly wraps around her shoulder.

  “Too heavy?” She asks, knowing she’s talking about the weight of her cast.

  “Never.” I kiss the top of her head. “I’m gonna marry you one day.” She giggles and snuggles into me more. This is what my life is meant to be.

  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

  “Stormy! You shouldn’t be doing that! You’re still hurt and have a cast,” Jade yells as she comes out the back door of the restaurant and into the alley. I look up from my sweeping, letting out a huge breath and blowing some of the hair that came free from my ponytail out of my face and smile.

  “Hi, Jade! Hey, it’s been two days and I’ll have this cast on my arm and hand for another six weeks or so. I can’t just sit around and not do anything. Besides, tomorrow they’ll be finished with my apartment and office and I’ll need to get busy decorating in there.”

  She walks over, taking my upper arms in her hands, gently. “Oh, you know we’re going to miss you at the house. But I’m so happy for you.” My smile beams at her and the thought that by tomorrow I’ll have my own place makes me even more giddy. “We only want what’s best for you and you have to know Bo is having a hard time with you moving out.” She brushes back some of my long hair and smiles. “We all love you but you know he’s ‘in’ love with you, don’t you?”

  I nod and take a deep breath. “I know. I’ve known that most of my life.” All the feelings of love are stirring through me. For the first time in such a long time, I’m happy.

  “Well, so have I actually but now that you two are older…. Just do me a favor. Of course I’d rather wait and see you get married but just don’t…. Don’t make me a grandmother too soon. I’m too young.” Her face is all scrunched up, and I let out a giggle.

  “Oh, my! This isn’t embarrassing.” I stand up straight and look her square in the eyes. “Don’t worry. I’m not planning on having any kids for a very long time.” She breathes out a sigh of relief and puts her arm around my shoulder as we begin to walk towards the back door. She opens the door and turns around to me.

  “You know we love you, you’re part of our family but know that Bo may want to spend a fair amount of time over here and well…. You know how Bo can be. If you decide he can stay over can you remind him to let me know?” A laugh escapes me and all I can do is smile.

  By the time I get home, I’m exhausted. I’ve got the alley all cleaned up and even cleaned out our old sandbox, relined it and filled it with fresh sand. Knox gave me an allowance, well if you want to call a ton of money an allowance, to buy all new furniture, appliances, and whatever I need for the apartment and office, so I went shopping and everything should be delivered there in the morning. When I walk into the house it’s dark and quiet since its well after nine o’clock. I creep up the stairs and don’t even turn on the light in the bedroom, heading straight for the bathroom. I need a bath in the worse way. I really wish I didn’t have this damn cast. It’s making it so hard to bathe and wash my hair. I miss taking a shower.

  After taking forever in the bath and then brushing my teeth and hair, I put on a clean pair of sleep pants and a tank top, turn off the light in the bathroom and walk into my room. I’m so ready for a good night’s sleep. I stop short at the foot of the bed when I see Bo. He’s sound asleep. His luscious lips are slightly parted, and the covers only coming up to his waist, showing his chiseled chest, his muscular arms, and his tan smooth skin. My eyes follow his ‘V’ down to the top of the covers. I lick my lips, my body waking up and just stare. Finally shaking myself out of my stupor, I walk to my side, pull back the covers and slide into bed. I try to get comfortable with this damn cast but it’s making it difficult. Raising my casted arm, I lay it up by the side of my pillow and curl up into a ball, closing my eyes and dream of a hot body and shimmering blue eyes.

  I open my eyes and find myself all wrapped up in warmth. Bo’s arm is around me, while I’m strung out and half on top of him. I’ve never felt so comfortable. I look up to see his glimmering eyes looking at me. His smile is bright on his full lips, and the feelings of his love are sweeping through me. “Morning,” he whispers. I turn quickly, get out of bed and cover my mouth, his laughter ringing out in the room as I walk quickly to the bathroom. Once I’ve brushed my teeth, brushed my hair, throwing it up in a high ponytail, I return to the bedroom and crawl back into bed. Leaning over, I give him a quick kiss and lay my head onto his chest. “Ha, you didn’t have to brush your teeth for me, Peaches.” I giggle, his chest moving my head up and down with his laughter. “Are you ready to get everything set up in your apartment today?”

  I look up at him and smile. “I am so ready! I can’t wait to have my own place and get everything in it set up.”

  Smiling he leans down and kisses my forehead. “I’ll help. We’ll make a day of it. I’ll even cook you a special dinner in your new kitchen tonight.”

  My eyes are still looking at him and I feel a lump in my throat. “Thank you.”

  His look of confusion only increases his sexiness. “What are you thanking me for?”

  “For being so good to me. For believing in me, that I am really a good person and for loving me.” I swallow the huge lump and try to keep my tears from forming.

  “What’s not to love? You are a good person, beautiful, caring and the best thing that ever came into my life.” He’s really gonna get me to cry. Dammit!

  I snuggle more into his side. “Yes. I’m ready but for now, I just want to stay here for a while longer. I’m comfortable.”

  I feel him kiss the top of my head. “I’ve always been comfortable with you.” His words hit me so hard. I’ve always felt comfortable with him too, but then I think of all the time I’ve wasted, getting into trouble, being with the wrong people and everything I’ve done that I’m ashamed of. My body stiffens with my thoughts, and his arm squeezes me. “It doesn’t matter to me what you’ve done, Stormy. I know the real you. Remember, I’m from your past before everything got so screwed up. I’ve loved you since we were little. I know your heart.” Damn him. I can feel the wetness in my eyes, and I quickly shake it off. I will not cry anymore.

  I look up at him and smile. “You’ve always believed in me, been there for me and I’ve always let you down and yet, you’re still here.”

  He looks at me with such love in his brilliant blue eyes. “I’ll always be here. I love you.” My smile stays plastered on my face as I lay my head back against his chest and close my eyes, savoring our time together.

  “Over a bit to the left,” Bo shouts to the delivery man who’s setting up a large bookshelf in one of the two offices. “That’s good. You! That desk goes in the office next door.” I smile as I clean the new stove. My apartment door is wide open for the delivery men. They already hooked up my new washer and dryer. I have my new bedding set for my new bed in each of them already.

  By the time everything is delivered, set up, cleaned and in its place, I am exhausted. My body is going to be so sore tomorrow. I can’t believe Bo has enough energy to cook dinner, but I sit here watching him at the stove, from the kitchen table, with my chin resting on my hand and smile. His head turns and I receive his beautiful smile back. “What?” He chuckles.

  “Just thinking about how lucky I am that you have enough energy to cook. I’m
freaking tired. Thank goodness your mom went to the grocery store for us. I owe her, big time.” He winks, turns his head back to what he’s doing and then turns everything off, carrying some to the table. I watch as it takes him several trips to the table, but then he finally sits down across from me and grins. “Wow. This is more like a feast. I’m impressed.” His face is lit up with his beaming smile. I look down at my plate of baked chicken, green beans, salad and a roll and dig in. “Everything is delicious. I thought I was the cook in this relationship.” I look up, smiling but then it disappears when I see his face full of seriousness.

  “Relationship?” He says, hopefully.

  Laying down my fork, I swallow my food but it seems to get stuck in my throat. My heart beats a little faster as my mind races. He loves me. I love him. Since we were kids. Comfortable. Kind. Caring. “I’d like a relationship,” I whisper but it sounds like more of a squeak. He stands and walks over to my side, squatting down and grabs my hand.

  “Stormy. We’re meant to be together. Surely you know that. It’s our destiny, our fate, and even though our paths have separated for a bit, we’re both here now, together. Can we not try? I will be patient, I promise, but just to know there is a chance that you want this too, will make me the happiest man in the world.”

  My eyes are full of tears, and my mouth connects with his immediately. Our tongues collide as our hands roam all over each other. There’s no time to breathe, no time to think as our heads move from side to side, our mouths meshing each time and our moans echoing each other’s. My heart has never beaten so fast, the tingles throughout my body have never been so overwhelming and has never ached for someone’s touch before. When we finally break his forehead gently presses against mine, both of our chests rising and falling quickly and only the sounds of our heavy panting linger in the room. I look into his eyes and they are swimming with joy. “I want to get my life back and I want you in it, Bo. You make me so happy. I’m sorry, please forgive me.” I’m shushed quickly by two of his fingers against my lips.

  “Shh, none of that, Peaches. There is nothing to forgive.” His hand cups my face, his blue eyes burning into mine. “What’s past is past and if that ugly part of your past comes into our happiness, we will stomp it together. Other than that, I never want to hear or think about it again.”

  My eyes search his and the feeling of love sweeps through me, my heart swelling with it and my determination triples. As my lips move towards his, he removes his fingers, and we kiss gently, tenderly, like we have all the time in the world. God, I hope we do.

  Chapter Seven

  “Bo, text your mom to let her know if you are staying over. I promised you would do that,” Stormy yells in the doorway of the bathroom, her hand holding a towel to her wet hair, and she has on the sexiest silky camisole and shorts I’ve ever seen. How in the hell am I supposed to behave around her wearing that? She drops her arm, towel still in hand and gives me a smirk, breaking me from my thoughts. “Bo! Quit staring at me and…. Text. Your. Mom!” I laugh and nod, grab my phone from her nightstand and send off a quick text to Mom. Stormy walks back into the bathroom, and I hear the sounds of her humming mixed with her blow dryer. I lean back against the headboard of her bed and flip on the TV with the remote, scanning channels for a good movie we can cuddle to when my phone vibrates in my hand. I look down and see a text from Mom, thanking me for the text, and that she knows we are beat, good night and be careful. I smile while rolling my eyes and when I look back up at the TV, I spot a good movie and click on it. “Did you text Jade?” My eyes watch as she flips off the bathroom light making the TV the only light on in the room. I watch the sway of her hips as she walks to the bed, her sweet, tight ass as she bends to grab an extra pillow from the cedar chest, and her long, thick hair falling over her shoulder. I notice the silky and tan skin of her legs as she climbs into bed. “Oh, my God! Bo!”

  My eyes snap to her, growing wide as she stares at me with a smirky grin on her beautiful face. “What?” I can tell she’s trying not to laugh. Too cute. “Oh, yeah. I texted Mom. It’s all good.” I pat the mattress next to me and waggle my eyebrows. “Come here, sexy girl.” She giggles and slides under the covers next to me, my arm moving around her, and she snuggles into my side as her head lays on my shoulder.

  “Bo?” I look down as she looks up, the skin on her face radiant as her full lips turn into a smile and her eyebrows raise.

  “Hmmm,” I hum as I am lost for words as I look at her beauty.

  “I know this is my first night in my new place and all and I know you’re muscular and strong but….” This piques my interest and I cock one of my eyebrows. “Would you mind if I leave the bathroom light on? I’ll close the door most of the way.” The corners of my mouth rise and the sweet look on her face makes her look so innocent, like she used to be before all the bad things came into her life.

  “Go ahead, Peaches. Even though I would protect you with my life, I’m okay with a little light if it’ll help you sleep better.” Her smile is priceless and she’s like a kid scrambling out of bed, rushing over to the bathroom and flipping the light back on then closing the door, all but a crack. I hold my chuckle back as she runs back, jumps into bed, pulling up the covers and snuggling back into me. “You know they have these things at the store, they’re called nightlights and….” I hear the smack against my bare arm before I feel it. “Ow!” I’m having a really hard time trying not to smile with that light slap she just gave me and the pretend angry face she’s making, her body raised a little as if making a statement. My arm tightens around her as my lips move against hers and she takes my kiss hungrily. “I’ll get you a few nightlight’s tomorrow,” I whisper against her mouth. She giggles and nods, moving our lips up and down. My head rises as hers lays back down on my shoulder and I turn the TV volume up. The movie is one I’ve seen before but I get pretty engrossed in it until I start yawning. I look down at Stormy and she’s sound asleep and I just look at her for a minute. Finally, I hold up the remote, turning off the TV, set the remote on the nightstand and lower myself, holding onto her as I get comfortable in bed. She sighs my name and moves into me more and then the only sounds are of her light breathing. Damn, she’s fine. I’m gonna marry her one day.

  My eyes open to bright sunlight coming in through the blinds and I look down to see my arm is empty and so is Stormy’s side of the bed. Raising my arms up above my head, I stretch along with my legs. Hmm, I’m a little out of shape. I need to run more. My body is stiff and a little sore but I throw the covers off and walk into the bathroom to do my duties. Once I’ve gotten everything done I head downstairs and can already smell the aroma of breakfast cooking. This apartment is huge. Once the restaurant is opened next month it will still be pretty quiet in here since it is two stories high on top of the restaurant with extra insulation and floor boards. Dad really knows his business and thought of everything when he designed it.

  My stomach growls as I approach the kitchen, but I stop in the doorway when I see a vision. I imagine us married. She’s standing at the stove like she is now, her long, thick hair is piled high on top of her head, her legs looking like they’ll never end in the short shorts she’s wearing and I can see her soft unblemished skin on her back as her top rises when she bends to open the oven door. “Bo?” Shaking my head I smile, walk into the room and over to her. She’s holding a pan of biscuits, sets them down on the stove and turns to me. “Are you ok, darling? You had a lost look on your face and it was like your eyes were looking through me. Where were you?”

  I take her in my arms, hers immediately wrapping around my waist as her head rises so she can look into my eyes and I notice the concern in them. “I was in the future.” My head lowers as my mouth captures hers and her arms move up, her hands splayed on my upper back and I hear her moan. Her stomach growls loudly ending our kissing and I laugh as she covers her smile with her hand. “Come. Let’s eat. We can make out late
r.” A laugh escapes her as she gathers up plates of food, handing them to me and I take them to the table. I sit and notice her picking up glasses of orange juice and bringing them with her. She gets settled in her chair and dives into her food and when I look down I’m shocked to see half of mine is gone already. I look back up when I hear her sweet giggle.

  “Well, you are certainly hungry,” she says and then takes a drink of juice.

  I watch the liquid enter her mouth, her full lips formed over the lip of the glass and then her throat constricting as she swallows. “I don’t wanna go home,” I blurt.

  Her eyebrow raises as she sets her glass down on the table and she tilts her head in confusion. “Excuse me?”

  I set my fork down on my plate and look into her eyes. “Stormy, I don’t want to go home. Let me move in with you. Let’s live together. We’ve spent a lifetime apart and I don’t want to be without you anymore. I’ll even move into the one of the spare bedrooms. It’ll be like when you’re at our house except it will be here. I’m going to be working here in the office anyway, just like I promised and this way I’ll be so close.” The adrenaline in my body is flowing as I await her answer. An answer that I hope is, yes.

  “So, kind of like roomies?” she says smiling. I swallow hard as I nod and I swear my heart is about to beat out of my chest with anticipation. She leans her elbows on the table, placing her chin on top of her folded hands. “And what will your parents say about all this? I mean, look what all I’ve put them through recently and after knowing what all I’ve done…. What I’ve caused.” Her eyes look down at the table in embarrassment. “I don’t know that they’ll ever forgive….”