by Frost, Ada
“Wiw, Mummy sweepy no wanna,” he rambled. His words slurred and jumbled behind his pacifier.
“Help me out,” I said, looking at Jo.
“It’s bedtime for my little buddy here and he’s fighting his mom.”
“Ah, well, Alfie, maybe I can swing a deal. What you reckon? Let’s use the Senior charm.” I grinned and my tired nephew nodded and rested his sleepy little head on my shoulder.
“I’ve had enough of the Senior charm, thank you very much; it brings me nothing but trouble,” my brother’s gorgeous woman said, walking out of their lounge. Her hair was a tangled mess and she had a weird stain down her shirt, but she was stunning. Johan was a lucky son of a bitch. “The three of you are trouble,” she said, pointing to each one of us. Johan grinned and stepped forward to pull her into his arms. The smile on his face was like a priceless piece of fine art. I loved her so much for bringing him that peace, and I loved the little guy in my arms. I loved holding him. But it came with a certain amount of pained longing; the last kid I held was supposed to be my son. I pressed a kiss to Alfie’s head and hugged him to me, seeking comfort in his little frame. He was my family, and I would always be in his life.
“What’s with the leathers?” she asked, turning in my brother’s arms.
“I’ve been out for the day with Emily.” My ears burned at Lou’s bright smile. I busied myself with wrapping Alfie's blanket around him.
“And what, pray tell, have you and your sexy little pixie been doing all day?” Lou’s mischievous grin spread across her face. I rubbed at the back of my neck, feeling the burn of embarrassment. Clearly Emily had shared my nickname with her.
“Sexy little pixie?” Johan questioned Lou.
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Speaking to him, she kept her gaze on me. “You of all people know how hot Emily is; I once caught them getting down and dirty in this very house.”
“I told you–” Johan started, but red hot rage raced through me. I stepped toward him.
“What?” I roared, startling Alfie.
Lou placed her hand on my chest and chuckled. “They re-decorated this house after…” she paused and paled slightly. Jo rubbed her back soothingly. “Well, it needed it. But I jumped to the wrong conclusions and hated my beautiful friend on sight. But your reaction just told me everything I needed to know.” She turned on her heel and walked into the kitchen. I glanced at Jo. He lifted his shoulders and looked as dumbfounded as I felt. Cradling an almost sleeping Alfie against my chest, I followed the infuriating woman into the kitchen.
“What did it tell you, exactly?” I snapped, my voice a little harsher than I intended. Lou turned to face me with a shit eating grin, like she just won a Nobel Prize.
I felt rather than saw Jo follow me.
“Since you were kids, he,” she pointed at my brother, “is what you lived to protect. You and Ryan stood guard against his demons and anyone who threatened him.”
I shook my head and glanced at a pale-looking Jo. “And?” I had no fucking clue what she was talking about, and right at that moment, I really didn't appreciate her throwing his past in his face like that.
“You were ready to beat him to a bloody pulp for getting jiggy with Emily.” My mouth dropped open in shock; she was insane. Jo was right, she was a raving lunatic.
“You’re insane. I wouldn’t–”
“The moment I mentioned they were here getting down and dirty–”
I ground my teeth together, locking my jaw painfully. She lifted her finger and pointed to me, laughing. “See, you’re doing it now. You have some seriously strong feelings for Emily. I did question whether there was more between you; after all, you are a bloke and it does appear your brain doesn’t work when your,” she nodded to my groin, “is in the game.”
I could seriously take offence at that.
“Hold up–” Jo interrupted. But she silenced him with a glare. Fuck me, he was whipped.
“I love Emily; she was there when I thought I’d lost muggings over there. She sat with me and comforted me and I feel like I’ve known her my entire life. She knows all my pain, she knows how much it hurt to let Johan go, and she knows how helpless I felt knowing I was to blame for sending him away.”
“What are you saying? I should leave her alone?” No way in hell, Louise.
“I’m saying be honest with her; stop protecting yourself and offer her what you clearly feel for her.”
“I’m not in love with her, Louise.” I laughed, but even to my ears it sounded forced. It was true, though, I wasn’t in love with Em; I wasn’t. I was falling for her at an alarmingly rapid rate, but I hadn’t hit yet.
“Just be open to the possibility.”
“And what if she doesn’t want that?” I took an infinitesimal step forward, more of a shuffle really, but I couldn’t hide how much I wanted to hear her answer. Taking the step diminished the loss of sound; once it left her mouth I needed to absorb her words into me. My skin prickled with apprehension. I didn’t think I’d ever felt more nervous.
“She’s going to fight you on it, I expect.”
I frowned at her. What the hell did that mean? “What?”
“I’ve been with Em, out drinking to Phil’s. I’ve seen her Friday night hook ups –” A low sound escaped my throat before I had a chance to rein it in. “Oh, pipe down, you’ll be pissing up her leg next. Emily has been hurt, I know that much, and letting men into her life is not an option. I guess in some regard she’s a single man’s every wish; she wants sex, but nothing more. But you, her sexy giant, are the only guy in the past sixteen months I’ve known to make it past morning coffee.”
I puffed out my chest, liking the sound of that. I didn't want to think of another man with his hands on Emily; she was mine. I wanted to get back on my bike, ride over to her house, strip her naked, and spend hours showing her exactly how I felt. But I needed to take this slowly, partly because it was confusing as hell. The maniac who banged her wherever his dick could was not me; I wasn’t that kind of guy. Hell, Mar and I could go weeks without having sex. It wasn’t that I wasn’t interested, but we had busy schedules and most of the time we weren’t home until late and we usually just collapsed on the bed from exhaustion. I was content and I thought so was she. Obviously, the reason she wasn’t up for sleeping with her husband was because she was bedding another fucker. I wouldn’t deny I loved her; she was my world. I’d never wanted another woman when I was with Marissa; she was it for me. But Emily, she drove me insane. I had this pathetic desperation to be near her, hold her, and sink my body inside her. I needed to know whether it was more than sex.
“I agree with Lou; you are different with Emily,” Jo interjected, unnecessarily. I glared at him.
“Don’t you start.”
He chuckled and slid his arms around Lou’s waist. Alfie’s little fist tightened in my shirt. I glanced down at the sleepy little guy and kissed the top of his head. “Stay away from girls, buddy, they are nothing but trouble.”
He sighed softly, and honestly, there was no better feeling.
***
A week, a whole fucking week I’d not been with Emily intimately. We’d spent every day together; I felt like the dopey teenager I used to be, nervously waiting for the time when I would get to see her. The day before I’d asked to take her and Izzy on a date, an official date. I knew Emily treasured her time with Izzy, but I couldn't wait until the weekend to spend some time with her, so I asked them both on a date. Emily was a little sceptical, but Izzy, my saviour, demanded that they go. It wasn’t anywhere near the extravagance Mar demanded. I’d had to plan her ‘dates’ months in advance because the restaurants she wanted to frequent had a ridiculous waiting list. Emily was content to see Izzy smile. I had asked Izzy where she wanted to go and eat, so upon her request we were headed to a place she said was her favourite because it had a play area. I’d told her she had to look pretty and she’d nodded with excitement.
So there I was. I’d borrowed Jo’s car
so I could drive them. Unfortunately, I’d stalled the fucking thing several times, because I wasn’t used to driving a stick shift. I was sick of pacing the apartment, so I’d driven there, and like a douche, I was fifteen minutes early. My palms were sweating, and after not wearing a suit for so long, the collar on my button down was driving me insane. I tugged at the neck again and glanced at Emily’s front door. Izzy’s eager little face appeared at the window, searching for me, and that was my cue. I didn’t give a fuck I was early; I needed to see my pixie. I grabbed the stuff off the seat and got out of the car, flattened the wrinkles in my suit, and headed to the door. Before I could knock, it flew open and a tiny little girl beamed up at me.
“I’m wearing a sparkly dress, and look at my shoes.” She extended her foot to show me some silver sparkly pumps, glitter overload. I squatted before her.
“Wow, you look amazing. Prettiest date I’ve ever seen.” I pulled the single orange calla lily tied with an orange bow from behind my back and handed it to her. Her little gasp was adorable. “It was the prettiest flower I could find for the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”
She stared at the flower, then glanced at me. “Is it for me?”
“Of course.” I held it out for her and she slowly reached out for it. She was too adorable for words.
She looked at me, and shifted nervously before stepping toward me. Her tiny arms wrapped around me, hugging me. Thick emotion clogged my throat, and I couldn’t explain why. It was just a little flower.
“Hi.” Emily’s sexy voice washed over me like a cool breeze on a summer’s day – what the hell was I talking about? Jesus, I’d be reciting poetry next. I glanced up at her and offered her a cocky smile, but it fell flat when I saw the exquisite vision before me. My jaw literally slackened and fell open. She had on a sexy as fuck, deep red summer dress. I didn’t have a clue what style they would call it, but it fit her curves perfectly. So curve-fitting-sexy-as-fuck dress was what I would call it. It had tiny little straps, so her alabaster neck and shoulders were all naked and tantalising. The skirt flowed just below her knees, giving me a perfect view of her sexy legs. I glanced at her feet and nearly swallowed my tongue. Those bad-boy heels were definitely going to be the only thing she was wearing the next time I was deep inside her.
“Wow!” Yeah, real smooth, Will. Dickhead.
I stood and brushed my knees. I smiled at her but her eyes were undressing me. It reminded me of when I first met the sexy little pixie. Her eyes met mine and she looked furious. What?
“What the hell are you wearing?” she snapped, glaring at me. I swallowed, feeling seriously insecure. I mean I knew it wasn’t my usual tailored style, but it was close, damn it. My fucking ears burned, a sure sign I was blushing. I wanted the day to be perfect and I’d failed already. I glanced down at my charcoal suit to make sure my fly wasn’t open.
“What’s wrong with–”
“It’s a suit! And tie? You’re wearing a suit!” she practically screeched, and I caught the quick movement of her chest and the flush creeping up her neck and the devilish peaks of her nipples. She liked the suit. A slow grin spread across my face.
“Yes,” I drew the word out as if it was the longest word in the English language.
“He brought me a flower, Mummy-Emmy,” Izzy interrupted, holding up her flower like a delicate piece of glass. Emily glanced down at her and smiled, her face transforming so beautifully.
“Shall we put it in water?” Izzy ran into the house, and Emily started to follow, but I reached out, placing my hand on her arm.
“I brought my pixie one, too. But hers comes with a kiss.” I leaned over and pressed my mouth against her plump lips. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and feel her body against mine. I wanted to lift the hem of her dress and bury myself deep inside her and not come out until we were fully sated. But I had a feeling it would take me years to fulfil that quota. I pulled away slowly and watched her eyes flutter open in a daze. Her pink tongue peeked out and licked me from her lips.
“You like the suit.”
She nodded even though it wasn’t a question. I pressed my mouth against her ear and felt her body shudder. My cock swelled toward her. “I love the heels. I can already feel them digging into my ass while I pound your tight–”
“Emmy, you got one, too,” Izzy screeched beside us. I jumped and stepped away, using my pixie’s body to shield the tent in my slacks.
“I – I did, yes.” We fumble, passing the flower between us. Emily held it out for Izzy. “Do you want to put it in water for me?”
Izzy glanced at the flower. “It’s not as pretty as my flower.” They were both lilies, but Emily’s was white with a silver bow.
“Because you’re the prettiest.” I slid my hands around Emily’s waist and tugged her close to me. I pressed a kiss to the slope of her neck and rested my chin on her shoulder to look at Izzy. Her eyes sparkled as her little face smiled up at us. Then she let out an adorable little giggle.
“He kissed you.” Izzy giggled again and Em’s cheeks turned a soft rose colour.
“Water for my flower, missy.”
Izzy skipped away. I nuzzled my nose against Emily’s skin, inhaling her scent. God, she smelled delicious. I ran the tip of my nose up her neck to behind her ear. “God, I’ve missed you, Pix.” I tightened my hold, hugging her body to me. Her body responded to my touch, rolling her hips against my rock hard dick. My body craved her. She was my addiction and I needed a fix desperately.
“You make me crazy, Em.”
“Self-inflicted,” she uttered breathlessly. I could feel the rapid rise and fall of her chest.
“I’m an idiot and glutton for punishment.”
“So, does that mean you are lifting the sex ban?”
“If your… if Izzy wasn’t here right now, I’d have this dress off and my cock deep inside you.” She released a soft whimper and the dug her nails into my skin. “I’m desperate for you, Emily; you’re my addiction.”
“I need you, too.”
A loud smash coming from the kitchen had Emily out of my arms and running in that direction. I adjusted my pants and followed to see a distraught-looking Izzy standing on a stool at the kitchen sink, staring at the floor.
“I broked it,” Izzy said quietly and her bottom lip started trembling. Glass lay on the floor surrounding her, the two flowers side by side. I stepped around Emily, my shoes crunching on the broken shards. I lifted Izzy into my arms and handed her to Emily. I picked the flowers up but they were covered in tiny shards of glass, so I tossed them in the trash, causing Izzy to wail and bury her face in Emily’s shoulder.
“Sweetheart, I promise on our way to dinner we will call at the florist and you can pick out as many flowers as you wish.”
“Will, you don’t need to do that. She’ll be fine.”
“She’s my date. My date wants flowers, she will get flowers.” Izzy lifted her puffy little face and smiled at me.
“Really?”
“Come on.” I held out my arms, wanting to hold her. I glanced at Em, to check it was okay. She looked a little shocked at first, and I wondered if it was wrong to want to comfort Izzy. Slowly, she lifted Izzy and placed her in my arms. My heart slammed against my chest with the realisation they could become my family. I would have done absolutely anything to make those two happy, anything in the world. I glanced at Em to see she was watching me hold her baby girl with a gently unguarded smile on her face. And I saw it, shining back at me – she felt the same.
After the glass was cleared up we headed out. When we arrived at the florist, Izzy was like a kid in a candy store with all the different flowers.
I tried to keep my eyes on Izzy instead of the delectable giant beside me. He stood casually with his hands in his pockets, smiling as Izzy raced around smelling the different flowers and picking stems out of the buckets.
“Izzy, enough now,” I said softly, trying not to show the panic inside that I couldn't afford what she was choosing. Who was I kidding
, I couldn't even afford to step inside that shop, let alone buy a bunch of flowers. “Just take two and that’s it.”
“But Will said I could choose any–”
I stepped forward toward her. “Izzy, I don’t–”
“It’s my treat. I admit, it’s a little unconventional to allow a date to choose her own flowers, but she seems to be enjoying it.”
My cheeks heated because I was sure he knew what the issue was.
“We do need to be going soon though, sweetheart; our dinner reservation is soon.” He glanced at an expensive-looking watch. It seemed at odds with the usual jeans and t-shirt he wore. He almost seemed like a totally different person, strangely like he was born in a suit. When my brothers wore suits they tugged at the collars and fiddled with the sleeves like they were in strait jackets. Will was as comfortable in a suit as I was in pyjamas.
“One more, please?” Izzy pleaded.
I huffed out a breath; she was definitely her mother’s daughter. I would have been content with the same lily being replaced, not Izzy. The florist tied the stems with a gauze bow and sprinkled some glitter dust over the petals. I didn't miss her lingering looks at Will and the sweet smiles she cast his way. I glanced across at Will to see if his attention was on her, too, but he had a wide smile on his face and was watching Izzy dance up and down. As if sensing my gaze, he turned to look at me. He nodded his head in Izzy’s direction and his smile widened. I couldn't help but smile back at the pure joy on his face. Will seemed to be getting as much enjoyment out of seeing Izzy so happy as I usually did. He stepped toward me and slid his hand into mine, bringing our laced fingers up to his mouth and pressing a warm kiss to my knuckles. My giant had stolen my heart and was well on his way to securing Izzy’s, too. I leaned against him, resting my head on his bicep. I knew it had to end. He would leave eventually, but for once, I was going to hold onto the little happiness I felt. I would embrace the warmth in my heart instead of the cold loneliness that usually resided there.