Double Betrayal (Surviving Book 3)

by Frost, Ada

  “Well, seeing as everyone else has a declaration.” Dominic stood, looking down at Eve with love and adoration. “My wife is also pregnant.”

  Lou’s mum, Marie, was beside herself. She pulled Eve into a hug with her and Lou, and all three cried softly together. Alan, Lou’s dad, patted Dominic on the shoulder before pulling him into a manly hug. It was a beautiful sight of families sticking together, supporting and loving one another. A lump lodged in my throat at the thought I would never have this with my family. We would never be a unit of love and mutual respect. Yes, I had that with my brothers, but we were all so fractured. I In moments like this it hurt. As if sensing my grief, Will pressed a kiss to the top of my head and hugged me tight to his body. Ryan stood silently beside us, watching as Johan was congratulated. I could have sworn I saw a barrage of emotion crossing the silent hulk’s face, but I didn't know him to surmise what I was seeing.

  Will and I had sneaked into the kitchen as everyone else chatted in the lounge. He stood behind me, kissing my neck and pressing his hips into my backside as I washed the dishes.

  “Stop doing that,” I laughed.

  “I can’t. You look so fucking sexy.”

  He pushed my hair over my shoulder and pulled my top away from my neck to expose it to him. He pressed his lips to my shoulder and peppered kisses up the back of my neck and around to the soft tender spot behind my ear. “Tell me – promise me I can spend the night with you. I need to feel your skin, Pix. I need –”

  “What about your family?”

  “I don’t think they’d appreciate hearing you scream my name, Pix.”

  Chuckling, I nudged him in the stomach with my elbow. He pressed his lips to my neck before leaning over and pressing his cheek to mine. He slid his arms around my waist and hugged me to his chest. My hands stilled in the sudsy water.

  “I kinda miss Izzy not being here,” he said quietly.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, she’s a cute kid. And you’re super happy with her around.”

  “Sorry. Am I being miserable? It’s just –”

  “Pix, that isn’t what I’m saying.” He placed a kiss on my temple and rested his chin on my shoulder. “I can tell you miss her. A little light is missing in your eyes.”

  “Sorry.” I cleared my throat, a surge of emotion hitting me in the solar plexus. “You introduced me to your mum.”

  “Yeah.”

  “You introduced me to your mum as your girlfriend.”

  “Is that a big deal?”

  Was he bloody serious?

  “Of course it’s a big deal, Will.” I turned in his arms to see him smiling at me, his eyes twinkling with delight. “You’re teasing me.” I nudged my fists into his stomach and curled into his huge body. I laid my head on his heart and listened to the steady thump beneath the hard exterior.

  “I’m only teasing because, yeah, it was a pretty big deal. I didn't know if you’d chop my balls off or whether Mom would gut me like a fish.” He let out an anxious breath, his body deflating in relief, as if he’d been waiting for this conversation.

  “Do you not – did you doubt she’d approve of me?” God, please say I’m not pond skank.

  “Jesus, no, Emily. You are every mom’s fucking dream. It’s just…Marissa, my wife – ex-wife—still goes to visit her every day. She’s like some demented leech. Mom thinks…oh crap.” He rubbed his temple and I slid my arms around his waist, holding him to me. I stared up at him, watching his throat work to swallow. “My mom thinks Marissa’s kid is my son, her grandson. How the fuck do I tell her the truth and break her heart, Em?”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat, watching the conflict whiten his beautiful features. I opened my mouth to offer some lame response.

  “You open your mouth, Willem, and you tell me the truth. I may be old, son, but I’m not an idiot.” Will spun around to stare at his mother. She stood in the doorway with a gentle smile playing at her lips. There wasn’t an ounce of anger in her posture or her silvery eyes.

  “Mom –” Will stepped toward her, his hands held up in surrender.

  “And I agree. Honey, you are a dream come true.”

  My cheeks bloomed bright red. “I’ll give you two some space.” I stepped toward the backdoor, but Will caught my wrist. I glanced up at him and his eyes searched my face.

  “Thank you,” he whispered, leaning down to kiss me softly. I closed my eyes and lifted onto tiptoes to plant a firmer kiss against his mouth.

  “Don’t go too far.”

  “I promise.”

  I stood outside in the cold for an indeterminate amount of time. I really didn't want to go back through the kitchen and disturb the confessional I knew was taking place. I didn't know the full story, but part of me hoped one day he would open up to me and trust me with his hurt.

  “God, it’s bloody freezing.” I wrapped my arms around my chest, hugging myself and trying to stop my nipples from falling off. Early October was always chilly, but it had come in exceptionally cold all of a sudden. The door behind me opened and closed. I glanced over my shoulder to see my giant grinning at me.

  “You’re still alive,” I chuckled. He stepped toward me and pulled his jumper over his head using one hand, and held it out to me. “Thank you.”

  I immediately pulled the huge jumper over my head and snuggled into it. The hem fell way below my knees, and the sleeves were ridiculously long. His body heat had transferred onto the lucky wool and warmed me. I pulled the collar up to my nose and inhaled deeply, his fresh scent soothing the chills engulfing me.

  “Did you just sniff my sweater?”

  “Yes, you smell delicious.” I had no shame; he really was good enough to eat.

  “Come here and keep me warm.” I all but ran into his arms and plastered myself against him, hugging my arms around him tightly.

  “How did your mum take it?”

  “I think she was conflicted between grounding my ass, hugging me, or taking me for ice-cream.” His deep laugh heated me in ways that should be illegal. “She was really great; I don’t know why I expected anything different, really. She knew the baby wasn’t mine. She’d heard rumours Marissa was cheating on me with Brock. When she saw the kid, she knew there was some truth to the gossip.”

  “I’m sorry. I really am. But are you not pissed she didn't warn you, or at least –”

  “I wouldn’t have believed her. I’d have said it was horse shit and probably argued with Mom.”

  “I suppose so,” I said quietly.

  “I honestly never believed Mar could do something like that. I mean, our sex life was… bland. I’m not saying that sex is all we had, but she was fucking another man behind my back. I kind of figure she wanted something he could give that I couldn’t. At first, I blamed myself for not being a good husband, but in truth, a partnership can’t work if only one participant is willing to put in the effort.”

  “You’re worth the effort, Will; you are worth everything anyone has to give.”

  He glanced down at me. His fingers ran through my hair as he stared into my eyes, emeralds to sapphires.

  “Ditto, pixie-girl, ditto, so fucking much.” His head lowered and finally warm lips pressed against mine. I closed my eyes and melted against him. My bones liquefied as his arms banded around me, holding my limp form against him. I was utterly screwed. We kissed, nothing more, simply sipped at one another’s mouths. I felt like a teenager again, learning to kiss a boy, experiencing the joys of open mouthed kissing before learning how amazing it was to let your hands roam.

  “I don’t want to share you tonight, Emily. Is that wrong?”

  “Yes.” I smiled against his lips.

  “I'm so intensely greedy where you’re concerned.”

  “Do I need to insist on rations, Mr Senior?”

  “Fuck no, woman, anything but that.” His troubled scowl caused me to giggle into his chest. He shook with silent laughter and held me against him.

  The door behind Will opened. “Would
you two stop making out and get your asses in here?” Johan called from the door. I peered around Will’s bicep to stick my tongue out at him.

  “Put that away; I don’t want to know where that’s been.”

  “Oh, it would make you blush, Johan, what I can do with my tongue –” I yelped when Will picked me up in his arms.

  “Don’t fill my brother’s head with images of your gorgeous mouth.”

  “Are you kidding me? Lou would chop off my balls just for knowing she had a mouth.” We all laughed and Will carried me into the house. He nuzzled his face into my hair, inhaling me the way I had his jumper. I no longer needed the over-large garment, seeing as he was heating me in a much sexier way than any clothing could.

  We re-entered the party and mingled with our friends and his family. No matter who I spoke to, my eyes drifted across to his massive form, but most excitingly, he was always looking at me when I found him. After the fourth or fifth glance, I stopped fighting the butterflies and accepted that no matter how I tried, I couldn't deny my feelings for him. Will had snuck in and robbed me of my heart. I was his, whether he wanted to claim me as such or not. I had handed him so much power. And rather than be terrified, I embraced it; I allowed it to warm my once cold heart.

  ***

  I stood against the kitchen counter, laughing at something Lou was saying, mainly teasing Johan. Dominic was sat with Eve on his lap; Johan was in another chair and Will’s mum sat beside her husband. I couldn't help but stare at the stark resemblance between Will and his dad. It was like looking at my giant in twenty or so years.

  Ellie tugged on my sleeve. “Yes, sweetheart?”

  “Where is Izzy?”

  “She’s with her daddy. The weekends, she stays at his house.” I twirled her long blonde ponytail around my fingers. It was as soft as silk. I felt someone’s eyes on me and glanced up and collided with two silver inquisitive eyes.

  “You have a daughter?” She looked across at Will and back at me.

  “N-no. She’s my niece. I’m…I…she…” I released Ellie’s hair, knotting my fingers together.

  “Em has joint custody of her niece. She is the kid’s guardian, but on weekends she stays with her dad. We would have brought her to meet you tonight, but it’s her dad’s time.”

  He came to stand beside me and wrapped his hand around mine, lacing his fingers through mine. I squeezed in silent thanks.

  “Maybe we could meet her before we go home?” His mum glanced between us. A small smile graced her lips when she saw her son take my hand.

  I nodded, thick emotion coating my throat. His mum turned back to the table, chatting with Alan and Marie, who had filtered in from the lounge.

  Will pressed his lips to my temple and squeezed my hand. “You okay, Em?” he whispered, so only I could hear. I nodded. It had been a long time since anyone but my brothers had come to my rescue.

  “I'm going to nip outside for some fresh air, okay?” He nodded and let me go.

  The cold air slapped me in the face and I inhaled deep cleansing breaths. I stepped down onto the porch into the darkness; the moon was shrouding the garden in an eerie shadow.

  The door behind me opened. I didn't need to look to see who it was, my body already knew. Goosebumps prickled my skin and heat spread from within my stomach in giddy anticipation.

  “I know you wanted to be alone,” a beautifully deep voice said into my hair as his arms slid around my waist. I closed my eyes and let my head fall back onto his chest. “But I needed you in my arms. I needed to hold you, that okay?”

  “Perfectly.”

  “I may need your lips, too.”

  I shivered. His arms tightened around me. I turned my face toward him, seeking him just as desperately as his voice demanded.

  “I’m yours,” I whispered. Slowly turning my body, I curved my arms up and around his neck and pulled him toward me.

  “Yes, you are. And I am yours.”

  His lips pressed against mine in a firm demonstration of lust. My fingers slid into the short hair at his nape. I needed to be closer to him, so I stood on his feet, raising up onto tiptoe. He moaned into my open mouth, gifting me with a delicious swipe of his tongue. Will slipped his arms down my body and his meaty hands cupped my bottom, pulling me up into his arms. I tightened my hands around his neck and wrapped my legs around his torso.

  “You see, Em, your body knows what it wants.”

  “My bloody mind knows what it wants, too,” I gasped, the cold air burning my lungs. “We can’t, not here,” I moaned loudly when he thrust his hips forward and pressed against my lower back, forcing the contact.

  “What was that?” The sensuous smile gracing his full lips had me gripping handfuls of his hair. I pressed open-mouthed kisses to his neck, tasting the salty sweetness of his skin. I sucked, then nipped his pulse point, causing him to tighten his hold on my arse cheeks.

  “Your parents are inside.”

  “Give me ten seconds and I’ll be inside you.” I chuckled against his neck as he carried me down the side of the house. The security light from the neighbour’s house came on, casting blinding light across the garden path.

  “Fuck me! I know I’m a bumbling idiot, but I don’t need fucking floodlighting to find my way into your body.”

  “I think it’s a sign we shouldn’t be doing this.” I nipped his earlobe, causing him to groan and press me against the wall.

  “I disagree. I think Jo needs an air rifle to take the fucker out.” He kissed me deep, drugging me into a moaning, writhing state. I humped his waist, desperate to feel some hard friction against my neglected pussy.

  “Will –”The light went out and he whispered a desperate thank you.

  “I need to make you come; I want to feel you on my fingers, Pix, taste your sweetness. I can’t watch you any longer in this fucking skirt and not behave indecently.”

  I whimpered, closing my eyes and pressing my head back against the unforgiving brick of the house. He leaned forward and pressed his warm mouth against my neck, sucking and biting.

  “Your pulse is wild for me. Give it to me, Em; let me have it.”

  “Yes,” I gasped, grabbing onto him tightly.

  His mouth descended on mine in delicious force. Possessive control spiralled me into oblivion. I couldn’t give a shit whether anyone saw us right now. All I needed and wanted was Will and his magical body. Probing fingers slid under the hem of my skirt along my thigh. I needed to feel his hands against my naked skin. I felt a tug and wriggled my hips so he could manoeuvre my knickers down my legs. A whoosh of cold air hit my core.

  “I can’t wait to see what these panties say.”

  “Oh, God.” I pulled away, gasping air. He didn't relinquish his quest to send me insane, latching his mouth onto my exposed throat. I threaded my fingers into his hair, pulling slightly with maddening need as his fingers spread me open and plunged deep. I cried out into the night, gripping onto his hand. I could hear my slickness as he pumped inside me. I was on the verge of shattering. My legs tightened around him my fingers dug into his shoulder.

  And the fucking security light came on at the same time Lou called out, “Em! Johan wanted – ooh.”

  I snapped my head in Lou’s direction at the same time Will lowered me to the ground and jumped away from me. It was so comically fast; I had to suppress a smile. There was no mistaking what we were doing; the whole bloody street had a hundred watt bulb view. Lou stood at the corner of her house glancing between Will and me with a megawatt fucking grin on her face. She could have at least waited to interrupt once I’d actually come.

  “Erm…” Will said, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.

  “Nice bracelet, Will, although pink isn’t really your colour.” We both followed her line of sight to see my knickers hanging from his wrist. He snapped his hand behind his back, his ears glowing a stunning red.

  I looked over at Lou and grinned. We had been caught. What was the use in denying anything? “Did you want somethin
g, or were you out here cock blocking?”

  Will’s head snapped in my direction so fast, I was sure he’d need physio. Lou cracked out laughing and slapped her thigh.

  “You carry on, babe; looks like a caged animal ready to attack.” She nodded in the direction of Will’s crotch and sauntered away. He glanced down at the large bulge threatening to break free. I giggled at his mortified expression.

  “Fuck me, I’ve never been caught having… you know.” The light suddenly cut out, blanketing us in darkness. “Fucking light.”

  “You’re kind of cute, being all bashful,” I sniggered, “but I enjoy the caveman who fucks me against walls.” I found his bulging bicep in the darkness and walked my fingers up until I could cup the back of his neck.

  A deep growl echoed in the darkness, and his huge frame pressed me back against the wall. “I never knew I had a caveman side. You were right, though; we should go inside.”

  “Okay,” I agreed as I pressed the palm of my hand over his hard cock. “Maybe we –”

  The words were stolen from my mouth when his lips attacked in a hungry kiss. My giant had the ability not only to render me speechless, but also to lose the ability to speak. And I bloody loved it.

  ***

  Will drove his parents and Ryan back to his flat. He insisted I go with them too, and leave my car at Lou and Johan’s. Something felt different tonight, like we had finally submitted to our feelings for one another. Will seemed looser, like he too had been carrying the burden of it. Once we dropped his parents at his flat, Will headed in the direction of my home. I glanced across the car at him, his huge frame filling the driver’s seat.

  “I had fun tonight; thank you for inviting me.”

  “Thank you for not freaking out when I sprung my parents on you.” He glanced at me from the corner of his eye.

  “I don’t mind, but –”

  “But what?”

  “You didn't have to, you know, announce us to your parents. I mean, I didn't expect–”