“Upstairs,” Lily says, making a move to get up.
I slow her. “I’ll go. You keep getting your wine on.”
“This is why I love you, B,” she says. “By the time you get back, I’ll have one ready for you.”
I don’t get to see Lily often these days, but when I do, it’s like we were never apart. We came into the Storm world around the same time and helped each other find our footing. And being married to club presidents means we share many similarities in what we’re dealing with club wise. It’s at times like this, when we get the chance to catch up and talk about our struggles that I’m reminded of how blessed I am to have her in my life.
Leaving her with Zara, I head upstairs for the salads. I’m surprised when I find Winter exiting the kitchen.
“Hey, you,” I greet him. “Good timing. Can you help me carry some salads downstairs?”
An easy smile fills his face and he takes hold of my waist. Pulling me inside, he says, “Only if you do something for me.”
That smile of his, along with the sexy hum of his voice and the way his hands are all over me, stirs a wave of flutters in my tummy. “That depends on what it is you want. I mean, there’s no way I’m dropping to my knees and sucking your dick right now, but I’m open to other options.”
“Angel,” he says with a grin, “I would never ask you to do that. I’d at least find us a room if I wanted my dick sucked.”
I move into him, loving when he banters with me like this. It used to be our way, but everything we’ve gone through has slowly taken that from us. Every now and then we find our way back, but it never lasts long. Life can be a cruel bitch sometimes; I want to look her dead in the eyes and punch her out. But for now, I’ll take every minute with Winter like this that I can get.
“Okay,” I say. “Tell me what you want me to do, sexy man, and I’ll see if it’s a possibility.”
“Sexy man,” he rumbles, heat gathering in his eyes. “I like that. You should call me that more often.”
Goodness. My tummy is flip-flopping all over the place now. Give me more. “We’re running out of time here. Are you gonna tell me?”
His easy mood shifts into a more serious one. “I want you to get out of here with me.”
Not what I was expecting. Not at all. “As in, you want to leave already?”
“As in I want to spend the day alone with you. We could take a drive to the beach. Maybe go swimming. Eat ice creams. Talk. Just you and me. Like we used to before life got so fucked up.”
Every inch of my skin buzzes with excitement and happiness at what he’s just suggested. “I would love that.”
He takes that in and nods slowly. “Yeah, me too. Show me where the salads are and I’ll take them down while you go and tell Lily we’re leaving. I know you two were looking forward to catching up.”
I reach for his neck and bring his face to mine. “I love you, sexy man.” I kiss him and don’t miss the smile on his lips. I can also feel how some of the tightness in his body has disappeared. I don’t know what’s caused that, but I’m all for it.
“You keep this sexy-man business up,” he says, “and fuck knows how many orgasms you’ll get tonight.”
“What, you mean I won’t get any this afternoon?”
With a shake of his head, he says, “No. This afternoon isn’t about sex, Birdie. While I won’t be able to keep my hands off you, I want us to spend some time doing the things we don’t do enough of these days.”
I just fell in love with my husband all over again.
Maybe there is light at the end of this dark tunnel we’ve been in for years. I’ve always believed that to be true, but after our greatest loss three months ago, I’ve started to doubt it. Now, my heart is hopeful again.
9
Lily
* * *
“The kids are out,” King says, joining me in our bedroom just after 9:00 p.m. “How are you feeling?”
I smile, feeling every ounce of it in my entire body. After a rocky start to the day, it’s been a good Christmas. King came through with everything—well, except for the air conditioning, but I’ve moved past that—and he went out of his way to help me make the barbecue a good time for his guys. “I’m feeling happy.”
He brings his hand to my throat, wrapping his fingers around it. “Good,” he says, his voice filled with gravel. “Are you tired?”