by Wendy Smith
Chloe smiles. “You’re right. We didn’t.”
“So, I brought it with me.” I hold up the bottle and two glasses.
She laughs. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. I don’t react well to wine.”
“In what way?”
Her eyes flash with mischief. “It either puts me to sleep or makes me horny, and I can’t cope with one of those.”
“Even if I volunteer to be tribute?”
Her laughter on this day of all days warms my heart. “I love being around you, Hunter. You always make me feel better.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment and pour us both a drink, then.”
“You do that.”
She props herself up on the pillows as I pour the bubbly liquid and then hand her a glass.
“To Scott.” I say as I hold up mine.
She clinks her glass with mine. “To Scott.”
We take our first sip in silence, and I climb up on the bed properly, sitting next to her.
Chloe runs her index finger around the rim of her glass. “I miss him. I know it’s been a long time now, but there’s a big part of me that just wants him to walk back through the door.”
I look down at my wine glass, pausing before looking back up. “I bet. And I’m sure that’ll never change.” I take another sip of my drink. “I wish I’d been able to say goodbye.”
Tears fill her eyes. “I wish I had too. But the last conversation we had, I told him I love him, and I have to make do with that.”
As a tear rolls down her cheek, I place my free hand over hers. “That was everything to him. He worshipped the ground you walked on. If that was the last thing he heard from you, then he would have died a happy man.”
She sniffs. “Do you think so?”
“I know so. He loved you so very much, and that never stopped all the time I knew him.” I smile. “A lifetime isn’t enough for a love like that.”
Chloe smiles and downs the rest of her drink in one hit.
“More please.”
“Oh, you’re just going to be trouble tonight, aren’t you?”
She laughs. “I’ll try not to be.”
I grab the wine bottle and refill her glass. “You know Scott would never have approved to me sitting in bed alone with you.”
“No, he wouldn’t.” She takes another sip. “That never changed, you know? Right until the end he put me first. The kids, too, but I never had a day when I felt unloved.” Tears fill her eyes again. “It’s so stupid crying about it. That should make me happy.”
“It’s not stupid. And you know wherever he is, he still loves you. Always will.”
She takes another long drink.
“Sometimes I feel like I should have moved on by now. But then it doesn’t feel right.” She looks at me from under her eyelashes.
“You’ll know when you’re ready.”
Chloe sighs before downing the rest of her drink.
“You need to slow down.” I laugh.
“I was never a big drinker. But this is nice. Maybe it’s time for me to do things I’ve never done before.” She runs her tongue along her lower lip.
My cock twitches. “Like what?”
“Get really drunk. Bungee jump. Go skydiving. I don’t know.” She holds her glass out. “Start by topping me up.”
“When did you get so bossy?”
“When I became a mum.” She laughs.
I chuckle and refill her glass again. The bottle’s disappearing quickly, and I’ve barely had any of it. I take a sip.
“Want to get drunk with me?” she asks. “I kinda skipped that whole phase. By the time I was old enough to buy alcohol, I was breastfeeding twins.”
My heart lurches. Caleb was right. Chloe has missed out on a lot. And while I’m sure she wouldn’t want to give up a thing, it’s not fair to try and tie her down before she’s spread her wings.
“It’ll take more than this to get me drunk.”
She swirls her glass. “I used to envy Scott. He was such a good dad and an amazing husband, but he had so much more freedom than I did. I … I was at home with the twins and he got to leave the house every day. But we were happy.” Her brows twitch as tears well in her eyes. “Damn it. I didn’t want to cry.”
“It’s my fault.”
Chloe shakes her head. “No. I would have done it one way or another. I’m just glad you’re here.”
I reach out and wipe her tears away with my fingers. “I’m glad I am too. I don’t want you going through this alone.”
“I’m never alone while I have my boys.” She’s slurring a little, but there’s a faint smile on her lips.
I scan her expression. “That’s true. They’re such great kids, Chloe. You did good.”
She drains her drink.
“Should I get the other bottle, or …?” I ask.
I’m not sure if it’s a good idea, but it’s clear she needs to talk and this is working to get it out of her.
“Yes, please. I think it’s just what I need tonight.”
Her eyes are hazy, and something tells me she’ll be asleep before too long. But she’s inside her own home and safe, and leaving her alone for tonight of all nights doesn’t sit well on me.
“I’ll be back in a minute.”
The rest of the house is quiet. It sounds like the boys have retreated to their own rooms, and I hesitate outside their closed doors. I’ll check in with them in the morning how they are. Today will be tough on them too.
I haven’t even stopped to think about how I feel.
But none of that is important when the people I love are in pain. And I do love them.
I retrieve the wine bottle from the fridge and grab a bag of potato chips. It’s not much, but maybe this’ll lessen the blow for Chloe tomorrow.
She beams when I walk back into the room. Her blonde hair’s mussed up from lying back on the pillows, and her cheeks are pink as is the end of her nose. I’ve never seen her drunk before. And while I think she’s a ways off that, she’s well on the path.
I throw the bag of chips on the bed. “Hungry?”
“Ravenous.” She licks her lips. “At least no one else is going to complain about crumbs in the bed.”
She laughs like it’s the funniest joke ever.
“I’m not sure you should have any more to drink, Chlo.”
“If you don’t fill up my glass, Hunter, I’ll drink the whole bottle by myself.”
I laugh. “I’m keeping an eye on you, young lady.”
“Good. I like that idea.” She holds up her glass and bites her lip, her eyes heavy and locked with mine.
I have the urge to lean forward and take her in my arms, but I’ve got to know if she longs for me and only me, like I long for her.
I fill up our glasses, place the bottle on the bedside cabinet and lie on the bed beside her. “I wish I’d known about Scott. I would have been there for you.”
She steadies her gaze on me. “You’re here now.”
“I know, but …” I play my bottom lip between my teeth. “It doesn’t feel like it’s enough.”
“It’s enough.” She drains her glass.
“Steady on.” I laugh.
“Call it Dutch courage.”
“For what?” I take a sip of my own glass before leaning back to place it next to the bottle. “You can tell me anything, Chloe.”
“Do you—” she holds her glass out. “—know what else I missss?” Chloe blinks, her eyelids heavy as she tries to focus on my face.
I have a feeling she won’t feel well in the morning, but my guess is talking for her is therapeutic—it has been for me.
“What?”
“The sex. I miss having a sex life. And I’ve had offers, but I can’t do it. I almost wish I could, but I need to feel something more than just wanting sex.”
My mouthful of drink goes down the wrong way, and I cough before choking out the words. “I can understand that.”
“I just want to love and be loved agai
n. But it’s hard.” She licks her lips. “And then there’s you.”
It’s hard not to smile, but I need to know more about what she means. “Me?”
“You were unexpected, Hunter Emerson. You’ve been sneaking into my heart, and I don’t have a clue what to do about it.” She drops her empty glass onto the carpet beside the bed before lying on her back with her arms above her head.
“Is that right?” I’m not sure she’s in any position to tell me this right now, but it’s what my heart needs to hear. “What did I do to deserve that?”
She reaches up to run her fingers through my beard. “Just by being you. I can’t remember what it’s like to fall in love, but you are doing all the right things. I think.” Her eyelids flicker, and it’s obvious she’s fighting sleep. “I like the way I feel around you.”
“You’re easy to love, Chloe. So, so easy.”
“Then stay the night and love me.”
For a moment, I examine her expression closely.
“Chloe, I …”
“I want you, Hunter.”
Thirteen
Chloe
I think I just told Hunter that I had feelings for him.
But it’s hard to tell what I’m saying out loud versus what’s in my head. Wine is always the worst.
My eyelids grow heavier, and I wriggle down in the bed. Hunter lies down beside me.
“Roll over,” he says.
I roll onto my side, and he pulls me up against him, my back to his chest. Without another word, he tangles his fingers in mine and rests our joined hands on my stomach.
And that’s the last thing I remember.
I swear, all it takes is a glass or two of wine and I’m on my arse for the night. I don’t care that I’m a lightweight when it comes to drinking, and I’ve never been one to indulge, but last night was a reminder of the worst night of my life.
I let out a contented sigh at the warmth on my back, and the arm draped over me. Hunter. He took such good care of me, and I was so glad for his company on a night that’s always difficult to get through.
I’m just going to lie here and enjoy his presence for as long as I can.
His body’s curled around me, his thighs pressed against mine, and if I’m not mistaken … My eyes fly open. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a man in my bed, and some things are always the same.
He murmurs as I pull away a little, roll over, and look at him.
I’d know Hunter anywhere, but he’s changed so much since we were kids. It seems weird to think of him as a man instead of the boy we left behind.
And he is all man.
I place my palms on his abdomen. He’s warm to the touch, and solid underneath that shirt. Curious, I bite my bottom lip as I raise the hem and tuck my hands underneath, palm to his skin.
Part of me hates that I’m so innocent in some ways. I was with only one man for years, so Hunter’s like forbidden fruit that I know absolutely nothing about. I’m well aware of my naivety when it comes to things like dating, and to be honest, men in general.
But Hunter’s become not only the man I have a crush on, but also my rock. I have no doubt that when he says he’ll always be here for me—he means it.
I explore his abs with my fingertips, and slowly walk them up to his pecs. His chest hair feels funny beneath my fingers, but it just increases his appeal. He’s not what I’m used to. He’s undoubtedly Hunter.
“What are you doing?” There’s bemusement in his voice.
I drop my hands, but one of his closes over one of mine and pulls it back to his chest.
“I didn’t tell you to stop.”
Stay the night and love me.
Wait. Did I really say that? My cheeks blaze.
“I like you touching me.”
My heart pounds as I flatten my palm and slide it downward.
“Chloe.” His strained tone tells me he’s as affected by me as I am by him.
My hands reach the waistband of his pants.
He shakes his head.
Hunter’s eyes seem so dark as he skims his thumb across my bottom lip.
“Our first time together isn’t going to be rushed. We’ll take it slow. But you have to be ready, and I’m not doing this while you still need to sleep off the night before.”
“I’m fine,” I whisper.
“You look tired, and I bet anything your head is thumping. Am I right?”
I feel petulant as I pout and nod.
He raises my chin with his fingers and brushes his lips against mine. “Get some sleep. We’ll talk later.”
I know he’s right as I yawn. It’s been a long time since I’ve slept as well as I did last night beside him, but I’m still feeling awful.
Hunter rolls off the bed as I close my eyes and drift off to dream of him.
“Mum, Hunter said you’d need these.”
I open an eye to see Braden standing over me, a glass of water in one hand, and two white pills in his other palm.
“Thank you,” I croak.
Sitting up, I hold out my hand and he drops the pills into it, handing me the water at the same time.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this.”
I chuckle. “It’s been a while since I’ve had that much to drink.”
“Yesterday was a bad day. I’m glad you’re okay.”
I swallow down the pills and grimace. “I’ll be fine.”
“Are you with Hunter now?”
His eyes betray his anxiety. It took so long for us to adjust to a new normal. Any relationship I enter will be a big deal for all of us.
“No. Would you be okay if I was?”
His nod is slight, but his face drops all its tension. “I like him. You’re different now he’s around. Yesterday was a bad day for you, but you were laughing and smiling. That makes me happy.”
I reach out and take his hand in mine. “I’m glad to hear it. It’s time we all had some happiness in our lives.”
“Xander might not feel the same way.”
Sighing, I lie back on my pillows. “Well, nothing is happening right now, so he has some time to adjust. I have a lot of thinking to do.”
“Do you want to know what I like about Hunter?”
I smile. “Tell me.”
“The way he looks at you. It’s the way Dad used to. He doesn’t want to be Dad, but he’s there for me and Xander.”
I nod. “He’s a good man.”
“I guess that’s the long way of saying that I’m okay with you and Hunter.” He pushes his floppy fringe out of his eyes, and the simple action takes my breath away.
“You are so your father’s son.”
He screws up his nose. “What do you mean?”
“You’re a lot like him. Xander is too, obviously, but in different ways. He’d be really proud of you.”
“Do you think so?”
“He loved you before you were born. I know so.”
His smile warms my heart. He sits on the bed.
“You two were so young. Was he happy about me and Xan?”
I nod. “You were a surprise. Even more so when we found out there were two of you. But your dad and I always knew we wanted to be together forever. And you and Xander made our little family complete.”
There’s so much more I want to say, but I’m not sure how he’ll take it. Like how Scott passed out the moment he realised we were having two babies. I might have done the same if I wasn’t already lying down.
We both knew all our plans were out the window. But we pulled together and found our way through.
I was never meant to be left alone.
“I love you, Mum.” Braden leans forward and hugs me.
“I love you too. I guess I’d better get out of bed and take you to school.”
He shakes his head. “Hunter’s got that covered. If that’s okay.”
I nod. “It’s fine. Have a good day.”
As he leaves, he passes Xander who’s standing in the doorway.
&nb
sp; “Do you really have a hangover?”
I laugh. “I do. First one in forever.”
He screws up his face. “Can we take the leftover pizza for lunch?”
“You can do whatever you want today.”
His smile looks so much like Scott’s it makes my heart ache. “Okay. Hope you’re feeling better soon, Mum.”
And then I’m glad he closes the door because it’s all I can do to hold in my tears until it’s closed.
I don’t even remember falling asleep. But my phone chiming to remind me it’s time for the school pick up leaves me groaning.
I’ve slept all day.
I’m not even sure I can remember the last time I did that.
Sighing, I force myself to sit up and pick up the phone. The screen’s bright and blurry, but I turn the alarm off.
There’s a text.
Hunter: I told the boys I’ll pick them up. Don’t worry about them. Just rest.
Me: Thank you
Hunter: The ball’s in your court, Chloe. I’m ready whenever you are. You just have to say the word.
Despite my throbbing head pain, I smile.
Hunter: And make sure you drink plenty of water.
I laugh. Hunter wants to be with me.
Last night, I think I threw myself at him, but he didn’t take advantage. And now he’s basically telling me he’s prepared to wait.
I just have to get up the courage without the alcohol and tell him how I feel.
How the hell do I get brave enough to do that?
Fourteen
Hunter
It’s hard to bide my time waiting for Chloe, but at this point I need her to come to me rather than chase after her.
She needs to be ready, and I know we’re close, but the jury’s still out on how far I can push. As it is, I’ve laid my cards on the table and now it’s her turn.
Her move ends up being so subtle, I almost miss it.
It’s been two days since I left her in her bed, sleeping off the night before. My body still remembers what it was like to have her hands on me, and her gentle exploration gives me hope.
She told me she wanted me, but I want her to say it when she’s sober.
