by Wendy Smith
“I know.” She sighs. “It’s just … you make me feel safe even when we’re not together. And I like that feeling so much. It’s made me realise just how alone I really have been up until now. You’re making a difference.”
She tilts her head back, and I scan her face before kissing her softly.
“I want to be the man who makes that difference. And, one day, the man who comes home to you at night, and wakes up with you in the morning.”
Her expression softens. “I want all that too. But before we get there, I want romance and everything that comes with falling in love.” Chloe runs her fingers over my abs. “Maybe you should ask me out.”
“Is that allowed?”
She shrugs. “It’s a good way to ease the kids into it while I continue to sneak over here to fulfil our mutual need for each other.”
I chuckle. “Is that what you call it?”
She traces circles on my chest. “I know it’s what I feel. And it’s more than just sex. I really enjoyed tonight.”
“Me too. Next time, I’ll take you to the movies.”
Chloe grins. “I haven’t been to a cinema in … I don’t know how long.”
“Then, we’ll fix that. Maybe we can find something the boys will like too.” I ponder for a moment. “But then I don’t think they’ll like it much if we’re making out in the back row.”
She laughs. “Taking them might not be such a good idea. Besides, they rarely agree on anything, let alone which movie to watch.”
“And there’s our other problem.” I kiss her nose. “Hey, how about I go and make us a hot chocolate, and we can get a few hours sleep before you head home.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
“I’ll set the alarm so you don’t oversleep.”
I pull myself away, and as I slip out of bed, her hand closes around my wrist.
“Thank you.”
Smiling I bend and kiss her knuckles. “I’d do anything for you, Chloe Cooper. Just remember that.”
I tug on my boxers and make my way to the kitchen, whistling the whole way.
Chloe talks about healing her heart, but she’s doing a good job of healing mine too.
Seventeen
Chloe
“Got you.”
After dropping the boys at school, I came home determined to find the box with the coffee machine in it. For some reason, it ended up at the bottom of Braden’s wardrobe, but I finally get my hands on it and kiss the box.
Once it’s plugged in, I’ll head to the supermarket and buy some real coffee.
“I’ve missed you so much, my baby.” I croon as I carry it down the stairs.
This is such a big a part of my writing routine, and I’ve been lost without it. The coffee machine alone will make this house feel more like home. Although, it’s getting old in the tooth. I bought it with the first decent royalties I made, and Scott used to laugh and call it our third child—I loved it so much.
“I swear you love that machine more than me.” He laughs as I plug it in. “Look at you. You’re focusing so hard on it, your tongue’s sticking out.”
I turn and poke my tongue at him.
“Have I told you how proud I am of you?” Scott wraps his arms around my waist from behind. “I know you went a long time without being able to fulfil your dreams. And now look.”
I press the on button, and the machine lights up. “My dream to own a coffee machine?”
“Chloe.” He laughs and turns me around. “You gave up a lot for our boys and me when I was at uni. It’s your turn, babe.”
I place the machine on the bench and take a deep breath. There are so many ways I could make my life easier. I still have to add the beans and froth the milk manually while there are newer machines that do it all for you.
But this machine has so much meaning.
And I need to celebrate finding it by having a real coffee.
Time to go to the supermarket.
I buy a selection of coffee because I can’t make up my mind and, over time, I’ll drink it all anyway.
As I browse the shelves, out of the corner of my eye I spot someone waving.
“Chloe? Chloe Baxter?”
I look up. Piper Edwards. At least that’s how I knew her at school.
She married Hunter.
My Hunter.
“Piper.”
She smiles. “You remember.”
“It’s Chloe Cooper now.”
Piper nods. “Of course it is. How are you? How’s Scott?”
I swallow hard. A short time ago that question would have still broken me, but a lot’s changed since I got back to town.
“Scott died about four years ago. I just moved back to town with my kids.”
Her expression straightens. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“We’re doing okay. It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you too.” She seems to hesitate. “Have you seen Hunter?”
I draw in a deep breath. “We’re neighbours.”
Her nose twitches. “Really?”
I smile. “I bought the house next door. Didn’t realise until after we’d moved in.”
It’s so hard to know what she’s thinking. I don’t remember much about her from school other than her antagonistic relationship with Hunter, which apparently wasn’t all it seemed. And I’m not envious of her. She had her chance, and for whatever reason she chose the path she did.
And now the man she didn’t want is mine.
“He’ll like that,” she snaps, as if I planned to move next door to him.
“He does. So do I.” There’s no way I’m going to let her bother me. We were never close back then, and there’s no reason for us to be now. “It’s been good to renew old friendships. I had dinner with Meredith and Darren Carmichael a while ago too.”
She screws up her face. “I haven’t seen them in a long time. Meredith got all huffy with me when Hunter and I split.”
I clamp my lips together. Piper was always a prickly person. It’s what surprised me the most about her being with Hunter in the first place. They were nothing alike.
“She’s very loyal to him.”
Piper looks me up and down. “Yeah, she is.”
I hold up my palms. “Look. I don’t know the finer details of what happened between you and Hunter, but I’d prefer it if there wasn’t any animosity between us.”
She’s silent for a moment. “Sure.”
“Anyway, I’ve got to get these groceries and get back home to do some work. Have a good day, Piper.”
She doesn’t even respond as I walk away.
That’s that, then.
Back in the car, with my coffee and a big bag of donuts, I take a deep breath.
I don’t have anything against Piper. And she really shouldn’t have anything against me. I didn’t hurt her. I didn’t steal her husband. She doesn’t even know about Hunter and me.
I’m not sure what put a stick up her arse where I’m concerned, but I can’t do anything about it. I don’t even want to.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it out of my bag.
Meredith’s name pops up on the screen and I smile.
“Hi, Meredith.”
“Chloe. Have I caught you at a good time?”
I laugh. “I’m just about to drive home with my groceries. Timing is perfect.”
“I wondered if you wanted to go somewhere for a coffee.”
“Yes. I’d love to. That sounds great and just what I need right now.”
“There’s a place …” She pauses. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll tell you when I see you.”
“There’s a place not far from the school in case you have to pick up your boys. I’ll text you the details. How about we make it one-thirty, and that’ll give us an hour before I have to go and get my kids.”
Sighing after the call is disconnected, I slip my phone into my bag and head home to drop off the groceries. Hunter’s car isn’t in his driveway, but I’ll see him
later to update him about my morning. It’s probably a good thing in some ways because I’d only be tempted to go over early and not get any work done.
The time is just after eleven, and I have work to do.
Finding the cafe is easy. Meredith was right, it’s just down the road from the boys’ school.
She smiles as I walk in the door.
After ordering coffee, I take a seat opposite her.
“It’s so good to see you, Chloe. You’re looking well.”
I smile. “You too. How’s the family?”
Her face lights up. “Good. How about yours?”
“We’re good too. The boys are settled in to school and making friends. Xander made the first fifteen and starts training soon.”
“Flat white?” A waitress places my coffee in front of me.
“Thank you.” I take a sip. “Oh, that’s good coffee.”
“I love this place,” Meredith says. “My kids’ school isn’t far from here either, and the food’s good too.”
“I just really need coffee today. It’s been a long one.” I take another sip. “I ran into Piper at the supermarket this morning.”
She rolls her eyes. “Ugh. How did that go?”
Her response makes me laugh. “She didn’t seem too happy to see me. Which, to be honest, is weird because we never had that much to do with each other.”
“She really fucked Hunter over. I’d be happy if I never saw her again.”
I suck on my bottom lip. “What did she do? I mean, he told me she cheated, but …”
“He had to buy her out of everything. Which is fine because she was entitled to it. But she broke him. I always had this weird feeling about her, like he was way more into her than she was into him. So when he caught her in his own bed with some other guy, he was devastated.”
Tears prick my eyes. I can’t even imagine what that must have been like for him. Finding Scott like that would have killed me.
“And then he self-destructed. Seemed to think it was his mission to bang anything that moved. He stopped coming around to our place because we didn’t want the kids to meet woman number five only for woman number six to be with him a week later.”
I swallow hard.
“Anyway, it was like that for about six months, and once she was paid out of the house and the business, he got his shit together. He became a bit more like the Hunter I remembered because I didn’t recognise him for a while.” “And now,” she continues. “You and Hunter.” Her raised eyebrows give away what she’s thinking. It’s almost a relief after the unreadable Piper.
“Yes.”
“Yes, you two are together, or …”
I bite my bottom lip. Meredith was never anyone I confided in, but she’s a friend.
“We are, but we’re keeping it low key.”
She grins. “I knew it. Was it before you came to dinner?”
I shake my head. “After. But your dinner was an eye opener. I never thought of him in that way before.”
Meredith fans herself with her hand. “I nearly jumped him that night. That was so hot. I almost called you the next day, but I thought I’d better leave that alone for a while.”
I nod. “It took a little while. And I haven’t told the boys yet. So, I think it’ll be a while before we announce anything to the world.” I take a sip of my coffee. “Besides, I’m enjoying it just being us.”
“I won’t tell Darren. He thought something was going on the other night, but he hasn’t mentioned it again.” She leans forward. “It’s the most perceptive he’s been for a while. Usually, you two could have sex on our dining table and Darren would probably still miss it.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “I’m sure he’s not that bad.”
“No. But he’s still good at missing the obvious. I’ll let him work it out, unless Hunter tells him.”
“Thank you.”
She shrugs. “You’re welcome. And you haven’t been back long, so I’m guessing you haven’t made a lot of new friends. I’m not going to screw you over. I’m glad you’re back.”
“Me too.” I smile. “Me too.”
“I think you might just be what each other needs. He’s been alone the past three years, Chloe. As far as I know there’s not been anyone else. And he did always have the biggest crush on you.”
I sigh. “I had no idea.”
“It’s all water under the bridge now, but I think you’ll be good together.”
I pick up my cup and smile behind it.
I think Meredith is right.
Eighteen
Hunter
“I ran into Piper at the supermarket this morning.”
I grit my teeth. Things didn’t end well between Piper and me. And she always resented I crushed on Chloe in high school and not her.
“What happened to you two?”
I thought she might ask at some point, and I’m not sure how well she’ll take the whole story. But she’s lying in my arms in my bed, and if I don’t tell her the whole story, I’m sure Piper will relish the opportunity if she thinks it’ll hurt me.
“Your house. The last couple who lived there.”
Chloe nods.
“We got to know them. The fence broke and we had already established a friendship with them, so didn’t bother getting it fixed at that point.”
Chloe’s brows knit. “I know that much.”
“Anyway, we were in and out of each other’s houses. Two childless couples with free evenings.” I raise my arms to rest behind my head. “It turned out our new neighbours were swingers.” I open my eye and take in the look on Chloe’s face.
Her eyes widen. “Really?”
“Yes, and after a few drinks one night, they suggested we swap partners for the evening. I’m not even sure where the idea came from. I wasn’t keen on the idea, but Piper thought it was a huge turn on, and I would have done anything for her at that stage.”
Chloe draws in a big breath.
“Anyway, I woke up in the morning wishing we hadn’t done it. Piper wanted to do it again. We argued. She kept sleeping with him. I didn’t know until I caught them in my own bed.”
“Oh, Hunter.” Chloe’s face is full of sympathy. “I’m so sorry.”
“So, then I went a bit stir crazy after she left. Slept with a lot of women, and have a lot of regrets.” I sigh. “And then I woke up one morning and wondered what the hell I was doing. Piper was gone, and I had the rest of my life to live.” I lick my lips and press a kiss to her forehead. “And then three years later, you show up. And you bring that sunshine back that you always did. I’m not sure where this is going, Chloe, but I can’t tell you how good it is to have you in my life again.”
She places her warm palm on my chest. “It might be a surprise to you, but you’re only the second man I’ve ever slept with.”
I chuckle. “I kind of worked that out.”
“Maybe I should have done my own sleeping around town to make myself feel better, but I don’t think I could do it. I need the emotional connection.”
I scan her expression. “We have that.”
“You’re the only one I have that with. One of Scott’s co-workers used to visit me in Auckland. We were kind of friends before he propositioned me, and it was tempting because sex would have been nice, but it didn’t feel right.”
Her blue eyes are full of affection as she gazes at me.
“But it feels right with me?”
She nods. “It’s not just sex with you. This is deeper. And it feels right.”
“Besides, I’m really good at it.”
For a second, she takes me seriously before her face crumbles and her body shakes with laughter. “Yes, Hunter. You’re very good at it.”
“Sit on my face and tell me how good I am.”
Her eyebrows rise. “I’m not sure …”
“Live a little, Chloe. I’ll show you how good sex can be.”
Amusement fills her expression. “Hunter, I don’t know …”
“T
rust me.”
“I’ve never done anything like that before. I’ve always been pretty vanilla.”
I lean forward a bit. “I’m not spanking you. I just want to eat your pussy.”
Her cheeks pink up. I don’t think she’s ever been spoken to this way. She squirms beside me, and I don’t need to ask her if she’s thinking about it. I’m used to vocalising what I want.
“Just think about it, Chloe … My beard tickling your thighs.”
She lets out a tiny gasp and inches closer to me, her body telling me a story she doesn’t need to verbalise.
“You’re so not used to this and it’s the most adorable thing ever.”
She laughs and gives me a gentle slap. “No, I’m not used to it. No one ever just said these things to me.”
“Is this the part where I tell you just how much I love the way your body moulds to mine when we’re in bed together? It’s like we’re two halves of a whole that finally reached the point in their lives where they’re the perfect fit.”
Chloe traces her finger over my abdominal muscles. “That didn’t get as dirty as I thought it was going to be.”
I kiss her ear. “Then maybe I should also tell you how good it feels to be inside you, and how your pussy grips me tight.”
“Hunter.” Her tone tells me she’s amused, but not offended.
“Just telling it like it is.” I shrug.
She sucks on her bottom lip. “So, you really want me to …”
“I want you to be as free as you were that first night we were together. When you wanted me to fuck you so hard that you’d feel it the next day.”
Her lips curl into a smile. “And I did.”
“You’ve been trapped, Chlo. These past four years, this beautiful woman I know who is so full of love has had to deal with all the shitty things life has thrown at her. And I bet not once did you ever ask for anything for yourself.”
Her eyes search mine, and I know I’ve hit a sore spot. But she slowly nods again.
“Let me be the man to give it all to you. Maybe we weren’t destined for each other originally, but I’d like to think fate brought us together for a reason. And I’m willing to sacrifice my body.” I smile.
