Falling Together (All That Remains #2)

by S. M. Shade

  He grins at me. “When Airen was sick, he talked a lot. The fever made him delirious, and he called out for you almost as much as he did Abby.” If my heart gets any fuller it’s going to burst.

  “You know, Eric, some shit you can keep to yourself,” Airen grumbles.

  “Oh, but it’s so sweet,” Eric sings, hugging himself and batting his eyelashes, earning himself a middle finger from Airen.

  “Keep laughing, dimples, and you can finish this job yourself. This is the last time I’m moving your shit,” Airen gripes, lugging in the last box of Walker’s clothes.

  “What are you complaining about? Eric and I lifted all the heavy stuff.” Ooh shit. If looks could injure, I’d be missing a limb. Julie put a stop to his little exercise regimen when Abby told her he was doing crunches and push ups to rebuild his muscle, and it’s taking him longer than he expected to regain his strength. He’s supposed to be resting and recuperating for a few weeks first. Though he’s already beginning to fill out again, I think he’s self conscious.

  I’ve spent every night in their bed since we announced our intentions to everyone, but there has been no sex. Airen needs time to heal and put on a little weight before doing anything strenuous, and Abby and I agree it wouldn’t be right to do anything without him, no matter how much he encourages us…and he does. There’s a dirty voyeur hiding beneath that pretty boy shell. Still, we want to start this new relationship with all of us together, and we can wait. The nights are wonderful, but I’m often the last to fall asleep. It’s just so comfortable snuggled between them, our arms and legs tangled together, that I hate to waste it by sleeping.

  “Maybe if you and Abby didn’t hover over me like two old women, I’d get more accomplished,” Airen complains, still pissy over being stuck shifting the lighter boxes.

  “Yeah, like a relapse.” Judging by his reaction, my sarcasm is unappreciated.

  Moving faster than I would have thought possible, his chest barrels into mine, shoving me forcefully against the wall. His hand grips my hip hard enough to hurt while his other fists in my hair, pulling my head back. My feeble attempt to shove him off of me elicits a wicked grin. I’m pinned, completely immobilized and at his mercy in less than a second.

  “You don’t want to underestimate me.” An involuntary shiver runs through my body at the threatening tone of his voice, the sensation of his steamy breath against my ear. “Does this feel weak to you?” His hips grind into me, and I feel his cock swell against mine. “Don’t make me show you who’s in control here. Ask Abby what happens when you try to take the upper hand.”

  Fuck. My mouth is dry. Being trapped beneath this sexy domineering man has stolen my ability for speech. My hips press forward into his, searching for friction to relieve the sudden ache and pressure he’s caused.

  “This weekend. We send the kids to Julie’s,” he demands, and I nod, breathless by his sudden attack. A wolfish grin appears on his face before he kisses me hard, nipping at my lip. A squeak from the porch door alerts him of Eric’s return, and he releases me, sauntering away, and throwing back an arrogant, self satisfied smirk as I peel myself away from the wall. Holy shit. This weekend can’t come fast enough.

  Walker is asleep in his new room, happily curled up with his giant stuffed Spiderman when I slip into Airen and Abby’s bedroom. Abby dries her hair while Airen reclines on the bed, his head propped on his arm, a small smile on his face, watching her, staring as if he’s trying to burn her image permanently into his brain. Since he returned, he rarely takes his eyes off her.

  “Hey.” She smiles at me, oblivious to the fact she’s being gawked at by her husband.

  “Hi.” I kiss her cheek before perching on the edge of the bed. “Listen,” I glance at Airen, “you two haven’t had a night alone since Airen returned from the dead. I’ll stay in the extra bedroom tonight so you can have your room to yourselves.”

  “Our room,” corrects Airen. “And no. Get your ass ready for bed.”

  Abby laughs and gives me a sweet smile. God, she’s so adorable. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, Joseph, but we’ve already talked about this. After our first night…um…together this weekend, we’ll start alternating.” She checks to be sure Lane’s baby monitor is turned on before crawling into bed. Her light blue T-shirt rides up just enough to give me a peek of her smooth belly and navel above her little panties.

  The expression on my face doesn’t escape Airen’s notice. “I don’t know if Joseph can hold out until Friday, darlin’. He’s mentally stripping you naked.”

  Abby blushes and climbs under the covers. “Ignore him and come warm up your side of the bed,” she invites. She rests her head on the curve of my shoulder, and Airen spoons up behind her. It occurs to me again that this is where I belong. I haven’t felt this content since before Tim died. In this room, lying on this bed, wrapped in the arms of these two beautiful people who love me; I’m home. For once, I fall asleep first.

  “Airen, stop.” Abby giggles. “All of us together, remember?” I wake without opening my eyes.

  “I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t touch you.” Airen’s voice is smooth and deep, seductive enough to lure an angel into hell without a backward glance.

  “He’ll wake up!”

  “Not if you’re quiet.” I raise my eyelids just enough to see Airen slide his hand into Abby’s panties while his other pushes her shirt up to her neck. The room is dimly lit with thin early morning light, making her pale skin appear luminous as his hand caresses her bare breasts before slipping back below her navel. His lips part to meet hers in a tender kiss, his dark hair brushing her cheek. A light moan escapes her throat, and his dark eyes sparkle with desire. Fuck. They’re beautiful. I should close my eyes, or let them know I’m awake, but I can’t look away. She groans again when Airen’s lips close around her nipple, and his fingers move briskly under her panties. My heart thrums in my ears and I try not to let my breathing speed up. This is hot as hell.

  “Shh, you don’t want to wake Joseph,” he teases. Abby grabs a pillow and buries her face in it to muffle her cries. Airen’s eyes meet mine before I can close them. Shit. I’m busted. He grins and places a finger over his lips in a silent warning.

  “Are you close, sweetheart?” Airen whispers, shifting the pillow away from her face when her hips begin to move against his fingers.

  “Yes,” she moans, “don’t stop.”

  “I’ve got you, darlin’.” A whimper escapes her throat and she throws her head back, gasping. Her hands fist in Airen’s hair as she climaxes, shaking and trying to smother her cries. A shudder runs through me and I shift uncomfortably, trying to conceal the thick hot stone between my legs.

  Airen grins at Abby as she gazes up at him with dreamy eyes. “You’re so sexy when you come, Abigail,” he whispers, planting a soft kiss on her lips. “Isn’t she Joseph?” he asks, outing me with an impish grin. Abby’s jaw drops and her eyes widen as they dart to mine.

  “Beautiful,” I agree, running my fingers down her side. An instant blush rushes from her face to her chest, and she buries her face in a pillow while attempting to pull the covers over her half naked body.

  “No, no, no,” Airen chides, “no hiding allowed.”

  “Airen! Joseph!” she pleads, embarrassed when Airen steals her pillow, forcing her to face us.

  “You knew he was awake!” she accuses, her face flushed.

  “All of us together,” he replies, grinning. “Are you going to be this shy with Joseph on Friday night?”

  “This is different. I’m the only one on display.”

  “He didn’t see you naked.”

  “No, but he saw me…you both watched me…” she sputters. I do my best not to laugh. I understand what she means. It’s completely different when you’re the only one naked, with all eyes on you, watching you at your most vulnerable moment.

  “We watched you come,” I whisper, running my fingers through her silky hair. “Don’t be embarrassed, baby, it was sex
y as hell. Besides, you’ll get to repay the favor.”

  “Assholes,” she remarks fondly, grinning and shaking her head.

  I can’t resist touching her any longer. My hand circles her navel before it travels gently over her breast, my thumb stroking her nipple until it hardens. “Your breasts are so lovely, Abigail.”

  “They’re small,” she murmurs, averting her eyes.

  “No, they’re precious and sweet. You fit perfectly in my hand.” She smiles and closes her eyes when Airen’s hand joins in, caressing her other breast.

  “They’re beautiful,” he agrees huskily. “Pink and cream. So firm under my fingers. So soft in my mouth.” He bestows an open mouthed kiss on her nipple, and she sighs, soaking in the sensations as we love on her. An immediate and unanimous groan fills the room when Lane begins to cry over the baby monitor.

  “I’ll get his majesty,” Abby volunteers, pulling on a pair of sweats.

  “I need a shower,” I groan. I’m still hard as a rock.

  “I can’t imagine why.” Abby giggles, kissing him.

  “Airen was trying to work me up yesterday, and now I wake up to this. If blue balls were fatal, I’d be a dead man.”

  “Airen! Have you been teasing him?” She regards us with amusement.

  “Does that sound like something I would do? I’m offended,” he replies haughtily.

  “No, you’re an ass,” I correct.

  After lunch, Airen turns to Carson and advises him to wear a couple of layers of clothes for the job they’re doing today.

  “What are you working on?” Abby asks.

  “The roof of the barn needs repaired now that the snow has melted. It’s sunny so it shouldn’t be too cold, but it’s windy up there.”

  From the look on Abby’s face, this isn’t going to be pretty. “Carson isn’t getting up on the roof! He could fall!”

  “We could get struck by lightning, too, but that isn’t going to happen. He’ll be fine. As long as he follows directions, I won’t push him off the edge.”

  Shaking his head with a grin, Carson replies, “You’re the one most likely to fall and break a hip, old man.”

  “Pssh, you know I have cat-like reflexes.”

  “A dead cat.”

  Neither seem to notice Abby isn’t amused until she turns to Carson, her tone firm, and says, “You aren’t getting on any roof. End of.”

  “Abby…” Airen begins.

  “Drop it, Airen. I don’t want him up there.” Her movements are jerky, her posture tense as she shoves the lunch leftovers into the fridge. Carson gives a barely perceptible nod when I gesture for him to leave the room, and heads off down the hall.

  Airen scowls and crosses his arms. “So, that’s it? Decision made? The queen has spoken?”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “It means you could at least pretend my opinion matters. I’m his father, but I don’t get a say? You think I’d let Carson get hurt?”

  She sighs and leans against the counter. “Not on purpose, but what if he fell and broke his leg?”

  “Julie would set it, and he’d wear a cast. Next question?”

  “I’m not arguing over this,” Abby announces, and stalks to the bedroom with Airen hot on her heels.

  These two never learn. It’s like déjà vu watching them fight, repeating the same pattern. Abby tries to act indifferent, then runs, and Airen pursues, pushing to get his way until they’re both pissed off and yelling. I’m torn on whether to intervene. Normally, I’d try to get Airen to leave Abby alone for a few minutes, then encourage Abby to explain why she’s upset and get them to talk it out like reasonable adults. Our new relationship complicates things a bit because I don’t want them to feel like I’m taking sides now that we’re together.

  Airen’s raised voice rumbling from the bedroom, followed by Abby’s sharp reply, prompts me to action. Sometimes, I could strangle them both. When I enter, they’re glaring at one another from across the room. “You’re going to wake Lane,” I warn them. “You know he’ll be a grouch without a nap.”

  “We’re done,” Abby says, darting past me through the bedroom door.

  “The hell we are,” Airen grumbles, marching after her. He doesn’t get far before I grab his arm.

  “Give her a minute, buddy. Let her cool off. You know her temper is as bad as yours. You aren’t going to get anywhere.” His hands fly through his hair in frustration.

  “She says she wants me to be a father to Carson, but she won’t fucking let me!”

  “Airen…Abby was a single mom for twelve years. She’s used to making all the decisions when it comes to Carson.” Glaring, he opens his mouth to respond, but I interrupt. “I’m not making excuses for her. I didn’t say it was right. I only want you to understand where she’s coming from.”

  “She doesn’t trust me.” Hurt thickens his voice.

  “Bullshit. She trusts you more than anyone. This has nothing to do with trust, and everything to do with fear. She’s overprotective when it comes to the kids, but, if I’m going to be honest, I don’t like the idea of letting him roof either.”

  “He has to learn this shit, Joey.”

  “I know, but it doesn’t have to be today, does it? When you know it scares the shit out of her? Maybe we can come up with a way to make it safer, tether him somehow. If she sees he’s safe, she’ll be okay with it.”

  “Fine.”

  Dishes rattle and bang in the kitchen as Abby washes up, doing anything to avoid talking to Airen. She regards me warily when I lean against the counter with a sigh. “Easy way or hard way, Abigail?”

  “What?” she asks, drying her hands on a dish towel.

  “Easy way, you go talk to Airen, and explain why you freaked out. Hard way, I throw you over my shoulder and carry you to the bedroom where you talk to Airen, and explain why you freaked out. Doesn’t matter to me, baby.”

  “Leave me alone.” Before she can take a step, my arms are around her thighs and she’s over my shoulder, kicking and smacking my back as I carry her to the bedroom. Airen snorts with laughter, and Abby snaps, “It’s not funny.” I toss her on the bed, and she stares at me, her glare falling short when the corners of her mouth twitch up. “Caveman,” she mutters.

  “Yeah, I’m the one with the thick skull. Talk. Work it out.”

  * * * *

  “It’s snowing again,” Airen grumbles, peeking out the kitchen window while Lane hangs on his leg.

  “Layer up. Let’s take a walk. Get your grouchy ass out of the house for awhile,” I reply.

  “And go where?”

  “I want to show you something,” I murmur, meeting his eyes. Lane giggles as Airen flips him upside down, dangling him by his waist.

  “Okay, let me have Abby watch the rugrat.” He meets me on the porch a few minutes later, bundled in a heavy coat, a woolen gray skullcap pulled over his ears. “This better be good,” he teases, following me outside into the blustery day.

  “I’m sorry, have I messed up your big plans for today? You have something better to do?”

  “Than wander around in the cold? Yeah, I’ve had enough of this shit to last me a lifetime.”

  I slip my leather clad hand into his. “I missed you.”

  “Of course you did.” I get a flash of his smug grin before his face softens. “Me too, Joey.”

  Joey. No one’s called me that since I was a kid, but I love how it sounds coming from his lips. Fuck. I’ve wanted him for so long. I know I’d better take things slow, though. He’s new to this, and unsure, still trying to accept his new feelings. I remember what that was like. A comfortable silence settles between us, our footfalls fading into the forest as we soak in the quiet beauty of our surroundings. Snow falls in a thin veil around us, lightly coating the ground and trees.

  “Over here.”

  Airen stares for a moment before glancing at me. “You brought me to see a tree?”

  “Yep.” Laughing at his confusion, I pull him toward th
e towering willow. I’ll admit, it doesn’t look as impressive stripped of most of its leaves, but it’s still magnificent.

  “It’s…big,” Airen says hesitantly.

  “Massive,” I agree. “Come here.” Kneeling, I pull back a folded tarp that I use to cover a small pile of dry wood.

  With a look of confusion, he tugs off his gloves, watching me start a small fire as close to the tree as I dare. Everything is covered in wet snow, but still I’d never risk burning this beauty to the ground. After warming our hands, I pull him down beside me, leaning against the tree trunk. “This is my favorite place,” I tell him.

  Surprised, he glances around us. “Why?”

  “Look. See how the edge of the grass arcs in front of us? In the spring and summer, when the tree is full and green, the branches are so weighed down with leaves they brush the ground. All the way around us. They hide this little space from the world. It’s always cool and peaceful, a good place to think.”

  “Think?” The corner of his lip tilts up in a half smile and I can read the dirty thoughts running through his mind.

  “Yes, think,” I reply, bumping my shoulder against his.

  “Did you bring Troy here?” His voice is soft.

  “No.”

  “Good.” His cool hand slides behind my neck as he seals his mouth over mine. My tongue reaches for his without any hesitation, and he strokes it slowly with his, a low hum rattling his throat. Winter wind, do your worst, all I can feel is his heat. Unzipping his coat, I slide my hands beneath his sweatshirt, desperate to feel his skin. His hands thread into my hair, holding me still while his tongue plunders my mouth. It’s driving me insane. The past few weeks have been such a tease, knowing I can have him. Troy’s gone. Abby’s on board. Nothing standing in my way, but time.

  “Joey,” he gasps, breaking the kiss when I unfasten his jeans and reach down the front of them to squeeze him gently. His hand settles over mine.

  “Abby?” I murmur. Is he worried she’ll be upset?

  “No, but…it’s…cold out here.”