by Sarah Bailey
“Well, for the record, I’m not. I care about her too. More than I thought possible.”
His eyes sparked with mischief.
“Has my big brother finally fallen in love?”
I got up and shrugged, unashamed of how I felt about Fiona.
“And what? I heard all about how you cried when you proposed to Skye.”
He knocked his shoulder against mine as we walked back towards the gate.
“You’re not planning on that any time soon, right?”
I raised an eyebrow. Thoughts of marriage weren’t exactly on my radar right now. I was just getting used to having a woman in my life who I wanted there permanently.
“What? No. It’s only been a few months.”
“I knew I wanted to marry Skye not long after we met. Just took me a long time to ask her. And yeah, I did cry, but I don’t give a shit. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me, apart from the kids.”
I held back a smile, opening the gate and letting him out first. Skye had been good for Ben. She’d always worn the trousers in the relationship and kept him on his toes.
“Maybe in the future I’ll think about it. Right now, I’m just happy she wants to be with me.”
We walked back to the house, me telling him a little bit more about Fiona. We still had a long way to go before things would be okay between us. At the very least, we’d cleared the air a little.
When we got in the house, Avery and Aiden had arrived for lunch. The kids were playing together with Afie in the living room. Fiona was sitting on the floor with them, talking animatedly as Sadie showed her their toys. I stood in the doorway watching them as Ben went to see the others in the kitchen, my heart thumping wildly against my chest.
Well, shit. She is so fucking good with them.
I’d never put much thought into whether I ever wanted kids, but I could imagine them with her. When she looked up and saw me in the doorway, her smile was wide and her blue eyes full of happiness. I walked in and sat down next to them. Fi put a hand on my arm as Afie crawled towards us, putting a small hand out. I reached out and picked her up, setting her on her feet.
“Well, hello there. Look at you, standing tall.”
Afie smiled and babbled something unintelligible which had both Fi and me grinning.
“I bet you’ll be running around and driving your parents mad in no time at all.”
“She’ll be leaving a string of broken hearts in her wake,” Fi said.
“You hear that, Afie? Aunty Fiona says you’re going to be a heartbreaker.”
Fi shoved me a little.
“Her father calls Jen and me troublemakers.”
I looked over at her.
“Well, he’s not exactly wrong about that.”
“Hey! I do not cause trouble. That’s Jen.”
I shook my head. Fi could be mischievous when she wanted. Especially when it came to teasing me.
“What’s a troublemaker, Uncle JenJen?” Sadie asked, staring at the two of us.
I set Afie down in my lap, pulling a stack of bricks towards her and turned to my niece.
“It’s when someone is very bad.”
She gasped and pointed at Fiona.
“Princess Fiona isn’t a troublemaker. She’s nice.”
I laughed, watching Afie smack bricks together.
“She’s very nice, squirt.”
Sadie went back to playing with Josh who’d been sitting quietly watching us with keen eyes. He didn’t talk too much, unlike his sister.
“Is Fiona your girlfriend, Uncle Jensen?” he asked a moment later.
“She is.”
“Can I call her Aunty Fiona?”
I was pretty sure she’d be honoured to let him call her that. She was going to be an aunty soon anyway with Dante and Liora’s baby on the way.
“You’d have to ask her.”
He turned to her, eyes expectant.
“Of course you can,” Fi responded, giving him a smile.
He gave her a shy smile back.
“You’re very pretty, Aunty Fiona.”
“Thank you, Josh. That’s very kind of you to say so.”
There was a squeaking noise behind us. I glanced around to find my mother standing in the doorway, her eyes wet with tears. She shook her head when I went to open my mouth, putting a hand on her own. It wasn’t as though Mum had never seen me interact with the kids before. I think it had more to do with the fact that Fiona was here and engaging with them.
She came further into the room and put a hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze.
“Are you two okay in here?” she asked, her voice laced with emotion.
“We’re fine and the kids are fine, Mum.”
She leant down and kissed my cheek.
“I’m proud of you, Jensen.”
Straightening, she gave my shoulder one last squeeze before she disappeared from the room. My heart was in my mouth. I don’t think my mother had said that to me since I’d graduated Uni. I wasn’t prepared for how it’d make me feel nor the emotion clogging my throat.
Fi leant her head on my shoulder, staring up at me with absolute adoration in her eyes.
“I guess you bringing me here was a good thing.”
“What makes you say that?”
I couldn’t help the way my voice shook on the words.
“They got to see the side of you I see all the time. The kind, caring man I fell in love with.” She dropped her voice lower. “Although I do also love the darkness and dominance too.”
I bit my lip, wishing we were alone, but knowing we were supervising the kids.
“Hmm, I guess you’re right.”
“Did everything go okay with Ben?”
“I think so. I don’t know what will happen next, but I’m hoping we understand each other a little better now.”
She kissed my cheek, smiling at me.
“Josh, Princess Fiona kissed Uncle JenJen,” I heard Sadie whispering.
I turned my head and kissed Fiona properly, but didn’t linger over it.
“Eww, they kissed on the lips,” Josh whispered back. “Adults kissing is gross.”
Fiona and I couldn’t help laughing. Kids would be kids.
I wrapped an arm around Fi and she leant into my side. For the first time in years, I felt content. This weekend had changed many things. I could move forward with my family and a lot of it was down to finding this girl next to me.
“You really are my forever, little one,” I whispered.
She nuzzled her nose against my chest, making my heart slam against my ribcage.
One day in the future, I’d make this girl my wife and the mother of my children. I wanted all of that with her. Needed a life with my little dark haired beauty.
My forever.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Fiona
Standing in my old bedroom, I took in the sight of it for the last time. I’d left all the furniture as I didn’t need it. I’d permanently moved in with Jensen after a lot of soul searching. Even though I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the life I’d shared with Jen in this flat, I knew I had to close that chapter. The future I was building with the man I loved couldn’t wait any longer.
I turned at the sound of footsteps. Jen stopped in the doorway. It was the first time in just over a month we’d actually been in the same space as each other. We’d avoided one another at work. I’d been giving her space so she’d come to accept Jensen and me. I hoped time would make it easier for her.
“Hey,” she said quietly.
“Hi…”
“So this is it? You’re really moving out?”
I nodded. Jensen and I were stronger than ever. His parents were coming to visit next week and we’d been around Skye and Ben’s last weekend to spend time with the kids. Things were still a little strained between him and his brother, but they were trying and that’s all anyone could ask for.
“Yeah…”
“It’s serious, you and Doctor Andrews.”
I nodded again, unsure of where she was going with this. I’d told her we were in love so it shouldn’t really come as a surprise.
“You can call him by his first name, you know.”
She gave me a half smile.
“I hope he’s treating you right.”
I took a step towards her, wringing my hands out in front of me.
“He is. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a man and so much more. I’m happy and freer than I’ve been in a long time.”
She looked at the floor and nudged her foot against it. This awkwardness between us left my heart hollow. I wanted us to go back to the way we were. The easiness. The understanding. How we knew exactly what the other was feeling without words. No one could ever take that away from us even though we felt miles apart right then.
“I don’t like this.”
My heart sank. If Jen couldn’t accept my relationship with Jensen, I would just have to live with it. I never wanted to lose my twin over a man, but I’d told her, my happiness came first. Jensen was that. My happiness. My forever.
“I miss you, Fi. More than I ever thought possible. I hate being without you. A part of me is missing. That part of me is you.”
“I miss you too.”
She looked up at me, her eyes watering. I closed the distance and wrapped my arms around her. Seeing her like this hurt. Knowing my twin had suffered because of my actions cut me.
“I’m so sorry, Jen,” I whispered.
“I’m sorry too.”
We stood locked together for several minutes.
“I want you to be happy. I don’t want to stand in the way of you and him. I forgive you for keeping it from me. You’re my soulmate, Fi. Being without you fucking sucks.”
I smiled. We’d be okay. We had to be.
“Twins for life.”
She laughed, shaking her head against my shoulder.
“Idiot.”
“You’re stuck with me.”
We pulled away from each other and she gave me a smile.
“You want to get some lunch?”
“How about fuck yes!” She linked arms with me as we walked towards the front door. “And you can tell me all about the best sex of your life.”
I shook my head.
“What Jensen and I do in the bedroom is none of your business.”
She raised an eyebrow at me, shoving open the front door and stepping out.
“I’m your sister. You need to give me the dirty details. Fuck knows I’m not getting laid.”
There was a touch of hesitancy and fear in her expression when she said that which led me to believe it wasn’t quite the truth but I decided not to pry. If Jen wanted to tell me, she could in her own time. We couldn’t live in each other’s pockets any longer.
“Fine, you get one detail and that’s it.”
She clapped her hands together as we walked into the lift.
“It better be epic.”
I leant over and whispered it in her ear. Her eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open.
“No… You let him do that?” I nodded. “You dirty bitch. What’s it like? Oh my god, Fi! I can’t believe you’ve done something I haven’t.”
I laughed and shook my head. She wasn’t getting anything else out of me.
“Oh come on, you can’t say something like that and not tell me anything else.”
I pretended to zip my mouth closed which only earnt me a scowl. Jen could spend a lifetime wondering what it was like to have a man steal your breath during sex. He didn’t do it all the time anyway, just when we craved that extra intensity.
“You’re so annoying, you know that?”
“Me? I thought Brent was the only person who annoyed the shit out of you.”
Jen went deadly quiet at the mention of his name. Her eyes darted away and she shrugged.
“Yeah, that’s not changed. He’s still a dick.”
The way she said it and her demeanour told me she was keeping something close to her heart. Something to do with Brent, which sounded completely insane considering how much they hated each other.
“Did something happen between you?”
“What? No! As if.”
“Uhuh… I totally believe you.”
I noticed her cheeks going a little pink.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she mumbled.
Deciding it was best to let it slide, I tugged her out of the lift. I’d get it out of her another day. Besides, I had something to ask her.
“Jensen wants to know if you’ll come to dinner tomorrow night.”
“He does? Is he psychic?”
“What do you mean?”
She grinned, linking arms with me again when we got out on the street and started walking up the road to our favourite café.
“Well, how did he know we’d make up?”
“You’re my twin. He knows you love me.”
He’d told me on multiple occasions Jen would come around eventually. I believed him to an extent, but I’d been nervous. Jen and I had never fallen out before.
“You know it’s going to be weird him knowing so much about me.”
I shrugged. Wasn’t much we could do to change that.
“Come to dinner, Jen. He wants to make it right with you.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Ugh, fine. You better not be cooking though.”
I laughed, shaking my head.
“Oh, hell no, Jensen is. James must’ve told you how good his seafood risotto is.”
Jen had a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Okay, I may have grilled our brothers and Liora for details.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
We grinned at each other. My heart felt lighter than it had done in weeks. Jen and I were going to be okay. And that’s all I needed to get me through the rest of the day knowing I was starting a brand new chapter in my life with Jensen by my side.
***
Walking into Frankie’s, I gave my surroundings a cursory glance before seating myself at the bar. Sandro walked up a moment later.
“Chica, I’ve not seen you in an age.”
“Been busy. How’s business?”
“Buzzing. Ellie’s turned this place around.”
I glanced over the bar again. It was certainly busy tonight. As I turned back to Sandro, I noticed his eyes were trained over my shoulder, a smirk appearing on his face. My skin pricked with awareness. Hot breath dusted across the back of my neck.
“Can I buy you a drink?” came a deep, sultry voice which sent heat flooding to my core.
I turned, catching my Mr Green Eyes standing half behind me, a smile on his perfect face dressed in the exact same suit he’d been wearing the day we met.
“You think I can’t afford my own drinks?” I replied, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, I know you can, but I couldn’t help noticing you from across the bar.”
I tried not to smile. Shit, he was so hot. I’d never get over how well he wore his clothes, especially this particular Armani suit. This little game might have been a good idea when we’d joked about it two days ago, but I was desperate for him already. Desperate for him to peel down my underwear and fuck me hard.
“And you had to come speak to me?”
He leant closer, his lips brushing across the shell of my ear.
“I needed to,” he whispered. “I saw you and I had to have you… Little one.”
I squeezed my legs together. The ache between them almost making me whine with my own need to have him.
“And what if I said I wanted you too?” I whispered back.
“Then I’d tell you to follow me.”
I smiled knowing he was just as eager as me. I hopped off the stool, giving Sandro a wink before I tucked my arm into Jensen’s. I heard his chuckle as the two of
us walk towards the back of the bar to the corridor where the toilets were. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw him shaking his head. Sandro wouldn’t tell Ellie about this. I hoped.
We reached the toilets and he pressed a hand down on the ladies, shoving it open. The moment after we entered and he’d locked the door, we were on each other. His tongue curled around mine, his hands running down my back as he walked me towards the counter. It dug into me when he pressed me against it, but I ignored the ache because the one between my legs was more pronounced.
“Jensen.”
He hitched up my skirt, peeling down my underwear before he lifted me up and set me on the counter. His green eyes were dark as he looked me over.
“Beautiful.”
I didn’t get a chance to respond. His mouth was on mine again, feasting hungrily like he’d been starving for me. I’d been at work all day and had gone to dinner with Jen so I supposed he might have missed me a little. His fingers were running up my inner thighs, sending sparks right up to my throbbing clit. My hands curled around his back, my fingers bunching in his suit.
“Please,” I whimpered against his lips.
“So needy.”
“For you, always.”
His smirk set fire to my blood. If he didn’t give it to me soon, I’d combust on the spot. What I wasn’t expecting was for him to drop to his knees and nudge my legs open wider. Nor for him to bury his face in my pussy, his tongue lashing over my clit.
“Oh fuck, Jensen.”
My hand curled into his hair. I planted the other behind me on the counter to keep steady. His tongue was merciless, sending me spiralling but leaving me on the edge. Every time I thought I might explode, he denied me the sweet release by slowing his pace. I felt like I was going out of my mind. Too hot. Too overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through me.
“Please, god, please let me come.”
He looked up at me, eyes so dark they were almost black.
“Patience.”
“I can’t. Please, it hurts.”
“Mmm, I know, little one, but you taste so good.”
As if to reiterate, his tongue delved lower, licking and tasting me like I was dessert. I whined and pressed my hips up, wanting so much more.
“I can’t take it, please. God, fuck, please. I need you.”
I didn’t give two shits if anyone was outside the door or if they could hear me begging him. All I wanted was Jensen and his cock thrusting inside me. I needed to come. He must’ve heard the desperation lacing my tone because he rose from his knees, his smile wide as he unzipped his trousers.
