Later that evening, after dinner, Cole suggested watching a movie after putting Alaia down for the night. I honestly don’t know why we pretend like we’re going to watch these movies because ninety-nine percent of the time, the film is long forgotten, and we end up having some type of sex on the sofa or, at the very least, a heated make-out session. I won’t give in to him tonight, though. Just because we slept together doesn’t mean we’re back together or that I forgive him…completely
“You pick the movie, and I’ll make the popcorn,” I call out as I heated the pan and dump a generous amount of sugar in before I add the popcorn kernels. I gasp when Cole suddenly wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my neck. My knees go weak instantly, and I moan, sinking into him. “Is this you behaving?” I ask breathily when he sucks my pulse point.
“Mhm,” Cole groans, nipping at my ear gently. “I just can’t keep my hands off you.” I close my eyes and moan when his fingers tweak and p
I sigh deeply for the millionth time as I stare down into my glass, swirling the amber liquid of my scotch while my mind runs amuck. It’s been over three hours since I stormed out of the house. I wandered around aimlessly till I found a bar, and well, here I am, nursing my fourth glass of scotch. Was I being an idiot and irrationally jealous over absolutely nothing? I don’t think so.Why is she so fucking eager to see that dickhead anyway? How can she say they were just friends when I fucking saw them kissing? That was more than friends for sure. I’m not a fucking idiot. I see the way he looks at her, and I’m supposed to just be okay with them spending time together? No. Fuck that. We’re finally on the right track, things were good between us, and she goes and pulls this shit.Maybe she’s trying to sabotage us because deep down, she wants him and not me? They were seeing each other before she was forced into living with me. Perhaps pushing this wasn’t the way to go. Co
Shayla clears her throat and shakes her head a little before regarding me curiously again. She takes a step toward me, gazing up into my eyes. “Answer me.”I stare at her. “I will when you ask me a question worthy of an answer.” I retort gruffly, and her eyes narrow to slits. I can feel the tension thickening between us, that electric pull flares up deep inside me as we glower at one another. She’s feeling it too, I can tell. The way she’s breathing slow and shallow, the way her soft lips are parted, and that fierce look in her eyes— we’re going to either fuck hard or a very heated argument is about to erupt.“You want to play?” She hisses, stepping up to me, nodding her head. “Fine.”I smirk at her darkly and lick my lips. “Playing is what I do best, baby.” I drawl, staring into her eyes. I take her chin between my thumb and forefinger and tilt her head up till our lips are a breath apart. “But you already know that.”Shayla pulls her face away from mine
The next couple of days, I buried myself in work. I woke up early, went for a run before the girls were up, showered, and went to work.I spent most of my day at the office, working late so I wouldn’t have to go home and see her. I was butt hurt and felt like I'd been rejected, and I wasn’t even sure if that were the case—but that’s how it felt. We haven’t spoken in days, and I miss her like crazy and Alaia too. Friday evening was the last day of work, and the office was closing for the holiday season until after the new year.I sat in the office all alone, drinking the day before Christmas Eve when I should be home with my family. I stare at the diamond bracelet I got for Shayla for Christmas sitting in the Cartier box. I had them design it, especially for her, with Alaia’s name written in diamonds.I wipe away the tear that rolls down my cheek and shake my head glumly. What the fuck am I supposed to do for the next two weeks without work? I was looking forward
“I’m not hungry.” I press, and she looks at me all sad and teary-eyed, and I relent. “Fine.” I let her drag me to the dining table. She’s made my favourite pasta dish, and my stomach defies me and groans at the delicious smell of her cooking. I take my jacket off, and we sit at the table rather awkwardly, just looking at one another. I break the eye contact first, pick up the fork, and start to eat. I lift my gaze and catch her watching me. “Why are you looking at me like that?”Shayla smiles sadly and shakes her head. “Nothing, just an old memory is all.”“What memory?” I inquire, taking a sip of the white wine she poured for us both. Shayla takes a sip of her own wine and bites her bottom lip.“I just remembered the first time we cooked this dish together at your old apartment. I was teaching you how to cook, and we sat out on the terrace, eating and talking...”I frown, listening to her as she speaks, and my mind recalls the moment she was talking abou
Christmas Eve.On the eve of Christmas, I was looking forward to sitting at home, curled up on the sofa with my daughter and Cole, watching a Christmas movie. That was my tradition every year growing up. My mother, father, Sam, and I would get into fluffy PJs with a steaming cup of cocoa and watch Christmas movies. That tradition got scrapped as soon as I moved in with my two alcoholic best friends. Now, we spend our Christmas eve at a bar.“Is this really necessary?” I grumble with a pout as I dress Alaia.“Yes!” Aimee and Jo both shout in unison, causing Alaia to start. I glare at them when she starts to cry.“Oh no, princess, we’re sowwie.” Aimee coos picking her up into her arms and cuddling her. Aimee lifts her and pouts when tears roll down her cheeks. “How is she this cute, please?”I smile and sigh. “Have you seen her father?”“What about him?” Says the man himself as he walks into the bedroom...topless. I look back at him as he slid
Alaia was staying home with my in-laws, who jumped at the chance to watch her while we go out. I honestly didn’t want to leave her and go out, but the girls insist, so I figured I would agree to go for a couple of hours. I wear a silver sequin dress, and the girls curl my hair and do my make-up for me. “You look fierce, darling.” Aimee drawls with an exaggerated British accent.“Cole is going to lose his mind, baby girl.” Jo grins, spinning me around.“No! I want him to find it, not lose it more!” I quip, and the girls laugh. I pull my black stilettos on while they refresh their makeup. Aimee was wearing a red jumpsuit with her hair pulled up into a high ponytail with a pair of nude open-toe heels. Jo was in a black mini dress with a plunging neckline, her shoulder-length mousy brown hair straightened. My girls were hot.“Shall we, ladies?” Aimee smiles, holding up her phone. We pose for a couple of photos before we head down to the boys.“Jo, grab Alaia.
“What like get married again?!” Aimee shrieks, and I laugh, shaking my head.“Are we going Vegas again?!” Jo chirps excitedly, and I roll my eyes.“No, Jesus! Minus the marriage part.” I explain and glance over and see him watching me as he sips his drink, nodding while Josh speaks to him. My stomach does a nervous flip-flop.“But with all the hot sex part!” Aimee cheers, and I flush and hit her. “Do it! Fuck it. I might do it with Josh too. Let’s all act like we’re meeting them for the first time. How exciting.”“You don’t think it’s weird?” I ask them, and they shake their heads.“No bish, it’s just innocent fun,” Jo assures, smiling. “Let go, Shay, have some fun, babe.”“I second that.” Aimee agrees, and we all clink our glasses. All right, it looks like we’re doing this. I do as the girls suggest and let go. After a couple more drinks, I had a nice buzz going. I still when I feel a solid chest pressed up against my back. I feel that fami
“And seize every opportunity.” I match his grin when we toast our nuggets and laugh. We spent the hour eating our food, drinking more champagne, talking, and laughing our arses off while driving around the city. While we were driving over Tower Bridge, I push the sunroof open and clambered up. It was freezing, but I didn’t care. I lift my gaze when I see the snow falling. It never snows in December in London. “Cole, get up here. It’s snowing!”Cole climbs up beside me and looks around in wonder. It was coming down hard and setting, everything slowly turning white. It was beautiful. Cole wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my jaw when I close my eyes. “Merry Christmas, baby,” Cole whispers in my ear, and I smile and look up at him.“Merry Christmas, baby,” I reply, and Cole dips his head and kisses me softly on the lips, his thumb stroking my jaw. I pull back and look up at him. “Let’s go home,” I whisper, and he smiles handsomely and nods. Cole pulls me back in t