Page 52 of Tempting Fire

Epilogue

He’d forgotten why Chloe had referred to her family as the Avery Avalanche. Now he remembered why. My God, he’d always thought of his house as somewhat large, but it was no match for the amount of people that had filled it today.

Trenda and Zoe had decided that there needed to be a family reunion. They had at least two hundred cupcakes, all said congratulations. According to Zoe that fit everything they were celebrating. Him out of the hospital, his and Chloe’s engagement, Chloe’s recovery, and Magnificent Twin Reunification. The last part being the most important according to Zoe. Zarek’s parents were beaming as they had their picture taken with Zarek and the six Avery girls.

“Zarek, you’ve given me six daughters. I can’t get any happier until you give me grandchildren,” his mother said.

Evie had somehow managed to make friends with everyone at Station 58, so he had the entire crew there. Everyone from their captain Earl Stewart, Jax and his wife Skye, Lexi and Dane and of course Luke. He couldn’t help but notice that Luke and Zoe were spending a lot of time out on the back patio together throwing the ball with Slayer.

The only hitch in the party was that Drake couldn’t be there, he was still in San Diego with his soon-to-be wife Karen, who was still on bedrest. He called to say hello, and to threaten him to take good care of his baby sister.

He turned to look at Chloe who was picking up red Solo cups. He had a moment of déjà vu. God, hadn’t she come a long way?

“Leave those. We can finish the clean-up in the morning. Your sisters did most of it already anyway.”

“But―”

“Seriously, it’s fine.”

She smiled and nodded. She came over to him in the living room and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“I loved it when your mom and dad were in the middle of all of us. It felt like we had parents. Trenda cried when Bella called your dad Grandpa.”

“It was a great party, but I’m ready for something a little more intimate. I’ve been home a week.”

“The doctor said ten days.”

“The doctor can kiss my happy ass. If I can handle a party like this, I can handle making love to my fiancée.”

Chloe frowned.

“Come upstairs with me,” he coaxed.

He saw the moment she relented, and he tugged at her hand as he moved towards the stairs.

***

It was so stupid. Chloe was nervous. She wasn’t some naïve virgin. But this would be the first time that she and Zarek made love. She crossed the threshold to the bedroom they had been chastely sharing for the last four nights. Come on Avery, you can do this.

“Chloe are you okay?”

Why could he always read her so easily? That needed to stop.

She gave him one of her brightest smiles. “I’m great. How are you?”

“I’d be doing better if you’d tell me what’s bothering you.”

“Nothing. We’re wearing too many clothes.” She reached up and started to unbutton his shirt.

“Hey, slow down.”

“No. We’ve waited long enough,” she said through gritted teeth. The fourth button was being stubborn. He caught her hands.

“Shhhh.” He brought her fingers to his mouth, and kissed the tips. “I need to confess something.”

Chloe tried to get loose. She needed to get them undressed, in bed, and this over with. The second time would be good. They just needed to get past this first time.

“Chloe, are you listening to me?”