Page 17 of Frost Bitten
You never give up.
And neither do I
I’m so thankful for you
Like the stars in the sky”
His voice is wrought with emotion, and while he sings clearly, I can hear the slight rasp of the torment that he’s experienced this past couple of weeks. I can feel his devotion, and his heart pours out through his words. The sound is chilling, my own unknown serenade, but it’s so intimate because not only is no one else here, but he’s pouring everything into this song. All of his faith in us, all of his fears from what happened.
* * *
As he continues the song, his volume slowly decreases, and with my eyes closed, I’m swept back into another nap, but this time, it’s filled with the overall sense of love. My comfort seems to finally allow me to rest, fully trusting that at least these two guys will be there for me.
When Corey wakes me later, I’m finally rested enough to fully wake up when roused. I look around for Bast, vaguely remembering the intimate concert he sang, but he’s nowhere to be found. Corey unravels the blanket from around me and helps me to my feet. “Are you hungry, Sunshine?” His brilliant smile is contagious, and I feel the corners of my own mouth lift slightly. “I brought back food. And Dom, I brought Dom with me. I hope you don’t mind.”
I chuckle softly. “No, Corey,” I reply. “I don’t mind that Dominic is joining us for dinner. Thank you for bringing enough food for me, I appreciate that.”
“I love being able to provide for you,” he whispers, leaning his forehead to rest against mine. “I’ll always strive to do my best to take care of you. You are my Sunshine, a bright spot in my otherwise dull world. Even competing doesn’t brighten my day like you do.” He backs up a step before extending a hand to help me up, and I accept. Just the contact of my palm lightly holding his brings back memories, and I’m torn. I wantusagain.
I peer up at him, slowly observing his expression. The sincerity in his hazel eyes overwhelms me, and the little crease on his forehead tells me that he truly believes what he’s saying. I stand up on my toes and place a quick peck on his full, luscious lips. If it wasn’t for the trust issues, and his needing to make it up to me, I’d let myself get lost in those lips. Instead, though, I pull back and put a bit of space between us. I grab both of his hands and hold his gaze before I say anything. “Corey, I get it. These past couple of days, you’ve been dealing with trying to figure out just how to make things up to me. With your actions and words today, you have completely shown that you truly do care for me and that Halloween was just a mistake. I’m beginning to realize that I can’t stay mad at you forever, especially when you treat me like a queen.” I pause, knowing what’s about to happen when I say this next bit, but I forge ahead with what I need to say. “I know that what happened wasn’t your decision. I’m going to tell you now that yes, I do forgive you, but-” I’m cut off by his yelp of joy. He picks me up and swings me around, before setting me down gently and wrapping me in his arms for a tender kiss.
After a few moments, I break away gently and continue. “But… I need you to know that I need to take any future steps on my own time. I know we’ve been together once, so I know I can be with you again, but I need to do it at my own pace, considering everything that has happened since then.”
“Understood. Completely. I’ll let you dictate what steps we take.” He beams at me, happiness at finally being back in my good graces overwhelming him. His exuberance spreads to me, too, and a grin spreads slowly across my face. “Are you ready to eat?” he asks.
“Starving,” I say, and I slip my arm through his to allow him to escort me to the table. As we approach, I see the elusive Bast serving himself some lo mein, as Dominic approaches with some beers for the guys.
Corey pulls out my chair, and whispers, “Go ahead and fix a plate. I’ll grab a bottle of water for you.” He returns quickly, with a sealed bottle of water, and claims the seat next to me.
Conversation throughout the dinner is pleasant, as my mood toward forgiving all three of these guys is leaning toward sooner rather than later. Dominic was polite and even funny at times. Sebastien even cracked a smile at some of his jokes, and it was a nice surprise to see him relax a bit.
After dinner, Corey pulls me aside. “Sunshine, I want you to know that I mean this with the most innocent of intentions, but I wanted to see if you wanted to hang around for a movie, and, um, maybe spend the night? We obviously don’t have to do anything you aren’t comfortable with, but I’d like to be able to hold you in my arms tonight. We can even stay here, Bast gave me a room here to crash in, if I wanted.”
I think about this offer, and given the day, I’m not quite ready to go home. I’m enjoying my time rebuilding this relationship, but I need to move forward. I can’t lethimdictate my life, and I need to take every win for what it is. Even if it’s just to spend time snuggled up to Corey. “Yes, I’d love that,” I whisper up to him with a smile. “Mom and Lily are having a special mother-daughter hotel trip like she used to take me on, and I don’t have anywhere to be until work tomorrow at eleven. Though, I need to be able to go home for a shower and a quick change. I don’t have clothes to wear. I mean, I have a go-bag in my Jeep, but I don’t have clothes for work.”
“What do you need for work?” he questions.
“I’d need something similar to this,” indicating my black leggings and t-shirt.
“What if I could find you something of ours that might work? Would I get another hour of your time?”
I giggle at his determination. “I guess it depends on what you find.”
“Settled,” he states with a smirk. “Now, let's get comfy for a movie.”
I smile as I follow him, actually content for the first time in weeks.
TEN
BAST
Watching Cait tonight was nice. She seems to be doing better after being able to fully vent everything to us, and I know she’s seeing a therapist now. I’m looking forward to seeing her smile more, because damn, she’s a vision when she does. Her smirks at Dom’s corny jokes lifted a weight I didn’t know I carried.
I joined Corey and her for the movie after dinner, and I’m glad he picked a comedy. When she giggled, I couldn’t help but grin. When they say laughter is the best medicine, I didn't know it would be for both the person laughing and everyone else around her. It was a balm to my soul tonight, healing me from the inside out. I sit during the movie, mostly watching her and wondering if I can make something work with her. Can this work out? I mean, I’ll do everything I can to protect her, maybe more. And God, she’s so beautiful. She’s sexy without even knowing it, and her innocence about her sex appeal makes her even hotter. My attraction to her is pure, based on whom she really is. Not some act; she’s genuine andreal.
When she curls up under Corey’s arm, she turns sideways, and her hip brushes my leg. My body immediately responds, and I curse myself because I know she isn’t mine. I push all thoughts of her shapely legs and hips out of my mind and try to focus on the movie. It’s not long though before another shift to pull her foot up under her opposite leg has my attention drawn back to her.
I reposition myself with an ankle on my other knee, to give myself as much room in my shorts as possible. I don’t need her seeing evidence of my arousal while watching a Will Ferrell movie, that just wouldn’t be right. Corey notices, though, and he just grins at me. He knows what I did, and I bet he’s fighting the same situation I am. I sit there next to her all night, listening to her light, melodic laugh and smelling her signature vanilla and brown sugar scent that makes me want to take her in my arms, lean in, and just deeply inhale the aroma ofhome.
