Page 47 of Love's Hot

I hear her voice and laugh before I even see her, as we come through the doors of the gym. Standing with Alesha, Nat and some guy I don’t know. They’re laughing and he’s putting his hand on her arm as he talks to her. The calmness I was starting to feel after talking to Xavier is now gone in a split second.

Stalking over to her, I give this guy the look that says back the fuck away from my girl or I will cut off the limb you are touching her with. He sees me before I even make it to them. Getting the picture loud and clear, he takes a step away from her.

“Anyway, I better run. Bye, girls.” The wimp is already on his way. Just as well.

I feel a hand grab my arm from behind, and I swivel, ready to flatten whoever’s touching me.

“Breathe, man, he was just talking to her. That’s it. Remember, no attachment.” He saves me every time. He keeps walking ahead of me to give me time to calm down.

The girls turn at the sound of his voice.

“Hello, my girls.” Alesha’s eyes light up at the sight of him. Nat rolls her eyes, but my spitfire Lilly can’t help herself.

“Ah, just clarifying. Not your girl, that would be just awkward.” Everyone laughs including me as I get closer now. I greet them all good morning with a kiss on the cheek, leaving Lilly till last and lingering that few seconds longer just to inhale her scent and whisper in her ear.

“Morning, my Red.” As I draw away and see the fire I lit in her eyes, and hear the slightest gasp, it has my cock twitching. Telling her she’s mine is feeding my inner caveman but in turn just making me be a bigger asshole. I’m just setting her up for more hurt.

Xavier takes over and creates the distraction I need to pull back.

“Okay, ladies, none of this standing around chit-chatting. That includes Kane, you big girl. We have a lunch to be at today and anyone who’s late, you’re on your own with Sophia. I’m not upsetting my future mother-in-law. So, let’s get started.”

I take this as my cue to leave and bid them farewell, telling them I’ll meet them there. I head to the locker room to grab my gear. I feel her eyes on my back, but I don’t turn around to acknowledge it. I’ve got a few things I need to do before this lunch and one of them is work out how the hell I’m going to let Lilly down gently.

***

My mother taught me you never show up at someone’s home for a meal empty-handed. I do enjoy baking sweets, although I don’t really get time much to do it. I want to show Lilly my skills. I make a mean batch of red velvet cupcakes. I’m not sure the kids will appreciate them, so I’ll whip up a set of plain chocolate and vanilla ones. Besides, I need a distraction this morning to stop me overthinking Lilly and the lunch with her whole family today. It’s easy to pretend when there are just a few people around, but being with all the couples and kids I have a feeling is just going to add to my confusion.

If there is one thing I’ve seen since meeting all of Lilly’s family, it’s how close they are. They may bicker and stir each other up and push all the buttons. But their love and protection of each other is far stronger than the annoyance that you get from siblings. The strength they have as a family unit helped us all get through that awful night, where we thought we’d lost Xavier. No matter what, they will always be there for each other. That is what I will be missing out on by not marrying or having my own children. That unconditional love. I get it from my parents, but I’ll never be able to feel it with my own family I create.

I need to stick to the plan. It’s for the best.

My phone chimes while I’m trying to get the volume of batter in each casing even, so the batch all looks the same. I almost ignore it, but when it chimes a second time, I give in. Setting down the bowl and spoon, I see it’s from my Sergeant. Shit, I hope this isn’t what I think it is.

Reading the text, my heart sinks. Monday is the day.

So, this is it.

Tonight is my last night with Lilly.

This will be a night neither of us will ever forget.

I can guarantee it.

I should break her loose before tonight, but there’s no way I can do that.

Being the selfish bastard I am, I’ll take my fill, and tomorrow we say goodbye.

Tomorrow I break her heart, and maybe mine too.

19

Lilly

GRABBING OUR BAGS FROM the lockers in the changeroom, I still don’t know if I should ask her or not. I don’t even know if I’ll be able to do it. It’s not like I’ve been down this path before. Shopping off the internet is different. Will she even cope with it if I take her?

“Lilly, what’s wrong, you’re staring off into space, it’s not like you.” Lesh is standing in front of me looking worried. I nervously look around to see if we’re on our own. I’m trying to work out how to ask her.

“Seriously, Lil, are you okay?”

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