Page 95 of Beautiful Vows

Cade

After our visit to Dante in the hospital, Lia, Rafe and I return home for a few hours of downtime before our shift at the club. The house feels different without Dante's presence, but there's a noticeable sense of relief now that he's on the mend.

"Come for a swim," Lia says to us. Already wearing her bikini. I fight the urge to run my hands over her.

Rafe doesn't. He places his hand on her bump and smiles. "I can't wait to meet them."

"Me too." She smiles. "Who's swimming?"

I say, "I've got some work to do."

"Ah Cade. You work too hard."

"I'll come with you," Rafe replies, rushing to the bedroom to get changed.

Later, I watch from the terrace as Rafe and Lia enjoy a swim in the afternoon sun. There's an easy intimacy between them that warms my heart.

Yesterday, Lia received a disappointing message from her London contact, Jove. The footage from Amara's accident is too unclear to enhance, leaving us at another dead end.

Undeterred, I return to studying the images. There's something we're missing, some detail hidden in plain sight, and I'm determined to uncover it.

An hour later, I overhear Rafe coaxing Lia into the shower with him. His fascination with washing her hair is endearing, and Lia isn't averse to a bit of pampering.

"You're staying here," Rafe tells Lia, when she asks if she can work in the club. As always, Lia insists on coming along. "Relax. Read a book and we'll see you later."

"You need my help."

We refuse. I admit the club feels different when she’s not there. I never realized how much I enjoyed seeing her face at work. And how much her presence brightened the place.

But we’ve been warned.

And we have to prioritize her safety.

As the night wears on, I count the hours until we can return home. And I realize, not for the first time, how deeply Lia has affected me.

I love Rafe, but she’s also become my life. And I’m so thankful Rafe has the same feelings as me. Because I thought he was my life, now I know she is too.

I know because as the club buzzes around me, there's an emptiness I can't shake.

I miss her quick wit, her sharp observations, the way she seamlessly fits into our world while challenging it at every turn.

And it's not just about protection anymore; or the babies she is carrying; it's about wanting her near, about the way she makes everything feel more vibrant, more alive.

“Ready?” I ask Rafe. “I just want to hold her and sleep.”

He smiles. “Me too.”

It's the middle of the night when I shut the door to our home. Rafe and I tiptoe, moving quietly to not disturb Lia.

“Take off your clothes,” I hear from the top of the staircase.

I look up and see Lia standing naked. A sex toy in her right hand and a smile across her beautiful face.

“Otherwise, I’ll use this on myself.” She turns on the small toy. It’s shaped like a flower and the sound it makes is barely there. “And it’s good.”

Rafe and I glance at each other before we shrug off our clothes and rush up the stairs as she sways her ass and walks to our bedroom.

Inside, she sits at the edge of the bed, waiting. I stop at the doorway, as did Rafe, and the two of us drink her in.

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