Page 74 of Chasing Storm
“Well, noteverywoman,” I mutter, my cheeks going unnaturally hot at the mention of my salacious behaviour.
Storm takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, reassuring me.Sheis reassuringme, which is something I have never had before. It’s not something I thought I’d ever need, but it means everything to me.
“You are the sweetest, most beautiful person in the world, and I don’t need anyone but you. You know that, right?”
She nods. “I do. I think you have all proven yourselves.”
“Does that mean what I think it means?”
She smiles, picking up her coffee, murmuring, “We’ll see.”
I chuckle and pick up my own coffee again. “I’ll take it.”
No matter her hesitations in jumping in feet first, I feel complete and content in my own skin, and I know that I have finally found a place where I belong, just as I know the others, including Storm, do too.
45
STORM
Ilie in my bed, surrounded by my men, dressed only in JP’s ridiculous cherry tee. We haven’t moved out of my bed all day. We have been lazily making love between sleeping and eating. It’s been bliss.
Josh is next to me, stroking my hair. His breath is soft on my forehead. On my other side, Thatcher’s lips are pressed against a place on my neck just below my ear, his hand running down to rest on my hip. JP is at my feet, his fingers tracing circles around my ankles. We are happy with the silence. We’ve said all we need to for now. I know that I don’t need to go over it again. Idobelieve what JP says about the trust. I also mean with all my heart that I don’t want him to give it up. Mostly because it’s not for me to decide that for him, but just a teeny part of me wants him to stick it to his dad. I don’t even feel guilty about that. He’s not a nice man.
It is a gorgeous early spring evening, and a warm wind blows through the trees, causing the blossoms to flutter down to the pavement like petals. The world outside is quiet and peaceful. I look out of the window to see the sun setting, casting a gentle orange light around us.
My heart suddenly thumps wildly as I nestle back between Josh and Thatcher. I know this is it. I have found my true happiness. I realise in that moment that I can depend on these three men for the rest of my life and that I would never walk alone again. Their love and support enfold me like a comforting blanket. I know in my bones that this is where I belong. The sun slowly sinks below the horizon, its golden light slowly giving way to purple as it disappears. With Josh, Thatcher and JP by my side, I feel like I’ve stepped out of my life and into a fairy tale. The world seems more vibrant and alive.
My phone buzzes on the bedside cabinet. I reluctantly disentangle myself from the men and lean over to grab it.
Cass has sent me a text.
I open it up and snort at her opening words.
How fucking rude, bitch. You get serenaded without me? And WTF is this…?
I wait a second before a screenshot of one of the videos taken last night by some random stranger, appears with a big red circle around Franco’s face, with arrows pointing at him from every angle.
Giggling, I reply.
It’s not what it looks like.
That’s what they all say.
Seriously. It’s a long story.
Fine. But how come I have to see those arsehoes being romantic dickheads on social media?
Sorry, it’s been a whirlwind. How r u?
Good. Decided I’m a one man woman.
Wut?
You read me!
Fuck. Who?
Steve.
