Page 68 of Purgatory
“How we feeling, gorgeous? Any headaches? Nausea? Dizziness?” Cole asks and I shake my head, no.
Surprisingly, I feel ok. Well, apart from the nightmare this morning but I suspect that was normal after what I just went through. I didn’t want to worry them with it so I kept that little tidbit to myself for the time being.
“Good. That means a low chance of concussion. One day at a time, though, yeah?” I nod at that as he leans forward to kiss my forehead. What was it about forehead kisses that just made everything feel all better? He stands back up, giving me a private smile and then turns to Hawk who had started to strip down since the tub was almost full.
“Time to wash the day away, sweetheart. Get your sexy butt over here.” Hawk pushes down his pants and climbs into the tub, reaching his arms out for me. I hesitate just a second, lost to the dips and grooves of Hawks body, and turn to look at Cole. He responds with was a raised eyebrow and a smirk. Practically a command to get a move on.
Well, ok there, Doc. Yes, sir and all that jazz. Mini two finger salute. Naked me, coming right up!
My clothes fly off of my body in a blur before Hawk helps me into the tub, Cole right behind me. Jax comes in the room a second later, carrying a huge basket of granola bars, apples and peanut butter.
“I would have brought up some sandwiches too but I have no idea what the fuckthatwas impostering as bread down there.”
Cole and Hawk laugh at that. It’s Hawk that ends up responding to the jab. “Hey, man, we tried, ok? Not all of us were raised on Julia Child and Emeril Lagasse. It's not 5-star but it’s still edible. Plus, we didn’t want to take your job for when you came back. Encroach on your territory and such.”
Jax tips a smile at that. “Good to be home. I’ll make some fresh tomorrow morning.” We all groan in appreciation at that. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, like fresh baked bread. And when Jax makes it, it's downright sinful how delicious it is. I suddenly could not wait ‘til tomorrow. That is until I remind myself of the sexy naked man flesh surrounding me right now.
No, it’s ok… I can wait…there’re buns here after all.
Finally, Jax strips down and joins us in the bath, relaxing and happy with everyone back together again as it should be. I could already feel the days, when Jax was gone, evaporating from all of us as if they never happened. Like a weight’s being lifted. We were where we were supposed to be. All of us. Including me.
We don’t spend too much time soaking. Just enough to wash, eat the food Jax brought and let our muscles recuperate. Any longer and we would have all fallen asleep right there.
After we force ourselves out of the warm water, Cole takes extra care to put antibiotic ointment on the small cuts I managed to get during my struggles in that god forsaken basement from hell, as well as those Jax managed to get during his fight. When he’s good and happy with everything, we all rummage through the dresser draws, finding pajamas to sleep in.
The guys find their sleeping attire quickly enough,opting for grey sweatpants and no shirts... all three of them. Lord have mercy, these guys. It's like they’re just asking to have their dicks ogled 24/7, and I’m totally ok with that.
While sorting through shirts, my eyes land on a gigantic fluffy white sweatshirt and instantly, I claim it to be mine. It’s as soft as I imagined it would be, but I laugh as soon as I look in the mirror and see the picture on the front.
It’s a pink unicorn, covered in glitter, with the phrase, “Nobody likes a douche canoe.” I look to the guys to see whose it could possibly be and Hawk’s eyes perk up as he gives a smirk and a wink. I should have known it was his crazy ass.
Without any discussion, we all climb into Hawk’s king-size bed. Me in the middle, obviously, Jax on my left, Hawk on my right and Cole taking up the very end on Hawks side.
His reasoning for not climbing in between my legs like he was just this morning? Jax kicks in his sleep and he didn’t want a black eye. When I pointed to the area above our heads, he replied that he didn’t want to accidentally rub a boner on anyone’s head. Rubbing said boner on Hawk’s back, however, fair game. Play ball. End quote.
I don’t think Hawk minded being the little spoon, though, since he had no problem eagerly turning over and wiggling his ass at Cole crying “spoon me!” to which Cole responded exhaustedly “As long as it doesn’t lead to forks...”
Within minutes we’re all out.
Chapter 44
Cole
I wake with the rising sun, per the usual. I was never able to sleep past sunrise but I was ok with that, it gave me time to reflect. Time to replay everything, only this time, I don’t want to.
Let’s face it, losing Aly scared the shit out of me. But I did what I had to do. Bottled that shit up to get what we needed to done but damn if it didn’t kill me when Jax told us he was going in without us. It went against everything we were taught in the military. We work best as a team. You take on the enemy as a team. If, God forbid, something happened, there was always another person there to help get you out. But last night, we were too far away to team up in time. Not with what could have been happening on Aly’s end. Then, the horde cut us off and we couldn’t do anything but wait and hope. It definitely didn’t help that Jax went in fucking silent like an asshole so we had absolutely no clue what was going on. Even with the hordes out there, if he was hurt or in trouble, we’d fight all the demons in Hell to get him out. But with the radio silence, running in blind could have completely fucked up Jax’s black ops and could have potentially gotten any one of us killed in the crossfire, including Aly.
Jax had informed us that he got her and that she was safe but he never divulged exactly what they did to her, saying that he didn’t want to push Aly for any specifics that might upset her mental state. Which he’s right. We have to be sensitive to Aly’s needs, whatever they might be. She’ll let us know if andwhen she’s ready and not a moment before then. I know what theycouldhave done, though. The thought making me want to raise them from the dead and take my own vengeance out on them. Jax did, however, let me in on what hesawon the drive back, quietly enough so as to not spook Aly any more than what she already was, and my head was reeling.
I’m not usually an angry man. I’m the cool, calm and collected one of the group and I could feel myself losing it. Having Aly back and in our arms helped but, I needed to... fuck I needed her. Fuck’s sake, we all need her. We were a damn mess without her.
Part of me wants to spank the ever-loving shit out of her ass for going behind our backs and taking off like that. Another part just wants to hold her and never let go. The part that wins, however, is the one that tells me that she’s been through enough and to just get my ass up and make some coffee for everyone. I could simply take care of her.
I, quietly, turn out of bed and take a quick peek at Aly sandwiched between Hawk and Jax. They’re all sporting quiet, peaceful smiles as if they’re all sharing the same dream. Who knows, maybe it’s a dream of all the fun we’ll have in our lives together after this? My lips turn up at the thought, happy with how everything is turning out.
A few minutes later, I return to Hawk’s room, dropping a pot of coffee, extra mugs and sugar on his side table, then continuing out onto his small balcony. It isn’t much, just two chairs and a tiny table but it is a great place to watch the sunrise and listen to the forest and lake wake up, especially when fall is officially here and there are only so many more days we can expect to be able to do this without freezing our nuts off.
It’s only about ten more minutes before the sliding door opens again. Aly peeks her gorgeous head outside and smiles when she sees me sitting there. She doesn’t hesitate a secondbefore she carries her own steaming cup of coffee out onto the landing and turns towards me before slowly shutting the door behind her.
