Forgiven (Touched Series #2) (7 page)

“Just thinking about how lucky I am that you have enough energy to cook. I’m freaking tired. Thank goodness your mom went to the grocery store for us. I owe her, big time.” He winks, turns his head back to what he’s doing and then turns everything off, carrying some to the table. I watch as it takes him several trips to the table, but then he finally sits down across from me and grins. “Wow. This is more like a feast. I’m impressed.” His face is lit up with his beaming smile. I look down at my plate of baked chicken, green beans, salad and a roll and dig in. “Everything is delicious. I thought I was the cook in this relationship.” I look up, smiling but then it disappears when I see his face full of seriousness.

“Relationship?” He says, hopefully.

Laying down my fork, I swallow my food but it seems to get stuck in my throat. My heart beats a little faster as my mind races. He loves me. I love him. Since we were kids. Comfortable. Kind. Caring. “I’d like a relationship,” I whisper but it sounds like more of a squeak. He stands and walks over to my side, squatting down and grabs my hand.

“Stormy. We’re meant to be together. Surely you know that. It’s our destiny, our fate, and even though our paths have separated for a bit, we’re both here now, together. Can we not try? I will be patient, I promise, but just to know there is a chance that you want this too, will make me the happiest man in the world.”

My eyes are full of tears, and my mouth connects with his immediately. Our tongues collide as our hands roam all over each other. There’s no time to breathe, no time to think as our heads move from side to side, our mouths meshing each time and our moans echoing each other’s. My heart has never beaten so fast, the tingles throughout my body have never been so overwhelming and has never ached for someone’s touch before. When we finally break his forehead gently presses against mine, both of our chests rising and falling quickly and only the sounds of our heavy panting linger in the room. I look into his eyes and they are swimming with joy. “I want to get my life back and I want you in it, Bo. You make me so happy. I’m sorry, please forgive me.” I’m shushed quickly by two of his fingers against my lips.

“Shh, none of that, Peaches. There is nothing to forgive.” His hand cups my face, his blue eyes burning into mine. “What’s past is past and if that ugly part of your past comes into our happiness, we will stomp it together. Other than that, I never want to hear or think about it again.”

My eyes search his and the feeling of love sweeps through me, my heart swelling with it and my determination triples. As my lips move towards his, he removes his fingers, and we kiss gently, tenderly, like we have all the time in the world. God, I hope we do.

Chapter Seven

“Bo, text your mom to let her know if you are staying over. I promised you would do that,” Stormy yells in the doorway of the bathroom, her hand holding a towel to her wet hair, and she has on the sexiest silky camisole and shorts I’ve ever seen. How in the hell am I supposed to behave around her wearing that? She drops her arm, towel still in hand and gives me a smirk, breaking me from my thoughts. “Bo! Quit staring at me and…. Text. Your. Mom!” I laugh and nod, grab my phone from her nightstand and send off a quick text to Mom. Stormy walks back into the bathroom, and I hear the sounds of her humming mixed with her blow dryer. I lean back against the headboard of her bed and flip on the TV with the remote, scanning channels for a good movie we can cuddle to when my phone vibrates in my hand. I look down and see a text from Mom, thanking me for the text, and that she knows we are beat, good night and be careful. I smile while rolling my eyes and when I look back up at the TV, I spot a good movie and click on it. “Did you text Jade?” My eyes watch as she flips off the bathroom light making the TV the only light on in the room. I watch the sway of her hips as she walks to the bed, her sweet, tight ass as she bends to grab an extra pillow from the cedar chest, and her long, thick hair falling over her shoulder. I notice the silky and tan skin of her legs as she climbs into bed. “Oh, my God! Bo!”

My eyes snap to her, growing wide as she stares at me with a smirky grin on her beautiful face. “What?” I can tell she’s trying not to laugh. Too cute. “Oh, yeah. I texted Mom. It’s all good.” I pat the mattress next to me and waggle my eyebrows. “Come here, sexy girl.” She giggles and slides under the covers next to me, my arm moving around her, and she snuggles into my side as her head lays on my shoulder.

“Bo?” I look down as she looks up, the skin on her face radiant as her full lips turn into a smile and her eyebrows raise.

“Hmmm,” I hum as I am lost for words as I look at her beauty.

“I know this is my first night in my new place and all and I know you’re muscular and strong but….” This piques my interest and I cock one of my eyebrows. “Would you mind if I leave the bathroom light on? I’ll close the door most of the way.” The corners of my mouth rise and the sweet look on her face makes her look so innocent, like she used to be before all the bad things came into her life.

“Go ahead, Peaches. Even though I would protect you with my life, I’m okay with a little light if it’ll help you sleep better.” Her smile is priceless and she’s like a kid scrambling out of bed, rushing over to the bathroom and flipping the light back on then closing the door, all but a crack. I hold my chuckle back as she runs back, jumps into bed, pulling up the covers and snuggling back into me. “You know they have these things at the store, they’re called nightlights and….” I hear the smack against my bare arm before I feel it. “Ow!” I’m having a really hard time trying not to smile with that light slap she just gave me and the pretend angry face she’s making, her body raised a little as if making a statement. My arm tightens around her as my lips move against hers and she takes my kiss hungrily. “I’ll get you a few nightlight’s tomorrow,” I whisper against her mouth. She giggles and nods, moving our lips up and down. My head rises as hers lays back down on my shoulder and I turn the TV volume up. The movie is one I’ve seen before but I get pretty engrossed in it until I start yawning. I look down at Stormy and she’s sound asleep and I just look at her for a minute. Finally, I hold up the remote, turning off the TV, set the remote on the nightstand and lower myself, holding onto her as I get comfortable in bed. She sighs my name and moves into me more and then the only sounds are of her light breathing. Damn, she’s fine. I’m gonna marry her one day.

My eyes open to bright sunlight coming in through the blinds and I look down to see my arm is empty and so is Stormy’s side of the bed. Raising my arms up above my head, I stretch along with my legs. Hmm, I’m a little out of shape. I need to run more. My body is stiff and a little sore but I throw the covers off and walk into the bathroom to do my duties. Once I’ve gotten everything done I head downstairs and can already smell the aroma of breakfast cooking. This apartment is huge. Once the restaurant is opened next month it will still be pretty quiet in here since it is two stories high on top of the restaurant with extra insulation and floor boards. Dad really knows his business and thought of everything when he designed it.

My stomach growls as I approach the kitchen, but I stop in the doorway when I see a vision. I imagine us married. She’s standing at the stove like she is now, her long, thick hair is piled high on top of her head, her legs looking like they’ll never end in the short shorts she’s wearing and I can see her soft unblemished skin on her back as her top rises when she bends to open the oven door. “Bo?” Shaking my head I smile, walk into the room and over to her. She’s holding a pan of biscuits, sets them down on the stove and turns to me. “Are you ok, darling? You had a lost look on your face and it was like your eyes were looking through me. Where were you?”

I take her in my arms, hers immediately wrapping around my waist as her head rises so she can look into my eyes and I notice the concern in them. “I was in the future.” My head lowers as my mouth captures hers and her arms move up, her hands splayed on my upper back and I hear her moan. Her stomach growls loudly ending our kissing and I laugh as she covers her smile with her hand. “Come. Let’s eat. We can make out later.” A laugh escapes her as she gathers up plates of food, handing them to me and I take them to the table. I sit and notice her picking up glasses of orange juice and bringing them with her. She gets settled in her chair and dives into her food and when I look down I’m shocked to see half of mine is gone already. I look back up when I hear her sweet giggle.

“Well, you are certainly hungry,” she says and then takes a drink of juice.

I watch the liquid enter her mouth, her full lips formed over the lip of the glass and then her throat constricting as she swallows. “I don’t wanna go home,” I blurt.

Her eyebrow raises as she sets her glass down on the table and she tilts her head in confusion. “Excuse me?”

I set my fork down on my plate and look into her eyes. “Stormy, I don’t want to go home. Let me move in with you. Let’s live together. We’ve spent a lifetime apart and I don’t want to be without you anymore. I’ll even move into the one of the spare bedrooms. It’ll be like when you’re at our house except it will be here. I’m going to be working here in the office anyway, just like I promised and this way I’ll be so close.” The adrenaline in my body is flowing as I await her answer. An answer that I hope is, yes.

“So, kind of like roomies?” she says smiling. I swallow hard as I nod and I swear my heart is about to beat out of my chest with anticipation. She leans her elbows on the table, placing her chin on top of her folded hands. “And what will your parents say about all this? I mean, look what all I’ve put them through recently and after knowing what all I’ve done…. What I’ve caused.” Her eyes look down at the table in embarrassment. “I don’t know that they’ll ever forgive….”

“Hey,” I whisper and her eyes flash up to mine. “I’m not gonna keep telling you that you’ve already been forgiven. You’re part of the family, Stormy.” The corner of her lip lifts and her eyes soften. “Mom and Dad will be fine with it. Hell, we’ve practically been living together under their roof anyway and they’ve been okay.” I reach across the table, her eyes staying on mine as I take her hand and holding it gently. “I want to be with you, see where things go with us. I want there to be an us, Stormy. There was once before. The years have changed us both and so many things have happened but…. I still love you.” She bites her lip and now I’m afraid I’ve gone too far. “We’ll take it slow. Get back to where we were a long time ago. I’m a patient person.” She releases her lip and smirks as she raises an eyebrow. I look down and chuckle then back up at her beautiful face. “Ok. I will be patient.” She giggles and then stops suddenly as I get serious. “Can we try?”

She nods slowly. “I’d like that. I just want to make sure it’s okay with Jade and Knox. You know how much I love them and look up to them. I don’t want anything more to come between us. I had a hard enough time telling them what all happened since…. Well, I had a major time convincing them that I will be fine here. Your dad only said it was okay because he put in the state of the art alarm system and TV monitors and gadgets. The only other thing that saved me was that all the self-defense training Jade gave me years ago. Of course that didn’t help much when Ricco surprised me but I’m on the defensive now.”

I smile and look down watching my thumb softly rubbing the top of her hand unconsciously. “Yeah, well. That’s true but….” I look back up and see her smiling at me. “How about I stop by the house on the way back from class and talk with them or do you want to wait and come too? Pearl’s leaving tomorrow to go check out a painting exhibit and wants to see you before she leaves anyway.” Her eyes light up.

“Yes. I need to see her before she goes. I feel bad that I haven’t gotten to spend any time with her. I’ll just meet you over there after your class that way I can get some things done in the office here.”

I tighten my hand around hers, finally let go and we have the best breakfast ever. I can’t wait to move in. Maybe after talking with Mom and Dad today I can go ahead and bring some stuff over tonight and then move in this weekend. I think I finally have my girl back. I’m gonna marry her one day. Smiling I pick up my fork, scoop up a huge bite and just watch her. I think things are finally changing for the better.

♥    ♥    ♥    ♥

I’m so nervous. Knox is gonna freak out, I just know it. Now Jade? I’m not sure what her reaction will be. She seems to be more of a ‘nowadays’ kind of mom, one that understands life better and supports you no matter what. I guess after her horrible life as a child growing up it would have made her that way. Knox had a rough life too but he seems to be really overprotective of all of his family, even me. At least he was somewhat a father figure to me growing up since mine wasn’t around.

After getting one of the offices cleaned and then taking my bath, cleaning up my room and watching a little TV, I head over to the Dunways. Bo’s motorcycle is already there when I pull into the circle drive and I’m relieved. When I approach the door and knock, it opens quickly and I’m in Bo’s arms before I can blink. “Uh, Bo. Can’t breathe, babe,” I choke out as he squeezes all the air out of my lungs. He releases me but puts his arm around my waist and leads me into the house, his gorgeous smile huge on his face. “Well, you’re in a good mood.” He looks down and winks. Hmmm, wonder what he’s up to.

It started to sprinkle on me on the way over so I’m not surprised to find Knox, Jade and Pearl sitting in the living room, well Knox is pacing the floor, as usual. Pearl stands up from her chair and runs to me, arms open, making Bo let go of me so we can hug. “I’m sorry I haven’t gotten to spend any time with you while I’ve been home but guess what?” My eyes widen, and my smile is big. “I’m moving home. I figure I can do my painting from wherever and I’m tired of not being around my family.”

“Oh, my God! That’s great news! I’m so happy! I’ll be able to see you more. I’ve missed you.” We hug again, and my heart is full.

I hear a throat clear, my eyes move to Knox. Pearl winks at me and returns to her seat and when my eyes move to Jade, she winks at me too. Does everyone know something I don’t know? My head turns to Bo when I feel his hand grasp mine, his fingers threading through and he leads me to the couch, sitting us next to Jade.

“Knox, darling. Please quit pacing. You’re going to wear another track into the carpet and I really love this one and don’t want to replace it again so soon,” Jade calls out. He stops, stares at her for a minute then his entire face softens. The love they have is so powerful. I hope to have that someday. She turns to me and Bo and smiles. “You now have the floor.” The lump in my throat seems to have grown, and I feel sick to my stomach. I look at Bo, and he winks at me again then he looks at Knox.

“Dad. Stormy and I have something to tell you but please hear us out before you go crazy, okay?” Knox looks at Bo, his eyebrow raised and then he looks at me. I plaster a sweet smile on my face and sit up, trying to appear calm when my insides are about to explode. “Stormy and I have talked a lot the last few days and we’ve decided to be roommates at her new apartment.” Knox’s arms fold over his chest and my dread just went into overtime. “I know you put a ton of high security in her apartment and the restaurant but I think it would be best if I’m there to also help protect her and…. Dad, you know how we feel about each other. I promise I’m moving into one of the spare bedrooms but we are also in a relationship. Not only has she always been part of our family but she’s always been a part of my heart.” I swallow the lump that’s been lodged in my throat, look at Bo, and the feeling of love and pride sweeps through my body as well as determination. The sounds of Pearl squealing and clapping does not go unnoticed in the room.

“Well, I guess you’ve already decided to do this,” Knox speaks and my eyes snap back to him. “Stormy. You know Jade and I love you. I just want to make sure this is what you want. You’ve had a rough go lately and even though I’ve tried to help with security I’m still worried for your safety as well as the rest of our family. But….” That stupid lump has grown again but I continue to be determined and hopeful. “I think it is a great idea for Bo to be with you and I know you both have strong feelings for each other. I just ask one thing. Be careful of any extracurricular activities, if you know what I mean, and if anything should happen between you, just remember that you’ve been friends your entire lives. I’d hate to see anything happen to that friendship. Sometimes relationships can take a beating where love and sex are concerned.”
Huh? Did he just give us his blessing?

Bo’s arm moves around my shoulder, squeezing me against his side and my head turns slowly to him as he leans down and kisses my lips quickly. “Thanks, Dad. We know what we’re doing and know to be safe. Just know we are taking things slow. We want this to work and know a relationship takes hard work and patience. You and Mom taught us that.” Knox’s stance relaxes and the pride on his face shows brightly.

“Well, good. I’m glad to hear that. You know we’ve always been proud of you, son. And Stormy? We know you’ve had some rough times but we are certainly glad to see you on the right track and you know we’ll help you in any way we can. We love you and want nothing but the best for you.” My lump has evaporated and all the love in the room begins to overwhelm me.

“Thank you, Knox and Jade,” I say to him and then turn to Jade. “Just know that I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and I have a plan set up to pay you back. I love you both too and Pearl….” I look at her smiling face then back at Knox. “I’m ready to make the rest of my life full of happiness and success and with all of your support, I know I can.” Bo squeezes me again, kissing my cheek.

“Well, I’d love to hang around but I’m going upstairs to pack as much as I can and take over what I can tonight.” He turns to me and winks. “Wanna help?” I nod eagerly and then turn to Jade. “Jade? I’m leaving your car here. Thank you for letting me borrow it.” She smiles.

“Nope. It’s yours. I’ve already had it put in your name. I’ve ordered another car and it’s being delivered tomorrow. Just consider it a welcome home present.”
What?

My heart races. “Oh, no! Jade. I couldn’t. You all have done so much for me already!”

She stands, still smiling and walks to me. “Stormy, we take care of our own. It’s a present. Take it. We want you to have it with all our hearts. We love you, honey.” I stand quickly, hugging her as if she were my mom, with all the love I’m feeling.

“I love you all too, so much! You’ll never know how much I appreciate it. Thank you.” She holds me tightly, rubbing my back and I can’t hold back the tears. Once we’ve pulled away from each other, I’m moved back into Bo, his arms around my waist, as I wipe away some tears.

“Ok. Well, we’ll let you go pack and we will start dinner. You all can stay for that, right?” Knox asks as he starts to walk towards the kitchen. I look up at Bo and he smiles.

“We’d love to,” I answer quickly. Bo takes my hand and we start to walk out of the room when I’m grabbed into Pearl’s arms. My tears stop and I start laughing. “Oh, my God. I’m been squeezed to death here, Pearl.” She starts laughing and releases me.