Page 2 of Black and White, Twice the Might (Cadenbury Town #8)

I sigh as Sly closes the bedroom door. We’ve deposited the boys back in their room and reminded them to keep the noise down. It’s the same thing we’ve said for the past week.

The town of Cadenbury doesn’t have a hotel but has several B&Bs, and we are staying in one at the edge of town.

We go out after breakfast and don’t come back until after we’ve eaten dinner somewhere.

I miss being able to just stay inside and relax for a day.

But hopefully that will be changing. We’ve been around a few estate agents and have looked at several houses within a five-mile radius of the town.

We love this town, but it doesn’t have an estate agent, and none of the ones we visited show any homes for sale in Cadenbury.

“I like the last house,” Sly says, dropping a bag on the chair and walking over to me, pulling me into his arms.

I wrap my arms around him and rest my head on his shoulder. “Yeah, I liked that one as well. The annexe would be good for my chocolate business.”

“Are you sure you don’t want a physical shop?”

“No, I like my online business. Plus, the annexe is big enough if people want to come and collect anything.”

“I like the study. It reminded me of something old-fashioned.”

I smile. “I can so see you behind your large brown desk working, plus there was a proper fireplace that you could light in the winter.”

Sly laughs. “Yeah, I can totally see that. The bedrooms are big and the boys can have one each, and the garden is large enough for them to play in. We could even get them a dog.”

“How about we see about buying it first,” I say. If I let him, Sly would buy a dog right now.

“Okay. I’ll wait until we’re settled and then look for one. But now, my darling, I’m going to take you to bed and love on you all night long.”

I pull back and look into his gorgeous grey eyes. “But what if I want to make love to you?”

Sly grins. “Well, the night is long. Let’s see what happens,” he says, pulling me into a kiss that melts my brain and curls my toes.

Morning comes around much too soon. Neither of us got much sleep, not that I’m complaining and judging by the blissed-out look on Sly’s sleeping face, he won’t be complaining either.

I manage to extract myself from Sly the octopus.

Seriously, how he manages to tangle his four limbs around me is a sight to be seen.

I swear he grows extra limbs in the night.

I quietly snort to myself and drag myself out of bed, making my way to the bathroom.

I do my business and shower, then walk into the bedroom to get dressed.

Thankfully, all the rooms in this B&B have en-suites.

That was my one request. I mean, can you imagine sharing a bathroom with people you don’t know? I shudder at the thought.

As I’m dressing, I walk to the coffee machine and put in a pod of Sly’s favourite coffee. The coffee scent should wake him up. If not, I’ll waft the coffee mug under his nose.

I finish dressing and grab the coffee before putting a pod in for me and a mug under, ready to catch it. I walk to the bed and sit on the side, holding the mug near Sly's nose.

“I love you. You know that?” he says, without opening his eyes.

I laugh. “You only love me for the coffee I bring.”

He cracks an eye open. “I wouldn’t say that. I’m sure I love you for more than that,” he pauses. “Pretty sure I love you for more than that.”

I laugh and bend down to kiss him. “Sit up and drink your coffee, and I’ll make sure the boys are awake and up.”

“Good luck with that,” Sly says, sitting up and taking the mug from me, before taking a large sniff.

I shake my head. “I’ll leave you and your coffee alone.”

“Please do.”

I laugh again and stand up. “Won’t be long.”

“Take your time. Me and my coffee are going to have a moment.”

I shake my head and, on my way out the door, pick up my key card so I can get back in.

Thankfully, the boys are in the room next door.

I knock. “Xander, Enoch, you guys up?” Truthfully, I’m not expecting them to reply to my first knock.

It usually takes about three loud knocks before one of them drags themselves out of bed and answers the door.

So, imagine my surprise when the door opens and Xander is standing there, looking awake, washed and dressed.

“Alright, who are you and what have you done to my brother?”

Xander laughs. “I woke up hungry, so got up. Enoch’s up as well.”

“I am,” he calls. “Just putting my shoes on.”

“Is Sly up?” Xander asks.

“Sly’s currently having a moment with his coffee. You two can head on down to the breakfast room if you want, and we’ll join you there.”

“Will do. Don’t expect any food to be left, though,” Enoch says, coming to the door.

“Duly noted. See you in a bit,” I say, leaving them to go downstairs. I’m not worried. They’re polite, and the owners seem to like them.

I walk back into my room and hear the shower going. Sly is obviously over his coffee moment. Now it’s time for me to have mine. I walk to the machine and pick up my mug before sitting on one of the comfy chairs. Not really thinking of anything and just enjoying my first coffee of the day.

It doesn’t take long for Sly to walk out of the bathroom wearing nothing. I try not to drool over him, but even after all these years, he still looks amazing.

“You’re staring,” he says, walking to the wardrobe.

“Can you blame me?” I put my empty mug down on the coffee table and stand up, walking over to him and running my hand down his back.

He spins round and pulls me into his arms, kissing me. I wrap my arms around him and kiss him back. I’d love to heat this up, drag Sly back to bed and spend the day making love, but the boys are waiting for us.

Reluctantly, I taper the kiss and pull back. I touch his cheek. “Love you, but the boys are waiting.”

“You mean you let them go downstairs on their own? All Enoch has to do is smile at Larry and there will be no food left in the place.”

I laugh. “Then you better hurry up and dress. Shall I meet you down there?”

“Yeah, that would be best.” He gives me a quick kiss and releases me, turning back to the wardrobe.

“See you in a few,” I say and leave him to get dressed.