Page 42 of Black and White, Twice the Might

“Stop it,” Sly says in his just-woken-up husky voice, dropping a kiss on my head.

“Stop what?” I ask, rubbing my cheek on his chest before kissing it. I love waking up, wrapped in Sly’s arms, with my head resting on his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat.

“The boys are safe. They are protected and they are happy.”

I move my head and look at him in surprise. “How did you know I was thinking of that day?”

“I felt your anger and sadness. You only get that angry thinking about your father and what we ran in on.”

I settle my head back down on his chest. “Yeah, I was. I’m glad we came to this town and found that house. If you could have seen Enoch working and laughing with Temp. I’ve not seen him that truly carefree and happy in a long time.”

Sly’s arms tighten around me. “I think we’ll all be happy here. I mean, everyone accepts me, even though my magic is black and I’m an original line true black witch. I never thought that would happen. I figured when anyone found out, I’d be chased out of town with torches and pitchforks.”

I gently laugh. “No one would do that. They like you.”

“I know, still weird though,” he drops another kiss on my head. “I can’t wait to move into our forever home. No more rushing to get up, having to go out all the time. I might become a hermit.”

I burst out laughing. “Sure you will.”

Sly laughs. “Okay, maybe not, but it will still be nice to have our own place, especially somewhere the boys can be happy. We need to find out what Xander’s thing is.”

I nod. “We do, and we will,” I assure him. “But now we need to get up, get the boys up and meet Adhan to look over all the paperwork,” I say, not making a move to get up, but snuggling closer into Sly’s side.

“That’s the opposite of getting up, sweetheart,” he kindly points out.

I let out a loud sigh. “I know.”

“Let me help you,” Sly says sweetly, before quickly moving and pushing me out of bed.

I hit the floor with a thud. “What the actual hell?” I growl at him.

Sly, the mean person, is laughing his head off. “The look on your face.”

I stand up and rub my poor, abused body. “Just for that, make your own damn coffee,” I snap out, stomping into the bathroom to start my day.

Half an hour later, now cleaned and nearly pain-free, I walk out of the bathroom. Sly is standing just by the bathroom door and, as soon as I walk out, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me. Not that it takes much pulling. I will happily kiss my husband all day if I could. I suddenly remember I’m annoyed with him and pull back.

“Love you and made you coffee,” he gets in first.

I huff. “Fine. I suppose I love you as well, and you did make me coffee.”

Sly laughs and drops a kiss on my nose. “Won’t be long.”

We meetAdhan at the manor. Emily answers the door for us and smiles. “Come on in,” she says, hugging us all as we pass her.

I see the boys hug her for a little longer, but she just smiles happily and hugs them back.

“Come on through to the kitchen. Adhan is on his way home with all the paperwork,” she says, leading us into the kitchen.

“Thanks, Emily,” I say as we follow her.

We’d just sat down when Adhan walks in smiling and holding a folder.

“Hello, friends,” he greets, smiling. “I have the promised paperwork. It’s the full surveys and reports showing the plumbing and electrics are all fine, for both the house and theformer bakery. I’ll let you take all this away with you for a proper read through, but if you have a quick look, you’ll see there is nothing that needs fixing.”

He hands the folder to Sly, who moves it closer and opens it so we can both have a quick scan.

“Will it take you long to sort the mortgage out?” Adhan asks.