Page 19 of Chasing Ink (House of Ink #3)
Forgiveness Or Anger
Skye
My brother is home the same day, so I know he wasn’t too far away. Ali may have left Franklinton, but he didn’t go far. My heart beats loudly in my ears when my brother shows up at Alistair’s house. My house.
“Where is he?” I ask.
“He’ll be here soon.”
“You don’t know that,” I say huskily.
“I do,” he replies, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “He is my best friend. I know him.”
Stepping away from my brother, I put the kettle on. The lady at the pharmacy said ginger and peppermint tea would help my morning sickness, which seems to be an all-day sickness. I knew I was pregnant two weeks ago. I just needed to pull up my big girl panties and do the damn test to confirm.
My first doctor’s appointment is in three days, and I hope Luke is right. I hope Ali is here to experience that with me.
“Did you tell him?”
“No. I thought you’d want to do that,” he says. “But I did tell him you sent me.”
“That’s good.”
I pour the boiling water into the cup, and the smell alone already helps my stomach settle a bit. Turning, I find Luke seated at the small kitchen table and I join him.
“I was wrong,” he says softly. “I thought he was taking advantage of you, and I only wanted to protect you.”
“I can understand that. But you should have listened afterward.”
“You’re right and I’m sorry I didn’t. I can’t change what happened, but I can do better going forward.”
“Meaning?”
“I can’t promise it’ll be easy, but I love you both and I want you both to be happy. If being together is what accomplishes that then I can accept it.”
I stare at him in disbelief.
“Just, please, for the love of God, no sex where I can walk in on you.”
Uncontrollable laughter falls from my lips. “I won’t make any promises.”
He makes a gagging sound before standing. “I’ll start knocking, either way.”
Just as he walks out, he turns back. “I’m sorry I fucked this up for you. But I hope you know it was coming from a good place. I love you, Skye, and if he ever hurts you, I will kick his ass.
Long after he is gone and my tea is done, I am still smiling. Luke is right, Ali will be back soon.
****
I wake up and I know I’m not alone. I can’t tell you how I know but I do. I feel the bed dip, but I stay quiet. I’m not afraid, I know who it is. Everything is silent except for the rapid pounding of my heart.
My hair is pushed off my face. “Baby doll,” he whispers, and I sob loudly.
He pulls me into his arms and cradles me to his chest as I let out all the emotions I have kept locked up. Anger, heartache, and probably ten more I can’t name right now. The most prominent emotion is relief.
Relief that he is here. Relief that he came back. And relief that my greatest fear isn’t true. He didn’t leave because he didn’t really want me.
Pulling away, I stare at his face before sealing my lips over his. I kiss him with everything inside me and for long moments that is all we do.
Pulling away, I watch him as I speak.
“You are not allowed to make decisions for me.”
“Baby...”
“This is not the time to talk, Alistair. You had your opportunity, and you didn’t use it. Right now, you just need to shut up and listen.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I don’t need you to take care of me. For this to work, you need to understand that we are partners. That means we make decisions together. No more fighting my battles for me and no more walking away.”
He nods and I kiss him again. “I thought there would be a lot more begging involved before you forgave me,” he says with a frown after pulling back.
“Oh, you are far from out of the woods, mister.” I grin and he groans. “You owe me eight weeks’ worth of orgasms, and you’ll be catering to my every whim from here on out.”
He flips us, pinning me beneath him. “If that’s your idea of groveling I am all for it.”
I push at his chest, and he lifts off me. I can see the confusion in his gaze as I slip from under him and walk to the kitchen. He follows me, watching from the doorway as I dig through my handbag. I pull out the little stick and take a deep breath.
This is the real test, isn’t it? How will he react?
I walk up to him and kiss his cheek as I press the test to his palm. He looks down at his hand before looking at me. “Is this?”
“Don’t you dare leave me, us, again.”
“Never,” he says, placing his hand over my abdomen.
“Good.” I take his hand and lead him to the bedroom. I strip him to his boxers before pushing him down on the bed. “You can start working off your orgasm debt tomorrow. Right now, I just want you to hold me so I can sleep.”
“Whatever you want, baby doll.”
He pulls me against his chest, wrapping one of his thick arms around my middle. Moments later, I am already drifting off to sleep but I still hear his whispered words.
“I love you, Skye. Forever.”
The End