The Heart Series: Complete Boxed Set (60 page)

I was grateful when our cake arrived, quickly shoving a piece in Joel’s mouth before he asked anymore embarrassing questions. We devoured every single crumb and I sighed, feeling myself slowly fall into a cake coma.

Joel grabbed my hand, quickly licking off the cream. It really was a good job my dad had taken that opportunity to go to the toilet. My cheeks flushed even more when his tongue brushed along my skin.

“You taste so sweet, baby.” His tongue quickly licked up the remains before he pulled me over into a long, hard kiss.

“Mmm, you taste of brownie, I like it,” he breathed in between kisses.

I giggled, trying to catch my breath. “We should take some of their chocolate mousse home for later, you know when we get a little peckish.” I had been eyeing up the little pots at the counter earlier on. I couldn’t quite keep the smile from my face watching Joel’s eyes light up at my little suggestion. Of course his mind automatically went towards the obvious causing a flush to my cheeks.

“Hmm, what will we be doing to work up an appetite?” He quirked his brow and my blush deepened, this was not what I needed when my dad was about to return any moment.

“Oh you know . . .” I motioned with my eyes, and he smirked at the fact I could barely say the words out loud in public.”

“Have we got cream?” Joel asked seductively. I bit my lip, and his eyes zeroed in as I softly nodded my head in reply.

“Well, that’s dessert sorted then for later. No plates required, I’ll be eating mine off you.”

Oh god.

My insides clenched in delight.

Joel chuckled at my red face. I was pretty sure you could fry an egg on it right now. He leaned over to me, his lips brushing against my ear so only I would hear. “I love your sexy blush. You’re turning me on right now, makes me think about how you look after we—”

“Hey, what are you kids busy talking about?” my dad yelled, and we sprang apart.

Oh shit, caught in the act.

I felt my blush deepen, he retook his seat and eyed me warily.

“Izzy love, I think you may have caught the sun, your face is awful red. Move ’round into the shade, don’t want you burning.”

Joel chuckled at my dad’s words, his hand cupping my face. “Yeah, you look a little flushed, maybe you do need to move away so you can cool off.”

I pursed my lips at him, it was his mouth that got me into this state. So moving as far away from those lips was the only advisable thing right now. I needed to be at a safe distance if I was to survive the rest of the afternoon.

We had another refill and then headed back home, relieving Elijah of his babysitting duties. But after a whole lot of whining on his part we let Ruby go stay with him, anything for a quiet life. She happily trotted off with barely a backward glance, leaving me feeling slightly miffed. But at least it took my mind off other things for a short time.

The part of the day I’d been dreading the most arrived. I hugged my dad tight, not wanting to let go. I didn’t think I had the strength to watch him leave again.

“You’ll never know how much this visit has meant to me, Iz. I can’t believe I have you and Mike back in my life. It’s the greatest gift a dad can have the love of his children. Now don’t forget I’m only a phone call away. I want you to Skype me too, so I get to see this beautiful face and check that you’re okay. Though I know you’re in safe hands with Joel.”

I cried deeper into his shoulder, I could feel him loosening his grip, but I didn’t want to let go. He pulled away and cupped my face.

“My beautiful baby girl, I’m so proud of you.” He pressed his lips against my forehead for a few moments, and I closed my eyes, remembering his touch. When he moved away I felt bereft, but my heart felt lighter when I watched him go on to embrace Joel. I saw a flash of bewilderment cross Joel’s face when my dad showered him with the love I had taken for granted when I was younger.

He moved away and whispered something into his ear, Joel nodded softly and his eyes flashed up to meet mine confirming it was concerning me. Joel broke away and came straight over to me. He knew I’d need him now more than ever in this moment.

My dad placed one more kiss on my forehead before walking out the door. I caught sight of a tear that rolled down his cheek and understood the urgency of his departure. I fell back into Joel, and he supported my weight as I sobbed hard against him, missing my dad’s presence already.

He turned me around and lifted me, carrying me upstairs, and placed me on the bed. He joined me moments later and I curled around him, my fists clinging onto him as I cried for the sense of loss I felt right now. Until my body became weary, and I slowly fell into a dreamless sleep.

* * *

I woke up a short while later automatically turning to face Joel’s side only to find I was left all alone. I rubbed my hands down my face and sighed thinking about my dad. He hadn’t even left the country, and I missed him already. I grabbed a towel from the cupboard and my favourite pyjamas and headed for a shower. Although I wanted to sit and dwell on it, life moved on, and I had to carry on as normal.

Fifteen minutes later I found Joel lounging on the sofa, his face brightened when he saw me. “Come sit down, beautiful.”

I grimaced at the pet name. I looked nothing like it in this moment in time. I had caught my puffy eyed reflection in the bathroom mirror, several seconds was bad enough, after that I had avoided it for the rest of the duration.

I snuggled in beside him and he kissed my hair, running his hand soothingly up and down my back, his touch instantly made me relax.

“Your mum called while you were asleep, I told her that you’d took Geoff’s departure hard so she said she would ring back tomorrow.”

“Thanks.” I was not in the mood for my mother’s overbearing nature right now. I just needed to come to terms with it for the next few hours in my own time. I felt Joel shuffle slightly before lifting up a parcel that was nestled behind him.

“This is for you. Your dad asked me to give you it once he left.” He noticed my moment of hesitation when he placed the present in my hands.

I frowned wondering why he hadn’t been able to give it to me himself. I quickly ripped off the wrapping paper and gasped when I realised it was one of those electronic picture frames.

“Geoff has set it all up, you just have to switch it on.”

My hands began shaking, so Joel covered mine as we clicked on the switch. A sob left me when the first picture flashed up with my dad holding me in his arms. I was barely hours old, and he looked as proud as punch. The love he held for me in his eyes truly took my breath away. The next one was several months later of me sucking on my fist as I gurgled smiling into the camera. The pictures flashed up one after the other, each one a little older as we went along. Joel chuckled at me holding up my prized possessions at a book fair, I must have been about eight.

“Some things don’t change, baby,” he whispered, nuzzling against my ear.

I giggled at his words, how true they were, smiling at the miniature bookworm standing in front of me.

I gasped when I began to see more recent ones. I remembered posing for some, but there were some I had no recollection of when they were taken. Though from the smiles on our faces I was grateful that they captured even more happy moments of our time together.

When we came full circle, I clicked the frame off and wiped my eyes with my cuff, turning towards Joel. He brushed away the last of my tears and pulled me in for a kiss.

“That was so amazing what he did, you have all those memories there when you need a little reminder, when you’re feeling low.”

“Were you behind it?” I asked. I bet he had played some part in it.

“I suggested it, I was thinking of getting one for us, for our memories.”

I scrunched my nose up at his suggestion. “I don’t want a separate frame. I want to add them to this one. I want all my good memories in one place, all the people I love together. Can we upload all of ours onto it tomorrow?”

“Of course.”

I smiled and nuzzled my face tighter into his chest, he kissed my hair and I moved away so I could kiss those amazing lips of his.

“Are you feeling a little brighter now, baby? You know he wouldn’t want you sad.”

I sighed at his words, he was right. “Yeah, I am now, you make it so much better. Can I ask what he said to you?”

Joel blushed, and I could tell he was having a little trouble relaying the conversation.

“It’s okay, Joel. I shouldn’t be so intrusive.” I cursed myself for being so nosey.

“No, it’s fine. He said he was proud of me, of what I had done, and that he couldn’t be any happier to leave you here with me. He said when the day finally arrives he can’t wait for me to become an official member of the family.” He swallowed slowly, and I could tell my dad’s words had really affected him after growing up with so little male influence to look up to.

“That’s one thing I love about my dad, he is very intuitive. He can read people so well.”

“It meant the world to hear him say that, Iz, that he trusts me. To give me his blessing, it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my days.”

I pressed little butterfly kisses over his face, and he sighed at my touch. I knew my dad’s words would have been overwhelming to him. He still had difficulty expressing himself at times, but we were slowly getting there.

“He knows how much I love you. It’s the biggest honour a parent can give to hand over the responsibility. I am yours, Joel, for the rest of my life. I can think of no other person that will give me my HEA.”

“HEA?” he asked looking bewildered, and I smiled. I often forgot that he didn’t speak bookworm.

“Happily ever after,” I murmured against his lips. He took the kiss deeper before finally moving away, much to my own disgust.

“Ahhh, well I love knowing I can put a smile on your face, but I bet I can make you smile even harder with two words.” His eyes watched me in amusement. He was thoroughly enjoying teasing me.

“What two words?” I asked looking bewildered, even more so when a humongous smile broke out over his face.

“Chocolate Mousse.”

My eyes widened, and my body instantly shivered imagining the delights he had in store. A smile touched my lips, and I sighed when he pulled me into another deep kiss.

Chocolate and Joel, my two most favourite things. I think I’d just died and gone to heaven.

There were certain things that pushed me over the edge and Joel’s laid back attitude was one of them. After surprising me earlier on in the week with another holiday to Cornwall to stay in the same cottage, I was overly ecstatic and began writing lists of what we would need to take. Five days on and he was still not packed, despite the fact we were leaving the next day. It was starting to grate on me heavily. He remained oblivious to it all downstairs playing on his Xbox live, chatting away to his friends, while I was left to pack his suitcase. I could have left it but for peace of mind I decided to do it, so I knew we had everything we needed.

Zipping up the last of the suitcases I swore, dropping the case down to the floor as the weight alone almost knocked me off balance. I stood yelling at the top of the stairs for Joel, who carried on playing regardless. I hoisted up the suitcase managing a couple of steps, but soon my balance was thrown off, watching the case hurtling down the stairs. I stumbled down a couple before falling flat on my backside. I landed with a heavy thump, cursing myself already for trying to carry such a heavy load.

“Izzy, what the fuck?” Joel sprinted around the corner, taking two steps at a time, pulling me up into a hug. “Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not, I think I’ve broke my bum,” I said, pouting with the pain.

He grinned as his hands slowly massaged life back into it. “It’s not broken, baby, but any time you need a rub down let me know.”

I swiped away his hand. “Go get the other case I want to finish the packing tonight and then I can relax in a bubble bath.”

“Am I invited to that?” he asked with a hopeful tone.

“No bubble baths for you as you didn’t lend a hand.” I made to move away, but he pressed me back up against him.

“Oh come on, I could help massage these aching shoulders and help you unwind in other ways.”

“Yeah sorry, only room for one.”

He quickly followed me down the remaining stairs. “Please Iz, you know I could throw in a head massage too, I know how much you like them.”

“Yeah and I know how much my reaction turns you on.”

He grinned at my reply, any kind of moaning on my part was quickly followed by one hell of an amazing orgasm, but hell I wasn’t complaining.

“So is that a yes?”

“Throw in a foot massage too and you might just have a deal.”

“Done, I’ve just got to tell the guys I need to leave the game.” He lifted the headset up to his lips to let them know. I walked off only imagining the barrage of abuse he would get stepping away from a game they treated like life or death.

Spilling half of the contents of the bubble bath in the tub, I quickly grabbed some towels and lit some candles.

Joel walked through in just his boxers, offering me a glass of wine before we both submerged under the water. His soothing hands worked my shoulders, and I let out a soft moan. “Is that good, baby?” he whispered.

“Yeah, don’t stop.”

“Did you make sure you packed the bubble bath for Cornwall?” Joel casually enquired, causing a smile to creep over my face.

“Yes, Joel, I did, you know sometimes I think you enjoy these baths far more than I do. Do you want me to leave you alone with just you and the bubbles?”

I squealed when his hands playfully tickled my ribs, my legs thrashing around in the water, but then finally came to a standstill when he eased off.

“You know I love relaxing here with you with your sexy, naked body pressed up against me.” He playfully rubbed himself against me causing me to moan, and I had to agree lying here with his hot body against mine was the biggest turn on of them all.

“Mmm me too,” I replied, sinking into his touch. He really did have the most amazing hands, but I wasn’t about to inflate his ego anymore by paying him any more compliments, he knew he was good.

“I can’t wait for us and Rubes to just get away for a week. What time is Elijah bringing her back tomorrow?”

Elijah had taken Ruby for the night, which was most likely be filled with tears of how much he would miss her. He hadn’t taken the news very well and had offered to see if they could come along too, but they couldn’t get the time off work. I hadn’t told Joel that part as I couldn’t have handled his reaction. Thankfully we were free to go just ourselves, though I knew he would always be just a phone call away.

“First thing before he heads off to work, I’m only hoping there won’t be tears.”

“Tears?” Joel asked bemusedly. He was well acquainted with Elijah’s overly emotional side, but he had experienced more of his meltdowns. Witnessing the tantrums first hand on several occasions. He was my best friend, and I loved him, but sometimes he veered towards the OTT side.

“Yep, I’m expecting tears from Elijah. He hasn’t been apart from her for more than a couple of days, I think a week away will push him over the edge.”

“Seriously?”

I didn’t need to turn around to know he was scowling. “Yes, I actually thought about leaving her with him.”

“No,” Joel quickly snapped, making me flinch with the harsh tone of his voice.

“Okay, it was just an idea,” I said, soothingly stroking my fingers along his wet skin in an effort to placate him.

“She’s our dog, Iz, and this is our first family holiday, I want her with us.” He was right, and I could totally understand where he was coming from. I guess I was easily swayed by Elijah’s persuasive ways.

“It was just a suggestion, but you’re right.”

“I want both my girls with me.” The tone of his voice had me turning around. He sounded sad like he thought he was being out of order which certainly wasn’t the case.

“Hey, we’re going to have an amazing time.” I leaned forward brushing my lips against his. We fell into a kiss that almost had me melting in the tub. I quickly grabbed both glasses, handing one to Joel. “Here’s to an amazing holiday.” We toasted together and after a few more refills, we more than had the holiday vibe.

* * *

“What time did he say again?”

I rolled my eyes for the umpteenth time that morning. I knew Joel was eager to get Ruby back and to set off, but Elijah wouldn’t be rushed.

“Eight thirty.” It was after eight so he shouldn’t be long. I quickly packed some sandwiches and snacks, making sure I had plenty of treats for Ruby. I was loading up the car when I heard Ruby’s bark. I would know it anywhere.

“Hey Iz,” Elijah chirped, swinging open the gate to let an eager Ruby run up the path. I crouched down and she leapt into my arms, giving me lots of morning kisses. Which soon stopped the moment Joel came outside, minus a shirt. Elijah’s eyes were instantly out on stalks, his eyes devouring every muscle as his tongue flicked over his lips. He was practically salivating.

Ruby squirmed in my arms, eager to get to Joel so I passed her over, watching in amusement as she went crazy seeing her daddy.

I turned back to Elijah to find him still openly staring. “Err, can you stop eye-fucking my boyfriend? Thanks.”

A huge smile spread across his face. “Oh that isn’t going to be enough today, I need photographic evidence of the sex god holding a cute puppy.” Before I had the chance to speak, he’d snapped several shots of Joel and Ruby together.

Joel’s eyes snapped up with the flash and glared at Elijah in annoyance before he walked inside with Ruby.

“Another great one for the collection, wait till I show Sam,” he murmured, quickly placing the phone back in his pocket.

“Exactly how many photos of Joel do you have?”

“Sweetie, it’s best I don’t answer that.”

I scowled at his reply. He was seriously unbelievable. We walked back in and Joel had now thankfully put on a shirt, much to Elijah’s disgust. He walked over taking Ruby from him, launching into a long almighty speech.

“Now Princess, I want you to know I’m going to miss you so much, but your mama said we’ll Skype everyday.”

Joel’s eyes flashed to mine, and all I could do was shrug. I’d agreed to shut him up, it was simple as that.

“And she’s going to send me lots of pictures of you on the beach, you’ll have so much fun and it won’t be long till you’re back with your uncles again.” He broke into a sob on the last words. Joel rolled his eyes at his overly dramatic display.

“Okay Elijah, we have to make a move soon.” He moved to take Ruby from him, but Elijah stepped back.

“Bye bye, my sweet princess.” He kissed her several times before he begrudgingly handed her over. I pulled him into a hug, patting his back while Joel smiled in the background, biting his lip from actually laughing.

I glared my disapproval at Joel when Elijah pulled out a hankie, quickly drying his eyes. I walked him to the door, promising him to keep him regularly updated on all of Ruby’s daily activities. Eventually he left with a half smile, though I was sure the photo of Joel would more than brighten his mood later on.

“And the award for overreaction goes to . . .”

I glared at Joel, closing the front door. “Try to be a little sympathetic.”

“Oh Iz, it’s a week, we aren’t emigrating and what’s with the Skyping?”

“It was the only way I could placate him, you couldn’t even go a day without seeing me.”

He smiled walking over, quickly drawing me into a long, sweet kiss. I panted moving away and he grinned at my response. “Very true, but then you are more important than the air that I breathe. I have to have my Izzy fix.” At that point Ruby started scampering up his legs, I swear she knew every word we were saying. He picked her up as she eagerly licked his face. “And yes I got to have my Ruby fix too.”

Ruby barked in approval, and I smiled, quickly loading up the car so we were finally on our way.

Half way there, we stopped for a much needed break and for Ruby to stretch her legs. After grabbing a bite to eat Ruby decided she wasn’t in the mood to compromise to go back in the dog basket, so I ended up getting in the back and nursing her on my knee. We snuggled up together, and it wasn’t long before we both fell asleep.

“Catching flies, are we?” Joel asked, his voice filled with humour.

Dammit, caught out again!

I snapped my mouth shut and popped open an eye to find him stood beside me grinning. I looked down to find Ruby slowly rousing from her sleep. She yawned and stretched as we both slowly came around from the amazing nap. She truly was a great sleeping buddy.

Her tail beat against me, and she eagerly leapt into Joel’s arms while I unclipped the seat belt, feeling grateful to stretch my legs. I smiled seeing the cottage again, its familiar surroundings instantly brought a rush of happiness. It was perfect. Despite the fallout of last time, I knew this holiday would end on a happier note.

Joel quickly unlocked the door smiling as he lifted me up and carried me over the threshold.

“Err Joel, we’re not married, you know.”

“I know, but it just seemed like the right thing to do,” he replied grinning, placing a soft kiss against my lips. My fingers curled around his hair bringing him in tighter, and he moaned softly into my mouth before breaking away much to my displeasure. I pouted my disapproval.

“I need to bring the bags in and get us settled. He placed me down, whispering in my ear. “But tonight I’ll more than make it up to you.”

I had to bite my lip from stopping the largest smile form breaking out onto my face. Keeping myself occupied I took Ruby out into the garden, she happily sniffed every plant in sight, quickly getting used to her surroundings.

After several minutes Joel joined us, enveloping me into a hug from behind, kissing my hair softly. “She’s more than made herself at home,” he remarked and we laughed, watching her playfully roll in the grass.

We spent the next hour unpacking and eventually headed out for a bite to eat and to reacquaint ourselves with the local attractions. The first one being the beach. It was a gorgeous summer’s day so we were dressed in shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops, topping it off with sunglasses as we linked hands. Ruby scampered ahead on her lead while we made the most of the weather. Joel carried all of our supplies, and we stopped off at a sandwich bar, collecting a couple of chicken salad baguettes before making our way down to the beach.

We hired an umbrella, arranging a blanket and bowl of water so Ruby was kept comfortable in the weather. Joel stripped off his T-shirt insisting that I do his back, he handed me the sun cream and smiled as I rolled my eyes. He was going to enjoy this I could just tell. I smoothed the cream out over his skin, hearing him groan when I lovingly rubbed it into his back while I straddled him.

I bent down to lower myself to his ear, pressing my body into him. “How was that?” I purred into his ear. I had a feeling my touch would have stirred something inside.

“Yeah, I can’t turn ’round just now, you’re going to have to give me a minute to do yours.”

“Seriously? It was a back rub.”

Unbelievable.

“Baby, you know I react to your touch.” He chuckled as he fanned out on the blanket, enjoying the sun’s warm rays. I began emptying out the contents of the basket, putting together a plate of food. Joel’s eyes instantly snapped open. Oh yeah I’d gotten his attention now.