AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jami’s cast was set to come off in a few more days. And then they really should talk. Or hell, not talk.
Malcolm touched her as often as possible after she’d given him permission. They weren’t sexual touches, not yet. A part of it was manhandling because she tried to do too damn much. Lifting her in his arms was the only way to make her stop. She listened a lot less when he simply told her to stay put. He liked her stubborn streak, though, and she enjoyed being touched. Part of why he did it was to get her used to it while also judging for himself whether she was okay with it. By her racing pulse and flushed cheeks, he’d say she was more than okay.
He'd noticed she’d taken the paperback book from the night they’d first met into the spare room. Malcolm was a little embarrassed she might realize how many times he’d read it. The story was okay, though smut wasn’t typically his thing, but it was more because it had reminded him of her over the years. His Jami, the girl that had taken his virginity and his heart in one fell swoop. She’d known what she wanted back then.
Jami wasn’t that person anymore, but there were hints of her at times. She laughed again, and his gaze drifted back to her after he set the beer in front of Blake.
“You do that a lot,” Blake said, slurping as he took a gulp of beer.
This time, the laugh had been at something Celia had said. Celia and Trenton had started coming to the bar on Thursdays when it was less busy. It was mainly to get her out of the house. Katie and Blake had soon joined them. “Do what?” Malcolm asked even as he wondered if Jami had gained more weight again. Seeing her every day, it was hard to tell, but she was looking healthier lately.
“Eye-fuck her,” Blake said.
Malcolm glared at him. “Jesus, Blake.”
“I can’t believe you still haven’t touched her.” Blake looked over at Jami, tilting his head. “She’s got more of an ass now.”
Malcolm smacked the back of his head. “Don’t talk about her that way. Besides, you’re married to my sister.”
“Doesn’t mean I don’t have eyes, though I wasn’t looking for me. I’m more than content.” Blake’s gaze found his wife. “I was looking for you.”
“You’re asking to be punched,” Trenton warned. “Though I agree with you in one way.” He sipped his own drink, his eyes meeting Malcolm’s. “Put us all out of our misery and make love to the woman.”
“I don’t need this from you,” Malcolm said. “Your timing with Celia—”
Trenton flushed. “Was exactly what she needed, and none of your business.”
“Like hell,” Malcolm muttered, but he knew he wasn’t being fair. Nothing would have prevented the incident at the bar, not when Celia’s pain was so fresh.
Trenton looked toward the women. “She’s been good for Celia. They’ve been good for each other.”
“How’s that bed rest shit going?” Blake asked.
“She’s taken it very seriously.” Trenton’s hand gripped his glass tighter. “We’re officially in the second trimester.” Celia had been further along than she’d first realized. They weren’t out of the woods, but every day that she and the baby remained healthy helped their confidence.
“Congrats!” Blake said, glancing over at the women too. His eyes lingered on his wife.
“Katie should be getting pretty close.” Malcolm was a little disappointed when his friend didn’t panic at all. The sappy grin he wore instead had become familiar.
“Still a month away, though she’s more than ready. She read that sex can—”
“Nope,” Malcolm cut him off. “Still not going to talk about you having sex with my sister.”
Blake snorted. “I mean, she’s carrying my baby, Mal. You know how that works, right?”
“Doesn’t mean we have to talk about it.” Malcolm was willing to die on that hill.
Trenton stared into his glass. “Celia’s also pregnant.”
Blake started laughing. The kind where he couldn’t breathe.
Malcolm glared at them both. “Christ, Trent, you too?”
His friend blinked at him. “No, I didn’t mean—” He shook his head, a soft smile forming at Blake’s continued laughter. “I sometimes still have trouble believing it.”
Malcolm looked toward his cousin. He never forgot, not with the possible threat to her health looming.
Blake gripped Trenton’s shoulder as his laughter faded. “How are you holding up? Really?”
