True Bliss (Bliss #2)(55)
Author: B.J. Harvey

Mac and Daniel came over to check on her this afternoon, so I went over to Zach’s and grabbed most of my stuff. Kate wants me moved back in as soon as possible. She keeps telling me that life is too short and that we have to live in the now.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for this new belief of hers, and I’m definitely on board with moving back in, especially since I only moved out to give her the space she asked for, but I’m waiting for the penny to drop; for the reality of what happened to her to hit. We were taught at the academy about victim support and what happens to the victims of crime. Kate isn’t showing any signs of emotional trauma or post traumatic stress as yet, but I’m going to keep a close eye on her all the same.

Now that I’ve got her back, I’m not letting her go. When I’m sure she is going to be okay, I ring her parents and speak to her mother. She seems to be more excited over the fact that Kate has a boyfriend, than the fact that Kate has been involved in an armed robbery and knocked out. I’m definitely left shaking my head after that phone call. After that, I ring my mom, and she offers to drive straight up to look after us-she really means Kate-but I assure her that we’ll be fine. The differences in our families are kind of shocking to be honest.

Kate has always said that her mother wants her to meet a man to look after her, and I’ve always thought she has meant emotionally and physically, but the way her mother was talking on the phone to me, I realize she meant financially. That’s why I take great pleasure in telling her that I’m a rookie cop. The gasp of horror over the phone is well worth the shit I know I’ll get from Kate.

Later on, when Kate is feeling a little better with the help of some pretty strong painkillers, she explains to me about her mother’s belief system that men should look after their women in every way possible. How she was raised as her daddy’s only ‘princess’, and was made to believe that she needed to find her prince charming to live a happy and fulfilled life. Instead, Kate fell for an ex stripper, now rookie cop, who treats her better than any other man she has been with.

Funny how things work out isn’t it?

KATE

We lie in bed facing each other and catching our breath, having just made love for the first time in two weeks. Two weeks without this is a hell I hope to never live through again.

I missed this, missed him. I love being held so closely in his arms again, and I’ve never felt safer than I do right now. All of my doubts, my worries, and my insecurities are gone the second he wraps himself around me. Even in our sleep we attach ourselves to each other as if we’re meant to be close, meant to be together.

“I missed you,” I say with a sigh, snuggling my head into his chest as he rolls onto his back while pulling me over with him.

“No more than me, Firebird.”

I look up at him, hoping he’ll see the regret in my eyes. I rest my head on my elbow, placing the palm of my other hand on his smooth chest. “I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. We’re together now, right where we’re supposed to be. Today is for us. I just want to lay here for a little while and enjoy having my girl back in my arms.”

“Your girl?”

“Hell yes, my girl. My woman!” he says with a grin, beating his chest like a caveman and making me burst out laughing. I lean forward and gently kiss his lips, pulling back as he tries to deepen it.

“I liked your notes.”

“Meant every word.”

“What were the last three words you finished them with?”

He frowns and looks at me, trying to read my face. I giggle, and he pulls me close against his body once more. I see the moment he gets what I’m talking about.

“I love you,” he murmurs against my lips.

“I love you too. Now kiss me like you mean it.”

“Don’t have to ask me twice.” His mouth slams hard against mine, rough and raw as he pours everything into the kiss, leaving me no doubt that he means what he says. Soon, we’re all over each other again. Zander’s still being gentle. A head injury doesn’t lend itself to hard, fast sex it seems.

Whatever his reasons for being nightdancer, my heart has always known that Zander is the guy I want. It has always been him. They say that sometimes the love of your life can be right in front of you, and you don’t even know it. Eight months ago, I would’ve said that anyone who believes that would need their head read.

But now, I’m a believer.

One month later, 2.am.

“Zander, the phone’s ringing,” I slur, grumpy as hell that I’ve been woken up by someone probably drunk dialing and getting the wrong number.

I hear him fumble around on the top of the bedside cabinet as he tries to find the phone in the dark.

“Hello?” he mumbles against his pillow as he answers.

“Daniel … What? … Awesome … We’ll be there soon … No, there’s no way Firebird would miss this for the world … Firebird? Yep, the name kind of stuck … Right, see you then. And tell Mac to stop swearing. She’ll scare the nurses. See you soon.”

I sit up excitedly in the bed, bouncing up and down. “The babies are coming!” I continue bouncing as he nods and laughs at me. “Babe, only you would bounce on the bed at 2 a.m. after being woken up.”

“But the babies are coming! Oh my god, we have to get ready and go to the hospital.” I jump out of bed and throw some clothes on, whatever I can get hold of from my closet in the dark.

Zander slowly swings his legs over the side of the bed and stands up, flexing his delicious muscles and making me momentarily lose my train of thought as my eyes travel from his calves…up his thighs…to his bitable ass with the cutest dimples…I just want to lick them! He turns his head to me as his lips curl into a sexy as hell smirk. “Like the view, Ms. McGuinness?” he says, walking toward the bathroom.

“I always like the view, Mr. Roberts. Now stop distracting me with your naked body and get dressed so we can go see the BABIES!”

Chapter 29: “I Want Crazy”

ZANDER

Six months later

I never imagined that I’d find the woman who would complete me. Don’t get me wrong, I knew I’d fall in love and settle down, but I didn’t foresee my firebird invading my mind and my heart. Hell, she’s so deeply entrenched in my soul that I can’t imagine my life without her and although we’ve been together for just over eleven months, it feels as if we’ve known each other for years.

We’re very close to Mac and Daniel. Actually, Daniel and I have become great friends. Along with Zach, the three of us meet up once a month for poker and beer, away from girlfriends, fiancés, work and babies. Although, I’m quite partial to those two babies; they’re the perfect mix of Mac and Daniel. They’ve got Daniel’s easy going nature mixed with a little bit of Mac’s crazy. But I swear they’re going to send their parents gray before their time, but it’s f**king funny to watch.