“I know, I know! I’m sorry. But, Willow, there are some really nasty things being said. I just have to know that you’re okay. Kane, I’m sorry again, but it has to be said. They’re saying that an insider has confirmed Mia’s baby is his! I’m just worried about you.”
Kane’s whole body is rigid. I know he hates this, but I also know he’s still a little anxious about what will happen now that his worries are coming true.
“We love you, Willow,” Eddie says through the line. “I just want you to be happy. I know this is a lot to take, and we’re both worried. Is … is the baby his?”
I sigh. Not because I’m upset they’re invading our privacy, but because I know they’re only worried about me because they love me. They’ve seen me at my worst, and if anyone would know how bad I would have reacted in the past, it would be them.
Lifting completely from Kane’s side, I move my leg over his hip and straddle his waist. I let the silence linger, ignoring the worried mumbling of my two best friends and focus on the man who holds my heart.
I rest the phone on his chest, my hands roaming over the corded muscles in his pecs before I move over his tense shoulders and lean forward, curling my fingers around his neck. Holding my weight off my hands and centering my body. My hips rock involuntarily against his. Some of the sharpness in his features fades when my warm center slides over his erection.
I keep my expression open so that he can see, with no doubt, that this isn’t upsetting to me. I knew what was happening and he needs to see I meant every word. It doesn’t matter what they say, we know the truth, and that is all that I need. He is all I need.
“Willow!” Eddie snaps, my silence too long for him.
“I love you both,” I start, keeping my eyes on Kane. “I love that you’re worried about me, and I know that you both have the best intentions. You’ve seen what it’s done in the past when I was the center of others’ judgments, but I need you two to also respect me when I tell you that this is none of your business. I’m not that person anymore. I know you’re only acting out of concern, but trust me when I tell you that it isn’t needed. I’m happy. So happy. It doesn’t matter what’s being said because the only person’s happiness that is more important than mine is Kane’s.”
The tension drains from his face, and his hard expression makes way for a look of pure love and pride.
“Willow, the baby,” Eddie cries in exasperation.
“Is none of your business,” I interject. “The only thing that you need to know is that Kane and I are perfect. I need you to respect the fact that I will not now, or ever, talk about anything else in our relationship. You guys and your friendship means the world to me …” My eyes roam Kane’s face as I continue to talk. The reverence that is now mixing with his love is filling me with my own sense of pride. “I can tell you, both of you, that there is no doubt in my mind that Kane came to me freely, entered our relationship freely, and his love comes with no conditions. The rest of the rumors, I’m sorry, will never be anyone’s business but our own.”
They both sigh. I can hear weeping, and I know by the girlish cries that it isn’t Kirby.
“I feel like the world is at my fingertips, and I have a contentment in my soul that has never been there before. You don’t need to worry about whatever is being said because I’m happy. We’re happy. And nothing or anyone will change that.”
“Oh, God.” Eddie weeps, and I smile when his sobs grow distant while he gets himself together.
“Okay.” Kirby breathes. “Okay.”
“Okay,” I echo.
“A contentment in your soul?” she whispers.
“Freedom from my darkest days,” I confirm, and this time it isn’t Eddie muffling his emotions; Kirby’s soft hiccup-like sob now joins him.
“If you two don’t mind,” Kane strongly calls in the phone. “I’m going to hang up now and wake my girl up properly now.”
He goes to grab the phone off his chest, but I swat his hand away, laughing.
“Eddie, check your schedule and let us know when you can come out to California. Kirby, I’ll see you Friday.”
I don’t give them a chance to respond before disconnecting the call with a jab of my finger. They got what they needed, and right now, I’m about to get what I need.
I don’t move after ending the call. The phone sits on his rapidly moving chest as I hold myself over his body and look deep into his eyes. The deep blue storm brewing deep within them.
There are no words spoken, and none needed.
Gliding my hands over the hardness of his chest and abdomen, I let my nails rake over the hard ridges of his abs, teasing the deep V right above where my body settled on his. He jerks his hips, pulls in deep gasps of air, and lets me worship his body.