Page 17 of It Shouldn't Be You
“How could I forget? She whipped him so hard with her tea towel he had marks on his arm for weeks.” With a snort, he shakes his head and leads the way down the two flights of stairs. As we approach the ground floor, the chatter grows louder. Puzzled by the noise and wondering if Abigail has made friends already, I follow the sound, only to freeze at the sight of the black and gold balloon arch leading out to the garden.
“Is this your doing?” I turn to Alex. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s tried to throw me a surprise birthday party. He’s made it his mission to rid me of what he calls ‘childhood trauma’—much to my disdain.
“Nope, but hats off to whoever is behind this.” He claps me on the shoulder before pushing me through the balloon arch to a chorus of happy birthdays. Looking past all the different Clan members milling about, either in groups or with their significant others clutched close to their side, I spot her.
Red hair blowing in the gentle breeze, red lips tipped up in a nervous smile that I’m dying to kiss again, a black dress hugging her every curve as she stands at the back of the crowd. I stalk towards her, ignoring everyone as they part like the Red Sea to let me pass, and as soon as I’m close enough, I grab her face and do what I’ve been dying to do all day.
With a shocked gasp, she wraps her arms around my neck, gently tugging at my hair as she kisses me back with as much want and need that I’m pouring into the kiss. I don’t give a damn who’s here to witness me claim my wife. The more people the better, in fact. She’s mine and I want everyone to know it.
With a groan, I pull back, nipping her bottom lip as I retreat, and smirk at the dazed expression on her face as she blinks open her lust-glazed eyes. Slowly the rest of the world comes back into focus and the cheers from the men gathered have me pulling her close to my side, pressing a kiss on the crown of her head and facing the crowd as one.
“Thank you all for coming, I’m sure Logan appreciates it. Just as I’m sure you’re all dying to try Kelly’s delicious cooking, so feel free to tuck in,” Abigail says with a smile. As the attention on us dies down a bit, she turns her focus back to me and says, “Tah-dah.”
“How the hell did you pull this off?”
“With a lot of help from Kelly, Cole, and Smithy. And even then, I wasn’t sure if it would all come together in time, but I wanted to at least try and do something for you. Everyonedeserves to have happy birthday memories, Logan. And you’re never too old to start making them.”
Pulling her in close, I press a kiss to the top of her head before ducking down and sealing my mouth to hers once again in a greedy kiss. I kiss her like there’s no tomorrow, savouring her taste, her moans, the feel of her pressed close to me. I could do this all night if she would let me, and I’m half tempted to take her away from this crowd so we can be alone, if only for a moment.
Until someone interrupts us by clearing their throat and I reluctantly pull away.
“Happy birthday, son. I’m glad to see you have found some happiness this year. It’s about damn time,” Peter says, pulling me into a hug before hugging Abigail too.
After that, we make the rounds, small talk and handshakes are shared around the garden. Everyone gushes about Abigail and how much of a godsend she was in planning this so last minute and with every compliment paid her way, my chest burns with pride.
Having all these people warm up to her so quickly is a feat within itself. Half of them don’t even like me and I grew up here. But having them all praise her? I never could have seen that coming but man, I am not mad about it in the slightest. I’m so proud of her, I could burst.
After a while, I manage to get her alone again. Pulling her to the side as we survey the party, I say, “You did an amazing job, you know that right?”
“Hmm?” she asks, looking up at me with a light shining in her eyes.
“Planning a party like this on short notice, winning everyone over so quickly. Hell, getting a cake the day of a party. What’s your secret?” I tease her, pulling her into me.
“Well, the cake part was actually the easiest. I made it myself.” At the look on my face, she tips her head back laughing. Her laugh is like a balm to my soul. Her lightness bleeds into my darkness and already I can sense the change she is going to make to this place. To me. I can't wait to see it but for now, I dip my head and claim my wife’s mouth as my own again. Happy birthday indeed. Twenty-six never tasted so sweet.
Chapter 13
In what feels like a blink of an eye, it’s time to head back to London for Cora’s bachelorette party. After a week of barely seeing Logan and filling my days by chatting with Kelly in the kitchen—trying to coax out all the hints and tips about the Clan and its strange dynamics as I whip up batches of brownies to bribe her—this is very much needed.
Making sure I was able to come back for it was one of my non-negotiables so even though Logan can’t afford to leave the compound right now, here I am. My black and rose gold cabin-sized suitcase lies at my heels as I say goodbye to a sleep-rumpled Logan. His brows are drawn low as he runs a hand through his hair before taking my suitcase from me and leading the way out to the car. Peter is already in the driver's seat with Smithy calling shotgun, leaving me and Cole to sit in the back.
As Logan assesses the seating arrangements, any regiments of sleep are quickly erased from his face.
“I don’t like this.”
“It’s only for a night. I’ll be back before you even notice I’m gone.”
“Doubtful. You know if I could move things around to be there, I would, right?” He boxes me in against the car door.
If I combust here and now, I wonder will someone scrap up my remains and ship me off to the airport?
“I know, Viking. Relax, I'll be fine. Owen and Jonathan will have gone overboard with Cora’s security,” I say, leaning up to give him a soft kiss. As he holds open the car door for me, grunting at Smithy and Cole to swap seats, the need to address what is going on between us couldn’t be clearer.
But now is not the time for that.
I have a plane to catch, mimosas to drink, and two besties to hug to death.
One very quick flight and two glasses of wine later, we’re on our way out of the airport when I hear my name being shouted a split second before I’m knocked back a step with the force of Cora running into me.
