She giggled when I drew back and gave me a beautiful smile. "See you at dinner. I only have a two-hour session with my new client today."
Nodding slightly, I dipped my finger in some blue paint and smeared it on her nose playfully.
"Love you, baby," I told her and left without waiting for her to say it back. It was too soon, I knew that. But I was all in and I didn't care about hiding it. I had almost lost her once.
Life was good.
~~~
Skye
I gazed at the doorway for a long while after Cole left with what I was sure was a goofy smile on my face. Damn. I loved that guy too. One of these days, I will let him know that but for now, I was enjoying the courtship process. Yes, I had moved in but it was more due to convenience than commitment. He was juggling two serious relationships and a full time job so I had decided to meet him halfway.
We had not had sex yet despite plenty of kissing and touching and grinding but last night, we had come pretty close. I grew hot when I remembered our crazy make-out session when I had removed his glasses and tossed it somewhere in my clothes pile before mounting him fully dressed and dry humping him. His body felt so good. Every time. We had had to stop when Jasper had gotten out of the shower because the door was wide open and Cole hadn't wanted him to see us.
Speaking of the devil, a tall figure darkened my doorway with a toothbrush in his hand, wearing that permanent scowl on his face. He glanced around the room and speared me with a dirty look.
"You planning to clean this shit up anytime soon?" he asked gruffly. Gerard Butler voice. It was more evident when he woke up in the mornings.
I raised my chin defiantly. "I'm paying you rent. You don't get a say in how I choose to decorate unless it contributes to property damage."
I had insisted on the rent part even though they both owned this apartment. No way was I going to live for free and put up with this guy's taunts about me accepting handouts. He stood there for longer than necessary and his eyes drifted to my thighs exposed by the tiny sleep shorts I was wearing and remained there. I didn't try to cover myself. I had admitted long ago that I liked his eyes on me even if I didn't like him.
When he had looked his fill, he met my gaze again and asked, "Has he fucked you yet?"
His question didn't shock me. He was blunt like that and I didn't really care as long as he gave me no trouble. So far, he had stayed out of my way except for a few sneering looks and childish insults here and there when Cole wasn't around. But he let us have our time together. Usually, he disappeared in the shower or in his darkroom which I came to know was attached to the office. Sometimes, he even went out to give Cole and I some alone time.
I tried to extend them the same courtesy. Somehow, it was working out. Cole was so happy and it was like his mood affected us all in a positive way.
"Why don't you just ask your boyfriend?" I replied airily going back to my painting of a ship being tossed around in a stormy sea. Inspired by a Frozen rewatch last night.
He made a sound of disgust or contempt. I was not sure which but knowing him, it was definitely one or the other.
"We have much better things to do than talk about you," he goaded me.
I looked skywards and shook my head. Something was up with him today. He seemed to be determined to get on my nerves.
"You mean you wish you didn't have to listen when Cole wouldn't stop gushing about me." I touched a brush covered with grey paint to the canvas.
"Bitch," he muttered and walked away.
"Asshole," I said in pretty much the same tone and then yelled, "Hey, could you be quick in there coz I have to get ready for work soon?"
"Are you paying the electricity bill as well because hot water isn't free, you know?" he yelled back and I let out a sound of frustration before throwing down the brush. Son of a bitch.
~~~
Chapter 11
Skye
I sat flipping through Vogue Italia while Jasper and Cole discussed where to go for dinner that evening. It was Friday and they both wanted to get out of the house. Since it was their date night, I would probably curl up with a book and wine as soon as they finished deciding and left me alone.
Cole said something under his breath which made Jasper glance at me. I regarded them both suspiciously.
"I don't mind." Jasper shrugged and Cole asked him if he was sure at least twice before turning to me.
"Skye, you want to join us?" Cole asked me. "We'll probably go clubbing later. It'll be fun."
I blinked at him, realising that was what their discussion had been about. Whether I could join them and turn their Friday night date into a threesome. And Cole appeared so hopeful, again eager to please. I hated that he always felt like he had to sell something to me instead of believing that his presence alone made any place or event special for me.
"Didn't we agree Friday night was for you two?" I questioned curiously.
Cole shrugged. "We did but Jasper doesn't mind. What do you say?"
I lifted my chin and studied Jasper's profile while he pretended not to be interested in
