Thick as Thieves (The Greystone Family: Stolen Hearts #3)

Chapter 49

49

Evie

Devon

It must be morning, it might even be a week later. I’m so dazed, my mind a haze of pleasure. I feel the cold air on my face as he carries me out of the workshop wrapped in Kellen’s coat, no boots—on my feet or his. What a sight we must be to the early risers on the farm and racing yard. He’s managed to put his jeans on, but no T-shirt.

I smile at that. Why not give anyone who wants to look a treat. He is glorious, his body a mass of muscles, moving with elegance, tattoos on show, as well as marks from his wire and me.

“What’s that smile about?” he asks, watching me closely. I just grin even more and shake my head at him. He raises his eyebrows at me. “Do I need to make you tell me?” He smirks. “I’d enjoy it, you know I would.”

I grin at him. “As would I,” I tell him.

He stops, dropping my feet gently to the floor outside the back doors, and I nearly hop back up onto him at the chill on my bare feet.

Pulling the coat closer around me, looking into my eyes, he murmurs “I love you. Don’t leave me again, otherwise it’s a spanking for you on the hour every hour.” He’s kissing me as he talks, his whole body shouting his love out to me. His grin stretching his face, lighting up his amazing blue eyes.

“I won’t. But maybe I’d take the spanking anyway,” I say cheekily.

“Now you’re talking, baby,” he laughs. “That I can sort for you.”

The door opens and Marshall sticks his head out. “Have you seen my boots?” he asks us and looks down at both our bare feet. “You’ll catch your death, get in here. I’m sure I left them at the door last night.” He’s casting about, moving all the shoes in the boot room, completely ignoring the fact we’re stood outside, Xan shirtless and me in a coat only. Thank god for Marshall and his laid back attitude.

“I think I took them to the workshop last night.” I’m blushing. Oops. “I thought they were Kell’s old ones. They had holes in them.” I look at Marshall with exasperation. “Surely we can afford to buy you new boots, Marshall.”

“They’re well worn in midarlin’, like a pair of slippers. I don’t want to send them to the menders and not have them.”

“Well buy a new pair and alternate whilst they’re getting done. The saddler’s here today, isn’t he? Get him to sort them.”

“Dare I go into that workshop to get them?” he asks, finally acknowledging our odd state of dress, staring at Xander, shirtless. His chest is a mess of blood, bites, welts, nicks, and scratches. Hard to tell where the wire ends and I begin.

“Yeah, it’s safe. Bring mine back while you're there,” he sniggers out to Marshall. “I’m taking my wife to bed.”

Marshall pointedly looks at his watch. “You haven’t time for that. Young Russell phoned. He’s on his way back to London. Needs you there at 8 o’clock tonight. Seeing his mother at his house, he says. And Evie, you have an appointment at the doctors. Lori phoned. She’s rescheduled it to today, but that’s at three o'clock so you better get a wriggle on. Are you leaving the twins here? I’m happy to supervise, and Valentina and Maria are here.”

I nod. “If we can. I can get done and we can all either stay there tonight and come back tomorrow or leave really late tonight with less traffic.”

“We’ll see how Kell is. If he’s fine to travel, he’ll rather come home than stay in London,” Xan says, touching my face. “I know because he keeps phoning and saying it.”

“Best get sorted then. We’ll leave Darryl here, and Orla and the kids are here. Bug might come back up to London with us.” I make the plan and we go get organised.

We leave Marshall to brave the workshop, and I’m dragged up to our room. Coat pulled off and pushed into the shower, I’m washed, fondled, stroked, and made love to. “I need my fix,” he states.

“We just spent six hours in your workshop.” I shake my head in amazement.

“Yes, but I’ll not see you for an hour or so tonight. You surely don’t want to come to see Rowena.” He’s laughing, justifying his actions.

“Not if I can help it. I might see Jonno, though. I think he’s back today.”

“Why are you at the doctors? Are you not feeling good?” he asks, concern pouring out of him. He is such a juxtaposition. So vulnerable, worried about us all the time, totally attuned to our moods and emotions. And then it’s as if a switch gets flicked and he is so freaking alpha, in charge, detached and in control. But, I think after last night, not detached at all. Thoughtful, considerate, and selfless. My pleasure the only thing that mattered to him.

“I’m fine. It’s Dr. Theodore. I’m sorting stuff out. My periods haven’t started back after I finished feeding the twins. I thought it would come straight back, but it hasn’t, so I just want to get checked and maybe sort out contraception.”

“I’m sorry I never made Kell tell you about his op. He was a bit of a mess himself over the decision, the fear in his eyes, he…” he trails off, his face a picture of guilt. “Well, we should have said, a discussion. Oh, God.” He scrubs his face and hair.

“I can’t change it now, but it was a huge decision, and one that affects me. I suppose, like getting contraception. Should I?” I’m biting my lip nervously. I’ve never thought about this before, but, like Kell’s decision, this decision affects us all.

He looks at me like I’ve gone mad. “If you want to,” he says, clearly not comprehending what I’m asking him.

“Do you want me to get a coil fitted? Or…”

He’s still staring at me, utterly confused. “What are you asking me Evie?” His face and voice are so gentle.

“Do you want a baby, Xander?” I reply in the same gentle tone, before throwing my hands in the air, shaking my head.

He just stands there looking dumbstruck. “A baby,” he whispers. “My baby.” His eyes bore into me, his face intense. “You would want a baby with me?”

Tears spring to my eyes as I look at this beautiful man. “Of course I do. I love you, Xander. I’m your wife as well as Kellen’s. I would?—”

He steps forwards and kisses me, and if I thought he was intense last night, it has nothing on this kiss. It’s from the depths of his soul. I can literally feel his life force flowing into me.

“Xander,” I breathe out.

“No contraception, just get checked out,” he says, kissing me again. “A baby,” he breathes. “My own, with you and Kell.”

I think he’s gone into shock. He keeps repeating it as he pulls me onto the bed, touching and kissing me.

We’re very late setting off and Bug laughs at Xan all the way to London, as he can’t string a sentence together.