Thanks for the information, Bella. We’ll take it from here. Good work. Proud of you.
Also, Silas and Cahir both agree that seeing Copper’s family this weekend at your safe house is fine. Silas hasn’t seen anything about this. Go ahead and take a break.
Silas asked me to pass this message along: ‘Saying goodbye and healing is okay. Stop punishing yourself. Life is short. Live it.’
Look after yourself, Bella. Be careful.
Ramzi
“Fucking fantastic!” Copper whoops, plucking me from the chair and twirling me around the room.
I laugh as he squeezes me tight before putting me back on my feet. My head is spinning, and I’m a little unsteady as he pushes me towards the bedroom.
“Go get changed. I’ll let Coal know.”
I smile as I reach our bedroom.
“Bella.”
I turn to look at Copper, unsure what to make of the look on his face.
“Thank you.” His words are heartfelt.
Smiling warmly, I reply, “You’re welcome.”
Leaving him to tell his family the good news, I strip off my clothes and head for the shower. I’m looking forward to spending time with the man who’s thawing my heart, one sweet action at a time.
Tomorrow won’t be fun. I’m dreading it and all the old feelings of worthlessness it will bring up. But I also know that it’s time to put the past behind me for good so I can move on.
And moving on means not returning to Feannag. I’ll find somewhere else to live. It’ll hurt my parents, but in the long run, it’s better for everyone involved.
CHAPTER 7
COPPER
After I let Coal know about the safe house and give Thea our ring measurements, I order Chinese takeout from one of our favourite places. It doesn’t take Bella long to shower, and before long, we’re ensconced on the couch with a beer while we argue about what to watch and wait for our supper to be delivered.
Finally, we settle on a secret agent spy series set in London. I answer the door and pay for our meal when our food arrives, while Bella grabs plates and cutlery and places them on the coffee table. I love the open-plan aspect of our apartment. It makes the rooms feel more spacious, and I like that Bella and I can still talk when she’s in the kitchen and I’m in the lounge.
“Another beer, Sug?” she asks, head in the fridge, ass in the air.
I bite my lip as lust hits me hard and fast. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep my hands off her, but I know I won’t do anything until she’s ready.
“Cop?” Bella stands and looks at me, holding two beers.
“Yeah, please. I’ll take another,” I answer, turning away to adjust my hard cock before sitting down.
Bella rests a knee on the couch and hands me my beer before sitting cross-legged next to me. I grab her plate, place it on her lap, and put her beer on the side table.
That’s when it hits me. We’re in sync without even thinking about it. We’re like an old married couple with rituals we’ve developed while living together.
I don’t comment. I sit back and enjoy the programme, eating good food and drinking my beer in the company of the woman who makes me smile as she shouts at the screen.
Eventually, Bella huffs out a breath, lifts my arm, and curls up next to me, muttering about stupid directors raising her blood pressure. Her tirade makes me laugh out loud as I tuck her closer.
It’s never boring watching a movie or series with her. I’m always entertained, and it’s rarely with our choice of programme.
Later that night, I wake to find Bella wrapped around me. I hope tomorrow brings her the peace she craves. I’m looking forward to seeing what my family thinks of her, and I have a feeling she’ll fit right in without even trying.
