I watch, transfixed, as she sobs, her soft limbs all shaking, her breath hiccupping as Fraser slowly coaxes her to a peak.
It’s slow going. She’s exhausted. But he touches her steadily, until she’s rocking over his hand.
“Oh God,” she chants. “God, God, God?—”
“There we are,” he says encouragingly as every muscle in her body clenches. She burrows her face in his chest and fists her hand in his chest hair as she comes. He holds her close, smoothing down her hair, crooning to her as she moans and trembles and eventually calms down in his arms.
There’s a blur to my left. Cameron reappears, now in his boxers, with a bowl of water and some tissues. I watch as he and Fraser carefully wipe Summer off, cleaning the come and sweat off her skin. I clean myself up quickly.
“Bring her to my bed,” I hear my voice say without input from my brain. Summer looks at me, shocked.
“She can sleep in mine,” Fraser says. “It’s nae problem.”
“Mine,” I order, standing.
Fraser shrugs and stands. He gathers her up in his arms, carries her to my bedroom, and kicks my door open. I watch with a kind of animal satisfaction as he settles her into my bed.
Good,my hindbrain says.That’s right.
Summer drags Fraser into the bed with her and looks around, taking in my bookshelves and bare desk. My room isn’t much. I don’t do anything in here but sleep and dress.
“I like your room,” she says, looking at me hopefully. “And this is such a big bed,” she hints terribly.
I can’t contain my smile as I slide under the covers on her other side and pull her into my arms. She cuddles happily between me and Fraser.
There’s a creak in the doorway. I look up to see Cameron watching us, his face inscrutable.
“You need anything?” he asks Summer. “Water? Snack?”
“No, thank you.” She reaches out a hand, inviting him. “Come to bed. I don’t have another side, but I can lie on top of you.” She gives him a blissed-out smile. “You can have my butt side.”
“I’ll get you something to eat,” he says, leaving the room.
Fraser snorts. “He’s so big on refreshments.”
“He’s really nice,” Summer mumbles, lashes dipping.
“Sure. To about three people. You must be very special.”
She snuggles between us both. I drag her closer, letting my hand fall on her plush behind. My mind is hazing and softening with an unfamiliar feeling. Warm and bright and golden. I don’t know what it is. All I know is I could stay here forever…
My phone rings on the nightstand. I ignore it.
There’s a moment of silence, then phone starts to ring again. Cold cuts through me.
I sit up. It might be an emergency.
I suddenly remember being a teenager in a noisy pub. My phone ringing over and over and over. How I eventually picked it up, annoyed, and everything fell out from under me.
I’m out of bed before I know what’s happening. Summer blinks up at me sleepily.
“Sorry,” I say quietly, grabbing my jeans. “I need to take this.”
She pouts and rolls into Fraser’s arms, closing her eyes again.
I step into the lounge, stabbing at my screen to accept the call. “Hello? Is something wrong?” My lungs aren’t filling right. I’m bracing for impact.
“Mr Gray,”a cool male voice says. “This is Charlie McDean. From the council. I have some news for you.”
