Combust (The Wellingtons #1) (38 page)

We both break out into the first line of the chorus at the same time. “I knew I loved you.”

I start laughing through my tears. As I wipe them away, I come down from my Savage Garden high and look at Cohen, who’s studying me. I can’t read his expression.

“Cohen, in case I need to spell it out, what I’m trying to say is I love you, too. It might be crazy. It might be too soon. The thing is, I know how I feel, how you make me feel, and no amount of time is going to change that.”

Cohen growls and leans over to grab a condom. He slides it on and then pushes me forward until my back’s on the bed and he’s settling in between my legs. I feel his hard cock pressing against my entrance, and I lift my hips up, wanting and ready to take all of him in.

“You just told me you love me by using a Savage Garden song.”

It’s a statement, not a question, and I nod up at him. “And you knew exactly what I was doing. If that’s not proof positive that we’re perfect for each other, then I don’t know what is.”

As he slowly slides into me, Cohen braces himself on his elbows and hovers just over my face. “There will never be anyone else for me, Ruby. You’re it. And I meant what I said. Your first and your last. I want to be your forever.”

You already are.

As he begins to make love to me, I remain silent even though the thought is in the back of my mind. There’s always been a question of the future between us, yet we’ve always managed to avoid the topic. Now that love is involved, however, I’m even more afraid to know what’s going to happen in the coming months.

Cohen must sense my apprehension, and his mouth comes to mine where he kisses me as ferociously as he’s thrusting into me, and it’s not long before we’re both sent over the blissful edge and all of my worries disappear.

“JESUS, KID. What’s with the grin?”

Looking up, I see that Knox has joined me in the kitchen. We’re at another Sunday brunch. Mom and Charlie stole Andi away as soon as brunch was over, saying something about wedding favors and decorations. I gladly let them disappear and went to the kitchen to get a drink. I was about to grab the orange juice when the maple syrup caught my eye, sending memories of yesterday’s breakfast catapulting into my brain.

After Andi had admitted that she loves me, too, I spent the morning showing her my appreciation. Eventually, though, her stomach growled and ruined the moment. Laughing, I dragged her to the kitchen, where I made her pancakes. As Andi took a bite of the fluffy cakes, her eyes rolled back in her head and she moaned appreciatively. And then, when I gave her bacon, she did the same. It was more than I could take, and I ended up taking her right here on the dining table. The syrup was too tempting to avoid, and even though I had to use extra work with my tongue to get it off her, after we showered the stickiness off, she promptly eighty-sixed maple syrup from our sexual experiences. My tongue is still tired from all that work, so I don’t mind taking it off the menu. Eyeing the chocolate syrup, however, I make a mental note of its consistency and decide to pick some up at the store for future use.

“Dude, seriously. You’re freaking me out. You’ve got that creepy Cheshire cat look on your face again. Oh, shit. That can only mean one thing.”

I turn to Knox and raise my eyebrows. “What the hell are you talking about? It’s just a smile. I’m a happy guy.”

Knox shakes his head and leans his elbows on the kitchen island as he studies me. “No, that’s not just a smile. You’re grinning from ear to ear, and I’m pretty sure it’s so wide that I could count your teeth. The last time I saw you like that was when you were leaving me all alone to deal with Charlie. So again, what gives?”

I’m about to protest when Branson enters the kitchen and answers for me. “It’s written all over his face. He’s a fool in love with that hot little redhead he keeps bringing around,” he says matter-of-factly before reaching into the fridge to pull out a beer.

“Jesus, Branson. It’s not even noon yet. Do you have a drinking problem or something?”

Branson closes the refrigerator and pops open the beer, taking a long draw of it before walking towards the back door. “No, Knox. I don’t have a drinking problem. I have a remembering problem.” With that, he walks out the door, leaving Knox and me alone.

“I thought he was getting better. What was that about?”

Knox shrugs. “Who knows with him? He’s probably just still trying to figure his shit out until the divorce is final. But don’t try to change the subject. Was he right?”

Part of me wants to follow Bran out into the backyard, knowing that he probably could use someone to talk to, but I know Knox isn’t going to let this go. “Yeah, he was right.”

He lets out a low whistle and then grins at me. “It’s a little soon, don’t you think?” he asks, throwing my own words back in my face.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever. I’m an asshole.”

Slapping a hand on my shoulder, he shakes his head. “Nah, you’re not. Don’t sweat it. When Jace and Lexi started dating again, I didn’t get it either. It wasn’t until Charlie that I finally understood why he was such a romantic asshole. And now Andi’s done the same for you. Does she know?”

“Yeah, she knows. I told her a couple of nights ago in bed.”

“Ahhh, so you two finally did the deed?” he asks just as I’m taking a drink.

I nearly spew orange juice all over him. “How did you…?” I trail off as he doubles over laughing.

“Dude, I didn’t. I was just going to make a joke about it since she apologized to Charlie when I told her I taught you your moves. I didn’t actually think you hadn’t slept with her yet. Damn.”

Looking around, I lean in close, wondering why I’m even bothering to tell him this. “Okay, do you remember my freshman year? When we were skyping after I’d lost my virginity?”

He tilts his head and looks up at the ceiling as if he’s trying to remember. Then he snaps his fingers and looks back at me. “Yes! You had a thong on your floor and lasted one pump.”

Grimacing, I brace my hands on the counter. “Thanks for the reminder. Look, long story extremely short, the girl from that night was Andi.” His eyes widen and his jaw drops open. Not much shocks Knox, so his expression makes me chuckle. “Yeah, I know. We didn’t reconnect until earlier this semester, and well, obviously, we started dating. Before her, well, you know how it is when you’re single and not interested in a relationship. I’d had my fair share of girls, but it was never anything more than casual hooking up. I didn’t want that with Andi, and yeah, we did stuff, but I wanted to wait to go all the way until I knew there were real feelings there.”

“So you banged chicks you didn’t have feelings for, and when you met one you did like, you purposely didn’t sleep with her? That’s some sound logic,” he scoffs sarcastically.

“I wouldn’t exactly put it in those terms, but yeah, pretty much. It might sound stupid, but it was worth it.”

“Well, seeing as how she’s here with you, you lasted longer than before.” I nod, and he laughs. “See? My advice did pay off. If she only knew.”

“Only knew what?” Charlie asks as she waltzes into the kitchen and grabs a couple of sodas from the refrigerator. She turns and looks at us expectantly.

“Nothin’, sweetheart. How’s the wedding planning?” Knox crosses to her and plants a quick kiss on her lips.

She groans and rubs her forehead. “Every time I think I like something, we find more things on Pinterest. Wedding planning is exhausting.”

He grabs her waist and pulls her into him. “Just say the word, baby, and we’ll be on the first plane to Vegas tonight. Just you, me, and Elvis.”

Charlie presses her hands against his chest and shoves him playfully. “Not happening, Wellington. Dad would kill you. Hell, Lucy would probably kill me.” Leaning up on her toes, she gives him a kiss. “Don’t worry, Rugged. Just a few more months of this and then you’ll be all mine.” She turns to walk away, and Knox slaps her on the ass, causing her to turn and grin at him.

“And don’t you forget it,” he warns, earning him a saucy wink before she strolls out of the room.

“I still can’t believe your wedding is in August,” I tell him. “You two seriously wasted no time.”

“Like I told her, I’d drag her ass to Vegas and marry her tonight if she’d let me. And didn’t we just talk about this? It’s only a matter of time for you, kid.”

I give a vehement shake of my head. “No way. No freaking way. Just because Andi and I love each other, that doesn’t mean we’re going to be sharing wedding vows any time soon. Hell, I don’t even know if we’re going to be living in the same city, let alone state, after graduation.”

“Eh, minor details. You love her?” he asks, peering at me, and I nod, knowing I’ve never felt this way before. “You see yourself spending your life with her?”

“I can’t imagine spending it with anyone else,” I answer honestly.

“Then the rest doesn’t matter. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, and I know it’s not what you had planned prior going into med school, but maybe this happened for a reason. Instead of coming home to a lonely place after your long-ass shifts, you’ll have someone to curl up with and escape the madness of the hospital. And she’ll have her journalism career to focus on when you’re gone for days at a time. Sure, you two may have your own things going on, but as long as you have each other, everything else will fall into place.”

I know Knox is right, and I also know that this is a conversation Andi and I need to have. And we will, I vow to myself. But for now, I just want to enjoy the rest of spring break free from the stress of classes and studying. Yeah, for this one week, the only thing I want to study is Andi—from her perky breasts to her long legs and everything in between.

“I’d ask when the hell you got so smart about love, but I already know the answer. And feel free to thank me when you say your vows. After all, if it weren’t for me, you’d never have met Charlie.”

He throws an arm around my shoulder and gives me a weird half hug. “If you recall, I’d already met her and made an ass of myself. But you’re right, bro. If it weren’t for you, she wouldn’t have had the chance to undress me day in and day out. It was only a matter of time before her resistance was futile. So, thanks, asshole. You’re lucky Charlie turned out to be one smokin’ woman.”

I laugh, remembering the way Knox freaked out at the thought of a guy coming over to take care of him after he’d been released from the hospital. Of course, he wasn’t much happier when Charlie showed up on his doorstep, but judging by the rock that’s now on her finger, he quickly got over it.

Glancing down at my watch, I decide to go find my girl so we can make the trip back home.

“Time to go save the girls. Mom’s been waiting for this day so she could show Charlie some of the favor ideas she’s found on the Internet. And hey, Cohen?” I stop and look at him as I wait for him to continue. “Yeah, you might be young, and it might seem soon, but don’t get caught up in all that that crap. It’s my job to be observant, and I couldn’t help watching you two all morning. You look at her the way I hope I look at Charlie. And she looks at you the way Charlie looks at me. It’s the best feeling in the world, little brother, so try not to fuck it up, okay?”

“Damn, Knox. I was about to shed a tear and then you ended that speech so eloquently.” He laughs, and we start to head down the hall. “But you’re right. Best damn feeling in the world, and I’ll do everything I can not to fuck it up.”

“Hey, I said try. We’re Wellington men, after all. We’re bound to screw things up one way or another, but as long as they know you’re trying, the apologizing part is a little bit easier.”

I have a feeling that wiser words have never been spoken by my brother, and I’m thankful to have someone like him to get advice from.

As we enter the living room, my heart tightens as Charlie and Andi look up at us. Mom’s still busy clicking at something on her laptop. Knox was right. As I study Charlie, I notice that her expression is full of love, and she’s looking at him as if he’s the only person in her line of sight. When I glance over at Andi, she has a wide smile on her face and her eyes are shining. She leans back against the couch, looks around, and brings her finger up to her mouth in a faux gagging motion before she breaks out into another grin.