Chapter Eighteen

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

We want to make her ours…forever.

~ Ethan

THE BUSTLING SOUNDS of the city had Chloé opening her eyes and gripping her head, which pounded like someone had taken a jackhammer to it.

The morning sun was bright and slipping through the curtains, and on any other day she’d appreciate that—today, however, was not that day. Damn champagne.

She rubbed at her temple and stretched beneath the covers, and that was when she realized there was someone missing from their bed.

Ethan stirred beside her, his eyes closed as he slept peacefully, and the sight finally pulled a smile from her. He was such a serious man, a controlled man—in many ways he reminded her of her papa, but the one spot in which they differed? Ethan had no trouble sleeping.

Her papa had gotten better over the years. But she remembered many nights where she’d wake to find him working on some case or just sitting and relaxing in front of the glow of his aquarium.

She couldn’t imagine not being able to sleep. She was such a grump when she didn’t get her eight hours, and when she looked to the empty pillow on the other side of her, she wondered what had woken Zayne after such a late night.

Gently pushing the covers back, she was careful not to disturb Ethan as she climbed out of bed. She grabbed the robe she’d packed and slipped into it and then headed for the stairs, deciding that going down wasn’t half as hard as coming up them, and that way Ethan could sleep a little longer.

She walked down the stairs, trailing her hand over the shiny wood rail, and when she reached the third floor, she immediately knew he wasn’t there. It was too quiet and too…proper to be a place Zayne would go to relax. So she continued on to the main floor.

As she passed the bookcase, she looked around the living room, searching out the balcony doors. They were wide open, and as she got closer, she spotted Zayne bent at the waist with his arms resting on the rail as he stared out at the city below.

He’d pulled on a pair of jeans but nothing more, and the image of him standing there was just as breathtaking as the view he was looking at—and just like that, her headache was the last thing on her mind.

“Zayne?” She stopped by the door, not wanting to intrude if he was looking to be left alone. But he straightened and turned to face her, an inviting smile lifting his lips.

“Hey there, Red. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“You didn’t. But when I realized you were gone, I thought I’d come and find you.”

She stepped out into the crisp morning air. It was cool but not cold. He reached out and took her hand, drawing her into his arms.

“Hmm, now this is the way to wake up.” He lowered his head and captured her lips in a kiss she felt all the way to her toes. “Would you like some coffee? I made a pot.”

Chloé glanced at the table they’d been drinking champagne around last night, and sure enough, there was a coffee press now in its place.

“A coffee would be heaven sent.”

Zayne chuckled. “Regretting the champagne?”

“Maybe that last glass.”

He took her hand and led her over to one of the seats, then, after pouring her a cup, moved back to lean up against the rail. “Did you sleep well?”

“I sure did.” Chloé blew on the steaming liquid. “You?”

“Yep. I would’ve stayed that way too if my phone hadn’t woken me up.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” Zayne nodded, but then a frown formed on his brow. “Actually, no, that’s a lie.”

Chloé put her cup down and got to her feet. “What happened? Should I go and get Ethan?”

“No.” He shook his head. “Let him sleep. It’s nothing really, just something that happened with the senator.”

Chloé’s stomach dropped, the mention of Zayne’s father enough to ruin any morning. Then her mind began to race at all the possibilities.

Had the press found out who she was? Had they gone after her or her fathers? That was the reason they’d left. The reporters hanging around The Office, waiting to see if she would show up at Ethan and Zayne’s place. Maybe they’d finally worked it all out.

She searched Zayne’s face for any clues as to whether he was angry or upset, but neither of those emotions were there. If anything, he looked…resigned. Which made no sense in any of those scenarios.

“Zayne? Do you want to talk about it?”

He drew his phone out of the pocket of his jeans and held it out to her. Chloé walked over and took it from him, and the headline that jumped off the page made the breath leave her body.

SENATOR RANDALL COPELAND PUBLICLY DISOWNS SON IN PRIMETIME NEWS INTERVIEW

She didn’t have to read any more of the gossipy article to know that the senator’s reason for doing this would be a sick breakdown of all of Zayne’s supposed sins. These vultures lived off this kind of scandal, and Senator Copeland having a queer son was just fodder to fill their pages.

“Zayne…” She looked up to find him staring off over her shoulder into the apartment, and took a step forward to place a hand on his naked chest. It was warm and solid, his heart beating under her palm, and when his eyes finally met hers, the resignation there broke her heart. “I’m so sorry.”

He covered her hand with his, a tight smile on his lips. “It’s okay. Really. I’m actually surprised he didn’t do it years ago.”

“But still, no one wants to wake up to something like this.”

He shrugged and turned back to look out over the city. They stood there in silence for a few minutes before Zayne said, “You know what the worst part is?”

Chloé studied his set jaw and narrowed eyes. “What’s that?”

“That I don’t care. That he pushed me so far away, for so long, that I’m actually relieved he’s cut ties. I’m happy. So did he win? Does that mean I’m as fucked up as he is?”

“No. It does not.”

* * *

ZAYNE TURNED TO find Ethan standing in the doorway in his black robe, and damn it was good to see him there.

When his phone first started blowing up this morning with notifications about his father, Zayne hadn’t wanted to disturb the amazing time they were having with the senator’s bullshit.

But opening up to Chloé just now, and seeing Ethan standing in front of him all serious and strong, had made the burden suddenly feel less heavy.

“You’re awake.” Chloé crossed over to Ethan and greeted him with a kiss, and Zayne had a feeling she was as happy to see him as he was. There was just something so calming and reassuring about Ethan. He had an innate ability to make you feel…safe.

“I am.” Ethan brushed a hand over her hair, then turned his attention back to Zayne. “Imagine my surprise when I realized everyone else was too.”

“I just figured you must’ve needed the sleep,” Zayne said.

“Over my being there when you found out your father is the lowest form of human a person can actually be?”

Zayne’s lips twitched, despite the seriousness of Ethan’s words. “Yeah, despite all of that.”

“When did it happen?” Ethan asked.

“Last night. Fucker made a big splash of it going on national news. Using me one last time to bolster his ratings.”

“Bolster them?” Chloé sounded appalled. “Who would want to vote for anyone after hearing that?”

“His delusional constituents.” Ethan shook his head. “It plays right into their hands. Tossing aside the heathen child.”

“That’s disgusting.”

“That’s my father.” Zayne’s eyes came back to Ethan’s. “Or not anymore. Wow…” He let out a breath. “I really expected to be more upset over this.”

“I don’t see why.” Ethan moved to stand beside him, resting against the rail. “The senator’s been treating you like garbage for years. I think relief is a normal response to being rid of that kind hate in your life. That doesn’t make you fucked up or evil—it makes you human.”

“You’re right.”

Ethan winked at him. “I’m always right.”

Zayne chuckled and bumped shoulders with him. “Maybe I should send him a thank-you note.”

“He’s not worth the money you’d spend to post it.”

“True.” Zayne reached out and tugged Chloé in against him, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “On the plus side, it’s a new scandal, sooo the gorgeous redhead is out of the news—and lucky for her, she’ll never have to deal with the senator again.”

“I think that’s lucky for all of us,” Ethan pointed out.

“You’re right.” Zayne rested his chin on Chloé’s head. “Good riddance, I say, and let this be the last time we ever speak his name.”

“You’ll get no complaints from me.”

“Me either,” Chloé agreed, then screwed up her nose. “Do you want me to go and make a fresh pot of coffee? That one’s gotta be cold by now.”

“Why don’t we all head in? I want to grab one of those croissants anyway.” Zayne picked up the coffee press and his cup as they all headed back inside.

“Zayne?” Chloé said, stopping just inside the living room. “Are you sure you still feel like going for a picnic for lunch, or—”

“Definitely.”

“Okay, well, I’m going to go and start getting some food put together for it while I make the coffee. Did Gilles end up being able to finding a basket?”

Ethan nodded. “He did. He said it was on the kitchen table.”

“Perfect.” She leaned in to kiss both their cheeks. “I’ll see you two in a bit.”

Ethan eyed her exit and shook his head. “She’s not half as stealthy as she thinks she is.”

“No, she isn’t.” Zayne walked over to the couch and fell down into it, and Ethan followed then stopped in front of him.

“That doesn’t mean I won’t take the opportunity she’s given us to ask—are you really okay?”

A grin tugged at Zayne’s lips as he looked up. “You think I was lying out there?”

“No.” Ethan sat down beside him. “But sometimes we think we’re all right when really we’re not.”

“Speaking from experience?”

“Definitely.”

Zayne reached for Ethan’s hand and interlaced their fingers. “I’m okay, for now. If that changes, I’ll tell you.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

Ethan settled back into the couch and drew him into his side. “It’s interesting, isn’t it, that neither of us have a father we can go to or count on, and yet the person that walked into our lives has three.”

A bark of unexpected laughter left Zayne. “One for each of us, huh?”

Ethan chuckled, and the rumbly vibration under his cheek made any lingering worries he might’ve had dissipate.

“Definitely not. But it’s interesting just the same.”

“What did you tell Chloé yesterday? Fate… She’s a tricky little thing.”

Ethan nodded and hugged him in closer. “That she is. I love you.”

Zayne looked up and reached for his face. “I love you too.”

Their lips met in a kiss meant to comfort, and when Ethan’s tongue dipped inside his mouth Zayne closed his eyes and thanked fate, God, or whoever was responsible for Ethan, and the woman who knew them well enough to make that moment happen.

* * *

“HOW ABOUT THIS spot?”

Chloé frowned, looked up at the midday sun shining down on Zayne, and shook her head. “Do you see my pale skin and red hair? I can’t sit there.”

She turned his way, and Ethan held up his hands. “Don’t look at me—you told him to pick a spot. He tans naked.”

Chloé sighed. “Well, as much I’d like to be able to join him, even in a hat, I fry like an egg after five minutes in the sun. Sorry, I can’t do it.”

Ethan looked around the park they’d headed down to for their pique-nique, as Chloé called it, and spotted a partially shaded area under several trees. “How about over there?”

Chloé lifted the brim of her hat up and nodded. “That’ll work. What do you think?” She looked at Zayne.

“It’s perfect—a little sun for me and a whole lotta shade for you.” He hooked a playful arm around her neck and snuck under her hat to press a smacking kiss to her neck. Chloé squealed with delight.

Ethan grinned at the pair as they made their way over to the spot and placed the picnic basket down. Then he pulled out the blanket Gilles had packed and spread it on the ground.

Ethan leaned back against the trunk of the tree, and Chloé began to unpack the food she’d prepared back home while Zayne stretched out along the far side of the blanket where the sun was shining.

In loafers, shorts, and a linen shirt left halfway open, Zayne was the very image of relaxation. He had a pair of sunglasses on and his hands stacked behind his head, and if he had anything other than enjoying himself on his mind, no one would know.

Chloé had changed into a yellow, eye-catching sundress that had an off-the-shoulder neckline and puffy, short sleeves, and the flowy skirt with a slit up the side gave it a romantic feel whenever it swished around her legs.

The floppy straw hat with the wide bow she’d added to the outfit was a nice touch—very French indeed—and as Ethan took in the picture they made, a deep feeling of contentment filled him.

“Would you like a glass of wine?” Chloé asked as she arranged several of the plastic platters she’d brought with her, then reached into the wicker basket to pull out three matching glasses.

“I’d love one. But why don’t you let me take care of that?” Ethan sat forward and plucked the glasses and bottle of rosé out of her hands. “You’re always serving us.”

“Whatever pleases you, sir.”

Ethan chuckled and uncorked the bottle. Then he went about pouring each of them a glass and handing them out. Once everyone had something to sip on, Chloé began to plate the food, and the spread she’d brought for them had his stomach rumbling.

There were cheeses and fruits, little quiches, and a freshly baked baguette roll she’d made this morning. There was also something called carottes râpées, which were shredded carrots in a vinaigrette—or so he’d been told.

Basically, she was spoiling them for anything other than extraordinary.

“I hope you’re hungry,” she said as she handed them each a plate with an assortment, and Zayne sat up so he could dig in.

Chloé was about to move away from the basket and into a more comfortable spot, but, not wanting her too far away, Ethan patted the blanket by him. She smiled and crawled over to the empty space, and Ethan raised his glass.

When the others did the same, he looked between the two of them and said, “To making memories that last forever and a love that will never end. I couldn’t think of another place I’d rather be in or a person I’d rather be with than the two of you right here and now.”

He turned to Chloé. “We love you, petite fille.”

“We have for a little while now,” Zayne added. Then he got up and moved over to sit by her outstretched legs. Chloé’s breath caught, and she turned in his direction.

“We know this is a lot.” Zayne reached for her hand. “But we figured you might be okay with that, since we’re a lot.”

A soft laugh escaped her, and she brought a hand up to cover her mouth.

“You love me?” She lowered her hands and looked between him and Ethan. “Both of you?”

Ethan nodded and took her other hand. “Both of us.”

“I… I don’t know what to say.”

Zayne chuckled and stroked the flowy material covering her thighs. “That might be a first, right?”

A brilliant smile hit her mouth, and she nodded. “Oui, it just might be. Moi aussi je vous aime. I love you too. Both of you.”

“Thank God for that, because we kind of come as a pair.”

“In all the ways.” Ethan winked at them.

Chloé really laughed then—a bright, cheerful sound that made everything inside Ethan warm.

“I’m so happy. I’d wished for this… Hoped…” She leaned back against the tree and put her head on Ethan’s shoulder, and Zayne stretched out and put his in her lap. “I feel like my heart might fly out of my chest.”

They sat there for several minutes like that, a beautiful kind of silence enveloping them, before finally Chloé said, “Can I ask you both something?”

“Of course,” Ethan said.

Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink as she bit down on her lip. “I just… What does all this mean? What happens next? What does a relationship like ours look like when…when we fall in love?”

Ethan knew exactly what she meant—the contracts. When they first entered this relationship, it had been vital to establish their roles up front. It always was in a dom/sub relationship. But when love became involved, it was time for the relationship to evolve.

“It would look very similar to what we already share. However, we’d want you in our bed every night and every morning. So that would mean—”

“Moving in with you?” Her eyes widened, and Ethan nodded. “Um...”

Zayne chuckled. “Are you worried because you don’t want to? Or because your fathers will most definitely try to kill us when we ask them?”

“The latter. Definitely the latter.” Her eyes got a little misty then, but she did her best to blink it away.

“Good, because we want you to be ours in all the ways.” Ethan brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back. “There’d also be no contracts. No condoms. We would tear them up, throw them out, and everything going forward would be based on love, trust, and communication.”

Chloé’s chest rose and fell with every other word he said, and Ethan wasn’t sure if she was scared or excited—but if he had to guess, it was a little bit of both.

“So, what do you say, Red? Want to shack up with us?”