Biting into the inside of my cheek I watch in dismay as the candy apple eyed monster grabs a handful of the flour throwing it at Sophie, who's menacing glare turns absolutely murderous. Getting on the tips of my toes I try to see past the crowd hoping Maggie was making her way into the cafe, but unfortunately she still wasn't back. Our delivery hadn't been right this week, and she'd entrusted the cafe to me while she went to pick up the few items they'd failed to deliver. Although if one were to ask Sophie and Jay they'd say she entrusted it to all three of us, it was as if they forgot they didn't work here. Despite how close we were, when it came to occupation, we weren't a package deal, just cause I worked here didn't mean they did too.

The two had gotten into a fight for a reason they probably didn't even care to remember and were currently horrifying my poor customers. Well at least I'd thought they were, until the supposed poor customers began pulling out their phones and cheering for their favourite of the two. They'd all formed a ring around the two, a seemingly impenetrable one. As much as I'd tried no one would let me through, but Maggie she knew just how to handle this sort of thing. We got many professionals in here on Monday morning nursing their wine inspired Sunday night hangovers, ready to brawl over an accidental shove. As sweet as the lady was the whole town knew not to mess with her when she was mad. Unlike me who I'd thought I'd heard somebody whisper they should just put me in the empty egg box and tape it shut to ensure I couldn't put an end to their unexpected entertainment.

As the sound of the crack of eggs reached me, I pulled up the sleeves of my white fluffy sweater, readying my elbows, beginning to shove my way through the family people. Shouting out apologies and requests to be excused but not stopping for any of the dirty looks thrown my way.

Making it to the front I let out a groan as I stepped into a pile of flour, that was going to be hell to clean up.
"That's enough you guys." I growled irritated at the pair, currently holding each other's shoulders, both trying to push the other, neither one succeeding.

"Stop it now is I will chop off or scoop out your genitals and grind them into our new spring smoothie." I yell, panting for air, my face burning as I seethe. The whole cafe goes completely silent, parents beginning to escort their children away from the crazy barista, mumbling to each other quietly. Jay's eyes connect with mine and I make a grinding noise through gritted teeth, hissing at Sophie for good measure.

"I'll get the broom." "I'll get the mop." They say in sync nearly bumping into each other in their hurry to scurry away from me.

"She's insane." I hear Jay mumble to Sophie as they let their arms drop back to their sides.
"I heard that." I snap making them jump, as they fasten their pace towards the backroom.

Making my way around the flour, and eggs, I make it to the coffee machine, humming to myself as I brew another pot. Turning around to face the few customers left, I smile at them.
"Anybody want a refill?" I ask, and they shake their heads quickly.

Shrugging to myself I turn my attention back to the coffee, inhaling the strong scent of the Arabic blend. I wasn't a huge coffee fan but I'd always loved the smell.

Picking up the bag of icing I raise it to eye level, scrunching my nose in disgust as I see a piece  of long light brown hair on it. Unquestionably Sophie's, while Sophie liked to punch and shove, Jay played dirty and went for the hair. Although that was only when he fought with Sophie, Jay never really physically fought with me all too much, and when he did he knew I'd castrate him if he tried to pull my hair. Or perhaps he was afraid his hand would never come back out, he knew how tangled my hair got. Our fights consisted mainly of ferocious hand slapping, and insults that at the time seemed witty, but after we would turn red when asked about.

Tossing out the bag of pink frosting, I grab the bowl from the fridge squirting out some more into a fresh bag. Twisting it up and attaching the nozzle I get to work. Cole would be going to visit his mother, and he wanted to take cupcakes for her, and her wife. He'd fallen in love with the ones with the bright pink frosting, truly they were butterscotch vanilla, but he swore they were different than the creme coloured ones which were the exact same flavour. These were the ones he'd insisted he had to take for his mother. He didn't talk a whole lot, he was similar to Xavier in that fashion, but over time we'd begun to get closer. It'd taken me a week of probing and incessant begging, for him to agree, although I think it was the call from my own mother that had broken him.

He'd agreed to give his mother a call, and to support him I'd stayed right before him. His blue eyes had teared up as a soft feminine voice uttered a gentle greeting. For the very first time I'd seen something in his eyes other than sadness as that soft voice told him she loved him. Her voice audibly cracking as if she'd recognized his very breathing. For the first time I had seen hope in his eyes, a hope for redemption, and for once they were not cold, but simply blue. Almost childlike in their glowing delight of being accepted and loved.

Behind the cold facade Cole was simply a boy, a boy whom's childhood had been taken away far too quick, and in the most brutal of ways. He was older than me, and had endured and done far worse things, but in that moment he had been so vulnerable I had been tempted to look away, the moment so very private. He'd hugged me tightly after hanging up, his breathing rapid, mumbling a quiet thank you to me before letting go. Pressing a soft brotherly kiss to the side of my head he'd left the house.

"Raine I might've gotten some egg in the new broom, and I know you love it. I'm really sorry and I just want you to remember I got you a signed copy of The Sea of Tranquility for your last birthday." Jay says breaking me out of my thoughts as he looks at me nervously from under his lashes. My gaze falls to the brim now covered in egg yolk and egg shells, he'd probably forgotten how fragile eggs were and just tried to roll them around the the rest of the mess. I glare at him, my lips curling down in dismay at his attempts of pacification.
"Just get the cafe cleaned up both of you, and then get yourselves cleaned up, we'll handle the broom later." I say and Jay nods his head curiously looking like a little green eyed bobble head doll.

I keep a watch on them from the corner of my eye, watching as Jay whistles while swinging the broom around unnecessarily far. Accidentally jabbing Sophie in the side as he pulls it back. She whispers something to him that makes his eyes widen and he quickly sweeps up the mess from there, hurrying to get closer to me and further from Sophie who smiles triumphantly as she mops.

I shake my head at them, continuing to frost the cupcakes, careful to ensure they were perfect swirls. Cole had been really stressed out, the last thing he needed was to be more stressed over something as minuscule as the frosting being messy on the cupcakes. Taking the little orchids I'd had Maggie make out of the fondant frosting, I placed them carefully onto the frosted cupcakes. Cole had told me orchids were his mother's favourite flower, and that she had somehow always smelled like them too.

The bell in the door rings and in walks Maggie, I smile at her largely, whipping around to check if the two knuckleheads had managed to clean up before her arrival. Impressively enough the cafe was once again spotless, I'd give them both a chocolate chip cookie when the new batch came out in reward. They loved chocolate chip cookies.

"Take a break honey, I'll handle the customers for now." Maggie says and I shake my head I had to finish these cupcakes, they needed to have time for the icing to settle.

"Just let me finish these and locate the two morons, you shouldn't have to watch them while tending to the cafe." I say not lifting my gaze off the cupcakes.

"They won't be any troub-, actually it's probably best if you just take them with you." Maggie says, catching herself as she remembers who exactly she's speaking of. They were both adults, one had a professional job the other was nearly done university and yet I'd trust a pair of toddlers to be more responsible.

Finishing up the frosting I set the cupcakes carefully onto the counter, just as the timer for the oven goes off. Placing on the adorable gloves shaped like big coffee mugs I pull out the cookies, the smell of chocolate making my eyes fall shut in pleasure. The sweet rich creamy cocoa aroma making its way quickly through the cafe. I leave the door of the oven open purposely for a few moments to let the smell spread.

Placing a few hot cookies on plates I spot the heads of Sophie and Jay near the couches near the towering book shelves. Making my way over to them, I smile as Jay passes his cup of hot cocoa to Sophie who takes a sip before setting it on the armrest. Shuffling closer to Jay on the couch as she turns the page of the book they're reading together.

They fought a whole lot but just a little while later they'd have made up again. They normally weren't so cuddly, perhaps because Sophie refused to admit she was like the average human with a soul who liked to cuddle. Jay never said it but if you were sitting next to him he'd slowly keep getting closer until he was pressed into you, he really did remind me of a naughty little bunny.

"Break time guys." I say suddenly and they both jump.
"Mother buttmunchers." Jay yells and me and Sophie look at him in confusion that slowly turns to amusement.
"Hey some of Raine's curses aren't even real words." Jay says defensively, making me scoff, I was always pulled into random stuff when it came to him.
"But what exactly is a mother buttmuncher, I'm actually very intrigued." Sophie says, and Jay's eyes brighten as he delves into a vivid explanation. I shake my head mentally praying no children, or really any humans were around. Nobody deserved to have to listen to that, dirty little bunny.

Jay holds the door open for us and we walk through settling down around the table. Placing the plate in the centre of the table, I watch as hearts appear in Jay and Sophie's eyes as they pounce on the cookies, grabbing a few in each hand, juggling them as they were still hot.

I grab onto my bag I'd carelessly left strewn on the table this morning. Pulling out the chicken sandwich that Xavier had made for me. I bite my lip to hide my smile, as I remember the way his soft plump lips had brushed against my ear, warm breath blowing on my neck as he carefully placed it in. Almost able to feel the heat of his body emanating onto my own as he stood behind me.

"Did you get that from here, since when do you guys make sandwiches, I want one." Sophie says.
"No its, it's actually from home Xavier made it." I say and her eyes widen in realization before her mouth juts out in a pout.

"Why don't we have boyfriends who make us chicken sandwiches?" She whines to Jay.
"I'm working on it baba pea." Jay says licking his lips and I scrunch my nose, as I unwrap my sandwich offering them both a bite.
"But not for you, you my lovely vile hag are just going to have to survive off of sloppy tuna sandwiches and be eternally alone." Jay says.
"With mouldy bread." He whispers as an afterthought, his candy apple green eyes twinkling in mischief and Sophie whacks him upside the head, before reaching over to grab another cookie.

"Are you seeing someone?" I ask Jay nearly bouncing in my seat and he looks at me like a deer caught in headlights, his cheeks puffed out with cookies, and yet he stuffs another one in his mouth. Chewing quickly and swallowing before he shakes his head grabbing for my water bottle as I frown.

"We need to set him up with someone, he needs an outlet for his perverse urges." I say and Jay nods before he realizes what I said, his hand flying to his chest as he looks at me appalled grabbing another cookie and biting into it angrily.

"How was the vacation? You really don't tan do you, you're so lucky the fair skin suits you. I'd kill for a vacation." Sophie asks. We had gone with the vacation excuse, Xavier's secrets weren't mine to tell, as much as I loved Sophie and Jay, it wasn't my place to tell. Xavier had said I could do what I saw fit, but it wasn't right that was his story, not mine.

"It was great." I say shortly taking another big bite of the sandwich and Jay looks at me suspiciously. My heartbeat quickens and I give him a puffed cheek smile, a soft giggle sounding behind me. Swivelling around in my chair I see Maggie shaking her head at me. Jay would ask about it when we were alone later, that was for sure, but he'd understand if I told him I couldn't tell. That's what I loved about him, Jay was the most understanding person.

"I'd missed having you around here Raine." She says, stooping down to place a soft kiss to my cheek, swallowing I smile at her happily.

It's been a week since I came back but my shifts at the cafe were so often that my short departure had seemed so long to Maggie. Also we were much closer than the average employer and employee. I'd never really known my grandparents they'd passed away when I was too young, and Maggie and Cyrus had always been like my grandparents to me. Luckily she'd had Sophie and Jay to help out in my absence. The town was quite small and this being the only cafe, it got quite busy in here.

"I missed you too Maggie." I reply.
"I went on vacation last year no one missed me." Jay says pouting.
"It's okay bunny I missed you." I say extending my arms out and he scoots his chair closer, nestling into me.
"Raine you and chocolate are the only ones that love me." He says and Maggie and Sophie roll their eyes, nearly in sync and I watch in fascination, as they mouth drama queen at the same time as well.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I put down the last bite of my sandwich which gets immediately scooped up by Jay who gives me a toothy smile making me snort.

"Hello." I say quietly into the phone.
"Hey Raine I'm outside the cafe, is the stuff ready?" Cole asks making me laugh it sounded as if we were doing a drug deal.
"Yep and it's the good stuff." I say getting a little carried away, eliciting a sigh from Cole.
"You'd faint at the sight of drugs." Cole says and I gasp.
"I think I have great dealing potential." I argue and Cole says nothing for a moment.
"We'll discuss this later, maybe the boss can get you into the pharmaceutical end if you're really so deadset on it. I'm coming in." He says and I hang up.

"He's here to pick the cakes up, I'll be back guys." I say, getting up and making my way behind the counter where the cupcakes are.

Grabbing one of our light pink boxes I pile the cupcakes in, tying a white bow over them. Turning around my eyes connect with blue ones. I show him the box and he nods at me in gratitude pulling out his wallet.

"No don't worry about it." I say and Cole, looks at me confused.
"You don't have to pay, good luck Cole, and don't be nervous she's going to be glad to see you." I say and he lets out a deep breath nodding. Too nervous to argue with me.

"Thank you, Raine really." He says, thanking me for much more than just the cupcakes. I smile at him, shooing him away, I wait till he's out of the cafe before I make my way back in. My eyes on my feet as I walk.

My eyes widen as I look up to see all three of their heads poking out of the back room, Jay and Sophie's eyes a little cloudy and wide.
"What was that?" Jay asks softly.
"That was a Cole." I say.
"It was a very hot Cole." Sophie says, and I scrunch my nose, it was weird to hear people speak of Cole that way.
"A very fine young man." Maggie agrees, making me shake my head.

"Can you call him back the cookies are getting a little cold I'll just warm them on that sizzling body of his." Jay says, mischief filling his eyes though his smooth voice was very serious.
"Ew." I say, even though Cole was older than me I sort of thought of him as a younger brother so that was nauseating.

"Yeah of course you'd say that you have silver eyes, god where do you get these men is there like some secret boutique or factory or wishing well?" Sophie asks trailing off and I shake my head.

"Come on you get the best looking one but this one you can give to me." Jay says.
"I don't own him Jay I can't just pluck him out of his place on the shelf and wrap him up and give him to you." I say.
"That'd be useless, I'm just going to be unwrapping him anyway." Jay says suggestively making Sophie and Maggie burst out in fits of giggles.
"I'll be outside you three perverts can vibe off of each other's pervy vibes." I say walking back out.

The evening passes by quickly as I tend to customers, mentally reminding myself to tell Maggie to order another coffee machine. The current one just wasn't enough we needed more coffee brewing at one time, especially during the evenings. I had accidentally dropped some hot cocoa on a poor customer in my hurry. Luckily they didn't mind at all, strangely they'd licked their hand and told me it needed some more whip cream. Fascinated and slightly weirded out I'd obliged. Making them a new one with extra whip cream, and placing a swirl in their outstretched hand. One thing one could learn working at a store open to the public, was to take strange occurrences in astride.

The cafe finally calmed down enough for me to let Maggie go order some books in the back, and for me to locate the two people that never seemed to leave the cafe. Sophie was working on some homework and Jay was pretending to help her but really he just served as a distraction, not that she minded. Dropping by the backroom I kneeled down beside Maggie who sat on her spinning comfy looking chair in front of her laptop. She slid off her reading glasses looking at me, a soft smile playing on her beautifully aged face. Her eyes though had been filled with conflicting emotions the entire at and is meant to ask her about it but hadn't gotten the chance.

"It's his birthday tomorrow isn't it?" I ask and Maggie nods.
"It's why the cafe is going to be closed, I'm gonna drive up to where he asked me to marry him." Maggie says.
"Cyrus loved that place, he'd tell me all about it but never where it was, he said that was a secret." I say laughing softly.
"Like he'd never tell me the recipe of that oolong tea you two used to make." Maggie sad and I smile, really we'd just found it at a grocery store once, and decided to sell it since we were too tired to make any. Maggie had been gone to visit her sister, and we'd told the customers it was the weekend special, putting it in our fanciest cups and they'd loved it.

"Never let a day go by Raine without professing your love to the ones you love. It's so important to let them know how much you love them. The first time Xavier walked into this cafe behind you, I'd seen it in his eyes that he was head over heels for you. Don't let that go Raine, love is the most beautiful thing in the world." Maggie says and I nod.
"I won't I promise." I reassure her softly.
"I love you Maggie, have a great night I've gotta get going." I say and she nods patting my head softly before leaning in to press a kiss to my cheek, before she turns back to her ordering. Grabbing my bag I make my way out, seeing the two knuckleheads giggling manically amongst each other sitting on one of the tables.
"Bye guys." I say pressing kisses to both of their cheeks and they bid me a loud goodnight, attracting attention from all the customers.

Opening up the till, I slip in enough money to cover the cupcakes, it would be a good luck gift from me to Cole. I turn around ready to get going, knowing Xavier would be waiting outside only to come face to face with Jay.
"Hey I know you didn't go on vacation." He says, and I nibble on my lip nervously.
"I'd like to know but you don't have to tell me if you don't want to okay Raine, but just know I'm here to listen if you do. I'm only a phone call away, and one text will suffice if it's about that smexy blue eyed guy feeling lonely." He says and I giggle, mumbling an okay as I wrap my arms tightly around him hugging him to me.
"Goodnight bunny." I say, bopping his nose as I make my way around him, turning to look into his candy apple green eyes one last time, seeing them shine brightly as if they too were smiling.

I push the door open, seeing Xavier's large black SUV parked beside the curb, the owner leaning against it with his arms crossed on his chest. His grey eyes melting into a sweet silver as my eyes connect with his, seeming to glow in the darkness of the night.
"Hello." I say softly as I reach him, a soft smile tilting up his plump red lips. Wrapping his arms around my waist he crushes me to his chest, lifting me off the floor so that only my toes touch it as he nuzzles his face into the skin of my throat. My whole body pressed completely into the firm warm build of his, his scent engulfing me completely.
"Hello love." He replies, pressing his lips to the skin of my throat, warming me up.

Setting me down, he pulls open the door, allowing me to nestle in comfortably before he makes his way to his own side slipping in. Tugging on his belt, he puts the car in drive, pulling off onto the road, his large hand enveloping mine in warmth, and he rests both our hands on my lap. I play with his fingers softly humming to myself.
"How was your day love?" Xavier asks.
"It was good I accidentally spilt hot chocolate on this guy and he licked his hand and told me there wasn't enough whip cream. Do you think that's strange?" I ask.
"Well yes I do, but it's a lot better than getting mad isn't it, then I'd have to find him." He says his voice faltering slightly as if baffled by my question but that doesn't last long. I had a whole bunch of random thoughts and often blurted them out to Xavier, but he was always ready with a response. I pat his hand softly reassuring him I know he'd hunt somebody down if they were to disrespect me that way.

"Cole came by, on his way to his mother's, I'm so happy the frosting had time to solidify." I say, and Xavier turns to me.
"Raine, I just, I just want to thank you for being there for Cole. I've known him for years and yet I couldn't ever get him to go visit his mother, and you did it in just a week. He isn't good with words either but he's really grateful." Xavier says.
"It was nothing, mothers are very important and should be cherished, it's so hard but so important to recognize they won't always be there." I answer tentatively, only realizing after I've said it what that would mean to Xavier.
"You're right, they aren't always there, it's why I'm so glad that you reached out to Cole. I thought you were only my beautiful blessing, but it turns out you spread warmth and happiness everywhere you go, to everyone around you." He says, grabbing our intertwined hands and raising them up to his mouth to press a kiss to the back of mine.

Settling back into my seat I try to hide my reddening cheeks. Choosing to go back to my humming instead of answering. Xavier pulls into the newly painted asphalt of the large house and I look up still not completely used to it. Despite my insistence that it wasn't necessary for him to do so, Xavier had refused to stay in the home that had housed my nightmares. He'd arranged for a new home, conveniently closer to my university and his work, having it nearly completely furnished in just under a week. He'd asked me what type of furniture I'd wanted, but I was just a bit useless when it came to home decor. In between the both of us Xavier was the creative artsy one, so I'd let him decide. Only having one request, to keep silver as one of the main colours. He'd obliged my request, but his office and the kitchen were chocolate brown, to the horror of the designer he'd hired. He'd been unwilling to negotiate those two. His room where the both of us usually slept was a combination of the two colours,  and his high paid designer had managed to make it look great.

The home was beautiful, made mainly of glass, some dark coloured bricks littering the sides. The newly done asphalt of the the driveway a stark contrast with the light colour of the home.

I'd suggested perhaps it were time for me to finally find my own apartment. Xavier had stayed quiet for a few moments simply gazing at me, before he'd spoken.
"If living in your own apartment is something you wish to do love then I could never stop you.  But it'd kill me to know I didn't ask you to stay. You've become my home, I look forward to coming back to you all throughout the day. A building would hold no sense of comfort without you in it. I want you to stay with me, but I have no right to make that decision for you. Will, will you stay with me my love?" He had asked and there had been absolutely no way I could have denied such a sweet request. Especially not when my suggestion had been so half hearted. Although we'd found a midway compromise, I too had helped pay for the home.

Considering how large and extravagant the house was, the amount I'd put in was most probably not even enough to cover an eighth, but Xavier had the home under both our names. Both of us having an equal share in the property, although after overhearing a conversation with his lawyer I was a little suspicious I had more right to it legally than Xavier did.

Xavier comes around to the passenger side, pulling open the door, his large hand extended our towards me and I place my own in it, having to jump to get out of the car making Xavier smile. It wasn't my fault the giant had bought a car fit for himself. I bounce past him, excited to get into something fluffy and much more comfortable, and of course finally rest my feet.

Xavier catches up to me easily, watching me from the corner of his eye as I rock back onto my heels, waiting for the door to open. Twisting the handle he pushes open the door, allowing me to step in first.

Hurrying my way across the foyer I yell out a thank you to Xavier, in a rush to get to the shower, craving to feel the hot water cascade down my skin. Dashing up the stairs I make my way to my room, throwing the door open but closing it behind me, I frown slightly to myself as I realize I'd forgotten my phone in the car. Shrugging to myself I make my way into the washroom, closing the door behind me.

Quickly stripping my clothes off I turn on the large shower, stepping under the huge square shaped shower head. Xavier knew I loved the rain, and showering in it was my favourite. He'd had a shower head so large installed that it seemed as if I were showering in warm rain. Rubbing some conditioner into my hair, I grab my loofah dousing it in body wash before spreading it all over me. I rub some of my face wash into my face, sighing as I let the hot water cascade through my long hair, washing out all the conditioner softly. Regretfully I have to turn off the water soon. If the water weren't to grow cold I could fall asleep in the shower. I towel off, tying on my large fluffy robe before towel drying my soaking hair. I wasn't in the mood to blow dry it, and I loved the smell of my conditioner. I stay in my robe, not in the mood to wear anything else at the moment.

My feet pad against the dark hardwood flooring softly as I make my way to the foyer. I had promised my mother I'd call her tonight, we didn't really have any neighbours so I could just go in my robe to get my phone. I skip down the steps, walking towards the entrance. Biting into my lip I look at disdain at the amount of locks on the door. Leaning down I begin poking and prodding at them, hoping they'd all actually open up.

"Where's the little fluff ball off to?" A deep husky voice asks from behind and I jump, turning to glare at the mischievous silver eyes that are filled with amusement.
"Shut it kitty." I retort and he chuckles. He always found it amusing how I compared him to a house cat.
"I forgot my phone in your car." I say and he nods.
"Allow me love, if someone happens to be driving by they'll be terrified thinking some bear's cub has escaped." Xavier says, making my lips turn down in a subconscious pout. He gently nudges my hand that rests on the lock away, unlocking the door effortlessly making me frown. How was he so good at opening those God forsaken locks, where did he get the practise, what did he have locks on his boxers or something. My cheeks turn red at the thought of Xavier's boxers. To cool my heated face down I step onto the porch watching him as he grabs my phone out of the car, walking back with a grace someone that large shouldn't possess.

I step back into the home, moving closer to the wall to give Xavier space to work on the locks again. The glass entrance allows the moonlight  to bathe the foyer in soft white light, catching off the reflective surfaces of the mirror and glinting in Xavier's silver eyes in a way that leaves me breathless. I stare up at him in awe, as he closes the door, locking it without removing his eyes from me. I swallow thickly my lips parted as I stare up at him.

Xavier's jaw clenches tightly as he looks at me, my cheeks flushing, nearly dried wavy dark hair framing my face as I gaze back into his eyes. He turns towards me, his eyes darkening slightly with a hunger that makes my stomach clench. My whole body seems to fall numb as he steps towards me, his hands gripping onto the sides of my waist tightly but gently as he presses me into the wall, the heat emanating from his hands and onto my skin seeming to light a fire in my skin. I come alive under his gentle but rough grip unconsciously arching into him.

Leaning down slowly his lips hover over the skin of my jaw, his warm breath so gently teasing against my skin making my eyes fall shut as I slacken against him. He wraps his arms tightly around my waist, pressing his lips to my skin, his tongue darting out to taste it gently making me gasp at the warmth of his tender lick. He places open mouthed kisses down my jaw, reaching the skin of my throat, continuing until he's hit the very conjuncture between it and my collar bone. Moving away the fluffy material of my robe Xavier places his hot mouth onto the skin there, beginning to suck feverishly and I arch further into him a soft moan escaping my lips. It only serves to strengthen his sweet assault, his hands trailing the length of my sides, ghosting against my curves near teasingly as he sucks onto my skin.

"You taste so good Raine." He groans out his voice husky, drenched in desire that sends my heart pounding. My head is thrown back subconsciously as he nips at the skin before soothing the slight sting over with his tongue and I struggle to contain any sounds, instead a whimper escapes. He places soft kisses up my throat, silently searching for my lips, his eyes closed as he revels in the taste of my skin, trying to memorize me with more than just his eyes. His kisses grow in fervour, and he places them on any skin he can reach, seeming to read me like a book, but through the touch of his plump heated lips.

His lips finally meet mine, the silent torment ending as our mouth entwine, our souls rejoicing at the reunion. A lover's kiss could complete you, it was like the missing piece to a puzzle you never knew you were a part of. The missing piece you never knew you longed for, the one you'd always crave, always need. His lips move against mine fervently, and he nudges my head up to deepen our kiss. He leans down and wrapping his large hands tightly around my thighs through the robe. Pulling my legs up he hitches them around his waist, my hands flying from where they rest on his shoulders to wrap around his neck, as I pull myself closer to his warmth. His tongue licks over my lips gently, seeking entrance and I allow it, parting my lips for him. His warm tongue enters my mouth, dancing with my own, the sweet taste of him filling my mouth. The sweetness had a slight masculine kick of spice to it, something indescribable, but something I'd seek for the rest of my life. Something I'd miss every time his lips weren't on mine.

I wrap my arms tightly around his neck, holding onto my elbows and hoisting myself closer so that I was further engulfed in him. His hand clench against the very tops of my thighs as he quakes in my hold, struggling to contain himself. He pulls away slightly, breathing heavily against my lips, as he rests his forehead against mine.
"I love you." I mumble to him still panting.
"I love you so much." He says, a sweet ache in his voice, as if it hurt to love another so much. A slight fear seems to fill his beautiful silver eyes, and I rub my hands through his thick dark hair, caressing the side of his face with my other hand. One of his arms wrapping around my waist to hold me up against him.

Turning around he walks us across the foyer and into the large living room, sinking down near the fire place, sitting on the thick carpet, my legs resting by his legs as I straddle his lap comfortably. We sit in silence for a moment listening to the crackling of the fire, our foreheads pressed together but the fear in his eyes torments me.

"What are you afraid of?" I whisper against his lips.
"Losing you." Xavier whispers back.
"You're never gonna lose me Xavier, I'll always be here baby, right here beside you, right here, loving you forever." I tell him, pulling away so that I can see into his eyes.
"I love you so much it completely consumes me, it hurts to be away from you Raine. I just, Raine someday you might just realize that I can't give you anything. I don't have a mother I could introduce you to, owning my heart isn't something you can be proud of. When we go out together people look at you as if wondering what an angel is doing with a beast, as if wondering why this pure light plays with the silent darkness." He says trailing off.

"Is this about Cole, Xavier I just want to help him reach out to his mom, I realized through you how horrible it would be to lose my own. It hurts me to know you lost someone you loved so much, but that's not a factor that I'd ever consider to be taking away from the person you are. I love you Xavier, I'm proud of every single part of you, I'm proud to go out with you, to be seen with you. I want people to see that you're mine and I'm yours. That's the way it's always going to be and don't you dare do that moronic I was leaving you for you type of thing. I will find you and I will castrate you, and then I'll hug you as you bleed." I say and Xavier nods, his eyes glinting with amusement at my thought out scenario.

"I love you so much, what even did I do to deserve you?" He asks smiling against my lips.
"Simply be you, everything about you attracts me, pulls me to you. I always thought that opposites attracted, that there was one person out there who was crafted just to fit you. You're my person Xavier Night." I tell him and he presses his lips to mine in a tender warm peck.
"You'll eternally be my person Raine Pierce, but maybe one day if you say yes we will change that last name." He says making my cheeks heat up.

"Speaking of last names and parents, I want you to speak to mine. We are living together, and I don't plan on moving out." I say and he pulls me closer to him by my hips.
"I said I don't plan on moving out you loony caveman." I say and he shrugs, watching me intently with his eyes, keeping his grip on my hips as he waits for me to continue.

"My parents mean a lot to me, they'll always be a part of my life and so will you, you've been introduced to everyone else that matters, now it's time for you to meet my parents. We'll start with a talk on the phone and then maybe you can accompany me next weekend when I go to visit?" I ask tentatively, my legs bouncing slightly as I wait for his response.

"I'd love to speak to your parents. You don't know how happy it makes me to think you'd be willing to to take me with you to your parent's home." He says softly and I smile at him leaning in to peck his lips softly, before I pull away. His eyes are closed and he chases after my lips with his own making me giggle as I tug my phone from his pocket.

Quickly unlocking it I call my parents on the home phone number, my eyes meeting the nervous gaze of Xavier's, as he gnaws on his bottom lip. Xavier Night was nervous to speak to my parents. I put the phone on speaker nearly dropping it by accident. Leaning in I press my lips to his quickly. Pulling away completely before leaning in to press a gentle, quick kiss to his nose that has him baffled enough to let the worry fall away from his eyes as my mom's soft voice resonates around the room as she greets me.
"Hi honey." My mom says softly, and I hear my dad ask if it were me excitedly in the background making me smile.
"Hi momma." I say, giggling as I hear my father request she put the phone on speaker and hear them struggle to do so. Cursing my uncle for suggesting they get a new home phone.

When they finally manage and I can clearly hear them both I speak again.
"Mom, dad, do you guys remember I told you I liked someone?" I ask, and hear my mother coo at me, making my cheeks flush as Xavier's apprehensive silver eyes melt into adoration as he leans in to press a kiss to my reddening cheeks.
"Well um slight update I'm in love with him." I say sheepishly, cringing as my mother shouts in joy, her voice reaching octaves only audible to organisms of the canis genus.
"Have you told him?" My father asks and I nod before realizing they couldn't see me, a slight smile appearing on Xavier's face at my actions that adorable dimple popping out.
"Yeah." I say quietly.
"And does he?" My mother asks trailing off and I can practically see her gripping tightly onto my father's arm in apprehension.
"Yes." I answer and she giggles excitedly.
"When can we meet him?" They ask in complete unison.
"Well now if you guys want he's here with me, and we sort of live together." I add in quickly.
"Wait what?" My mother asks but Xavier's voice drowns her question out luckily.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs.Pierce I'm Xavier Night." He says in his deep husky voice. I smile at him reassuringly.
"It's so nice to finally speak to you honey Raine's told us so much about you." My mother says, and I feel Xavier's tense body slacken against me at the warmth in my mother's voice.

His large hand rubs up and down my back softly as he speaks to both my parents, stealing my heart once again at how respectful he is towards them. I watch in silence, only chiming in when necessary, otherwise just sitting back and listening to him speak to my parents. All apprehension leaves him as their conversation goes on and it becomes painstakingly obvious that they accepted him completely. They accepted my Xavier. My cheeks redden as I tune back into the conversation.

"Oh I can't wait till you guys have children, I just know they're going to be adorable." My mother says and my eyes widen and Xavier chuckles at my reaction before whispering while he looks directly into my wide eyes.

"Neither can I." He says, the soft smile on his face lightning his eyes, and the silver softens with a longing for that future. And looking into those eyes, suddenly it were as if I could see that future too. See us in a few years, sitting around this very fireplace, hearing the crackles of the fire, feeling the heat it emanated, our skin aglow with its warm light. Calling grandma and grandpa, our little munchkins sitting beside us, speaking animatedly into the phone about school as I gaze into these very silver eyes.