As I lay in bed, my mind raced with questions. What had driven Nicole to escape? Who was this man who had haunted her? I continued replaying the conversation with the kids and couldn’t shake off the dreadful feeling.
The kids didn’t really know much apart from Nicole’s husband trying to hurt both them, and it seems she had to take drastic measures to protect them and herself. Was putting them in a box worth it? Or perhaps it got to the point where she had to do something like that, or was she trying to hide them?
I tossed and turned, my thoughts consumed by the unknown, and this puzzle that Nicole had left us to piece together was really unsettling, and the only way I could get answers was to find her. But Sarah’s words echoed in my mind: “Maybe Nicole had an abusive marriage.”
I shuddered at the thought. Had Nicole been trapped in a nightmare that she had been forced to flee for her life?
I really hoped not, but that speculation only fueled my determination to find her.
Just as I threw off the covers, ready to pad to the living room, Sarah strode into my room and slumped onto the bed.
“Couldn’t sleep? Me either,” she sighed deeply as she stared at the ceiling. “I’ve been thinking maybe we should find Nicole.”
“My thought exactly,” I affirmed, letting out a frustrated sigh.
“But where do we even start?” Sarah asked, turning to me with a mix of determination and concern.
“I’m not sure about any leads, but a private investigator will do.”
Sarah’s expression turned thoughtful before she added, “And maybe we should also talk to her friends, family… anyone who might know something.”
My eyes locked onto hers. “She has no one,” I replied, and her brow furrowed.
“Seriously, no family? Anyone?”
I replied with a curt nod. “No, she has none. Friends? Not really. She only had me at the time.”
“Oh…” Sarah mouthed as she began to drift. “Did Juniper and your mom know about this? About the reason for the divorce?”
It was a sudden change of topic I didn’t expect, and I began wondering why she’d ask that. “No, why do you ask?”
She shrugged. “It’s just that I noticed your mother didn’t like her. I mean, I didn’t initially, but hearing the whole story from you makes me feel…..” She trailed off as if trying to force the next words out of her mouth. “Sorry… for her.”
I wrapped my hands around her, and we snuggled under the covers. “Now you see why I couldn’t hate her for what she did. My mom and Juniper didn’t know about the argument, so they kind of hold a grudge against Nicole for divorcing me.”
She nestled herself deeper into my chest and yawned loudly. “I wonder how they would react when they see these kids. Your genes are practically all over their faces. I can imagine the face they’ll make when they see them.”
I chuckled, sharing her amusement. “Especially my mom,” I added, laughing. “She’ll probably faint from happiness.”
Sarah giggled, her breath tickling my skin. “I can picture it now: ‘Xavier, how did you manage to clone yourself?'”
I chuckled, holding her closer. “I really wonder how Nicole managed to find a miniature version of me with girls.”
Sarah’s laughter softened, and she looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. “You’re really coming to terms with this, aren’t you?”
I nodded, my expression serious. “I have to. They’re my family now.”
Sarah’s face filled with warmth, and she snuggled deeper into my chest. “We’re in this together.”
“Alright, alright, let’s not talk about this anymore-let’s talk about us,” I said abruptly, changing the subject.
Sarah looked up at me, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction, and from the look on her face, she liked the way I emphasized the “us” part. She is really so easy to read.
She pulled away and propped her elbow, her face now mere inches from mine. “Yeah, let’s talk about us,” she purred, brushing her nose against mine as her lips hovered over mine.
“You’re so good at flirting,” I whispered, grabbing her waist and pulling her closer, sparing no space between us.
Our lips met in a soft, gentle kiss, and I let my problems momentarily wash away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the moment.
Sarah’s eyes fluttered closed, her lashes brushing against my skin. I deepened the kiss as my fingers traced the curve of her waist.
“Flirting?” she whispered, her breath mingling with mine. “I’m not flirting. I’m dead serious-how about we take this to the next level?” Sarah’s lips curled into a sly smile, and I quickly understood her hint.
“Oh, you’re sending me signals. You’ll have to try harder than that,” I purred as my hand crawled under the covers.
She chuckled as if agreeing to a challenge. “Okay then.”
And without warning, she undid my button in a frenzy, and I zipped off her shorts with equal fervor; every move filled with desperation and urgency. The next moment, our lips crashed together, the kiss intense and all-consuming. We drowned in the kiss as we completely undressed each other, clothes scattered around us, discarded in the heat.
Sarah’s hands roamed my chest, her touch setting my skin ablaze. I reciprocated, my fingers tracing the curves of her body, reaching for her hole, which was now exposed as I had torn her panties.
“Xavier,” she whispered against my lips, her voice husky with desire.
“Yes?” I teased, my voice low and playful.
Sarah’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I think I’m in trouble,” she whispered, her breath tickling my skin.
My hands roamed her body as I tossed her around, making her lie on her back. “What kind of trouble?”
“The kind that requires your expertise,” she replied, her voice dripping with seduction, meanwhile her hands were already crawling toward my manhood.
I groaned, my desire for her intensifying. “I’m happy to oblige,” I whispered back and claimed her lips again, this time more intensely and relishing than before.
Her legs responsively wrapped around my waist as her hips ground against my bulge. I could already feel the pool between her thighs.
Sarah’s fingers dug into my hair while I lifted her, cradling her hips, and with one swift motion, I lifted her higher, and she wrapped her legs tighter around me, our skin lapping and sliding against each other.
Our heavy breathing filled the room, punctuated by soft gasps as we surrendered to the passion that had been building between us despite everything that had happened.
In that moment, nothing else existed-no problems, just us, lost in our desire.