Dean opened the front door, smiling at him.
Climbing out of the car he headed to the front door. “It has been a while since we’ve seen you,” Dean said, holding his hand out for him to shake.
Peter shook his hand and headed inside.
He laughed as their kids jumped on him, demanding hugs and kisses before Laura entered the house, steering them away.
“I’m so pleased you stopped by,” she said, hugging him.
Closing his eyes, he inhaled her scent before pulling away, feeling uncomfortable. It didn’t feel right anymore. Peter frowned when his lower body didn’t respond to her. Usually he had to be careful around her because his cock always hardened.
Maybe he was tired.
“I’m here to see Dean and find out how he’s getting on.”
“Okay,” Laura said, smiling. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
They entered Dean’s study where all the magical stories happened.
“I didn’t think you were going to stop by,” Dean said, taking a seat.
“For a long time I wasn’t going to. I just needed to get away from the club and from William.” He took a seat opposite Dean and looked at the older man. Dean was nearing fifty whereas Peter and Laura were only twenty-eight years old. It was a big age gap, but the two were in love.
“I’m pleased you stopped by. There’s something I wanted to ask you,” Dean said, leaning forward.
“Are you all clear of the cancer? Do you get regular appointments and checks?” Peter asked, cutting Dean off.
“Yes on all counts. It’s miraculous what’s happened. When I was told I had cancer I was expecting the worst. I didn’t want to leave Laura alone in the world.”
Peter nodded. He wouldn’t want to leave Laura alone, period. He wouldn’t want to leave any woman alone at all, not if she belonged to him.
Silence fell on the room. “I’m pleased you survived,” Peter said, thinking about William’s words.
“I need to ask you something, and I don’t want you to take offence, okay,” Dean said.
Rubbing his hands together, Peter waited for Dean to speak.
“Why did you help me get better?” Dean asked.
Peter burst out laughing. “Is this a sick joke?”
“You’ve been in love with Laura for as long as I’ve known her. I knew, when I found out the news that no matter what happened, you’d be there to care for her. She would always have you.” Dean leaned forward, staring at him. “You want Laura, I know you do, yet you could have had her and you made me fight the cancer. You’ve done everything in your power to make sure Laura is happy. Why? You could be in my place right now. I know if I was to go, Laura would get the chance to fall for you.”
Peter shook his head, standing and pacing Dean’s office. “Why is it so hard for everyone to believe I’ve been a good guy? Why does there have to be an ulterior motive?” Running fingers through his hair, Peter stopped and glared at the man before him. “I was never going to let you die just so I could have a chance with Laura. I love her, yes, and I’ll do everything for her. But I would never be happy being second best, Dean. I could have made Laura love me, but you’d always be number one.”
Staring around the room, Peter needed to get out of their house. He couldn’t be here.
“I’ve got to go.”
Storming out of the house, he got behind the wheel. Laura was standing in the doorway looking at him. He threw the car into reverse and headed into town. There was only one person he wanted to see, one person who didn’t look at him like he was going to crack under the pressure, and that was Rose.
Finding the first available parking space, he climbed out of his car and headed into the library. When he didn’t see her at the counter, he searched the library looking for her. He found her alone in the history section.
Walking into the room, he closed and locked the door. She turned to look at him. The fear in her eyes died down and was replaced with pleasure.
“Peter,” she said.
He didn’t give her chance to ask him anything. Closing the distance between them, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.
Rose gasped. Staring into her clear blue eyes, he slammed his lips down on hers. He was being selfish, but he couldn’t stop himself.
Peter needed to feel her against him. The world was threatening to swallow him whole, and Rose was the only person who could ground him.
****
There was no chance Rose was going to break the kiss. Peter’s arms surrounded her, trapping her against his hard body and the book shelves. Closing her eyes, she opened her mouth for his searching tongue. He deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth.