Addison (The Mitchell/Healy Family #6)(60)

If this chick was definitely my cousin, Addison’s parents had no reason to hold a grudge against me. We’d both been born to a family we didn’t want any part of. If they could see that then I’d have an opportunity to prove them wrong once and for all.

“I do. It might take my dad a little bit to admit he was wrong. He doesn’t do it very often. He tends to always be right, even when everyone around him knows he isn’t. You might have to be patient.”

“What do you think I’ve been doing.”

She cuddled up to me, which always seemed to make things better. “I know you have. This could change everything though. I feel like calling him tonight and getting it off my chest, but I know if we wait for Bella it will be hard for him to deny. She’s the key.”

“And she’s also my family. I still can’t believe it. I used to hear my mom going on about her brother having a kid, but when I never saw one I figured it was just stories. Maybe your parents want me to stay away because they think I know the truth and I’ll tell my family about it. As far as I know the only one left is my mother, and I’ve got no reason at all to speak to her. She’s nothing to me, not after what she did. Because of her I’ll never know what it’s like to be a normal kid with a loving mom and dad.”

“Yes you will.”

“How?”

“You’ll be a father. You’ll have a chance to see it firsthand. You’ll be able to give them all the love you felt deprived of. Because of your childhood you can be the best father any child would ever want. Don’t you see that? You think they left you with nothing, but Cole, you’ve got so much love to give. That’s one of the reasons I love you. You’re selfless. You’re kind, and you care when you don’t have to.”

“Are you saying this because you might be pregnant?” I had to ask. We couldn’t handle that at the moment.

“No. At least I don’t think so. I’m saying it because it’s true. You will be a great father. No matter what happens with you and I, one day you’ll see it for yourself. That void you have will be filled with so much joy. I promise it will.”

I leaned over and kissed her softly. “You never cease to amaze me, precious.”

“It takes a lot of practice,” she teased.

“I think I might just fall more in love with you every day. I think it’s time for bed. I can’t think straight with you wearing so many clothes.”

She shoved me playfully. “You really are a nudist.”

I watched Addison get up and go into the bedroom. For a few seconds I sat there laughing at her assumption. As long as I could make her smile I was happy.

Convincing her dad to accept our relationship was another story. When we’d first moved in together he’d paid me a visit at the tattoo shop. I’m still not sure how he found out where I worked, not that I cared. I walked outside to hear him out, knowing he was going to give me a load of crap for taking his little girl away.

He simply asked me if I loved her. I told him I did, and that being with her changed my life. I told him we were happy, and she was doing well.

Instead of screaming or threatening me, he nodded and asked that I not tell her he came around asking. It was strange, and I still couldn’t understand why he’d done it.

Ever since she left the ranch he hadn’t tried to reach out to her. It broke her heart, and mine too. It was obvious she meant the world to him, but his pride wouldn’t let him change his mind about me, no matter how long we stayed together.

Meeting Bella would change that. I couldn’t remember feeling this excited about anything in my life. Even if things didn’t work out with her father, I’d still have a blood cousin to share my life with. I’d be able to meet her daughter and husband and call them family.



I found Addison curled up under the covers. She was wearing a tank and a pair of cotton shorts, much like she put on every night before I took them off. I’d never enjoyed sleeping naked up until I got with her. Now I couldn’t stand anything being between us.

I lifted the covers and laughed. “Precious, when are you going to learn I like you ready for me.”

“I’m tired, though.”

“I’ll do all the work if I have to.”

“Fine.” She adjusted. “Just take it.”

I laughed to myself and undressed, taking my time to climb over top of her. “This feels a lot like necrophilia.”

“How would you know what it feels like?” Her words were strained, like it was hard for her to stay conscious. “Do you dabble in that sort of thing often?”

I pulled off her shorts without answering at first. She’d shaved during her shower, giving me a fresh canvas to work from. Since she wasn’t in the mood I decided to play around. I hopped off the bed and got a few sharpies in different colors. When I returned she was still in the same position. I spread her legs and slipped in between them, keeping my head down close enough to be able to work easily. I opened the black and began tracing an outline around her sensitive area. I didn’t apply much pressure since I knew she was trying to rest. The flowers I was drawing were intricate. I took my time making sure every petal would look lifelike. I took extra care when I even expanded the work to her inner thighs, creating thorns that went down the inside of her legs. Then I started on the color, using my red, purple, and fuchsia to give each flower it’s own special look. I used the green and brown for the stems, and finished it off with extra shading.