Cousins: Starting Families

14: Face to Face! 'Jealousy'

"Hey, baby," Damon greeted, coming through the door. I smiled brightly, reaching my arms out and making grabby hands. I was on the couch, under a blanket since I had the AC cranked real low.

He put his bag down by the door and shut it before walking to join me on the couch. He moved to get behind me and under my blanket. I cuddled against him, wrapping my arms around his lean body. "How was work?" I asked him, before kissing him sweetly.

"Good. Long day," he said and I nodded.

"I saw Elena and Bonnie stopped by during your lunch hour," I commented. We laid facing each other, eyes locked.

"Yeah. They came by with food," he chuckled like it was no big deal. Maybe it wasn't. But I still felt weird about it. Elena seemed to be everywhere he was these days.

"Mm. That was nice of them. I guess."

"Why are you pouting?" He asked. "And why do you have forehead wrinkles? What's wrong? Is this about Elena?" He asked calmly. His fingers gently massaging my forehead to relax my muscles.

"You guys are just you know, always somehow with each other."

"Okay... And that bothers you?"

"I don't know."

He sighed, frowning as his thumb ran across my bottom lip. "I've been with you for just about 4 years now. Is this jealousy thing always going to be there?"

"It's not me being jealous that's the problem."

"Then what is it? I'm here with YOU. Holding you, kissing you, and every night I'm home in bed with you."

"Mmm. I wish you were home with me more."

"Says the girl who just got back a few weeks ago from being away for six months."

"For work," I retorted playfully.

He smiled, pecking my lips. "How was your day, beautiful?" He asked me, rubbing his hand under our blanket up and down my sides, warming me up.

"I went to finish my photo shoot when you left. Been home ever since. Walked the dogs by myself so you don't have to. But you gotta check on Eagle," I said. "I did this morning but he may need to be fed again now. And out to walk around."

"Okay," he said, sitting up. I whined, tugging him back. He chuckled, laying again and hugging me to him. "My baby wants to be cuddled, huh?" He mumbled, kissing the top of my head.

"Speaking of babies..." I trailed off. I pulled back from him and found his hands back under the blankets. I pulled his large hands to my flat torso. "I have a few more work related things to finish up. But I'm thinking maybe after my birthday when you're settled with the new job and I finish up with interviews and stuff, we can start looking."

"Really? Yeah? That soon?" He grinned, his whole face just lighting up. I smiled, loving how happy he was.

"Yes. I think we're ready," I shrugged. "We're both adults. We have money. I have downtime. And we want this."

"I love you," he blurted.

"I want a baby," I stated. "With you. Because I love you. I want this for us. I'm ready."

"You're sure?"

"Yes. I really want a baby," I smiled. "Like I want to have a round belly to talk to. And--"

And then his phone started ringing. He frowned, pulling it out from his pocket. Removing one hand from my belly now. I spotted the caller ID. Kai. Ugh. Damon silenced his phone after rejecting the call.

"I want this too. So badly," Damon told me, resuming our conversation. Then he kissed me. Hard. Passionately. So I wrapped my arms around him, kissing him back.

***
(Across the globe: Taylor's POV)

"Does he ever stop?" Harry groaned. We were in his bedroom, just cuddled up. Me between his legs. Both naked with the sheets up to our waist. Harry's hands surprisingly off my exposed breasts.

"He's only texted twice now," I defended Joe. Both texts I'm referring to I've ignored. He was just asking what I was doing. Then if I've ever tried food from some place.

"Tell your boyfriend you're with me."

"He's not my boyfriend," I snorted, turning my body and craning my neck to face him. "We're just friends."

"So that's while on your phone call he sent last night 'you're so beautiful, babe'?" He quoted. "Oh, you know after you snapped him a selfie."

"Is that jealousy I hear in your voice?" I asked and Harry scowled.

"If you're dating him this stops."

"Of course. I would never cheat on anyone," I replied, moving and getting out of bed. I pulled on his shirt at the end of the bed. "Joe is a friend who may or may not like me. He's asked me out a few times and I've said no or reminded him only as friends."

"He likes you," Harry frowned. I wasn't sure if it was a question or not.

"Does it matter?"

"Yes."

"You're cute when you're jealous. But there's no need to be," I said, getting back on the bed. "If I'm going to actually date anyone, it would be you... You know, if we were ready for dating at all."

"Let's not talk about it anymore," he suggested, hugging me to him. I laughed softly, tucking my face into his warm neck. "Your album comes out in a few days. Are you excited?"

"Nervous," I admitted. "Hey, are we still on for Tuesday? At that little cafe you wanted to try?"

"Of course, Tay," he said, rubbing my back soothingly. "Sucks I can't see you tomorrow. I'm in the studio all day. Then after the boys and I have an interview. Then after I have dinner with my family."

"Ed and I are going to binge watch The Wire."

"Hmm. Have fun."

"I'll see you again in two days. I should probably go though," I said and he scoffed.

"No."

"Are you asking me to stay the night?"

"Don't I always?"

I smiled, kissing his cheek. "I need a shower. Can we order food? I'm starving," I said.

"Go shower. I'll order us something," he said and I nodded. I walked off, needing time to myself anyways. And I had that taking a shower alone.

Harry leaves in a few days to finish up with touring with the band. We've been good all month with whatever is between us. I guess we've been a little too affectionate for just the friends with benefits thing. But I didn't mind. Harry was an affectionate friend to begin with. Not to mention, I was well aware how I felt for him. And I think he feels the same. Somewhere more than a crush but not enough to jump into anything especially with him leaving now.

I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens while he's away on tour.