Chapter 295 The Pickles

“What are you doing here?” Bell asked in surprise, holding the door open.

“I’m happy to see you too….” Galen replied.

“Sorry!” Bell laughed. “Come in, come in.”

She moved aside so that he could come into the house. Once inside, she closed the door, and he immediately wrapped his arms around her.

“Galen,” she laughed. “Slow down, honey. We are not in our house.”

“I know,” he whispered with his head against her shoulder. “I just wanted to hold you. The rest can wait.”

Bell laughed and wrapped her arms around him.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered back.

“Are you?” he asked. Then, pulling back to give her a mischievous look. “Because I thought you might close the door on my face just a moment ago.”

Bell laughed.

“Sorry,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I told you I was coming today.”

“Yes, but that was before the party got pushed back to the full moon. I assumed as Beta, you would need to stay for the official Luna welcoming. Isn’t that kind of a big deal?”

“Yes,” Galen replied, glancing away. “But they already knew I had scheduled this time to be with you, and I don’t want to miss the appointment in the morning.”

“I already rescheduled it when I thought you weren’t coming,” Bell replied sadly. “I’m sorry.”.

“Oh,” Galen sighed with a look of disappointment. “It’s alright. You didn’t know.”

“How long are you here?” she asked.

“Three days,” he said.

Bell chewed her lower lip. She had rescheduled for a week later.

“Let me make a call,” she said. “People owe me favors. I bet I can get my appointment back.”

Galen smiled and gave her a soft kiss.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Bell smiled, a blush in her cheeks at the honest gratitude he showed her for something so simple.

Galen looked around as though he were looking for someone.

“Is anyone home?” he asked.

“No,” Bell shook her head.

“Why are you here, then?” he asked.

“Oh… Uhm…”

“I only found you by accident because I ran into Peter on my way home,” Galen said. “He was in a hurry to get to the hospital, but he said I would be more likely to find you here than at home.”

“Yea… well… that’s because… Corrine!” Bell said.

“Corrine?” Galen asked. “Corrine is in Summer.”

“Yes,” Bell nodded. “But, with Axel busy in the South taking care of all the details of Frostbite’s land deal and Wyatt spending so much time training, Corrine asked me to stop by while she was gone.”

“For what?”

“To… take care of her plants.”

Galen looked around again. Seeing no plants in the room, he looked at Bell.

“They’re in her room,” Bell said with a bright smile.

“Alright…” Galen said, not entirely convinced. But willing to let it go for now. “Can we just go home?”

“Yes,” Bell nodded.

“Good,” he said. “I want to get a shower and then hold you in my arms.”

Bell felt the warmth in her chest spreading over her body.

“Sounds wonderful,” she smiled.

***

“Hey,” Bell called into the bathroom door as she heard the water from the shower turning off.

“Yea?” Galen called back.

“I just got off the phone with Peter. He found me an afternoon appointment for tomorrow.”

“That’s great!” Galen called with excitement. “I’ll be right out.”

Bell smiled. She was also excited. It would be the first time they would get to see Ren while actually together instead of over a phone call.

The door opened suddenly, startling her as she jumped back.

“Have you seen my blue shirt?” Galen asked, pretending he didn’t see her jump back.

“Blue shirt?” she asked.

“Yea, kind of a grey blue color. I usually wear it to bed.”

“Are you sure you brought it?” Bell asked, turning away and walking toward the bed to sit down.

“No,” Galen said, stepping out of the bathroom. He wore a towel wrapped at his waist and used a smaller towel to dry his hair as he spoke. “It lives here. I never take it back to Summer because I always wear it here.”

“Hmm…” Bell said. “I’m not sure I know what shirt that is.”

Galen tilted his head and eyed her suspiciously. He set the towel in his hand down on the nightstand and took a step forward. Crossing his arms over his chest, he questioned her.

“Interesting because I know you know exactly what shirt I’m talking about.”

“How could you possibly know I know what shirt you are talking about?”

“Because you were wearing it the last time we video chatted before bed.”

Bell cursed in her thoughts. She had forgotten about that. However, she did know exactly what shirt he was talking about because she wore it every night that he was gone. Even freshly washed, it still carried his scent.

Unfortunately, the last few nights, she had been staying in a different house, which was why the shirt was in Ashleigh’s room at her parent’s house.

“Well…” Bell said. “I do know what shirt you’re talking about.”

“Mmhmm,” Galen smiled. “And where is it?”

Bell licked her lips.

“Ok, so the truth is… I wear it when you’re not here,” Bell said. “Because it smells like you.”

“I know,” Galen said, moving closer to the bed. “It’s why I love that shirt. Because after you wear it, it smells like you.”

A blush crept into Bell’s cheeks as she thought of him wearing the shirt just for her smell.

“So…” Galen said. Leaning close to her. “Where is it?”

Bell licked her lips.

“I had a craving for ice cream yesterday in the middle of the night,” she said. “I was half asleep, and one thing led to another. So it’s in the wash.”

“I see…” Galen said softly, placing his hand on the bed. He leaned forward, so his mouth was near her ear. “Then I will need to hold you all night, so I can sleep peacefully.”

Bell swallowed as she felt the heat inside her body flowing over her. Only now did she notice his bare chest so close to her. She licked her lips and reached out with her fingertips. She tenderly stroked the stiff muscles of his stomach.

Galen let out a soft growl, and Bell smiled.

“I don’t think you need a shirt to sleep in… this is much better,” she whispered.

Galen moved his hand against her shoulder and gently pushed her down onto the bed. As he moved over her, she placed her hand against his chest and stopped him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice filled with desire.

“Sorry,” she said. “I need to pee, and I’m hungry.”

She smiled, biting her lower lip. Galen couldn’t help but laugh at the cute expression. He moved back and helped her to sit up.

“Why don’t you do what you need to do in the bathroom,” he chuckled. “While I head to the kitchen and prepare some food for my wife and child.”

“That sounds amazing,” Bell smiled brightly. “Make sure to grab some ice cream.”

“Of course,” Galen nodded as Bell stood up and walked past him toward the bathroom.

“Oh, and the cheese crackers,” she added.

“Alright,” he said, heading towards the door of their room.

“And the strawberries!” she called from inside the bathroom.

“Okay!” Galen laughed as he walked out the door.

“Don’t forget the pickles!” she shouted after him.