Chapter 71
CHAPTER 71
KAREN
C assidy returned to the dining hall, cleaner and smelling like the soap I loved.
“Have you eaten?” he asked, bending down to kiss my belly.
I shook my head. “I was waiting for you.”
“You didn’t have to wait on me,” he said. “I don’t want you going hungry.”
“I wanted to,” I replied. “And trust me, there is zero chance I’m going to go hungry.”
We made our way to the buffet. It was a classic fried chicken dinner.
He piled his plate with an assortment of sides. I knew better than to comment on the amount of gravy he was ladling over everything. He did, after all, just finish a long day’s labor building our future home.
“No dessert for you?” I asked, teasing him when he bypassed the fresh pies laid out.
“I’m saving that for you to serve me later.” Cassidy winked.
“Presumptuous!”
He laughed. “I’m going to steal a can of whipped cream from the fridge.”
I blushed at the images his words created in my head. My pregnancy hormones were in full swing and there was a real chance I would throw him down on the table and tear his clothes off with my teeth.
“How was the day?” I asked, trying to change the topic to something safer.
“Productive. I want to show you something.”
“I bet you do,” I said, smiling. “But not in front of everyone.”
He reached in the pocket of his jeans and dropped colored post-its on the table. “No, these.”
“What are those?” I asked.
“Notes from the kids,” he said with a soft smile.
I reached for one and read it. Tears sprang to my eyes. “Oh my gosh, that’s so sweet.”
I read one after the other, my heart swelling with pride for my man. He had built a community of young kids that would forever be loyal to him. I could see how important he was to these children, how they looked up to him, respected him, and even loved him. Each note was filled with admiration and warmth.
“Wow,” I said, wiping my tears away. “This is precious. You’re a good man, Cassidy.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re going to be an amazing father. I’m so proud of you, helping to shape the youth of this community.”
He smiled and took another bite. He was always so strong, so sturdy. He wasn’t just my rock. He was helping support so many youngsters who needed guidance.
“So, I got an email today,” I said.
“Oh?”
It was my turn to show and tell. I reached into my pocket and handed him the paper I had folded up. I thought about putting a bow on it, but that seemed silly. It wasn’t like I was giving him a gift.
“What’s this?” he asked.
“Read it.”
He wiped his greasy fingers on a napkin before he unfolded it. I watched his expression as he read the email from the probate attorney. I had been dealing with the lawyer for him because I had the time, and I knew a bit more about numbers and banking.
His eyes met mine. I saw the shock. “Holy shit. This is real?”
I nodded. “It’s real. The money has been wired to the account we set up. No more strings attached or hoops to jump through. It’s yours. Your mother’s will went uncontested. The lawyer handled the final expenses and officially closed the estate.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say. I kind of dismissed it. I just assumed it wasn’t going to happen or that it would take years.”
“You’re a very wealthy man, Cassidy.”
He grinned. “We’re wealthy. But I don’t want to change. You don’t want me to buy us a mansion, do you?”
I laughed. “Definitely not. Although I wouldn’t mind an SUV. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to get into your truck. And once my belly gets big, I don’t think I’m going to be able to sit behind the wheel and touch the pedals.”
“I’m going to buy you the best SUV money can buy.”
“I don’t need fancy, just something that will keep our baby safe,” I said.
“Of course. The safest one there is. Safe and comfy.”
We finished our dinner and then quickly excused ourselves from the hall. I was suddenly very anxious to be alone with him.
The moment the door was closed and locked behind us, I pounced. Cassidy stumbled backward, his body hitting the door. He pulled me in for a deep kiss that tasted of fried chicken and gravy. I melted into him, returning his passion with equal fervor. I loved this man. I couldn’t get enough of him. I had noticed with the morning sickness subsiding, I was suddenly ravenous for him.
We hadn’t brought the whipped cream with us but we didn’t need it. It would just slow us down.
I tugged him to the bed, my hands pushing up his shirt. He quickly tossed it off and grabbed me again for another kiss that had my toes curling. I gently pushed him away and began a slow striptease, shedding each piece of clothing until there was nothing left. He kicked off his boots and stripped out of his jeans, leaving us both standing naked.
“Cassidy,” I said softly, reaching out for him. His hands found my waist, thumbs brushing against the swell of my belly. He bent down to kiss it tenderly before his gaze found mine.
“I love you, Karen,” he declared before pulling me into his arms.
“I love you too, Cassidy,” I whispered back. His lips found mine again in a searing sweet kiss that left us both breathless.
Soon we fell into bed. He kissed over my jaw and down to my breasts that were growing faster than my belly. His hands cupped each breast, alternating between gentle massages and soft, fluttery touches that sent my heart racing. Cassidy was gentle and loving and knew right where to touch. His tongue swirled around one nipple and then the next.
“I love your body,” he murmured near my ear, sending chills dancing down my spine. “I love seeing how our baby is changing it. You’re so beautiful.” His voice was raw, heartfelt.
I reached out and trailed my fingers down his back until they rested on the curve of his bottom. “Don’t think you’re the only one who likes what they see. I love watching you come in after a hard day’s work. I love the sweat and the dirt. It turns me on more than you’ll ever know.”
He laughed, a deep rumble that vibrated against me. His lips danced down my neck as he pushed closer against me. Suddenly he took my hand and put it on his chest, over his heart. I could feel it pounding against my palm, strong and steady.
“Can you feel that?” he asked in a whisper, his eyes never leaving mine. “That’s how much I love you, Karen. Every beat of my heart is for you and our baby.”
I felt my eyes welling up with tears at the sheer intensity of his words. “Oh, Cassidy,” I whispered, pressing myself closer to him. “My heart beats for you too.”
“You make me feel things, Karen, Things I never thought I could feel.” His fingers traced down the side of my belly, making me squirm from the tickling sensation, but then his hands went further down in between my thighs, causing me to gasp.
“What about these feelings?” he asked with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
My breath hitched as a wave of pleasure surged through me. His fingers proved his understanding of my body and its needs. He touched me, kissed me, and held me as if he cherished every inch of me. It was an intoxicating combination of adoration, passion, and desire that left my legs shaking with need.
He had me writhing beneath him. His fingers pushed inside me, teasing my clit and readying me for him. I reached for him, though he playfully swatted my hand away. “Patience,” he murmured against my lips.
Eventually, Cassidy rose above me, looking down at me with a mix of raw desire and pure love in his eyes. The sight was so overwhelming I was momentarily left breathless. He was stunning, every hard line of his body screaming masculinity. The tenderness in his gaze spoke volumes about the man he truly was.
“Are you ready?” he asked, his voice hoarse.
Unable to speak, I merely nodded, watching. He positioned himself at my entrance before slowly sinking inside me with a raspy groan. He held still for a moment, allowing us both to adjust to the delicious sensation.
Then he began moving. He set a slow sensual rhythm that left us both panting and sweating. Every thrust pulled cries and gasps of pleasure from me.
He moved with a gentle rhythm, like I was his sole focus. His muscles strained with the effort of holding his weight on his arms. His eyes were locked on mine. He languidly kissed me, his tongue pushing into my mouth.
I felt him deep inside me, stretching and filling me. I bit my lip to stifle the moans. Our bodies slapped together as he picked up the pace. Cassidy teased my nipples between gentle kisses, making me gasp and arch into him. I surrendered to the pleasure.
He moved his hips faster. My nails dug into his shoulders, pushed to my limit by his deep strokes. My back arched off the bed as he hit the right spot over and over. Every gasp and groan escaping my lips seemed to spur him on.
“Cassidy,” I gasped, clutching his biceps. He pushed me closer to the edge.
He maintained eye contact throughout, whispering sweet things in my ear, each word punctuated by a touch or a kiss that sent waves of pleasure pulsating through me. This was making love. It went way beyond sex.
The act was filled with tenderness and every kiss was a promise. I could feel him everywhere, not just inside me but all around me.
“I love you,” he whispered again as his thrusts became harder.
I gasped as pleasure rocked through me. My body erupted, with white-hot fire coursing through my veins. His thrusts became ragged. He threw his head back, letting out a guttural sound that echoed throughout the room, his muscles tensing as his body went stiff.
He shuddered, grunting and groaning before collapsing onto me for a brief second. Then he moved his weight off me and pulled me close.
I nestled closer to him. His heart pounded against my ear. He gently caressed my stomach again. His fingers were gentle as they stroked the slight bulge in my belly. He sighed as if he was the most content man on the planet.
“Do you want me to buy a house for us?” he asked.
“What?”
“I have the money. I can buy you a big house like your friends have.”
“I don’t want or need a big house,” I said. “I love that you are building our home. I love the ranch. Cassidy, I don’t need luxury. I think our home is going to be perfect.”
“What if our baby needs more space?” His words were slightly muffled as he spoke against my hair.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” I told him.
“I just want to do right by you and our baby,” Cassidy said, his hand moving to gently caress the small bump of my belly once more.
I could hear the unspoken worry in his voice, the fear of failing us in some way. This was all new to him.
“And you are already doing that, Cassidy,” I said, turning slightly to press a light kiss on his forehead. “You’re giving us your love, your care. You’re here with us, for us. That’s all we need.”