Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Oaklee
I grab the Saran Wrap and hold it up. “Come on, Mr. Miller. Let’s get it wrapped up so you can shower.”
Cade flashes a cocky grin. “New kink unlocked.”
Shaking my head, I can’t stop the chuckle from flying.
He’s been like this all evening. Incorrigible is the word that comes to mind.
Everything he says is laced with a sexual innuendo, but it doesn’t bother me.
In fact, I’ve enjoyed this evening with him more than any previous spent together.
It just feels…different. Natural, laid-back, and, well, fun.
“Stop it.”
“I didn’t do anything,” he insists, heading down the hall to his bedroom.
He strips out of the shorts and T-shirt he was wearing when I got to his house and stands there in his boxers looking positively edible. He snaps in front of my face. “My eyes are up here, Nurse Oaklee.”
I giggle and shake my head. “Sorry. You’re very distracting.”
He presses his lips to mine and says, “As are you. Now, wrap me up so we can take a shower together.”
“I’m not taking a shower with you,” I counter, grabbing the Saran Wrap and starting to pull it out.
“What? Why not? What if I fall?”
I roll my eyes and drop to my knees in front of him.
“Now we’re talking.”
“Stop it,” I holler through my fit of laughter. He doesn’t say anything as I wrap his leg, making sure to keep it as tight as possible so no water gets in. “All set.”
When I look up, he’s just staring at me, a touch of annoyance mixed with his normal humor-filled eyes. “I can’t believe you’re not showering with me.”
I roll my eyes dramatically. “You’ll be just fine. While you shower, I’m gonna get the ice cream and brownies ready.”
That perks him up a bit. “Fine, but only if I get to eat mine off your wet pussy.”
A gasp fills the room. “Knock it off,” I insist, hitting him gently in the chest.
We walk into the bathroom, and he cranks on the hot water to let it heat. I make sure his towel is within reach as he carefully drops his boxers on the floor. His cock is erect, and when he points down to it, he says, “I can’t believe you’re going to ignore him in his time of need. How rude!”
He’s something else, I tell you. Cade has made me laugh more in the short time we’ve known each other than all six years I was with Lance. Sad, isn’t it? But it’s the truth. I’ve never felt this carefree, and I know it’s because of the naked man before me.
“Get in,” I insist, pulling open the shower curtain and stepping to the side.
He adjusts the water and tests it with his hand.
“Remember to try to keep your foot up on the ledge of the tub as much as you can. That’ll help keep the water from running down into the cling wrap.”
“Or you could just get in here with me,” he grumbles, the cutest pout on his handsome face.
“That would not help at all. In fact, I think it would have the opposite effect.”
“We’ll never know until we try.”
Shaking my head, I point to the water. “In.”
He points down at my crotch. “There?”
“Later, tiger,” I reply.
He touches the water again to check the temperature before reaching over and grabbing my boob.
Of course, it leaves a big handprint on my scrubs top and is quickly soaking through to my bra.
“You’re wet. You should just get in,” he states right before reaching for my arm and dragging me toward the water.
“No!” I bellow just as the front doorbell rings.
“Ignore it.”
“It could be something important,” I counter.
“Anyone important would have let themselves in the back door,” he says.
I shake my head. “I’ll go check. Take your shower, and when you’re done, we’ll discuss ways to eat the ice cream and brownies.”
He steps inside and pulls the curtain closed. “I already know how I’m eating it, beautiful. Off your naked body,” he hollers.
“I’ll be back.”
“You better be naked,” he demands.
I make my way to the living room just as the doorbell rings a second time. I release the lock and pull open the door, finding a beautiful older woman with blond hair and blue eyes smiling at me. “Hello,” she says, and even without asking, I instantly know who this is.
Cade resembles his mother so much.
“Hi,” I squeak out, my throat suddenly dry. “Would you like to come in?”
She glances down and grins knowingly. “I don’t want to interrupt.”
I look down, feeling the mortification burn my entire being when I see the big wet handprint on my chest. “You’re not interrupting,” I insist, pulling my shirt away from my body and stepping back. “Please, come in.”
She does, and that’s when I catch the scent of something in the bag she’s carrying. “I’m Linda Miller, and you must be Oaklee Daniels.”
“I am,” I reply, a bit surprised she knows my name.
“It’s a small town, Oaklee,” she says, as if confirming how she’s heard of me. “Well, and Cade has mentioned you a time or two when we’ve talked.”
“Oh.”
He has?
She glances around the living room, as if looking for her son. “Cade is in the shower. I had to wrap up his leg so he didn’t get his new stitches wet,” I say, feeling like the word vomit is flying.
Mrs. Miller smiles politely. “Oh, I understand that. Between Cade, Collin, and Camden, I’m very familiar with stitches and the proper care.”
Chuckling, I reply, “I can only imagine.”
She leans in and whispers, “They were menaces, don’t let him fool you. Cade could find mischief without trying.”
I find myself grinning from ear to ear. “I bet.”
She holds up her bag and pulls out a bowl. “I made him some chicken and dumpling soup. It was his favorite when he was little, so I thought I’d whip some up. There’s plenty for two.”
“Oh, thank you,” I reply, taking the container from her and putting it in the fridge.
“You know, even though I wanted to throttle them more times than I could count, they were great kids. Cade, he tries to hide it, but he wears his heart on his sleeve and loves with his whole heart. He doesn’t think I’ve noticed, but he secretly wants what his brother has found with Lizzie.
I’ve noticed the way he watches them. It’s not out of spite or jealousy, but appreciation.
I know the way he acts around town and what he’s known for, but I see more than that side.
He’s looking for a future, whether he admits it or not. ”
My eyes are a little wide as I listen to her talk about her second born son, who even though he is a twin told me he was born five minutes after Collin. The one who’s a little silly and charismatic. The one I can see myself falling for.
“I apologize for just dropping by unannounced. I saw the extra vehicle in the driveway and knew he wasn’t alone.
I was really hoping to get to meet you though.
Not only has Collin met you, but Charli has talked so positively about you too.
I wanted to finally meet the woman who is stealing my son’s heart. ”
“Oh, we’re not—I mean, it’s not like that…”
Stop talking, Oaklee.
The last thing I want to tell his mom is I’m just the woman he’s sleeping with right now, that this isn’t what she’s suggesting.
But if I’m being completely honest with myself, something that feels an awful lot like hope takes root in my chest and blooms.
You know, for someone who wasn’t looking for a relationship, I sure as hell want this to turn into one.
“Well, nonetheless, I see the change in my boy, and I’m sure you have a lot to do with it. I won’t stay. I’m sure you two have plans,” she says, giving me another polite smile.
“Not really,” I reply. “He’s supposed to be resting his leg, but you know how he is.”
She chuckles and nods. “I do, yes. So I guess I need to wish you luck then. That boy of mine will definitely keep you on your toes.”
“You better be in the kitchen and you better be naked!”
Oh. My. God.
Before I can say anything, like warn him to the fact his mom is standing right here, Cade comes around the corner. Praise the Lord above he’s wearing a towel. Oh my word, it just hit me he could have very easily walked around the corner wearing nothing but a smile.
“Mom.” Cade stops in the doorway, his gaze darting between me and the woman standing next to me. “Hi.”
“Hello, Cade,” she replies with a grin. She steps forward and kisses his cheek. “I was just having a lovely chat with Oaklee.”
“Yeah?” he asks, turning his attention to me and giving me a slightly worried look.
I give him a reassuring grin, letting him know I’m okay. “Your mom brought you chicken and dumplings.”
He looks her way. “My favorite.”
“Well, I thought you could use some comfort food after cutting your leg and having to get stitches.”
“How’d you hear?” he asks.
“Charli. She heard it from Quinn, who heard it from Camden. I assume he talked to Collin after he ran into one of your coworkers at the bar.”
“Ahh,” he replies, as if it were no big deal that half the town was talking about him getting injured at work. “Well, thank you for the dumplings. I’ll have it for lunch tomorrow.”
“I made plenty so Oaklee can have some too,” his mom says. “Well, I’ll leave you two to get back to your evening together. I’m glad you’re feeling okay.”
He waves her off. “Nothing a good needle and thread couldn’t fix.”
She shakes her head and glances my way. “More stitches than I could count, and two broken bones.”
“Two?” I ask. The nurse in me is very much intrigued to hear the details.
“Arm and a nose.”
“And not at the same time,” his mom adds. “You two have a good one. Oaklee, it was lovely to finally meet you. I hope to see you again soon.” She steps forward and gives me a warm hug.
Something causes my eyes to burn at the friendly gesture. Maybe it’s because my grandparents weren’t huggers, nor was my mom. I don’t recall a lot of exchanges like this growing up, and for some reason, having this woman give me a simple hug is almost too much for me.
“It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Miller,” I finally croak out, clearing the emotion from my throat.