19. Cassidy
cassidy
. . .
A fter what has to be one of the worst shifts of my life, I pull up to my house, finding Travis’ truck parked out front. My emotional capacity is at its limit. As I throw the truck into park and shut off the engine, I squint to find him sitting on the porch. I received his text earlier, but purposefully didn’t click on it so he wouldn’t have a receipt marking it as read. When in doubt, it’s always easy to lie and say your phone died.
His large frame takes up the width of my steps. If I dare try to pass, he’d easily snatch me by the waist until we talk. Since he doesn’t know about Zack, I try for a safe option and ask, “How’s the worker from tonight?”
“Good to see you too, Cass.” Fuck . “He’s doing well, all patched up and should be sent home in the morning.” His jaw tics. “How was your burrito?”
“My burr— You? You’re the one who’s been sending me dinner?”
“You’ve had a long night. Why don’t we get you cleaned up and… take a nap? ”
I huff a laugh, crossing my arms over my chest. “A nap?” As much as I adore Travis’ witty banter, I can’t handle it right now. I shouldn’t be this defensive, but I’m tired, and my heart has been trampled on. I spent a year with a man who cheated on me. Thank fuck we always used condoms. When was I last tested? I think for a moment, and I had negative results a month ago and breathe easier.
“Yeah, a nap. I can’t promise I won’t wake you up with my tongue on your clit, but I’ve had a long week, you’ve had a rough night, so…”
“How do you know I had a rough night?” I cock an eyebrow.
Travis stands and slowly makes his way down my porch steps. Once he’s towering over me, I scream at my hormones to take a back seat; it’s not their time to shine, even if all I want to do is climb him like a tree. He slides his hand into my hair, resting his thumb on my cheek, as he closes the distance and kisses me. I melt into him, no matter how hard I try not to.
“I missed you,” he mutters against my lips, teasing his tongue against mine, begging me to play.
I throw caution to the wind and leap into his arms. I want to get lost in him. He catches my thighs and wraps my legs around his waist as he kisses me harder. I can’t help laughing as he struts up the steps, breaking our kiss with each one.
“I missed you too,” I admit, needing him more than the air in my lungs. I’ve wanted Travis for so long. Even if I’m a notch in his bedpost, for tonight, he’ll be mine.
Travis sets me down long enough to lock the door, then I’m hoisted over his shoulder like he’s some sort of caveman. “Travis! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He doesn’t answer me as he continues to my bedroom. Once inside, I slide down his body, and ask again, “What are you doing?”
“In this room, we promised that if neither of us were married, we’d marry each other.”
My eyes narrow. “Well, if I’m supposed to be your wife, the last woman you ever sleep with, prove it.”
“You don’t know what you’re asking of me,” he counters, mirroring my gaze. “I only ever wanted to make you mine, wildcat.”
My heart does a little dance every time he calls me that, and I hate myself for it. Feminism thrown out the fucking window. If we’re playing the honesty game, there’s no use in pretending anymore. “I’ve always been jealous of the women you’ve been with.”
Without hesitation, he pulls my shirt over my head and admits, “I know. But they should’ve been jealous of you.”
“And why is that?” My breath is heavy and I’m moments away from losing the upper hand.
“Because I was in love with my best friend’s sister who I wasn’t allowed to touch.” His fingers brush my arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. “But now you’re here, begging for it.”
“I never begged,” I groan, mildly annoyed at the assumption.
“You're wet for me, Cass, aren’t you? Your body has been desperate for me since I licked your slick fingers clean after you came thinking about me. I don’t need your words to know you want this.” He teases the waistband of my pants, dipping his finger to graze my bare skin. “Want to know how I know?”
“You’re a pussy whisperer? ”
Travis draws his lips into his mouth to stifle a laugh. “No, but I suppose I sort of am.” Pressing a soft kiss to my neck, he sighs against my skin, continuing to toy with my pants. “Does your stomach twist into knots every time you see me? Is there an ache between your legs when I touch you?”
“Yes,” I whimper.
“It isn’t just you.” He peppers sweet kisses up my neck and along my jaw. “The air leaves my lungs when you walk into a room. No other woman has ever done that to me, only you.” My breath catches as he playfully nips at my ear. “It broke my heart every time I saw you with Zack, because it was supposed to be me loving you, not him. I’m in love with you, Cass. Don’t tell me you love me back because you think it’s what I want to hear. I know you love me like you love Ingrid, or your family. You haven’t been in love before, because I wasn’t able to love you the way I was always meant to.”
I have no words, no witty comeback as Travis undresses me. Standing naked before him, I’m not nervous. His heated gaze roams my body in appreciation while he strips off his own clothes. Every movement is controlled, taking his time.
Tugging down his boxer briefs, he frees his thick, hard cock. It truly is the most perfect dick I’ve ever seen, and I can’t tear my eyes away. He strokes it twice and a few beads of precum glisten at the tip. I want to lick them away. About to drop to my knees, he holds my elbow to stop me. With an adorable smirk, he insists, “Shower first, my little wildcat.”