6. Cece
CHAPTER 6
Cece
“Y ou have to send it all back,” I sputter as I stare at the bags overflowing Carter’s den: clothes, makeup, electronics, shoes. A rack filled with evening gowns I’m pretty sure I’ll never wear.
All of it is for me.
According to Carter.
But I can’t accept such a lavish gift. Can I? I shake my head. No, I can’t. We’re just figuring out our relationship. I can’t possibly allow him to spoil me so rotten when there’s not a horse’s chance in hell of me ever reciprocating the gesture.
“Nope.” The smug ass just casually leans against the wall, watching me struggle with believing someone could be so kind as to shower me with all these things.
“It’s too much.”
“It’s not enough,” he counters, and I glare at him. “Look, you graduate next month; college is in three months, and you’ve been wearing my clothes. You need this stuff.”
“I could just go home and change clothes,” I whisper as emotion gets the best of me.
“You’re right. Go home, get your stuff. The problem is, this is your home. So this is your stuff.” Teardrops spill over, and I quickly wipe them away. “Don’t cry, sweet girl. Let me take care of you.”
“How can you say this is my home when we don’t even know what college I’ll get accepted to that offers me a scholarship?” What if I get comfortable here, and I have to leave? I think that’ll break my heart even more.
“Cece.” The sternness in his tone captures my attention, and through my tears, I look over at him. “I’m paying for wherever you want to go.” He drops this bombshell like it’s nothing. Like he’s suggesting he pays for dinner instead of eating at home.
“Do you know how much college costs? You can’t do that!” I shout the words because I’m overwhelmed, and it’s the only way for me to express this and not lose my mind.
“I’m aware, and it’s a done deal.”
He pulls out a white envelope and offers it to me. Recognizing the logo for Long Island University in the top corner, my hands begin to shake.
“The dean and I are old friends. Worked the docks together. I called in a favor and asked the review committee to take a look at your application and essay today. They were moved, and they want you, Cece.”
Anxiously, I open the envelope and read the acceptance letter slowly. Then, read it again. Then, one more time to fully comprehend its meaning.
“They want me? You didn’t just ask that they accept me?” I would hate it if he forced them to let me in.
“You did it all on your own. I simply gave them your name.” I stare at him, expecting deception in his eyes; instead, I find nothing but honesty and pride.
Dropping the letter, I run and jump into his arms. Kissing him, I wrap my tongue around his as he carries me upstairs. “Nobody has ever done anything like this for me,” I say breathlessly, amazed and humbled by his actions.
“Just need you to say yes, and I can pay the tuition.” My chest squeezes in gratitude, and I nod vigorously.
“Yes, yes, please. I would love to go and stay here with you.” I kiss him again, this time deeper, pouring all my emotion into it. “You want me to stay, right?”
“Of course I do. It’s why I’m doing all of this.” He pinches my ass, making me jump.
“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you,” I whisper, forever in his debt.
“You’ll graduate and do what you love. And when it’s time, you’ll give me babies.” He winks when I smile.
“Babies?” It’s so foreign to think about the future. To imagine a life where I get to be a wife and mom. “You really want babies after all this time?”
“You mean because Della is in her twenties?” I nod slightly. “I’m not even forty yet. I’m not that old.” Pinching my ass, I squeal as we fall onto the bed together. “Are you calling me old, sweet girl?”
Shaking my head, I hold onto my laughter. I’ve never seen Carter so relaxed, so casual. “No. It’s just you already did the babies and diapers. Terrible twos and the teenage years. I didn’t think you’d want to do it again, is all.”
He hikes my leg up on his hip, holding me in place while trapping me in his stare. “What I had with Della was special because it was just the two of us. That doesn’t mean I don’t want that with you, as well. If it’s babies you want, it’s babies you’ll get. But don’t think for a second that I don’t want whatever you do.”
Reaching up, I trace a finger along his eyebrows, searching the seriousness of his gaze before responding. “You’re so intense all the time, weighing your words. But with me, you’re always so caring. Always have been. Why?”
He’s silent as he leans down to touch our lips together, tugging on the flesh with his teeth. Moving along my jaw to my ear and nibbling when I become tender. “Because with you, I know I don’t have to be fearsome. I want to be the man you deserve. The one who cares about your thoughts and feelings. I need for you to know that even when I’m an asshole, I’m yours, too, and I’ll never treat you with anything less than respect.”
“Make me yours, Daddy.”
I’m not sure I loved him before, but I know that I do now, and I don’t want a life with any other man but Carter.
“Fuck.” His grunt is a low, growled sound, vibrating through his body and into mine.
“Daddy,” I gasp as his mouth latches onto my nipple again.
“Tell me…my darling girl, tell Daddy what you need.” He suckles deeply, tugging at my breast as a line shoots straight to my womb, pulling on my desire.
I sift my fingers through his hair, tugging until he releases me and our eyes can meet. “It’s you, Daddy. All I want is you.”
His face seems to soften as his hands roam my body. “I’m yours, baby.”